Reply #5: Fuzzy Math [View All]

I keep reading this "A vote for Nader is a vote that will keep Bush in office."

Actually, this is only half true, and only if the voter would otherwise vote for the Democratic nominee. If you were planning to sit out the election or cast a protest vote for another third-party candidate, and you vote for Nader instead, the effect on the presidential race is exactly the same: nil.

If you decide to vote for Nader instead of John Kerry (or whoever is the Democratic nominee), then it's true that you're taking away a vote from Kerry--but you're not giving it to Bush. For simplicity's sake, let's say there are nine people in the electorate, and they split 5-4 for Kerry over Bush. If one voter switches to Bush, the split would be 5-4 in the president's favor. But if he switched to Nader instead, the split would be 4-4-1.

So, if you want an accurate slogan, it should be: A vote for Nader instead of Kerry is half a vote to keep Bush in office.