Nader Says He’ll Now Accept Signatures Collected by GOP

In an about-face, Ralph Nader decided Monday to accept thousands of petition signatures collected by Michigan Republicans if that was the only way he could qualify for the state’s presidential ballot.

On Thursday, Michigan Republican Party officials submitted 43,000 signatures -- far more than the 30,000 needed -- to ensure Nader could appear on the ballot as an independent. Republicans began collecting signatures after it appeared that Nader would not get on the ballot as the Reform Party’s candidate for president.

Nader’s campaign had turned in about 5,400 signatures. But spokesman Kevin Zeese said it stopped collecting them a month ago after the national Reform Party endorsed Nader and it looked as though he could get on the ballot as its candidate.

But there has been a growing dispute over who controls the Reform Party in Michigan. One group claiming to be the legitimate Reform Party of Michigan plans to nominate a presidential candidate for the ballot at its state convention Saturday.

Another Reform Party group already has nominated Nader for the spot on the state ballot. Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land has said she can’t accept that nomination until the dispute over who controls the state Reform Party is resolved.