Ralph Nader For President
February 24, 2008
It’s now official. What had been thought and projected is now in the open light of day. Will it make any difference and in this wild and crazy election cycle can anyone make any sense of it? Barack Obama said today during a visit at the Ohio State University Medical Center that he wasn’t terribly concerned about the prospect of a Nader campaign. Neither is anyone else, most probably.
Will we see a truly viable third party candidate this year? It’s obvious that Nader is not it and it is equally as obvious that Michael Bloomberg could make a major difference!
Obama responded to criticism from Nader, who has suggested that the Democratic hopeful lacks substance, by noting that Nader has reached out to his campaign. “My sense is that Mr. Nader is somebody who if you don’t listen and adopt all of his policies thinks you’re not substantive,” Obama said, before praising Nader as a “heroic” and “singular figure in American politics.”
Nader has run for President four times (1992, 1996, 2000 and 2004) so maybe the 5th time is a charm or maybe the last. Historically the vote for Nader has in effect been a vote for whomever the Republican candidate is. And the 2000 election, particularly as it relates to Florida, wasa the difference between Bush and Gore. And of how Gore remembers that- as do all Democrats.
Nader made it official on NBC’s “Meet the Press” on Sunday. The consumer advocate announced the appearance in an e-mail message today to supporters of his exploratory committee, formed in January, encouraging them to watch and donate money to his effort. And here’s a partial comment he’s amde on his 2008 Nader For President web page, “Dear Friend: Here’s a safe bet: the two major political parties will nominate Presidential candidates from the corporate wings of their parties. What will that leave us in this election year? Corporate control as usual. If this happens, we have two choices – throw in the towel. Or fight back.”
He’s now amde his decision.
