Backers predict Nader’s name on Maine ballot State GOP denies aiding effort

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AUGUSTA – Supporters of independent candidate Ralph Nader predicted Tuesday the veteran consumer rights activist will be on the fall ballot in Maine, a targeted battleground state in the race for the presidency.

After Democrats in New Hampshire accused Republicans of trying to split the liberal vote by helping the independent get on the ballot in that state, GOP officials in Maine denied helping Nader supporters collect the 4,000 signatures he needs to get on the ballot here.

Kevin Zeese, a Washington, D.C., spokesman for Nader, said the campaign had met a preliminary Monday deadline for delivering its signature petitions to Maine municipal voter registration officials who will make initial determinations on their validity.

“We’ve submitted more than 5,700 signatures and we need 4,000,” Zeese said. “As of Monday, 1,000 signatures had been reviewed by various municipalities and had come in at an 82 percent validity rate, which is not surprising for Maine when compared to other states. We feel very confident that we’ll be on the ballot in Maine.”

Aaron Rizzio, Nader’s New Hampshire coordinator, said Tuesday the campaign has collected more than the 3,000 signatures needed to get on the ballot. The signatures are due to town clerks for verification on Wednesday.

But some of the signatures in New Hampshire were gathered last week during President Bush’s appearance in Stratham – a move that had Democrats in an uproar.

A consulting firm owned by Republican David Carney hired 10 to 15 people to approach Bush supporters at last Friday’s picnic. The company, Norway Hill Associates of Hancock, N.H., also hired about 30 people to gather signatures at malls, fairs and other events.

Emily Sawka, 25, of Kittery heard about the $12-an-hour job through a temporary employment agency, but decided not to take it after learning what it involved.

She said she was told she would be collecting signatures for Nader in hopes of taking votes away from Democrat John Kerry and was given a script instructing her to tell people, “Without Nader, Bush would not be president.”

“I was unwilling to sell my integrity for any price,” she said at a news conference Tuesday. “I would’ve put myself and everyone I spoke to in collusion with a very unethical campaign strategy.”

Sawka, who declined to say which candidate she supports, was joined by Democrats who urged Nader to reject the petitions.

They also questioned whether Carney violated federal elections law that prohibit corporate donations to candidates and whether the state Republican Party coordinated the efforts.

“We’re not supposed to think there’s any coordination going on among all these Republicans? It’s all just a coincidence?” said New Hampshire Democratic Party Chairwoman Kathy Sullivan, who is considering asking the Federal Elections Commission to investigate. “Well, we weren’t born yesterday. And that’s why we’re going to be taking a close look at who’s paying for this and who made the arrangements.”

In Maine, Republican and Democratic party officials are stepping back from the political catfight going on in the neighboring state.

Dwayne Bickford, executive director of the Maine Republican Party, said he was not aware of any GOP members in Maine actively circulating petitions for Nader in hopes of siphoning off potential votes for Kerry.

“The Maine Republican Party is not involved at all,” Bickford said. “I’ve heard of some Republican consultants becoming involved in other states, but, as far as Maine goes, no one in the party has been involved with petitions for Nader.”

Chris Harris, a spokesman for the Maine Democratic Party, said Tuesday some Democrats were a little concerned over reports that Nader signature circulators were not identifying themselves or which candidate they were working for while soliciting Mainers for their signatures.

Harris said it remained to be seen whether party leaders felt justified in challenging the Nader signatures on that basis.

“I’m going to hold off on saying exactly what we intend to do at this point,” he said. “A number of people in the party want to talk about this first.”

Bickford predicted Maine Democrats could send the wrong message to voters if they push the Nader signature issue with Maine Secretary of State Dan A. Gwadosky.

“Obviously they’re concerned that their candidate isn’t appealing to a broad enough segment of the voter population,” he said.

The Green Independent Party of Maine also was less than excited about Nader’s efforts in Maine. Nader is now on the ballot in eight states, and he’s aiming for 46 and the District of Columbia.

Nancy Allen of the Maine Green Independent Party was particularly upset with rumors over the independent candidate’s possible next move in California. Nader fell far short of the 153,035 signatures he needed to collect in California by last Friday’s deadline in order to get on the ballot as an independent.

A former 2000 presidential candidate for the Green Party, Nader split from the Greens this year to stage his independent bid and chose a Green Party member as his running mate.

The Greens nominated Eureka, Calif., lawyer David Cobb as their presidential nominee and Maine radio talk show host Pat LaMarche as vice president.

The Greens in California now have until Aug. 26 to decide which candidate they want on the ballot, and Nader’s campaign coordinator is pressing the West Coast Greens to ditch Cobb and vote for Nader.

Dividing the Green Party is something that Nader said he would never do, according to Allen.

“I find it despicable,” Allen said. “It’s an issue for people who thought Nader supported the Green Party. He gave us his word he wouldn’t do what he’s doing.”

Zeese said no decisions had been made Tuesday concerning how the campaign would proceed in California.

“There are definitely things we’re going to be doing there,” he said. “Because Democrats are threatening to challenge us in every state, including California, we don’t signal our plans through the media.”

Republicans are expected to notify state election officials after next month’s GOP National Convention that President Bush will be their presidential candidate.

Ballot paperwork already has been submitted in Maine by the Kerry and Cobb campaigns.

If Nader succeeds, he will be the fourth presidential candidate on the Maine ballot in November. Also trying to qualify in Maine is Constitution Party presidential candidate Michael Peroutka, a lawyer from Millersville, Md.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.