Nader scheduled to visit
isles this weekend
KIHEI, Maui >> Independent presidential candidate Ralph Nader is visiting Hawaii this weekend with scheduled stops on Oahu and Maui to drum up support, state campaign organizers said.
"We campaign in all 50 states," said Heather Vargas, who's in charge of Nader's campaign schedule.
Nader also campaigned in Hawaii -- a traditional Democratic stronghold -- in 2000, when he won about 3 percent of the vote as the Green Party's candidate. Many voters blamed him for taking votes from Democrat Al Gore and paving the way for President Bush's narrow victory.
Nader, who has not yet qualified for Hawaii's presidential ballot, is scheduled to make several appearances Saturday on Oahu at the University of Hawaii, where he will deliver a speech and sign books.
On Sunday, Nader is scheduled to make three appearances on Maui, where County Council candidate Johnny Jackson said he expects the longtime consumer advocate to receive a warm welcome.
"He's reaching out to the people who've been neglected by the major parties," Jackson said.
The only other presidential candidate to campaign in Hawaii this year was Ohio Congressman Dennis Kucinich, who visited the islands in February. He finished second to John Kerry in Hawaii's Feb. 24 caucus, winning eight of the state's 18 delegates to the Democratic National Convention.
Ralph Nader campaign
www.votenader.org