Grafting Green Shoots

Theodore Roosevelt, Henry Wallace, George Wallace, John Anderson and Ross Perot were the major third party presidential candidates during the twentieth century. With the possible exception of Ross Perot the third parties died when the candidates left the scene. In ninety-two Perot secured one out of each five votes. Four years later he secured one out of ten votes. Now his probable successor, Pat Buchanan, is not expected to garner one out of ten votes, possibly as few as one out of twenty votes. As a former conservative Republican presidential candidate Buchanan is most likely to garner his votes from his former party.

Four years ago Ralph Nader formed the Green Party and became its presidential candidate. He did not wage an active campaign. This year he has pledged to wage an active campaign. He is most likely to draw his votes from the more liberal party (the Democratic Party). He is not expected to garner more than one out of twenty votes.

As an activist Democrat I am concerned that in a close race between Al Gore and George Bush the Ralph Nader campaign could possibly give the election to the most conservative Republican Party since 1932. The Nader adherents should recognize that the Democratic Party, unlike the Republican Party, is a true big tent party that welcomes their ideas. We ought to listen to the ideas of the Green Party and support those which are in the best traditions of the Democrats.

It is still possible to prevent the Nader candidacy from endangering the Gore Candidacy.