Nader to run for ...............zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
By Edward Copeland
Yes, Tim Russert gave the famous consumer advocate and Harold Stassen wannabe time today on Meet the Press to announce (surprise) that he is planning to seek the presidency as a third-party candidate once again in 2008. After running as the Green Party candidate in 1996 and 2000 and then as an independent in 2004, Nader plans to try again as he approaches his 74th birthday meaning that, unbelievably, John McCain may end up being the second-youngest contender for the presidency this year.
Now, while I feel Nader's pursuit is silly (as some asked today, "What constituency is beating the drums for him to run?"), I dread the inevitable rise of the he cost Al Gore the 2000 election, etc.
There is something inherently undemocratic in complaining about third-party candidates siphoning votes from their man or woman. Could Nader voters have swung several states to Gore's column in 2000? Sure, but you could also argue that Pat Buchanan's votes cost Dubya several states as well. It's annoying to hear people whine because they aren't limited to two choices. I must have missed the part of the Constitution that mentions political parties at all, let alone limiting them to two.
Still, Nader's 2008 exercise will be even more pointless than his 2004 run was. In 2000, he garnered several million votes, in 2004 he was down to less than 500,000. My guess is that in a McCain vs. Obama or Clinton race, he'll get even fewer, if he can even manage to get on that many state ballots.
Russert shouldn't have even given him the platform because by now his reputation is more that of a gadfly than a hero. Very little separates Ralph Nader from Lyndon Larouche at this point. Let it go, Ralph.
Yes, Tim Russert gave the famous consumer advocate and Harold Stassen wannabe time today on Meet the Press to announce (surprise) that he is planning to seek the presidency as a third-party candidate once again in 2008. After running as the Green Party candidate in 1996 and 2000 and then as an independent in 2004, Nader plans to try again as he approaches his 74th birthday meaning that, unbelievably, John McCain may end up being the second-youngest contender for the presidency this year.
"If the Democrats can't landslide the Republicans this year, they ought to just wrap up, close down, emerge in a different form," Nader said. "You think the American people are going to vote for a pro-war John McCain who almost gives an indication he's the candidate for perpetual war?"
Now, while I feel Nader's pursuit is silly (as some asked today, "What constituency is beating the drums for him to run?"), I dread the inevitable rise of the he cost Al Gore the 2000 election, etc.
There is something inherently undemocratic in complaining about third-party candidates siphoning votes from their man or woman. Could Nader voters have swung several states to Gore's column in 2000? Sure, but you could also argue that Pat Buchanan's votes cost Dubya several states as well. It's annoying to hear people whine because they aren't limited to two choices. I must have missed the part of the Constitution that mentions political parties at all, let alone limiting them to two.
Still, Nader's 2008 exercise will be even more pointless than his 2004 run was. In 2000, he garnered several million votes, in 2004 he was down to less than 500,000. My guess is that in a McCain vs. Obama or Clinton race, he'll get even fewer, if he can even manage to get on that many state ballots.
Russert shouldn't have even given him the platform because by now his reputation is more that of a gadfly than a hero. Very little separates Ralph Nader from Lyndon Larouche at this point. Let it go, Ralph.
Labels: 2000 election, 2008 election, Al Gore, Bush, John McCain, Ralph Nader, third party candidates, Tim Russert
posted by Edward Copeland at
3:52 PM
3 Comments:
Coming to a voting precinct near you:
Unsafe on Any Ballot
By
Swampcracker, at 12:37 AM
I'm unsafe at any speed when I think of that stale prince and his patronizing proclamations. What the hell qualifies him to be president of anything? Yes, everything is corrupt and by saying that endlessly, it's all going to change just the way the American auto industry changed when the man who has never driven a car panned the Corvair and allowed Porsche to use the same design and become an icon. He has no plan or ability or even the intention of changing anything - it's all about Ralph.
By
Capt. Fogg, at 10:37 AM
Ralph is an egotist on a personal Jihad. Let's call it "an I for an I."
By
Swampcracker, at 2:24 PM
Post a Comment
<< Home