I am a long-time Independent. And I voted for Ralph Nader in 2000. But I must say that the constant harpring by CUIP on behalf of Ralph Nader diminishes your appeal in my eyes. Just because Ralph proclaims to be an Independent Candidate for the Presidency does not automatically make him my candidate. If we Independents make up roughly 1/3 of the electorate.... and Ralph Nader typically polls at 5%, then clearly a large majority of my fellow Independents are no more interested in a prospective President Nader than I am.

I don't see a Constitutional crisis behind Nader's inability to get on state ballots. It's common knowledge that he's had a hard time getting enough supporters to generate the signitures necessary for him to get on a given state's ballot. Further, it's common knowledge that Nader accepts whatever form of assistance that a number of rightwing groups, who advocate issues that are the antithesis of everything that Nader has ever stood for, choose to give him. It seems clear to me that Ralph is a very desparate man who will make a deal with the devil if that's what it takes. So, what exactly differentiates him from the corrupt GOP and Dems??? Is Big Money really the root of evil? Or is it the willingness to cut a deal with the devil which brings out the worst traits in the GOP and Democratic parties? I submit that it's the latter. The money is only a symptom. It's the amoral grasping for power by any means necessary that is the root disease. And that is precisely the quality that I see in Nader.

I'll finish with this: I voted for Nader in 2000 as a protest vote. If he'd had any chance at all of winning I would not have voted for him. McCain and Bradley were the only two candidates that seriously interested me. I didn't and I don't want Nader to be my President. Deal with it.

If Ralph Nader is the only thing that gives the CUIP relevance... then maybe the CUIP isn't relevant to the large majority of Independents.

Sincerely,

Kevin