Two articles from Ballot Access News with updates on the Nader ballot access lawsuits. Related posts and video at the read more.
December 5, 2008 it is reported at BAN that:
Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court Won’t Re-Open Nader $80,000 Court Costs from 2004
On December 4, the Pennsylvania Commonwealth refused to re-open the matter of whether Ralph Nader should pay approximately $80,000 in court costs, over the 2004 petition. Nader had asked that the matter be re-opened, given that earlier this year, the Attorney General indicted many people who challenged Nader’s petitions for using state resources instead of their own resources.
So…
December 6, 2008 we learn from BAN that:
Nader Files Brief in U.S. Court of Appeals in Opposition to Democratic National Committee
On December 5, Ralph Nader filed this brief in the U.S. Court of Appeals, D.C. Circuit, in Nader v Democratic National Committee, 08-7074. He argues that the lower court erred when it refused to permit a trial in his lawsuit for damages against Democratic Party behavior in 2004.
The brief says, “The Conspirators filed 29 complaints before 19 tribunals (i.e., in 19 states) within 12 weeks, regardless of probable cause and regardless of the merits of the cases, as part of a coordinated nationwide effort to bankrupt the Plaintiff Candidates’ campaign and effectively bar them from running for public office; and in certain key states, where litigation alone would not be sufficient to accomplish their improper purpose, the Conspirators engaged in coordinated acts of sabotage and other systematic efforts to prevent the Plaintiff Candidates from complying with state election laws, in order to manufacture legal grounds for their otherwise baseless litigation.”
This brief further highlights the extent to which the Democratic Party’s challenge in Pennsylvania was brought using state government resources, which was illegal, since challengers to Pennsylvania petitions must be private, not government, entities.
Related post: A good background of the case over at Polidoc
Related post: Green Party urges quick action on Ohio, PA election crimes
Related post: Short Youtube video of Nader explaining ballot access lawsuits
Related post: Video of Nader and Romanelli press conference about ballot access lawsuits and Pennsylvania law
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