WASHINGTON, July 16 (UPI) -- Top Democratic official Terry McAuliffe Friday called on independent candidate Ralph Nader not to take part in a "right wing political ploy" in Michigan.
"Nader and his campaign are fully aware that 43,000 signatures were gathered by Michigan Republicans and that those signatures were gathered to achieve a political end -- to help elect George Bush," McAuliffe said in a statement.
Nader initially had said he did not intend to accept help from Republicans -- both financially and to get on ballots -- in his quest for the presidency. Recent media reports report he has done so in Michigan. If he runs, Nader is expected to siphon votes from Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass.,
"The choice before Nader is clear," McAuliffe said.
"He will either reject this Republican ploy or he will embrace it. ... We urge Nader to make the right choice -- and reject this right-wing political ploy."
