[Peace-discuss] Florida as microcosm -- again

[Ricky Baldwin]

Now, I'm one who thinks you shouldn't be voting Nader
in swing states, but I have to ask if THIS kind of
monkeybusiness can really count as democracy!

And they ask why so many people don't bother to vote!

Ricky

Judge Orders Nader Name Off Fla. Ballot
9/15/04
By JACKIE HALLIFAX, Associated Press Writer 

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - Ralph Nader is again off Florida's
presidential ballot, at least for now.

Circuit Judge P. Kevin Davey on Wednesday ordered that
Nader's name be removed from the November ballot,
finding that the Reform Party — which nominated Nader
— isn't a legitimate party under state law. Davey also
ordered that four counties that have already mailed
absentee ballots listing Nader send out amended
ballots without his name. 

Davey had issued a temporary order last week keeping
the consumer advocate off the ballot, but his ruling
was suspended on Monday after Florida Secretary of
State Glenda Hood filed an appeal. Davey's ruling on
Wednesday reinstates his original decision. 

The state Supreme Court has scheduled a Friday hearing
on the appeal. 

The state Democratic Party is suing to keep Nader off
the ballot because, it argues, the Reform Party is no
longer a legitimate national party and that Florida
election laws requiring minor candidates to qualify by
petition or through a nominating convention weren't
followed. 

The lawsuit is part of a national effort by Democrats
to keep Nader off ballots in states where he could
siphon votes from Democratic presidential nominee John
Kerry. 

Most Democrats and many Republicans agree that Nader's
presence on the 2000 ballot as the Green Party
candidate cost Al Gore the presidency. President Bush
won Florida by 537 votes after a recount, giving him
the White House. 

Hood, who was appointed by Gov. Jeb Bush, the
president's brother, has said she is fighting Davey's
orders "as an honest broker" to protect Florida's
elections process by including Nader. 

She said elections supervisors are "under the gun"
because they have to mail absentee ballots by Saturday
and first need to get them printed. 

A federal judge refused to intercede in the case
Tuesday. 

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