Nader turns away Canadian funds

Last week, IPR reported that Ralph Nader would be holding a fundraiser in Toronto to solicit donations from the American expatriate community there. Today, the National Post describes a scene at last night’s event that demonstrates just how enthusiastically the Presidential candidate was received by the locals:

After his speech, Mr. Nader called upon Matthew Zawisky, a 28-year-old supporter, to solicit funds. In a bit of barnstorming, Mr. Zawisky asked if an American in the audience would donate $4,600 — the maximum amount a U. S. citizen can contribute to presidential campaigns under their country’s law.

In exchange for the tiptop gift, Mr. Zawisky said the donor would receive a copy of Mr. Nader’s book Unsafe at Any Speed.

When nobody stepped forward, Mr. Zawisky dropped his request to $2,300, then $1,000 and finally $500. As the dollar amounts fell lower and lower — and an uncomfortable silence settled in–Canadians in the crowd began to ask if they could contribute. Mr. Zawisky said donations could only come from Americans. Someone then suggested the crowd give their money to a U. S. citizen, who could then donate it.

An American in the audience who identified herself only as “Liza” volunteered to serve as an intermediary. Eager Canadians were soon approaching the young woman with 10-and 20-dollar bills.

The Nader campaign moved swiftly to re-assure reporters that no money from Canadian nationals would be accepted. Accepting such funds would violate Federal campaign finance laws. The article touches on some brief uncertainty that followed the unexpected predicament and tells us that at a Canadian Nader volunteer’s urging, “Liza” returned the would-be donations to attendees as they left the venue.