Ralph Nader joins US presidential race

[questionmark]

Ralph Nader joins US presidential race

By Megan Levy and agencies

Last Updated: 3:07pm GMT 24/02/2008

Independent candidate Ralph Nader has announced that he is entering the US presidential race, a move which many Democrats fear could deprive their party of vital votes.

Mr Nader was accused by supporters of Al Gore of handing the 2000 election to George W Bush by attracting voters who would otherwise have backed their candidate.

The consumer rights activist announced on NBC television's Meet the Press that he was launching a third-party campaign for the White House because voters were disenchanted with the Democratic and Republican parties.

The 73-year-old believes none of the presidential contenders are addressing ways to stem corporate crime and Pentagon waste and promote labour rights.

Emerging Democratic frontrunner Barack Obama's "better instincts and his knowledge have been censored by himself," Mr Nader said, while Republican heir apparent John McCain was "the candidate for perpetual war."

He called Washington "corporate occupied territory" that turns the government against the interest of its own people.

"In that context I have decided to run for president," Mr Nader said.

Mr Nader's run could prove a a further blow to the Democrats' campaign after a bitter fight between Mr Obama and Hillary Clinton. In contrast, John McCain has had a virtually clear run to the Republican nomination.

In 2000, in the tightest presidential race in American history, Mr Nader ruthlessly targeted the liberal activist wing of the Democratic Party, picking up votes from disillusioned environmentalists, opponents of globalisation and radical feminists.

In all, Mr Nader gained 2.78 million votes in a contest that was eventually won by a margin of 537 votes.

Full story, source: The Telegraph

[Lt_Ripley]

how convenient ..... maybe Nader should be looked into financially. ?

[Pinky Floyd]

He won't get enough votes to make any difference. Nader is a non-issue.

The real spoiler will be Ron Paul, who could get the nod from the Libertarian party, drawing votes away from the GOP.

The worst thing that could happen for the Dems is for McCain to talk his personal best buddy, Joe Lieberman (at a McCain rally that Lieberman was at-the crowd was chanting "Go for it Joe!"), into crossing the aisle and going on the ticket as his VP partner..Taking many moderate Democrat voters with him.

Edited February 24, 2008 by Pinky Floyd

[Lord Umbarger]

It's a little late to be jumping in now, don't you think? The press has already elected either Obama or McCain. Personally, I think that this time around, I'm seriously going to pull the lever for Mickey the damn Mouse!

[Mr Honeybadger]

I agree. Nader has already worn out his welcome. He'll be totally irreveleant in this election.

[AROCES]

He won't get enough votes to make any difference. Nader is a non-issue.

The real spoiler will be Ron Paul, who could get the nod from the Libertarian party, drawing votes away from the GOP.

The worst thing that could happen for the Dems is for McCain to talk his personal best buddy, Joe Lieberman (at a McCain rally that Lieberman was at-the crowd was chanting "Go for it Joe!"), into crossing the aisle and going on the ticket as his VP partner..Taking many moderate Democrat voters with him.

Ron Paul and Liberman can make those difference indeed.

But on a close election Nader will be a factor.

[zitro1987]

again??? why is he doing this? for his ego? for attention? because it's fun for him?

He ran for the Green Party in 2000 and because of him, Al Gore (the greenest presidential candidate I've seen) lost to Bush in Florida.

[Mr Honeybadger]

I don't know if I'd call Al Gore the greenest presidential candidate. Have you seen that mansion he lives in ? And all the trips he makes in his personal private jet ? Al talks the talk. But he doesn't walk the walk.

[Stalker]

again??? why is he doing this? for his ego? for attention? because it's fun for him?

He ran for the Green Party in 2000 and because of him, Al Gore (the greenest presidential candidate I've seen) lost to Bush in Florida.

Nader made an interesting point on "Meet The Press" on Sunday. He said, basically, that every other 3rd party that was running in Florida got more votes than the 537 or so that separated Bush from Gore. So, essentially, you can't solely blame him.

I've yet to look into what other 3rd parties were running in Florida, but I don't think he's lying.

[questionmark]

Nader made an interesting point on "Meet The Press" on Sunday. He said, basically, that every other 3rd party that was running in Florida got more votes than the 537 or so that separated Bush from Gore. So, essentially, you can't solely blame him.

I've yet to look into what other 3rd parties were running in Florida, but I don't think he's lying.

The point is that Nader is fishing out of the Dem's pond, no matter how much number acrobatics he performs.

[Princess Serenity]

He's running again? This is the third time. Hopefully, he'll stop after this. Third time is the charm though.

I agree with whoever said it is a bit late. Yes it is.

[zitro1987]

I wonder how much Dems are dreaming of having Ron Paul as a 3rd party candidate: he'll probably get 5-7%, mostly feeding off republican votes.

I think Ralph Nader will be too insignificant this time to make a difference, despite McCain being a very tough opponent.

[Clocker]

This guy is old...I wouldn't want a 74-old to be president of my country, or the US for that matter. I try not to discriminate, but come on, at that age it's starting to be increasingly likely that a person will suffer from various health issues, that job can be rather stressful after all!

[Ciraxis]

too bad fred thompson isn't still in the race

he was the only one worth voting for