So if you get approached to sign a petition to put Nader on the ballot

[Nazgul35]

What do you do?

I have always been one who signs petitions for third parties, as I think it is only fair that everyone have access to the political process. I actively campaign against the idea of third parties, as they produce the worst case candidate due to our electoral laws...

So I have to say I am a little conflicted about this. I live in Michigan, a swing state (I really believe come election day Kerry will win by 5% or more).

As of yet, I have not seen anyone. I work on a major college campus and we have been over run by Laroucies...but no Nader people yet...

I have thought long and hard about this, and have decided that I will sign a petition.

I don't believe that we can save our democracy by sacrificing the principles that guide us. Being less democratic in order to win just sounds too much like the ends justifying the means....

If Nader is able to win enough votes toscrew things up, who's fault is it really?

We don't own the votes...we have to earn them...

[BlueCollar]

1. I reply

that I voted in the Democratic Party primary...and wish them good luck.

[ComerPerro]

2. I sign and

Try to explain to the person with the petition why I think this time around it might be best to vote Kerry.

[drumwolf]

3. My reply will be:

"Thank you, but my highest priority in this election is to get Bush out of office."

Nader has every right to run for office, but we as individual voters are under no obligation to assist him.

[Killarney]

4. ditto

[ezee]

6. ME TOO

[Lindacooks]

24. Same here

the chimp has to go, or we are in serious, serious trouble.

[Nazgul35]

5. I guess rather than have this descend into a Nader bashing thread

what I want to know is:

Just how far are you willing to go? How many of your principles would you be willing to give up in order to get rid of Bush?

In doing so, haven't you NOT won?

What price freedom?

[NNN0LHI]

16. If Bush wins you won't need to worry about the price of freedom

There won't be any freedom.

Don

[sangha]

19. Signing a petition is not one of my principles

and I think it's incredibly foolish of you to imply that it is a matter of principle, or a requirement for freedom. Freedom involves the right to choose, and that includes the right to choose not to sign. But then, the authoritarian left, like it's counterpart on the right, have always liked to portray it's positions as the moral one.

[RoyGBiv]

26. Principles

By refusing to sign a petition to put someone on a ballot that I don't want on the ballot, how am I giving up principles?

The entire reason for the process involving petitions is to determine whether enough support for an issue or candidate exists for the matter to be put to the entire electorate. That's one of the principles. If that support exists and he gets those signatures, yes, put him on the ballot and damn be anyone who tries to prevent it after the legal requirements have been satisfied. However, until then, I have every right to avoid doing anything to help him get his signatures, which includes both not signing his petition and suggesting to others that they not sign either.

[Eric J in MN]

7. you don't have an obligation to help a candidate you don't

You don't have an obligation to help a candidate you don't want to run this year.

If you're asked to sign a Nader petition, say no, and explain why we need to get Bush out of office: for civil liberties, international relations, or the Supreme Court, etc.

[codegreen]

8. i'll ask them how much longer they plan on working for the RNC

[kysrsoze]

33. I'd tell them to go fuck themselves

Seriously, I would.

[mike_c]

9. sign it-- it's called democracy...

...and it thrives on pluralism.

[Beacho]

10. I don't think that my priciples are abrogated

By refusing to sign a petition for a candidacy I don't support.

I'm in no way keeping Nader and his supporters from participating in the process.

[fudge stripe cookays]

11. Bingo.

MY principles aren't being threatened one bit. I voted for the guy last time, but I think it's a mistake this time.

I have no obligation to help him if I feel that it's a bad idea.

[malachibk]

12. Sorry, Ralph

I will not be signing

[cally]

13. I only sign petitions for issues I support

I think if you sign, then you are endorsing that position. I would have no problem saying no to signing a Nader petition They have the right to ask but I have the right to say no. I'm not denying democracy but instead exercising my rights.

[Guava Jelly]

14. I say no thank you

Why would I sign a petition to reselect Bush.
then I ask the judas who wants me to sign it How come he is fighting so hard to get bush reselected.
Then when the idiot shoots the republicrat B.s. that Nader is so well known for. I say go back to your la la land because you are part of the problem not the solution...

[Ohio Dem]

15. I would say no.

I'm a Democrat. Why would I sign a petition that would ultimately harm the Democratic Presidential Candidate?

[davekriss]

17. I would NOT sign (n/t)

[Nazgul35]

18. Would you sing for the Greens or the Libertarians?

If your answer is no still, than I salute you for your consistancy...

If you would sign their petition, but not Nader's...than you are in fact allowing institutional rules designed to prevent full participation in the process because it is to your advantage politically.

That is not very democratic.....

I also do not understand the mind set that fears a Nader candidacy...Is our candidate so weak that people are going to really vote for Nader? If we make the case that Bush is realy bad, and we will be sooo much better, it won't matter if we are facing a 1000 Naders....

And if we can't make the case with this president....whose fault is it again?

If we can not beat the worst president in the history of this country, we really suck! (I believe we will beat Bush by a lot)

[sangha]

20. No, and you're not helping yourself

by looking for a way to pin a moral failing (ex lack of principle, and now a lack of "consistency", or inconsistent with democracy (as you define them)) on those who disagree with you. It might make you feel a little bit better than the rest of us, but it's not helping your argument that we should sign Ralph's petition.

[ComerPerro]

21. I sing for no one

j/k

[Salviati]

22. I won't...

But I wouldn't have before either.

Not because I don't believe that we need more parties here in the US, but because running a 3rd party candidate for president is not the way to do it.

[NNN0LHI]

23. Would you sign a petition to get Bush on the ballot too if asked?

You know. Just so everything was fair and that everyone has access to the political process? Would you?

Don

[TeeYiYi]

25. Unless I intend to vote for Nader . . .

. . . why would I want him on the ballot.

My answer is "No thank you. I already signed the petition to put Donald Duck, Minnie Mouse and Goofy on the ballot."

TYY

[robbedvoter]

27. I already put Clark on the ballot - one per customer in NY

And just as people were very picky about signing my ballot petition then, I feel entitled just the same. I wouldn't sign anyway and feel fine about it.

[Pepperbelly]

28. Ralph can kiss my ass ....

I would sign exactly NOTHING for the irresponsible S.O.B. this year.

[Obamarama]

29. I would spit at the person and tell them to pick up the fucking clue phone

I can't even bring myself to imagine anyone being so ridiculously deluded that they would actually waste their time soliciting signatures to get Nader on the ballot.

[Selwynn]

30. Sign and persuade, sign and persuade -

I agree with a(or multiple) earlier posters. I will sign the petition and also try to explain why this time I think the best and most conscientious choice would be to vote for Kerry.

In the interests of full disclosure though, I live in Idaho - a state that totally doesn't matter to the election. :(

[dad]

32. :(

I feel your pain. NC doesn't matter either. This election is purely a spectator sport for us noncontested states.
PS GO RALPH NADER! Of course I'd sign.

[kerry-is-my-prez]

31. I'd tell them they're a moron- I've never been known for my tact, however

n/t

[QC]

34. I signed Naderite petitions in 2000.

That's a mistake I will never make again.

And as for the cliché about candidates having to earn our votes--we're not talking about giving them our virginity here.

[Catherine Vincent]

35. I would probably sign it.

But it doesn't matter because I am in Texas and there is no way Texas goes for Democrats during presidential elections.

[Blasphemer]

36. I would not sign

I would only sign such a petition if it were for a candidate I supported and wished to vote for. I don't support Nader so I wouldn't sign. If some neo-nazi right winger were trying to get on the ballot in this way, I wouldn't sign his or her petition either. There is no difference in my mind.

Edit to clarify that I'm not likening Nader to a neo-nazi. Just saying that I wouldn't sign neo-nazi's petition for the same reason: Not supporting their candidacy.