Oregon Public Broadcasting

By far most of Oregon's attention this election season has been focused on the big statewide races and of course, the major parties' contest for President. And at least one independent candidate for president is trying to use Oregon's national spotlight to his advantage.

Five-time presidential candidate Ralph Nader was in Portland Tuesday.  As Andrew Theen reports, Nader railed against corporations, Democrats, and Oregon Secretary of State Bill Bradbury to name a few.

Ralph Nader isn't running to please anybody.  That much is clear.  He says he is running because there is not much difference between the two major party candidates.

Nader rejects the term spoiler.  He calls it "political bigotry."

Nader railed against corporate media and candidate debates that he termed a "cure for insomnia." He says his presence on a ballot or in a debate could serve some good, even if voters choose what he calls "the least worst" candidate.

Ralph Nader: "If they are going with the least worst of the two party candidates i urge them to at least make more demands on the least worst, and pull them in a direction of full healthcare, and efficient government, and peace and solar energy, and consumer protection, and labor rights."

The man helping run Nader's campaign in Oregon is Greg Kafoury, a long-time friend. Kafoury has a picture on his office wall taken in 2002 with himself, Nader, and Fidel Castro.

Kafoury admires Ralph Nader's energy and wit.  He said recent national polls indicate Nader has a lot of support out there.

Ralph Nader: "His strength in the populace is undiminished.  His respect among ordinary people is undiminished.  And if he can get into national debates, which for the first time seems like a realistic possibility, he could be a major factor in this race."

Kafoury said Nader and Libertarian candidate Bob Barr would spice up the debates.

For his part, Nader vowed to be on the ballot in Oregon in the November election.

He said Oregon Secretary of State Bill Bradbury violated his civil rights in 2004 by keeping him off the ballot.  But the secretary of state's office says Nader simply didn't have enough valid petition signatures in 2004.

The deadline for independent candidates to qualify for the ballot is the end of August.  Nader would need 18,368 names to qualify.