Nader making presence felt

I thought Ralph had an excellent retort when Time Russert, of This Week, asked how he would respond to accusations that he will play the spoiler in the election and once again give the contest to the Republicans. Ralph said the Democrats should have no trouble landsliding the contest this year, and if they were not able to, fold up camp and remake themselves for later. They need to stop looking for scapegoats for their inability to contrast themselves with Bush and the Republicans and to run effective campaigns. Good luck to you, Ralph, and I hope you can maintain your poll numbers so you could participate in the national debates.

I welcome Nader in the debates. He is a man of integrity and draws most of his support from people who would not vote for either of the establishment candidates. Every year the Green Party grows and erodes the two party system. His involvement will keep us talking about the important issues and will show Obama to be much more progressive than the RepubliClintons.

Screw Nader. He holds none of the positions of the majority of green party members, and if he thinks he is going to run on our platform this year, no chance. Even the stooge who ran as a placeholder for him in the primary didn't come close to getting the needed votes. Nader just enjoys the spotlight and attention and does nothing constructive in decades.

The reason he is widly viewed as a spoiler is because he is at 6%. That is a long way to 51%. In other words, he has no chance of actually becomming president. I don't care what the leading canidates screw up on, Nader will NOT win. I think most thoughtful people would agree it is very unblikely he will win. So that leaves the question, if he doesn't have a reasonable chance to win, why is he running? If he really wanted to affect our lives, he would work within the structure of one of the parties that do have a reasonable chance of being in power. He used to be a great consumer advocate that could demand respect from both parties, but he has used all that up. So since he cannot be in power, and he is not trying to affect the views of those who may be in power, I can on think of one reason he is running. To give Ralph Nader a name.

Ralph, More power to your ideas. Keep working to end this insane war and bring our people home. You've been out there making speeches, doing interviews and writing articles and have written at least three books in the last 6 years. And you've been writing weekly commentary on the things that really matter, at http://www.nader.org .The question is where has the Press been on these important matters you discuss? where have the "Talking Heads" been on corporate crime and the profiteers of this war? The population is too busy being entertained and watching Sporting events to get involved, they take the EASY route and don't bother to think, settling instead for snippets and quick slogans. Knowing what's going on in a Corporate controlled State takes WORK. Thank you Ralph, for all the good things you've done to protect the PEOPLE of this Country. Amazing how quickly they forget, or perhaps they just don't know. Almost everyone's lives, or that of friends and relatives of theirs, have been improved and made safer because of you, Some wouldn't be alive today, if not for Ralph Nader! Their minds have been intentionly bombarded with with Corporate propaganda and the Democrat Party scapegoating machine. Obama and Clinton, and that phoney Terry McAuliffe should be ashamed of their comments regarding you. They continue the DNC scapcoating myth. thank you for your great and continued service to your fellow countrymen. More power to your ideas. http://www.votenader.org....All the rest of you out there, buckle-up! ....

Single payer health care? Out of Iraq? OK. Got my vote.

6% in a couple of weeks, what will it be in a month? (10%) stay tuned. The Nader forces are mobilizing.

I do not believe it is really about Ralph becoming president. I think it is about Ralph getting into the debates to wake the US up! If Ralph can debate in the national debates then the whole corporate thing will be exposed to "We the people". The 5th estate has let the people down by not exposing this stuff. The only requirement to run for president is to be 35 years old and be a natural citizen. Why? Because it is up to "we the people" to know what our elected officals are doing and not what they are saying!. I am thankful to Ralph for having rtun for president in the past as it has caused me to awake from my slumber. that is all. citizen Wyatt Lee Johnson

Nader deserves a lot of credit for his crusades to make the world safer, but he also deserves a lot of blame for the Bush 43 years. He can spin things around and around, but he took votes from Gore that would have made the difference in the 2000 election; I cannot forgive him for that.

He has no chance to win the presidency (and he's older than McCain!) but seems to have an incredible ego. He's right in that the Democrats should be able to take back the White House after this mess of a Republican administration, and his participation in the debates should help them do just that (I think he'll come off as a loony tune).

To the point about needing "51%" to win... no, that is not how our election system works. Whomever gets the most votes wins (gets the delegates in that particular state or congressional district). Be it 1% or 100%, all you need to win is more than the next guy. So, in a competitive three way race you could conceivably win with just over 33% of the vote. Bill Clinton won with 43.0% of the national vote in 1992, because Ross Perot got almost 20% as a Reform Party candidate. If you see Ron Paul jump in as an Independent then you could see a four way split this year. Our ballot system sucks, approval voting would be much clearer in its results, but nothing is going to change for this upcoming election. The party's have to live with the mess they made,. Most years having the system the way it is keeps third parties from participating in the election which is the only thing that keeps the party hacks in power. But independent candidates can still mess up a perfectly good dictatorship.

once again sebastian...do you really have to spam every single article on the internet about nader with your copy and pasted dribble? What a noble way to spread the good word...posing as your average internet user writing an open letter to nader...gee everyone seems to love this guy! i wanna throw my vote to the republicans too!!

Nader is an insane egotist who care only about himself and not the future of the country. Unless he is actually being paid by right wing republicans there is no way he could be more damaging to the moderate to liberal causes in this country. He is totally blind to everything but his own ego.

i would love to see a viable 3rd party. one thats not viewed as ultra liberal and out there. there are good ideas across the politcal spectrum. unfortunately the country is polarized at a time in history when it can least afford to be. Nader doesn't come close to being the answer. I found most of Ron Paul's ideas compelling when i read them. To bad he came off like a quack. Perhaps he and Nader should have a talk

Nader can't win. Nader running=President John McCain

President John McCain=no end for this war for at least 4 years.

I didn't get a chance 4 years ago to vote for a candidate, so I'm glad that Ralph is running this year. At least I can vote with a clear conscience for a person who not only reflects my positions, but has fought for them. It's too early to say whether an impact, if any, he'll have on the outcome.

But if the Democrats are really concerned, there's a very simple solution - start talking and caring about issues that people like me are concerned about (single-payer health-care, investment in and shift to renewable energy, out of Iraq asap - most Iraqi citizens want us out - why are we still there?), and I'll consider voting for their candidate come November.

And what exactly is wrong with more choices? I'd love to see what people who are disgusted at Ralph's run (i.e. Democrats) have to say about a run by someone on the far right/conservative. More choices, people, more choices. That's what true democracy is about, unless you prefer the "Wizard of Oz" show put out by the two corporate parties every two to four years. And if the electoral system is broken, then it needs to be fixed - you can't tell others to sit out because of the electoral system - which becomes an excuse when you lose, but not as long as you're winning.

Also, check out this book called No Debate and a movie called An Unreasonable Man. Watch and read, and then decide for yourself.

This article fails to mention the number of Dems who voted for Bush in 2000, but handily reports on a Democratic "opinion."

Why can't Ralph Nader win? Because you say so? Simply because there two major parties in American politics today, doesn't mean it has to be that way. In fact, having only 2 parties is what is eroding our government. George Washington didn't have a party. John Adams was labeled as a Federalist, but hated party politics. There have been Whigs too. Where did these parties go? I say we need a change! Not just from a stinking Republican to a seemingly "nicer" and "kinder" Democrat. Get the heck out of your box! Now! We are Americans, not dogs that follow our master because they have the ball.

Nader's campaign will be at least partially underwritten by Republicans, as he ensures victory for McCain. Democrats should hope for some 3rd party or independent religious conservative to step forward to similarly undermine McCain's support.

Ralph, you are a narcissistic fool. You know that you can't win yet you continue to punish those who would otherwise agree with you. No matter what you believe, you've helped to give us Roberts and Alito by tipping the balance in Florida and New Hampshire in 2000. Do you honestly believe that Gore would have nominated judges like them? Please just go away; you've done enough harm already.

I'm looking for some similarly narcissistic religious conservative to step forward to challenge McCain. I'll post some conservative b.s. that reflects the exact opposite views of Sebastian with the hope of undermining McCain. Run, Mitt, Run! You can afford it!

Anyone who supports Nader is either a McCain supporter, a fool, or both.

The only reason Ralph Nader is running is pure ego. The past eight years of Bush have clearly shown that there are major differances between the two parties, contrasting what Nader argued in 2000. He has wasted all of the social capital he earned with his work in the 60's, with his incessent drive to feed his own ego by these stupid "spoiler" runs for President.
Go Home!

Ralph Nader is a mentally-musclebound Legend In His Own Mind. His mind is so cluttered with visions of his own Righteousness that he is incapable of seeing the very real differences between the Democrats and Republicans. He cannot see that an about-to-retire President Gore would not have us bleeding money and military resources into that morass called Iraq, and we would not have Chief Justice Roberts nor Justice Alito putting us one Supreme Court vote away from a return to legal darkness on so many issues. He cannot see that, if he would tell his acolytes "the Democrats would not be perfect, but they are better than the Republicans", he might actually get closer to his goals than he would be if he split the liberal vote and threw the election to the Republicans. But no -- he fantazies that the American people will not elect a guy like John Mc Cain, when everyone else can see that a lot of people just might want to do that.

He reminds me of that line from Tom Lehrer's song "The Folk Song Army", when Tom sings: "Remember the war against Franco / That's the kind where each of us belongs / Though they may have won all the battles / We had all the good songs". Ol' Ralphie-boy would rather sit and watch President McCain take us further into darkness, and preach to us about how Pure and Noble he and his minions are. He ought to realize that his political theorizing is just like that of President Bush -- OK in the abstract, but destructive when applied to the rest of us. I wish that the American people would say to him, to paraphrase the famous words of Oliver Cromwell to the Long Parliament; "You have spoken to long for any good you have been doing lately.... Depart, I say, and lets us have done with you. In the name of God, go!"

He can win with 36% (Clinton 33%, McCain, 31%).

Nader is way ahead of these DLC and Repuglican panderers in terms of ideas and solutions.

ralph nader needs to find a hobby other than ruining the democrat's chance of winning the presidency. he really is just an idiot, if he doesn't realize what he's doing to the election.

As much as I would have LOVED to have seen Ralph Nader get beaten with a splintered ax handle for handing the election to GW back in 2000 (yes, he most certainly did do just that!), I have to reluctantly agree with him when he says that the Democratic Party has no excuse but to TROUNCE the Republicans this year.

Ross Perot handed Bill Clinton the presidency. For some reason, idiot Democrats call Bill Clinton some kind of great politician. He is not. He was elected with only 43% of the vote because of Perot. He was re-elected with 49% - he never got half of America to vote for him. Because Ross Perot was the Republican spoiler. So I do not feel bad for the Democrats and their Nader problem. Deal with it. That's how the American system works.

This comment board is flooded with Naderites.

He's a one-issue candidate, and people should be more responsible about their votes than to basically send in a protest vote. No, I don't think the Dem candidates are perfect, but they are more protective of small businesses and consumer-based policies than the Republican party is. (Look at recent FCC changes passed under a Republican Congress, allowing vertical media alignment and monopolization. Just one example.)

A vote for Nader is a Republican vote, and that's the worst approach someone who believes in his ideas can take.

Nader is an idealist, not a pragmatist. He, and his supporters, would rather let their preference for "the perfect" prevent the implementation of "the best we can get right now." This is reality, folks. 4,000+ real dead American soldiers in a war that Al Gore never would have started. How many maimed, physically and psychologically? Because Gore wasn't good enough for you? Soaring gas prices - for oil company profits, not for environmental protection. If you wanted federal support for solar energy, why wouldn't you vote for the ELECTABLE candidate who was most likely toIMPLEMENT it? Shame on you all. Incremental improvements are better than full-scale retreat on the environment, the constitution, our position in the world community; and full-scale retreat is what Nader and his voters brought us. Congratulations.

I think the Nader-bashing by Democrats and their supporters have done nothing to advance their cause, whatever that may be these days. I felt it was shameful that the Democratic Party willingly took an active part in silencing Nader's campaign at every turn. I used to think the Democratic Party was pro-consumer, anti-war, and pro-democracy. Now, I don't believe that is the case, given the insane amounts of money they get from deep pockets, and the ineffectiveness from key Democrats in the legislature, like Pelosi and Reid, and the refusal to talk about some more pressing issues. It seems to me that both major parties are insulated from the American people, especially those people that continue to deeply believe in these parties. I'm prepared to go with Nader in November, because I do not believe in the others. If it weren't for Nader, it would probably be one of the "third parties". If Democrats want to win, they have to change, not destroy this country's democracy.

Speaking of big egos, has anybody gotten a load of Hillary Clinton lately. She's trashing her own party's chances in November because she thinks it absolutely has to be her that runs the country. Her campaign is calling the Obamas America-haters. Sound familiar? They're arguing that she has to be the nominee because a lot of Democrats are white racists so a black man just can't win. How progressive is that? From her own mouth she has said John McCain is more qualified than Barack Obama.

I think Democrats should consider the possibility that the problem isn't Ralph Nader, it's them. Nader wasn't a factor in 04. But John Kerry refused to criticize Bush on Iraq. He refused to campaign for labor rights and corporate crime which Nader has said would have kept him on the sidelines.

In 2006 they made a big deal about how they were going to end the war. They haven't done a thing. Hold them accountable! Admit it. You don't have any control over your own party. The majority of Democrats beleive exactly what Ralph Nader is saying. But the big money decides how it's going to be. Not rank and file Democrats. All you're needed for is to keep casting your ballots for them because you're too scared to rock the boat.

You want to blame someone else so that you don't have to look at yourselves.

Riddle me this !

Gore lost to Bush by 537 votes in Florida in 2000.

Four third party candidates received more than 537 votes.

They are David McReynolds, James Harris, Monica Moorehead and Ralph Nader.

Why is the spoiler issue is only brought up with Ralph Nader ?

Stop and think for a moment have you ever heard of the names James Harris, David McReynolds or Monica Moorehead even mentioned once by Tim Russert, George Stephanopous or any other talking head ?

Would you recognize Harris, McReynolds or Moorehead if you saw them on the street ?

Plus six million elegible voters didn't even vote in Florida in 2000. That's a pretty big pool of voters if you just need 600. Couldn't Gore have gotten some of those?

in 2000 i worked for nader's campaign, and all i got was a lousy monkey in the white house.

How many times must Nader tell those who want his potential votes: "Take my political positions -all set out on my web site- votenader.org/issues and you can have my votes." If the Democratic candidates don't demand universal health care and an immediate end to the war along with a living wage in the midst of a depression, then they will not get the votes. In the midst of a royal screwing by American corporations, this should be an easy call. If its not, then Nader's view of our major parties as corporate controlled is correct.

Hmmm.. is there a reason why some of my comments countering the arguments presented here by some folks (Nader haters) were rejected? Because I mentioned the truth about the Democrats?

So much for an open forum and discussion, Foon Rhee and Boston Globe.

You Nader haters are absolutely ridiculous. Quit trying to make him the scapegoat and focus on what's important the issues. You name callers are simply clowns or if you prefer puppets. You are weak minded individuals! A vote for Nader is a Vote for Nader!

A vote for the lesser of two evils is still evil. I will vote Nader.

Everyone on here who thinks Nader running for pres is a waste of time needs to watch Ralph Nader: An Unreasonable Man (documentary).

The point here is to get him into the debates by achieving 5% of the vote. Yes, he knows in this day and age he will not win, but why are the 2 corporate parties afraid to openly debate him? In 2004 he had a ticket to the presidential debates that was given to him by a student of the school that the debates were held at. They wouldn't even let him watch from a remote site on the campus...they made him leave. Does anybody else see injustice in that? They had a list that went around showing pictures of all the third party candidates so that the state militia, or state police would be able to identify them and escort them off the premises.

Open your eyes people! There are millions of people who watch the presidential debates every election. The Nader's in the political system need to be given a fair chance to at least debate the 2 corporate evils that are put on the ballot every election.

"All great truths begin as blasphemies."
- George Bernard Shaw

Dear Foon Rhee,

Please work with your tech person to change the format of this comment box to include a vertical scroll bar. It will make life easier for those who want to comment. The small size of the box makes it frustrating to scroll up and down.

Thanks.

It may be hard for "Democrats" to understand, but they have no principles. That's why when asked, they cannot give a straight answer. Well for you young folks,
Ralph Nader has the principles that the Democrats used to have. He is the only true Democrat running for offfice.... So when the "Democrats" say that Ralph is not one of them, they are correct. They are not what they say they are. Ralph is a head knocking Democrat from the old days. If any of the others get elected; there will be no changes!!! (ONE NEEDS TO UNDERSTAND THAT FACT)

I voted for Ralph Nader in 2000 and will do it again. Real substantive change is what he is offering, unlike Obama or Clinton who are both tainted by the usual party politics which owns them and obligates them to continue the status quo. I urge all Democrats who truly desire "change" to get off the Obama or Clinton bandwagon and cast their votes for someone who is not afraid of, or impressed by, the party power brokers, the press, or corporate kingpins. Change is possible, but it won't happen if "we the people" gullibly accept the inevitable outcome of Obama, Clinton, or (worse), McCain.

American politics are dominated by the two major parties, and therefore, in my opinion, may be (and are on occasion) subject to the corrupting influences of such a system. These days, average Americans realize that; big money, major party dictates, media, power politics,etc .results in dictating who the two presidential candidtaes will be. Even major debates on TV are limited to the influences of the two major parties . And the moderators of these so-called debates rarely include candidates other than the influential. As a result the quality of candidates (as well as the debates) is diminished every four years. Ralph Nader does America a much needed service by pointing out important issues, that many other candidates do not mention. Some of other smaller political parties may also provide the citizenery a much needed service too. In my opinion, we are at the point of needing more than a the usual two-party dominating system. The "more the merrier" as the saying goes, and the free competition of ideas and political parties may make for a better system these days.

American politics are dominated by the two major parties, and therefore, in my opinion, may be (and are on occasion) subject to the corrupting influences of such a system. These days, average Americans realize that; big money, major party dictates, media, power politics,etc .results in dictating who the two presidential candidtaes will be. Even major debates on TV are limited to the influences of the two major parties . And the moderators of these so-called debates rarely include candidates other than the influential. As a result the quality of candidates (as well as the debates) is diminished every four years. Ralph Nader does America a much needed service by pointing out important issues, that many other candidates do not mention. Some of other smaller political parties may also provide the citizenery a much needed service too. In my opinion, we are at the point of needing more than a the usual two-party dominating system. The "more the merrier" as the saying goes, and the free competition of ideas and political parties may make for a better system these days.

I anticipate that Ralph Nader will have my vote for every election until I die. If somebody wants my other preferences to matter, support instant runoff voting (IRV). references at www.fairvote.org

I anticipate that Ralph Nader will have my vote for every election until I die. If somebody wants my other preferences to matter, support instant runoff voting (IRV). references at www.fairvote.org

To the bloggers,

I am considering voting for Ralph because I believe there is the need to sustain an alternative voice. Whatever his motivation, he IS consistently raising issues that NO one seems to want to talk about. The 2 party system is bankrolled major industries and will continue to be so. Check out sites that follow political contributions. An independent voice that continues to point out why politicians are so ineffective in making REAL change is what makes this nation great.

Blessings all,
art

Dear sour grapes Dems...

I don't much appreciate the basic attitude of what you all are implying. You blame Nader for running and causing Gore to lose therefore, you are basically implying that Nader should not be a part of the political process. You obviously are contending that you would like to try and force those that wish to vote for him, to instead vote the way you wish them to by subverting democracy with your desires to eliminate choices. Try democracy. You might like it.

Dear sour grapes Dems...

I don't much appreciate the basic attitude of what you all are implying. You blame Nader for running and causing Gore to lose therefore, you are basically implying that Nader should not be a part of the political process. You obviously are contending that you would like to try and force those that wish to vote for him, to instead vote the way you wish them to by subverting democracy with your desires to eliminate choices. Try democracy. You might like it.

Anyone who thinks that Obama or Hillary are going to end the Iraq war and give Americans universal healthcare is a naive dumbass.

These candidates will do what their corporate benefactors want. Haven't you people learned your lesson with the democratic senate and congress coming into power? They promised the world and we all got another kick in the teeth.
It will be the same with Hillary or Obama, Just watch... But by all means have all the fun you can during this election season supporting these two fakes. But be ready for a continued reaming come 1/20/2009 if any of these two wins.

"Anyone who thinks that Obama or Hillary are going to end the Iraq war and give Americans universal healthcare is a naive dumbass." Wow someone on this comment board actually has a brain. (a few others do also ;) )
all this Nader stole this Nader screwed up that.. what are you people? Stupid sheep following your shepard as he leads you over a cliff? My word. Since when is a democrat ENTITLED to a vote? Also why does everyone forget all the other 3rd parties in FL that had enough votes to sway it either way.. Or how the supreme court broke constitutional law in its ruling.. Truly pathetic how you demozombies just play follow the leader like a bunch of stupid sheep. Following your shepard...right over the cliff. Oh well you can't cure Ignorance and escapism.

I am posting this late because I hope now you can all see how FAKE of a progressive Obama really is. He is turning his back on his own words. dddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddd
andd

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