kat, you're right, of course, I will not vote for Nader. The purpose for my starting this thread really was not to sway folks to vote one way or the either. People are going to vote for whomever they choose, and no one can persuade them otherwise, I believe.

The point which came across so clearly to me in the program I referred to (Hardball), is that the Libertarian, Green, Reform or any other group that forms a party should be allowed to nominate their candiidate for president. I think the Republicans would have been wrong to try to persuade Buchanan to withdraw because he might hurt Bush's chances, and I think the Democrats are wrong for expecting or putting pressure on Nader to step aside in order not to hurt Gore's chances. If the minority parties had more access to the media and to funds that would allow them to advertise their different points of view on TV, radio, etc., it would make for a much more interesting and competitive race. I also agree that the Libertarian candidate, Green Party candidate and Reform Party candidate should have been allowed to participate in the debates (though as someone said they really weren't debates). I can understand the logistics problem involved, but if we can put a man on the moon, someone should be able to work out those details.

DougR