10 Minnesotans got McCain's back; Nader rallies

Last update: September 4, 2008 - 11:09 PM

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Ten Minnesotans were part of the human backdrop of Sen. John McCain's acceptance speech on Thursday night.

Chosen by his campaign, they were: Jacob Deitchler, a U.S. Olympic team wrestler; Jerry Driscoll, a former prisoner of war in Vietnam; Harry Kennedy, a volunteer; Debbie Lee, a Gold Star Mother; Alexandra Nelson, a member of Hispanics for McCain; Kelly Jo Oberlander, a paramedic from North Memorial Medical Center; Denise Sheehy, mother of a recent U.S. Naval Academy graduate; Lisa Sisinni, a former Hillary Clinton supporter; Brett Springsted, a Wayzata firefighter, and Joe Zerwas, Jr., a Rogers police officer.

INDEPENDENT RALLY

Independent presidential candidate Ralph Nader rallied at Orchestra Hall in Minneapolis on Thursday night, calling for open debates that include third-party candidates.

"If we did get on the debates, the Nader-Gonzalez campaign would turn it into a three-way race," Nader said.

Nader is running with the former president of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, Matt Gonzalez, who said that in his post he oversaw a $6 billion budget, about twice that for the state of Alaska and Delaware, home to GOP vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin and Democratic vice presidential nominee Joe Biden, respectively.

Gonzalez also noted that he governed a city with a population exceeding that of Alaska.

Gonzalez ran for mayor of San Francisco, losing to Gavin Newsom 53 to 47 percent.

Asked how to determine which candidates should be allowed to debate, Nader proposed candidates with 5 percent support in polls or those who a majority of people in polls say they want to see included.

Former Minnesota Governor Jesse Ventura also spoke, saying he is living proof that third-party candidates can win when allowed to debate.

Asked if he would endorse a presidential candidate, Ventura said, "Not yet. I'm waiting for the debates to see whom I'll endorse. I hope they give me more than Coke and Pepsi."

CHAO XIONG

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