Help Kerry by Voting for Nader!
As I mentioned here, our American system of voting is ass backwards. Nader is now getting most of his funding and ballot signatures from Republicans. And progressives like myself who are sympathetic/supportive of Nader are praying that nobody will vote for Nader.
This is what happens in a democracy without instant runoff voting. You can help the lesser of two evils win by helping the most evil choice or disparaging the best candidate.
No doubt, Nader voters hold the key to this election. Nader is tilting the balance in numerous background states like Florida and Wisconsin, which means that his candidacy may hand the presidency to George W. Bush.
(For the record, I don't subscribe to the idea that Nader cost Gore the election in 2000. If you follow this logic, Pat Buchanan also cost Gore the election.)
Thankfully, somebody's come up with a brilliant idea.
VotePair.org is a website that allows people who live in a state where Kerry is very likely to win to trade votes with a voter in a battleground state.
The site was created by activists to help third-party candidates like Green Party candidate David Cobb and Ralph Nader get as many popular votes as possible without siphoning votes from John Kerry in vital swing states.
So Nader or Cobb-supporting voters in California, Massachusetts, Hawaii, or New York, for example, will be paired up with participants in states like New Mexico, Virginia, or Florida. You communicate through email to help formalize the agreement.
Is it legal? The organizers insist vote-trading is legal, although my own legal gut suspects otherwise.
So find a partner before it's too late! Click here.
Article comments
1 - RJ
Some polls indicate both NY and Hawaii are now "swing states."
So, trade away! ;)
2 - Evilwhiteguy
Illegal, maybe not. Unethical, I'd say so. It sounds like left-leaning people are trying to disenfranchise Republican voters.
And RJ, you forgot New Jersey and Pennsylvania on your list.
3 - Lono
As someone who voted for Nader last time, let me tell you... Nader is a NUTJOB. He is basically running to be a dick. He said would NOT campaign in contested states... and he has. He said he would NOT stay in the race if it threatened the Dems... and he is still in. If that doesn't convince you, read this from Salon.
http://archive.salon.com/news/feature/2004/07/14/naderphonecall/
4 - Evilwhiteguy
I won't disagree with the nutjob thing. Remember, Perot arguably cost the Republicans two elections, and I'd say he's a bigger nutjob than Nader is.
It's got to be tough when Nader says he
voted against the war before he voted for itwould not campaign in contested states and then does. When liberal politics meets ultra-liberal politics head-on, things are bound to get ugly.5 - Eric Olsen
this is very clever and a great use of the Internet - I can't imagine it being illegal unless there were some method of enforcement or coercion.
I loved Nader as a consumer activist, think he's a narcissistic megalomaniac (who has every right to run) as a candidate.
Thanks Junichi!
6 - Greg
New York a swing state? HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHA.
Phew. come what may Nov 2 that was truly a funny one.
U want polarization? Fuck you all that were not in NY & just dont get it--after 9/11 our unelected leader still had the oppty to create a popular mandate and squandered it in the dust of Iraq. He has betrayed all but the Christian Right--hardly a mandate even amongst Republicans. We will have sooo much to be proud of if we get another 4 years of this administration.
7 - RJ
New York will likely go for Kerry. But recent polls have shown the race there to be tight. Much tighter than expected.
8 - Evilwhiteguy
Hell, even Pataki introduced Bush the other day at a fund raiser by saying "Welcome to the swing state of New York".
Gore won by 25 points in NY. Kerry is only up by about 5, same story in NJ.
And he's giving up in Arizona, Arkansas, Louisiana, and Missouri.
9 - RJ
"And he's giving up in Arizona, Arkansas, Louisiana, and Missouri."
I can understand giving up in LA and AZ, judging by recent polls there.
But MO is a crucial swing-state that Kerry cannot afford not to compete in.
And Arkansas is still very close in the polls. But it IS relatively small beans, electorally-speaking...