Nader and the RATS response to him getting on the ballots in the 50 states is another thing the President needs to work into the debate tomorrow.
Not only is the Democrat activity good fodder, but how the challenges are being accomplished is even better. With regard to the Pennsylvania challenges, "Lawyers" are donating their time (and yes, I too am a lawyer) to challenge the ballot petitions. One large Pennsylvania law firm (Reed Smith) is throwing its considerable weight behind the effort to keep Nader off the ballot, to the point that the Firm's attorneys are getting paid for "pro bono" time (for those lawyers among you, the time is getting credited as billable time towards yearly requirements) spent challenging the petitions and Nader's eligibility to be on the ballot, as are paralegals and anyone else at the firm that can be recruited. Interesting that these lawyers are so willing to throw their firm behind Kerry, but also curious in that the value of the time being donated on behalf of this "independant" action is probably worth several million dollars. As of August 18, a Reed Smith partner was widely quoted as saying: “8 to 10 lawyers in [Reed Smith] were working pro bono on the case, 80 hours each a week for two weeks, and could end up working six more weeks.” For the first two weeks, 80 hrs x 2 weeks x 8 attorneys x $300 per hour is $384,000, at 8 weeks the total would be approximately $1,536,000. From my own observations, the time estimate of 8 lawyers for eight weeks is a gross underestimate (one paralegal I spoke with has spent the last three week in court reviewing signatures), and my estimate of $300 an hour is probably on the low side. I would guess this "donation" is "legal", because the time is being donated though a 527 ("United Progressives for Victory", etc.) C'mon Republicans, this has got to bother someone other than me.