In some states, the game is rigged. The two major parties have written laws with signature thresholds in the tens of thousands, which prevent people from other parties from getting on the ballot unless they can afford to hire paid signature gatherers to collect the necessary signatures. Mississippi's threshold of 1,000 registered signatures is the lowest in the country. The Presidential Debates are controlled by the two major parties, whose millions in corporate campaign cash also guarantee that Nader will be outspent everywhere. Still, the Greens hope that Nader's credentials and name recognition, combined with a vibrant grassroots-focused campaign, will create a real choice in November.
Local folk are up for the challenge.
I seem to recall that for a long time he didn't even own a car for fear that such ownership would imply an endorsement. The election of Jesse Ventura to the governorship of Michigan dramatically displayed that people are ready for new political parties. A serious campaign could energize new voters, especially young voters and those tired of choosing between the two corporate parties. Greens in Oxford and Jackson have already begun to sign up volunteers and register voters. It is also true, however, that widespread reform will not flourish without a fairer distribution of power for the key roles of voter, citizen, worker, taxpayer, and consumer.