benefits of electoral deadlock

Viewed from afar (Athens, Greece), the electoral deadlock in the U.S.A.
looks like a useful lesson. Gore's record and performance helped Nader
to collect some 2.5 million votes. One could wonder whether there is
something which Gore could have done to win these votes? A second
question is, had he done that something, how many votes would this have
cost him from the "center"?

Or perhaps he did not have such an option. Seen from afar, Gore came
across as far more dissonant than Bush. For the past years his actions
spoke for the "right" but during the election his speeches looked
"left". Whereas Bush's practices and rhetoric were in harmony with each
other, leaving no doubts about his convictions. Could Gore have
contorted himself even further, to the extent of stealing Nader's
clothes?

Seen from over here I think that one of Nader's greatest contributions
is to produce soul-searching within the Democratic party. Those who
blame Nader for Gore's poor performance, show how difficult it is to
separate cause from effect, or illness from symptom.

Petros Haritatos
haritatos@athenian.net