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Ron Paul urges third-party vote Ron Paul urges third-party vote
(about 2 hours later)
Texas Congressman Ron Paul is to urge voters to reject Democrat Barack Obama and Republican John McCain and vote for a third-party US candidate instead.Texas Congressman Ron Paul is to urge voters to reject Democrat Barack Obama and Republican John McCain and vote for a third-party US candidate instead.
Mr Paul, who dropped his own bid for the Republican nomination earlier this year, has a big internet following. Dr Paul, who dropped his own bid for the Republican nomination earlier this year, has a big internet following.
He is backing independent Ralph Nader, Libertarian Bob Barr and Constitution Party and Green Party candidates.He is backing independent Ralph Nader, Libertarian Bob Barr and Constitution Party and Green Party candidates.
"The strongest message can be sent by rejecting the two-party system," he will tell a Washington news conference."The strongest message can be sent by rejecting the two-party system," he will tell a Washington news conference.
"This can be accomplished by voting for one of the non-establishment, principled candidates.""This can be accomplished by voting for one of the non-establishment, principled candidates."
Those invited to attend Mr Paul's news conference include Green Party candidate Cynthia McKinney, a former Democratic congresswoman for Georgia, and Constitution Party contender Chuck Baldwin. Those invited to attend Dr Paul's news conference include Green Party candidate Cynthia McKinney, a former Democratic congresswoman for Georgia, and Constitution Party contender Chuck Baldwin.
According to an advance copy of Mr Paul's remarks, he will say the mainstream parties have no major differences on important issues, such as balancing the budget and civil liberties. According to an advance copy of Dr Paul's remarks, he will say the mainstream parties have no major differences on important issues, such as balancing the budget and civil liberties.
'Realignment''Realignment'
Mr Nader is quoted by the Associated Press as saying the gathering of third-party candidates would "raise the eyebrows" of commentators sceptical about their chances in November's presidential election.Mr Nader is quoted by the Associated Press as saying the gathering of third-party candidates would "raise the eyebrows" of commentators sceptical about their chances in November's presidential election.
"This is the beginning of the realignment of American politics," he told the AP."This is the beginning of the realignment of American politics," he told the AP.
Mr Nader won 0.3% of the vote in 2004, when he ran as an independent. In 2000, when he stood as a Green Party candidate, he was blamed by Democrats for taking votes from Al Gore that might have prevented George W Bush's narrow re-election. Mr Nader won 0.3% of the vote in 2004, when he ran as an independent. In 2000, when he stood as a Green Party candidate, he was blamed by Democrats for taking votes from Al Gore that might have prevented George W Bush's narrow election win.
Thousands of people attended a protest rally held by the libertarian-leaning Mr Paul - who opposes the Iraq war - near the Republican National Convention in Minnesota, last week. Thousands of people attended a protest rally held by the libertarian-leaning Dr Paul - who opposes the Iraq war - near the Republican National Convention in Minnesota, last week.
He won no contests in his party's primary election season but raised large amounts of money and support online.He won no contests in his party's primary election season but raised large amounts of money and support online.