Brian’s vote results for eight state ballots, on behalf of the Socialist and Liberty Union party (Vermont), total 6,383 votes as of 6 PM, November 5. Several state totals and write-in votes still are to be tabulated. 

This is slightly under the other two socialist candidates who are recorded in the 7,000 plus range; one candidate is in 12 states, and the other in a three or four large states.  Brian’s Florida vote total of 400 votes, was one-third the total of the other socialist candidate (1,440 votes).  Brian’s ballot location was number 12 of 13, while the other socialist was number three, immediately after McCain and Obama at the top, which could have contributed to the difference between the two socialist candidate totals. 

Apparently, third party candidates as a whole, scored lower votes in this 2008 election than in the previous two elections of 2000 and 2004.  Ralph Nader, an Independent, for example, recorded 2.8 % votes in the 2000 election, but is presently  at .8 %.  Almost one-fourth his previous total.

The Libertarian Party, had a similar experience, along with the Green and Constitution parties, with decreases in the ratio as high as one-tenth to one-fifth of the previous two election vote totals.

Brian was quoted as saying “We are convinced that we brought an abundant amount of local, regional and national exposure and interest to our Socialist Party USA, through our many radio and television interviews (Fox News Business World, Neil Cavuto; The Colbert Report–Stephen Colbert; CNN’s Headline News–Richard Lui; C-SPAN and Al Jazeera TV).

National articles about the Socialist Party USA included publications in The Nation (John Nichols), The New Republic (Katherine Marsh), The National Journal (Randy Barrett), Chicago Tribune (2) (Laura Olson, and a second writer) andThe Los Angeles Times (James Rainey).

The local publlicans included the Tampa Tribune (Tony Marerro), the St. Petersburg Times (John Franks) and The Folio, Orlando Weekly (Richard Wall).

Local Television stations also did reports:  Ferdinand Zogbaum on Bay News 9; WFLA News 8 presentation;  Kathryn Bursch, TampaBays 10 News; and Norma Sherry’s Community TV in St. John’s, Flagler and three other northeast Florida counties.  Chris Krimitsos and Anthony Kokovic of Tampa Bay Community Network also invited Brian to multiple programs early in the year.  [ABC Action News, who traditionally have generously provided five minutes to federal and state candidates, was strangely absent despite repeated requests.]

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