This morning on Tim Russert's Meet the Press, corporate gadfly Ralph Nader announced he intends to run for president as an independent in the November election.
Nader's decision will undoubtedly cause the mimosas to flow in the Oval Office -- given the 50-50 split between democrats and republicans in this country, every vote that Nader takes away from the democratic nominee will undoubtedly act as a virtual vote for Bush.
“Washington is now corporate occupied territory,” Nader told Russert, according to MSNBC. “There is now a for-sale sign on most agencies and departments.... Money is flowing in like never before. It means that corporations are saying no to the necessities of the American people.... Basically, it’s question of both parties flunking.”
I find it rather amazing that Nader still operates under the assumption it matters not whether a Dem or a Repub is in the White House because they are equally to blame for this nation's ills. Pretend you're Ralph for just a moment: if you look at all the particular issues that he cares about, whether it's consumer protections, the environment, etc, how can he honestly believe that the US is better off today under Bush than it would have been under Gore?
Knowing the political demographics of the country, unless we suddenly get a right-winger running as an independent as well, the only votes Nader will cancel out will be the Democratic candidate's. Perhaps he wants his tombstone to read, "Secured a two-term presidential legacy for George W. Bush." If he gets the same level of support this time around as he did back in 2000, that's exactly what his legacy will be. Oh, the vanity.
Terry MacAullife, the Rolaids are on me, buddy.... -ac
Posted by acarvin at February 22, 2004 10:02 AM | TrackBackThe most regrettable thing about Mr. Nader's new candidacy is not how it is likely to affect the election, but how it will affect Mr. Nader's own legacy
Posted by: web developer at February 25, 2004 12:48 AMI'm tired of hearing the Dems whine about Nader costing Gore the election. The Dems did a great job of losing that one without any help from Nader. So, let them parade some other centrist corporate whore out there this time and I *still* won't vote for him.
Hats off to Nader for doing what he thinks is right. Why should he listen to anybody who says he shouldn't run because he might take votes away from the Dem? Do the Dems have some constitutional right I'm not aware of to run without any competition other than the Republican?
No progressive idea ever originated with either of the two major political parties; they only adopt an idea when it has enough force to cost them an election. In another 4 or 8 years, maybe the Dems will wise up and pick up on some of Nader's themes.
In the meantime, what's another 4 years of dubya? What's 4 years of Kerry? It's all the same to me.
Posted by: todd at February 26, 2004 09:02 AM