http://releases.usnewswire.com/GetRelease.asp?id=104-06262004PORTLAND, Ore., June 26 /U.S. Newswire/ -- Presidential candidate Ralph Nader is relying on support from right wing Republicans to qualify for the ballot in Oregon, a move demonstrating that his campaign is being used as tool by the GOP to hurt the presumptive Democratic candidate, Sen. John Kerry.
With Nader needing 1,000 people to attend his convention today, conservative groups are calling on their members to show up and support Nader so he can be on the ballot as a spoiler in Oregon. Under the state's laws, if 1,000 people show up at a convention and sign petitions, a candidate can be on the ballot. Nader drew only 741 at a previous attempt.
Russ Walker, of the Citizens for a Sound Economy, told reporters: "We disagree with Ralph Nader's politics, but we'd love to see him make the ballot.''
StopNader.com is organizing Democrats to show up at the convention this afternoon and demonstrate their distaste for the election shenanigans being played by the Republicans and readily accepted by Nader.
"Mr. Nader has insisted that his campaign is not a tool for the Republicans. This is the clearest evidence to date that it is,'' said Michael K. Frisby, communications director for the StopNader.com campaign. "What is the purpose of this campaign? Clearly, Mr. Nader's popular support has dwindled if he has to rely on right wing Republicans to get him on the ballot in a state where he has had considerable strength in the past.''
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