Could Ron Paul/ Bob Barr “do a Nader” on John McCain?

Back in 2000, I argued with relatives about Nader’s role in giving the election to George Bush. I always held that Gore ran a lousy campaign, which I thought was the reason– not Nader– for his loss. I also thought that folks who voted Nader in Florida, given the close contest there, made a bonehead choice. i have said previously that i voted nader in 2000, but from the comfort of my home in Massachusetts. Florida was different, and had I lived there, i would have voted Gore.

So?

With all this said, were it not for Nader being on the Florida ballot, Al Gore would be completing his second term, and the world would be a much better place.

Fast forward to this November’s voting in Texas, a state from which Ron Paul is running unopposed for re-election. Ron Paul dislikes John McCain so much that he plans on using a good part of his remaining $5 million presidential war chest to mobilize his supporters into embarrassing McCain in Minneapolis this summer. Big Time! Not clear where Paul wants this to go, but he could easily stir some deep anti McCain sentiment. Could even be a more effective catalyst against the Republicans than Rush Limbaugh could ever be against Democrats in Denver. ‘68 Chicago this summer in Minneapolis? Perhaps.

Consider too that Ron Paul might then direct his supporters to vote for Bob Barr, who just announced he will be the Libertarian candidate for President this fall. (Paul held this ballot position in the past).

Given Paul’s popularity in Texas, and the state’s guilt over being “W”s home, it is quite plausible that Paul and Barr could indeed give Texas to Obama over McBush.

Although McBush’s campaign already looks to be in greater disrepair than Gore’s back in 2000, the “Nader syndrome” could help spell the difference in a closely contested race in Texas.

for a terrific analysis of why Obama could well win Texas this year, see Optimo’s recent comments on this blog.

Regarding Ron Paul’s possible plans, please also see:

LATimes Blog on Ron Paul

Did Supreme Court “Gin” System for McCain?

Justice Scalia is on record saying he doesn’t want folks to dwell much on the Florida recount and 2000 Bush v Gore decision. Quite the originalist,  and disregard for precedent notwithstanding, the decisions is dead as a doornail just like, Scalia suggests, the constitution itself.

Sure, it unconstitutionally imposed George W Bush on the country for the last 7 1/2 years, framing a presidency upon extralegal and unconstitutional moorings. And in this regard, the administration did not disappoint.

And now, scanning the horizon to see how it might affect yet another presidential election, the Court recently focused its attention on the state of Indiana (Crawford v Marion City Election Bd.).  In the wake of this decision, as the NYT reports, Missouri lawmakers are seeking a constitutional amendment that would mandate proof of citizenship to vote.

If a referendum on this matter is held in Missouri in August as currently planned, and it passes, the vote could swing this key swing state to McCain.  If other nativist state legislature get wind of it, the Court’s Indiana Case will then open the door for other states to similarly disenfranchise racial minorities under the auspices of excluding non-citizens.  

At issue is the desire to exclude noncitizens from the polls. Apparently, the fear of an immigrant casting a vote for president is mobilizing nativists and xenophobes to plan a constitutional amendment mandating proof of citizenship to vote. A passport, birth certificate… many folks don’t possess either.  Once again, immigration is being used as the wedge to exclude minorities from the political system.

If McBush wins Missouri this November, chances are it won’t be because of his compelling policy positions. Rather, it is likely to be because 240,000 mostly African American voters will be denied their vote.