Proposed Nader Statement to the Press

An Open Letter to those who support fair elections:

As a voter in a state other then Florida my vote doesn't even decide this race, but, as you may imagine, right now I'm concerned about the possibility of a Bush presidency. I'm sending this message in the hope that Gore supporters will demand Gore require an investigation before he concedes and that Nader call for Gore to investigate every electoral irregularity before conceding. Jesse Jackson has already called for an investigation. The way I see it Nader should say something like this:

PROPOSED NADER STATEMENT TO THE PRESS:

"I'm proud to have run for president of the Green Party. One thing that is clear is that neither major party candidate can claimn any sort of a mandate. The Green party issues I ran on - endding Corporate Welfare, opposing the World Trade Organization, creating a Single payer national health care plan, and protecting the environment - are the dividing line
between winning and losing. It appears likely that one major party candidate will win the electoral vote, while the other may win the popular vote. The current winner take all system is flawed. The Green Party believes in proportional representation. Congress should pass a measure that House of Representatives in states that send more then one representative to congress will be awarded seats on the basis of proportional representation. Five percent of the votes should mean five percent of the representatives.

I am very concerned that every vote counted in this election be a fair vote, and am disturbed to here there have been some irregularities in the electoral process in Florida, as well as in other states. I believe this election is too close to call and that the winner should not be declared until every electoral irregularity is investigated. Gore should insist this take place. To fail to do so would be an indication that Gore does not think
there is enough of a difference between himself and Mr. bush to fight for. Mr. Gore owes it to those who voted for him, and to the electoral system itself to assure that everyone who wanted to vote had the opportunity and that corrupt practices did not decide this election."

The above three paragraphs would be a great Nader press conference and would provide for interesting sound bites on the news in the coming days. I think a statement like this would do alot to keep events in play and raise important issues. Already it is clear Bush does not have a mandate, but the longer it takes to reach a true vote count the more clear that would become to the Congress, which is presently in Republican hands. And, who knows, it could be this gambit would help Gore win, and if Gore did win I'm pretty sure he wouldn't take our vote for granted next time around, even if we didn't get 5%!