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Anorak News | The First Blow

The First Blow

by | 15th, September 2004

‘IT’S an ill wind that blows no-one any good – and the Republicans have been quick to take advantage of Hurricane Ivan’s imminent arrival in Florida.

Jeff Daniels and Jim Carrey are back for one last caper

The Telegraph reports that Florida secretary of state Glenda Hood has intervened to reinstate Ralph Nader’s name on the ballot for November’s crucial presidential election.

She overruled a judge’s preliminary ruling because, she said, the hurricane might prevent the judge from holding a final hearing.

Democrats are understandably furious at the decision – in 2000, Nader gained 100,000 votes in Florida, almost all of them off Al Gore, who as a result fell 500 votes short of the White House.

They accuse Mrs Hood, who was appointed by Governor Jeb Bush, the President’s brother, of making a political decision, arguing that Hurricane Ivan isn’t even due to strike the state capital Tallahassee, where the judge sits.

Scott Maddox, Florida Democratic chairman, says the decision is “blatant political manoeuvring by Jeb Bush to give his brother a leg-up on election day”.

Nader was ruled out of the ballot last week after a judge accepted that the Reform Party, under whose banner Nader is standing, was no longer a viable national party under state law.

It has assets of only $18.18 in its coffers – which makes even the cash-strapped Conservative Party in this country look flush.

Governor Bush, meanwhile, defended his decision, arguing that tens of thousands of overseas ballot papers had to be printed by the weekend.

However, he was at a loss to explain why those same overseas ballot papers had a pre-printed X next to the name of the Republican presidential candidate, a Mr George W Bush.’



Posted: 15th, September 2004 | In: Uncategorized Comment | TrackBack | Permalink