Campaign Laws in America

[njkaters]

A look at the recent decision by Pennsylvania's Supreme Court to force independent presidential candidate Ralph Nader to pay fees for his bid to get on the ballot in that state. What do you think about state and federal campaign laws? Are they too restrictive, leaving out third parties? Or are the restrictions fair, putting everyone at the same level and actually helping third parties that are able to put enough legitimate support together?

A recent judgement by the Pennsylvania State Commonwealth court forces 2004 independent presidential candidate Ralph Nader and vice presidential candidate Peter Camejo to pay $80,000 in legal bills. These bills were accrued before the 2004 election, when Nader and Camejo were trying to get ballot status in Pennsylvania but were rebuffed by state officials for having insufficient or illegitimate signatures. The court’s opinion stated that Nader’s attempt to get on the ballot featured some particularly desperate and deceitful acts, including the use of fake names and celebrity names like “Mickey Mouse.” It is a sad fall for the long-time consumer advocate and it is an ironic fate for someone who railed against campaign corruption in his infamous 2000 presidential run.

Extended version at:
http://law.suite101.com/article.cfm/...aws_in_america

[Mr. Knowitall]

Are you seriously asking, or just promoting your article?

[njkaters]

Seriously asking, I check this forum daily.

[aaron]

We have a system that, for better or worse, legally favors two dominant parties. It's possible for a third party to rise to dominance, displacing one of the currently dominant parties, but by law and practice it would be very difficult to achieve.

[njkaters]

I certainly think that third parties can have an influence, even winning election in some places (like the Greens in local and state elections now, Socialists in the past, Progressives, etc.). Heck, Ross Perot got 19% of the popular vote in 1992! So I think that honest third party movements can do it and this Nader situation is a disturbing aberration.