Third-party Zeese won't 'be a spoiler'

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Third-party candidate Kevin B. Zeese said yesterday his long-shot run for U.S. Senate in Maryland is gaining momentum because of gaffes by the Democratic nominee, Rep. Benjamin L. Cardin.

Mr. Zeese, the nominee of the Green, Libertarian and Populist parties, said Mr. Cardin "committed political suicide" by skipping a debate Thursday in Charles County sponsored by the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.

"He chose to offend a key voting block," Mr. Zeese told The Washington Times.

Mr. Zeese, 51, said the pull-out will send ripples of disapproval through the statewide NAACP meeting today in Baltimore and compound resentment about the lack of black candidates at the top of the Democratic ticket.

"It shows a lack of confidence and a willingness to hide rather than confront issues," he said.

Mr. Zeese also said he benefited when Mr. Cardin stumbled and stammered through a televised debate Wednesday when confronted by the Republican nominee, Lt. Gov. Michael S. Steele.

Mr. Cardin declined to respond.

Recent polls show Mr. Cardin and Mr. Steele in a dead heat, with Mr. Zeese garnering about 6 percent of the respondents.

Mr. Zeese bristled at the suggestion that he could cost Mr. Cardin the election by fracturing the congressman's liberal voter base.

"I'm certainly not going to be a spoiler," he said. "It is a question of people hearing me. If they hear me, I'll win."