Statement by Ralph Nader on the Passing of Sen. Eugene McCarthy

[kpete]

Statement by Ralph Nader on the Passing of Sen. Eugene McCarthy

12/10/2005 10:48:00 PM


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To: National Desk

Contact: Ralph Nader, 202-387-8030

WASHINGTON, Dec. 10 /U.S. Newswire/ -- Following is a statement by Ralph Nader on the passing of Sen. Eugene McCarthy:

Independent candidates and the American people are indebted to former United States senator and five-time presidential candidate, Eugene McCarthy, for his many attempts to make the election process for both candidates and voters more free and open. He was a pioneer in bringing litigation to challenge the absence of ballot access laws for Independent candidates in multiple states that still had no procedure in the mid-1970s, much less fair ones. As a result, he was only on the ballot in 29 states in the 1976 presidential election. Sen. McCarthy was also a principled voice against the Vietnam War at a time when neither major party, including his own, could manage to condemn that war. He will be remembered and respected for his efforts against the two-party tyranny in our electoral process.

http://www.usnewswire.com/

[Ken Burch]

1. McCarthy was a good man who was not given his proper due

in American politics.

The fate of his later campaigns is an indictment of the injustice of our electoral system.

Had we had instant runoff voting or some other form of proportional elections, McCarthy would have been able to have a continuing, honorable and useful place. in this country's public life. And we would have a more progressive, hopeful and democratic country for his having such a place

Let's make sure that it is possible for the next Eugene McCarthy to be succesful politically.

And let's end this war NOW. It's what Gene would want. No More Vietnams.

[Maccagirl]

2. John Kennedy once said

that there should be more poets who go into politics and more politicians should be poets. I think he was thinking of Eugene McCarthy. RIP good and decent man.

[tlsmith1963]

3. OT

Does anyone know that Richard Pryor also died? I'm not causing trouble--just wondering.

Tammy