When at first you
don't succeed...
Of all states, Ralph Nader should have had no trouble getting onto the Oregon presidential ballot given the support he's had here.
Most political observers had expected Nader would easily draw enough supporters at a Monday evening petition-signing rally intended to make Oregon the first state to qualify Nader for the 2004 ballot.
But only 741 people showed up -- far short of the 1,000 required by Oregon law.
"Even the best basketball player doesn't get a slam-dunk every time," Nader told his supporters.
Still, Nader said he would not abandon his quest to qualify for the Oregon ballot, but will try another option available under Oregon law -- collecting 15,000 signatures over a three-month period, rather than 1,000 signatures at a single gathering.
Nader needs to learn that this isn't 2000. It's a whole different ballgame.