[rocklobster11]

The 21 reasons was a good read, but I think the big factor in the 2000 election was Ralph Nader, just as it was with Perot in 1992 and to a lesser degree in 1996.

Nader's impact can't be viewed only in Florida and New Hampshire. That leaves out the impact of Gore having to work harder to get his base at the expense of the independents and conservative democrats in the middle.

Assuming we have no major third party candidate this year, I think Bush should win it easily, as I think the majority of Americans have been turned off by the Democrats behaviour since the 2000 elections

[Pilsner]

think the big factor in the 2000 election was Ralph Nader

However much Nader hurt Gore, Buchanan hurt Bush. The "its all Nader's fault" theory adds all of his vote to Gore's and looks at how many states change sides from Busg to Gore. It ignires the fact that if you add all of Buchanan's vote to Bush then Iowa (7), New Mexico (5), Oregon (7) and Wisconsin (11), with a total of 30 electoral votes, change from Gore to Bush.