Surge in support for Nader spells trouble for Kerry

[rodbarnett]

A new poll suggested yesterday that Ralph Nader's independent presidential bid represented a serious threat to the Democratic candidate, Senator John Kerry.
The New York Times and CBS News poll revealed a tight two-man race for the White House between President George Bush and Mr Kerry. Mr Bush had a narrow lead of 46% over Mr Kerry's 43% - within the poll's margin of error.

But when Americans were asked about a three-man race including Mr Nader, the 70-year-old consumer activist attracted 7% support, mostly at the expense of the Democrat. In that contest, Mr Bush led Mr Kerry by 46% to 38%.

Mr Nader's poll ratings are higher than at this point in the 2000 election. Many Democrats claimed that the independent candidate had helped Mr Bush to win by dividing the liberal vote in swing states such as Florida and New Hampshire.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/uselections2004/story/0,13918,1170875,00.html

[Dogmudgeon]

1. One poll?

The press must be desperate for some stink.

First time Kerry bloodies the Idiot Bastard Son, that's it for RN's numbers.

--bkl

[nadinbrzezinski]

2. And I must say it now

those who choose to vote for Nader, better vote for Bush.. and save themselves a step

[fearnobush]

3. Poll was pushed for him. 40% of the Sheeple still have never

heard of Kerry. Many more know Nader as a house hold name. Trust... It won't last. American research poll, 3 days prior to CBS had Nader at 1.8%.

[finecraft]

12. 40% have never heard of Kerry?

I am listening to MSNBC and heard the same statistic. How on earth can 40% of our population not have heard of Kerry? Do they not watch TV (even FOX mentions him occasionally), listen to a radio, read a paper or magazine, talk to other people......Just what does 40% of our population DO??? I know they must be total morons, but my God, come on....never heard of Kerry??????

[scarface2004]

4. i know...

bullshit propaganda when i see it. the press is a bunch of fucking assholes!!

[stepnw1f]

5. CBS is Bought And Paid For

No doubt, political pressure is at play here. Hmmmm... who owns CBS again?

[HydroAddict]

6. This is just getting freaking ridiculous.

I have not seen ONE single Nader supporter. On the streets or on TV. WHERE THE HELL ARE THEY!?!

IMO, anyone who was "aware" enough in 2000 to vote for Nader, is surely smart enough to be ABB this time around.

I JUST DON'T GET IT!!!

[ordentros]

16. you just met one

cause I like what Nader stands for....

[jeter]

19. orentros, also likes Bush as President

[question everything]

7. On how many states' ballots is he qualified?

[Crachet2004]

8. Maybe some of you can vouch for the Nader vote...but I cannot.

The two I know who voted for Nader in 2000 are horrified at what they helped bring about. They are like me now, ABB.

So I guess I don't know a single person who is voting for nader.

The polls have been all over the place...almost like there is a poll war going on.

The polls are rigged, that is for sure.

[Blue_Roses]

9. Oh

fuck CBS. Their polls have been so wrong and over the top in the last few days. Their poll is the ONLY one showing these results.

[Name removed]

10. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[looking glass]

11. Not even on the ballot

Nader won't even be on the ballot in most states.

He can safely be ignord.

[punpirate]

13. My doubts about this have to do with the nature of Nader's campaign...

... in 2000. I don't think he achieved 7% in any state in the nation in 2000, and he had the benefit then of the Green Party apparatus, such as it was.

As an independent, he's likely going to draw less in contributions, will have to build his own organization (using PIRG chapters to do organizing, I think, would be illegal), and, based on year 2000 votes, how does he more than double his 2000 performance on an anti-corporate platform this year when he was effectively shut out of the media in 2000?

Nope, I think this poll is flawed, and I'm waiting to see others.

[fujiyama]

15. Nader got...

10% in Alaska.

Other states where he did "well" would be OR, CO, MN. He got around 5% in those three.

[edzontar]

14. I don't know anyone who is voting for Nader--and I did know some

Back in 2000.

I tried to talk them out of it.

I think most of them have learned their lesson by NOW....

[IndianaGreen]

17. Nader has 20% support among Arab-Americans

A recent survey has found that Mr Nader, who is of Lebanese descent, has substantial support among Arab Americans in key battleground states.

Polling by the Arab American Institute in Michigan, Florida, Ohio and Pennsylvania - home to more than 1 million Arab Americans - found that 20% supported Mr Nader.

Since both the Democratic and the Republican parties are captive of their knee jerk Israel-is-always-right policy positions, and since Dennis Kucinich will not be the Democratic nominee, I am not surprised about Nader's numbers among the Arab-American community

Kerry just said that Arafat was not a partner for peace, which is the same line parroted by Sharon and his sycophants in America.

I will also point out that the Democratic Party as a whole, including the presumptive nominee, oppose the outright repeal of PATRIOT Act as Dennis Kucinich has called for. Arab-Americans have been victimized as a group by PATRIOT.

Every vote counts in a very close election.

[jeter]

18. There is no "surge"

One poll. Time to get over it.

Nader will be lucky if his name ends up on 10 state ballots.

He won't poll 7% in November, so its really a moot point.