The Chippewa Valley has hosted a number of political candidates this election season.

On Friday, Independent Presidential candidate, Ralph Nader – and his running mate – made a stop in Eau Claire.

Nader addressed close to 500 people at UW-Eau Claire. He spoke to them about the critical issues he says the major party candidates have taken “off the table”.

UW-Eau Claire sophomore Sam Lambert was just one of the hundreds who came to hear Nader speak.

"He's got incredible questions for the Democrat and Republican parties as to the number of debates and policy issues and things like that,” Lambert said.

Nader’s questions touched a lot of people in the crowd – many of them curious about his platform.

"I've just heard a lot about Nader in the past bunch of years and really am dissatisfied with politicians in general,” said audience member, Hickory Tate. “So, I wanted to hear what he had to say."

"I like to learn about different political parties and I like to broaden my horizons,” added audience member, Gabrielle Weidling.

If elected President, Nader says he’ll address a number of things – including a free-choice public health insurance system.

"This would be more efficient, more humane,” Nader said. “It would save at least 18,000 lives a year which are lost because they cannot afford health insurance, according to the National Academy of Science.”

And a 6-month total military and corporate withdrawal from Iraq.

"This, together with reducing the bloated, wasteful military budget would re-direct tens of billions of dollars to public works repair and upgrade in the United States,” Nader said.

Ad the election season continues, Nader says he also wants to be heard – through open debates.

"We believe that there should be more than two Presidential candidates on that stage,” Nader said. "Why are we rationing debates in our country? We don't ration weather forecasts, we don't ration entertainment, we don't ration sports."

"I'd love to see more debates,” said audience member, B.J. Stokes. “I like to see the issues and the candidates. Actually get a feel of what they're going for."

Nader says he should be listed as a Presidential candidate on 45 state ballots. He says that’s 11 more than when he ran in 2004.

Nader says he will be on the Wisconsin ballot this November.