Residents push for Kerry over Nader

Former Nader supporters want to keep Bush out of office.
YELLOW SPRINGS, Ohio (AP) -- On the front porch of his Gemini World art and music store, Ken Simon is absorbed in the murder mystery "3rd Degree." But he drops it quickly when asked about independent presidential candidate Ralph Nader.
The consumer advocate won 10 percent of the vote four years ago in Yellow Springs, a liberal-leaning village where tank tops, sandals and T-shirts emblazoned with the likes of Bob Dylan are common attire.
Simon, who has lived here for 35 years, doesn't envision a similar showing of support this year.
"We know the most important thing is to get Bush out of there," the 67-year-old musician said.
Nader won 2.5 percent of Ohio's vote in 2000, not enough to be a spoiler in a state where President Bush beat Al Gore by 3.6 percentage points. But political observers believe this year's race against John Kerry will be closer and that a repeat performance by Nader could steal votes from the Democratic senator and tip the election to Bush.
"In this state, that could spell the difference," said Robert Adams, a political analyst at Wright State University. "It's enough of a concern to make any Kerry supporter lie awake at night."
Making a difference
Stephen Hess, senior fellow at the Brookings Institution, said some people who voted for Nader four years ago will not do so this time for fear of handing the election to Bush.
"When an election is going to be close -- and 2000 taught us how close elections can be -- anything can make a difference," Hess said. "And Nader is a something."
Petitions are being circulated in Ohio to get Nader on the November ballot as an independent. He must collect at least 5,000 valid signatures by Aug. 19.
"With Ohio being a swing state, I think Mr. Nader wants to make sure he can offer an alternative to Ohioans," said Julie Coyle, his statewide volunteer coordinator in Ohio.
In his campaign, Nader is urging the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq, reduction of benefits for the wealthiest corporations and people and development of clean energy sources.
He was not yet on any state ballot, but his campaign expects him to be running for president in about 45 states. His endorsement by the national Reform Party will give him the option of running under that banner in six states, including the battlegrounds of Michigan and Florida.
Last month, a group called Greens for Kerry started a campaign to persuade former Nader voters and members of the Green Party to vote for Kerry, especially in 19 swing states, including Ohio. Nader was the Green Party's presidential candidate in 1996 and 2000.
"We're very concerned about another four years of a Bush-Cheney administration, and right now it's a very close election," said Sarah Newman, founder of the organization.
Support
Nader has a core of loyal supporters.
Logan Martinez, a Dayton house painter and member of the Green Party, said the Democratic Party hasn't delivered on such promises as reforming welfare and raising the minimum wage. And he said votes for Nader will give his voice power.
Yellow Springs, a town of 3,700 people, would seem to be easy pickings for Nader.
Shopkeepers cash in on the village's warmth for the 1960s-style counterculture, selling tie-dyed T-shirts, black-light posters and incense. The town is home to Antioch College, a liberal school with a history and emphasis on social activism and civil disobedience.
But some former Nader supporters are turning away.
Both Hazel Tulecke and Bill Houston may vote for Kerry this time.
"I don't like it, but so far I'm planning to vote for Kerry just because it's so terrible to make it likely that Bush will win," said Tulecke, 80.
Michael Morris, a film major at Antioch, doesn't yet know if Nader will get his vote again.
"He's a brilliant guy. He's got a lot of integrity," said Morris, 22. "The 'but' is I don't want George Bush to win. I am torn right now."