This ad, privately funded by Greg MacArthur, a businessman and Nader supporter from New York, ran in the San Francisco Bay Guardian, New York Times (twice, incl. on Nov. 5), Village Voice (Nov. 7), Boston Globe, Boston Phoenix, Austin American Statesman, Austin Chronicle and the Boulder Daily Camera.  MacArthur had initially planned to run the ad in several major California papers, but he backed off because the race there appeared to be tightening.  Underground Advertising of San Francisco produced the ad.

 
[Text of ad]
Why voting for a candidate who can't win is the smartest thing you'll ever do.

Vote for Ralph Nader.  And don't worry, you're not giving New York to Bush.

In this state, a vote for Nader is not a vote for Bush.  Here are three reasons why your vote can actually make a multimillion dollar difference.
1. Al Gore is going to win New York.  The two major party candidates already have the majority of states locked up.  In New York, Gore's double-digit lead means he's a sure win in this state.  If you live in a state where the race is close, we hope you vote your conscience.  If you don't live in one of the battleground states, you can vote for Nader without worrying about electing one of the lesser of two evils.

2. The electoral college, not the popular vote, elects the president.  A candidate wins the election by getting a majority (270 out of 558) of the state electoral votes.  And since the electoral college works on a "winner take all" basis within each state, it doesn't matter if the candidate wins by one vote or a million votes.  The presidential race isn't close in New York.  A vote for Nader isn't a vote for Bush.  It's really a vote for change.

3. This time, your vote can actually make a meaningful difference.  A multimillion dollar difference.  Ralph Nader isn't going to win the presidency. But if he gets 5% of the national popular vote -- even without winning a single electoral vote -- he and the Green Party will qualify for about $7 million in federal funds.  And each percentage point over 5% equals $1.4 million more.

A vote for Nader will send a loud and clear message from disgruntled Democrats, Independents, and McCain supporters that issues such as true campaign  finance reform cannot be left out of the national discussion.  On November 7, for once you have real power to effect change in this country.  Use it wisely.  Vote for Nader.

Paid for by Citizens for Strategic Voting