Students flock to Green Party rally in
Iowa
10/29/2000
New York Times News Service
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa – At every mention
of the word "spoiler," the crowd groaned.
The students and others who packed a hall at
the University of Iowa on Friday night to hear
Ralph Nader, the Green Party's presidential
candidate, justify his campaign simply did not want to hear any more
about the possibility that they would throw the election to Gov. George
W. Bush. They were so upset at being confronted with the evil of two
lesser candidates, they said, that they refused to vote again for the lesser
of two evils.
"This year the choice is between George W. Bush and a Democrat who
is to the right of Bill Clinton," complained Ed Fallon, a Democratic state
representative who introduced Mr. Nader. "I don't begrudge my friends
and constituents who plan to vote for Al Gore. I understand their fear of
George W. Bush. But voting against somebody isn't enough anymore. If I
had three hands, maybe I could hold my nose, my gut and my mouth and
vote for Al Gore. But in good conscience, I can't, I won't, and you
shouldn't either."
Democrats appeared nervous about the possibility: The party dispatched
the Rev. Jesse Jackson and the comedian Al Franken to address
students at the university, which is in Iowa City, that same afternoon.
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