WASHINGTON – Democratic presidential hopefuls will have to wait to find out if they'll have to contend with Ralph Nader in the 2004 campaign.
Nader, the Green Party candidate for president in 2000, says he will make no quick decisions about a 2004 run, because "I hate long campaigns." Democrats complained in 2000 that Nader's candidacy took votes away from the Democratic nominee, Al Gore, and gave the presidency to George W. Bush.
The Green Party had its best showing in 2002, said political coordinator Dean Myerson.
The Greens won 30 races in California, all local, and won a state legislative race in Maine among the total 70 races they won around the country. Many of the victories were in local elections. That was higher than the 65 in 2001, the previous high number of Green victories, Myerson said.
He said the Greens won their first elections in conservative states like Nebraska and Texas. Nader campaigned for some Green candidates in 2002 and helped raise money, Myerson said.
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