What kind of person votes for Kerry if Nader ISN'T on the ballot?

[fujiyama]

As everyone knows many polls show Kerry winning, but the races tied, when Nader is included as an option.

But if you think about it, many people really tell pollsters what they WANT to do, not what they know they will HAVE to do, when they get in the voting booth. This is also why Nader seriously underperformed pre election polls in '00. Many people in OR, WI, MN, and IA did end up realizing that the only realistic vote was for Gore.

This is why I seriously don't think it's worth freakin out about Nader. Those that plan on SERIOUSLY voting for him, will probably not vote democratic in the first place. They would probably either stay home or vote for some other third party. That's what a protest vote is - a vote against both parties.

The main thing is making sure people don't defect to Nader (or more likely Bush) this time. My guess is that most won't. Still, Kerry must make sure that doesn't happen by makig his distinctions from Bush clear and defining himself.

[Hippo_Tron]

1. It's not the politically educated who are of most concern

Those here on DU who have decided that they will not vote for Kerry would've probably voted for another third party candidate. It's when Ralph Nader gets on the ballot and campaigns in swing states taking key votes away from Kerry that he becomes a problem.