Nader seems likely to be on state ballot

Political observers doubt he will have much impact

COLUMBIA — Independent presidential hopeful Ralph Nader seems certain to appear on South Carolina's ballot after his supporters turned in more than 18,500 signatures from state voters, his campaign announced Monday.

The State Election Commission must still confirm Nader has the 10,000 valid signatures needed. If he does, however, South Carolina political scientists doubt Nader's White House bid will have much impact here unless the race between Republican John McCain and Democrat Barack Obama grows very tight.

State Democratic Party Chairwoman Carol Fowler said Nader did play a spoiler role in the 2000 presidential race, but she didn't expect history to repeat itself this fall.

A recent Zogby poll showed McCain and Obama in a virtual dead heat in South Carolina, but only 1 percent of poll respondents said they plan to support Nader.

"I think with every passing year Ralph Nader becomes less relevant to the political process," Fowler said. "I'm not particularly frightened by a Ralph Nader candidacy."

David Peyton, Nader's regional coordinator, said the candidate's goal is in part to fight for the mainstream parties to pay more attention to issues like living wages. This will be Nader's third presidential bid.

Nader ran as a Green Party candidate in South Carolina four years ago, but his petition drive failed that year because only 8,000 of the necessary 10,000 signatures were confirmed by the state.

Peyton said the campaign will rally support in South Carolina by drawing attention to air pollution concerns in the Charleston area. Others backed Nader's petition drive because they were interested in the democratic process, Peyton said.

A team of 15 campaign workers spent three weeks in the Palmetto State, primarily in Charleston, Greenville and Columbia, to gather the signatures, Peyton said. They spent an estimated $12,000 to $20,000 on the effort, he said.

Political science professors Blease Graham of the University of South Carolina and Bill Moore with the College of Charleston said Nader will only have an impact here if the race is close.

"I think there will be certainly support for Nader, but I don't see it going beyond single digits," Graham said. "His electoral fortune will be spotty, and I don't see him getting any electoral college votes."

Moore was less generous.

"I think Ralph Nader's appeal has really dropped significantly," he said. "I think his support will be much less this time around."

Many Democrats blamed Nader for

Al Gore's loss to George W. Bush in Florida in the 2000 campaign. Nader received 5,520 votes in the 2004 election in South Carolina.

The Libertarian Party has certified Bob Barr as its candidate, and he will appear on the ballot, said Chris Whitmire, public information officer for the State Election Commission.

Robert Behre contributed to this report. Reach Yvonne Wenger at 803-799-9051 or ywenger@postandcourier.com.