Can someone explain the whole Nader/Green thing to me...

[vi5]

I admit I am only following it peripherally, and am trying not to expend any time, energy, effort, or focus on to Nader. He is running, that's it, and I can't do anything about it. All I can do is try to get Kerry elected.

But what does it mean that the Greens didn't endorse him, and why does he care? If he didn't want to run on the Green ticket why would he want their endorsement? Does this mean that the Greens don't want a bigger candidate(like it or not, Ralph would give them more publicity than anyone else)? I'm assuming it's a pretty safe bet that it doesn't mean they are endorsing Kerry or soft pedaling the election so as to not hurt his chances.

If there's a Cliff's notes version of what this means or what is going on, I would greatly appreciate it.

[Somawas]

1. Should mean

that Nader is on 7 ballots, not 22.

[goodhue]

2. Greens endorsed Cobb who sought nomination.

Nader initially said he would run an Independent not Green. He did not seek Green party nomination. He probably realized that many Greens did not want to run him again. But he is facing substantial challenge of getting on ballot in various states. If he was Green party candidate, it would mean automatic ballot access in a good number of states. So he selected Green Camejo as running mate in hopes of somehow securing Green endorsement. But there was little chance--he had not formally worked towards nomination nor did he even attend national convention last weekend in Milwaukee.

Bottom line is that Nader will be on ballot in many fewer states. But he only needs to pull 2-3% in a single swing state to possibly affect outcome. Cobb could pull a couple percent as well, so combined they could well be at 4-5%.

Meanwhile, Nader's errant behavior of late suggests he may self-implode.

[JI7]

3. i think Peter Camejo has a lot to do with it

something about how he was supposed to run for the green nomination or attend the convention but nader gets him to be his vp and camejo becomes independent.

and maybe some of them are getting tired of nominating someone for their party who refuses to register as a party member.