Musings on Ralph Nader

[Krashkopf]

I don't blame Nader for Gore's lose in 2000 (I think his choice of Joe "Night-Horse" Liebermann as a running mate had a much bigger negative impact), but clearly, any Naderite who STILL believes that there is no difference between the Democrats and the Republicans has has been IN A COMA for the last 7 years.

Clearly, there is a HUGE difference between having a Democratic President and having a Republican President, and, with the SUPREME COURT hanging in the balance, that difference has NEVER been more important.

Secondly, with Democrats turning out at the primaries and caucuses in astronomical numbers, I just don't see the NEED for a Nader candidacy in 2008. In 2000 we were still living in the "post-cold-war, life-is-good" bubble. Today, the Democratic grass roots are energized, and activated, like never before.

WE aren't looking for a candidate that is ideologically "purer than Caesar's wife." WE want a candidate who can WIN back the White House in November, and who can begin the hard work of rolling back the excesses of Bushism.

Finally, I am not "outraged" by Nader's latest run. I feel rather sorry for him, actually. He is about to find that he has gone from being an honored, crusading, consumer advocate in 1999 to a farcical, Pat-Paulson-like irrelevancy in 2008.

I don't think Nader is going to take a statistically significant number of voters from the Democratic nominee. The only impact his handful of supporters are going to have in 2008 is to cancel-out the handful of die-hard, ideologically pure, Ron Paul write-in voters on the Republican side.

[GreenPartyVoter]

1. I agree with some of what you say, but as I said even before Nader, the Greens, and

the Socialists put themselves on the ballot my concern was will anything actually change with a Democrat in the WH? I felt that Dennis and John E would have made those changes, probably Chris Dodd too. But as the primary crowd has been winnowed down I have felt more and more worried that the person who gets into the Oval office won't make all the changes that need to be done. (Admittedly, this is generally based on my perception of Congress and how I feel that they haven't done as much as they could, and that the two candidates we have left are both Senators. That really does affect my perceptions in this instance, I think.)

[Jim__]

3. They won't make all the changes that need to be done.

If Gore had been elected in 2000, he wouldn't have made all the changes that needed to be done. But he would not have invaded Iraq.

John McCain has neocons on his election staff that want to invade Iran. McCain will most likely follow their wishes.

I guess the question is which is better, a vote for Nader who less chance than a pissant of being elected, or a vote for an imperfect Democrat who spares us from another pointless war with the pointless slaughter of a million or more people.

[GreenPartyVoter]

4. I dunno. But I feel the Iraq war vote is something to be considered, as is the plan

to get our kids the heck outta dodge.

And as for my voting for the Green, (s)he might not make it to the Oval Office, but it would help keep my party alive. That kinda matters to me.

[Krashkopf]

6. I am all in favor of the Greens . . .

who should be attempting to build a party at the GRASS ROOTS, local, NOT, like Nader by jumping into the Presidential Elections every four years.

THAT is a recipe for FAILURE. Build your party from the bottom up, not the top down.

[GreenPartyVoter]

7. I think though, there are requirements that we need to get X% of the vote in

certain elections to maintain consideration as a party. A very sucky rule, eh?

[iamthebandfanman]

2. i think when its said they are both the same

it shouldnt be taken in the context of whats seen on the surface.
i think ull find one central thing both parties agree on though, money. corporate money. thats what naders getting at.

[Johonny]

5. The thing about Nader is

I just don't see what he's don't in 8 years to make himself a better Candidate than he was in 2000. He's had chances to run for Congress, or high state positions and not done it. Basically he's still not done anything to show he can actually run for and win an office. Worse as his parties most high profile candidate by not running and winning a local office he's basically left the 3 rd parties no further towards becoming a national party.