What we really need is another pointless Nader-bashing thread

[no name no slogan]

For a candidate who is little more than an asterisk, Nader sure is getting a lot of (obsessive?) attention on these boards of late. For being little more than a burr under the Kerry/Edwards saddle blanket, he's called everything from traitor to fraud to the devil himself.

But, you know what? No matter how much p!ssing and moaning the obsessive Nader-haters do, it STILL won't do a thing to convince potential Nader voters to vote for Kerry. If anything, it will drive them further AWAY, and make most of them WORK HARDER for Nader-- which could turn Nader from an asterisk into a serious contender.

If you're REALLY concerned about these Nader voters, why not look at their issues?

Most people in this country feel there should be stricter limits on corporate power, yet NEITHER major party is doing much to address this.

Most people also see the need for comprehensive, universal healthcare for all Americans, but NEITHER major party will even touch the issue.

Most people also think we need stricter environmental laws, yet the Democrats have REFUSED to support the Kyoto protocols in their platform.

Most people are suspicious of so-called "Free Trade" agreements that deport American jobs, yet neither party is truly willing to end these flawed agreements, and make new ones that put human rights above corporate rights.

Most Americans also believe in fiscal restraint by the government, yet neither major-party candidate is willing to take on the bloated "defense" budget, which accounts for $1 of every $2 of federal spending, even though the Pentagon still cannot account for over $1 TRILLION (that's $1,000,000,000,000) it has somehow "lost" over past years.

Even worse, most Iraqis want the US occupation of their country to end, yet the most "optimistic" end date to the occupation put forward by the major parties is four years out.

You want to win that 3-5% that might vote for Nader over Kerry? Speak to these issues. Tell them (and the rest of this country) how you'll address their REAL concerns, like their shrinking paychecks, spiraling medical costs, lack of public services, and polluted environment. Tell them how you'll end the pointless wars NOW, and return their children, siblings, spouses, and parents to their families.

Remember, Gore got more popular votes than anyone else in 2000. Do you seriously think any of these Gore voters would vote for Shrub this year? Even Nader's measly 3% in 2000 won't vote for Shrub this year.

This election is the Democrats to lose. Being "not Shrub" gets us 45-48% of the vote. Appealing to just a fraction of the potential Nader vote gets us closer to (if not over) 50%.

Let's focus on WINNING OVER voters, instead of alienating potential voters from our candidates.