Search
About This Blog
Resources
Blog Roll
- Captain's Quarters
- Cliff Schecter
- CNN's Political Ticker
- Conservative Grapevine
- Crooks & Liars
- Daily Kos
- Drudge
- FactCheck.org
- Huffington Post
- Instapundit
- Little Green Footballs
- News Bloggers
- Political-Buzz
- Power Line
- RedState
- Slate - Trailhead
- Swampland
- Talking Points Memo
- The Daily Dish
- The Plank
- The Young Turks
- Wonkette
He's Baaack! Nader Announces Prez Bid
In all seriousness, though, I've never been one of those leeberals who got angry with Nader and blamed him for Al Gore's defeat in 2000. Last time I checked, Nader isn't on the Supreme Court, didn't purge hundreds of thousands of Democrats from Florida and Ohio voter rolls, and did not roll over and surrender on recounts. I love Al Gore the filmmaker, but Al Gore the candidate ran an awful campaign, still won, then refused to claim his victory. After the jump, some more clips from Meet the Press, and some brief analysis that goes something like this: Nader is absolutely right.
Here's the announcement:
To see more, you can skip down and watch the 2 clips posted below. I'll wait. OK, so having watched all of these clips, I ask you to argue with a single thing he said. Granted, conservatives might quibble with him on policy, but besides that, I'd like to hear how he's wrong.
This is a familiar tune in American politics. People like Dennis Kucinich, Ron Paul, Nader, and on a more mainstream scale, John Edwards, get painted as marginal nutjobs by so-called "realists", but when you listen to these guys, they make a lot of sense. (Edwards, while not painted as a "nutjob", was definitely marginalized for pushing for too much change.) If blaming Ralph Nader for 2000 makes you a "realist", I'll stay in the rabbit hole, thank you.
Barack Obama makes a decent point about Nader, that he trades a shot at practical influence for political purity. Nader's strategy is to influence debate by remaining pure and running his 3rd party campaign, but the noise from Democratic crybabies drowns out his message. It's a lot easier to dump on Nader than to actually show political courage.
That's really the crux of Nader's argument, that the Democrats have been robbed of political courage. He knows that Barack Obama, and most other Democrats, are committed to core Democratic principles, but set their sights at what is "achievable." The Right has been so successful at demonizing even debate about issues like defense spending and national healthcare that the Democrats don't even bother anymore.
Unfortunately, Ralph is doomed to be obscured by that giant "spoiler" sign. The people who should be supporting Ralph are the ones wielding the paintbrush. If you missed it in 2004, here's the infamous Randi Rhodes clip. Ralph was right then, too. John Kerry lost to a campaign that a 5th grader could have beaten.
What Ralph doesn't say, but probably understands, is that today's politics only allow for incremental courage, but someone needs to be there to light up the real target of people-powered politics so that, if we ever get within range of it, we'll still know where it is.
Here's some more from Meet the Press:
And the rest:
Tommy Links
Tommy Christopher Uncut l TomMySpace l TommYoutube
Recent Comments
(Page 1 of 3)Betty2:44PMFeb 24th 2008
Ralph Nader is nuts and so is anyone that votes for him. He has no chance of winning and only will take away from the sane candidates.
David S.2:50PMFeb 24th 2008
I agree with you Tommy that Ralph Nader is correct in what he is saying. Thing is, he has been pedaling this same trite speech for ages.
I admire Nader for having courage to hold politicians accountable - but to what end? We all know he and others can lecture until doomsday, but it is futile.
Honestly, I cannot think of anything Nader has done worthwhile since his book "Unsafe at any Speed" - several generations ago!
Furthermore, the man will be 74 this month (OK, I googled it). Time to go, Ralph. I fear all he will do is hand the White House to John McCain in November.
TRogers2:55PMFeb 24th 2008
As a die-hard unrepentant LIBERAL I can say Ralph Nader has become a sad old man and an embarrassment to his legacy. This stupid crusade is based on ego, like only he knows the truth.
He is as responsible for the thousands of dead and maimed Americans in Iraq as Bush is, since he made Bush's two terms possible. Tonight Karl Rove and Cheney are celebrating with Pat Robertson and rejoicing in their good luck.
L Patterson II2:55PMFeb 24th 2008
PEOPLE NEED TO CHECK AND SEE IF NADER IS ON THE REPUBLICANS PAYROLL. HE SHOWS UP EVERY FOUR YEARS ABOUT THE SAME TIME.I'M SURE HE IS ON THEIR PAYROLL.
THAT'S ALL HE'S GOOD FOR CAUSE HE DOESN'T STAND FOR ANYTHING, IT SEEMS, BUT TO KEEP THE DEMOCRATS FROM WINNING.
L Patterson II2:55PMFeb 24th 2008
PEOPLE NEED TO CHECK AND SEE IF NADER IS ON THE REPUBLICANS PAYROLL. HE SHOWS UP EVERY FOUR YEARS ABOUT THE SAME TIME.I'M SURE HE IS ON THEIR PAYROLL.
THAT'S ALL HE'S GOOD FOR CAUSE HE DOESN'T STAND FOR ANYTHING, IT SEEMS, BUT TO KEEP THE DEMOCRATS FROM WINNING.
mm2:58PMFeb 24th 2008
Nader is a joke, he's there to split the votes to help the Rep.
Cliff3:00PMFeb 24th 2008
I'm way left of all ordinary Democrats, but I have one thing to say to Nader.
DON'T RUN!!!!!!! DROP OUT NOW!!!!! GET OUT!!!!!!
cesare3:06PMFeb 24th 2008
best news for mccain
tfitz10173:15PMFeb 24th 2008
Wow, have you guys seen this? It's all over the internet! I thought it was BS, but now that it has an official 'dateline and a place name, it looks like this might be the real deal!
Dateline Mihuaraches, TX, 02-21-08
Hillary Clintons' Great-Grandfather the Sheik of Araby?
Unconfirmed sources have reported that Hillary Clintons paternal Great Grandfather was "The Sheik of Araby", made famous by the legendary silent film star Rudolph Valentino. The report speculates that the original spelling of the family name Rodham was actually "R'od B'ham",which translated means "eater of Christian infidel babies". While the Clinton camp has vigorously denied this rumor, it has conceded that Mrs. Clintons Grandfather was possibly conceived during a 'tent seduction' involving elaborate staging, heavy make-up, and batting eyelashes.
voice of one3:16PMFeb 24th 2008
Nader, how dare you jumb in this race now.I'm a INDEPENDENT and at this point I would never vote for you. What do they have on you for you to butt in now. I think you'r in with and for the republicans. That's why your in it now, Are you trying to stop some of Obama momentum, maybe your trying to help the Republicans they will need it to run againt him that why they will do anything to get Clinton in. Oh I got it your trying to help Clinton. Trying to be a spoiler, which if you have any integrity you will not butt in now. Oh it will be good for the Republicans which you work for "Right". Get the Hell out of the race keep it honest. Oh you'r not honest are you?
EncoreDon3:17PMFeb 24th 2008
Nader is a has been been who has had his 15 minutes of fame. Too bad he can't find something really constructive to do in his "golden age" He's definitely an unrealist megalomaniac.
C Citizen3:17PMFeb 24th 2008
Ralph Nader's views are hard to argue against. However, it is also hard to argue against the fact that the result he has had, is having, will have... Will be nothing other than disasterous. He is serving no one other than him self. A vote for Nader is a vote wasted.
Tom3:32PMFeb 24th 2008
I believe in what Ralph Nadar said, but He's going to hurt the Democrates. I'll take a Democate over the Republican any day. He not going to win. This War that George Bush has gotten us into is hurting our imagine and the cost is outrages. Nobody, wins in War. It worries me that our country is heading in the wrong direction.
david3:47PMFeb 24th 2008
THE REPUBLICANS ARE LOVING HIM!, A VOTE FOR NADER AT 73 YEARS OLD IS A VOTE FOR MCCAIN ..SAY HI TO pRESIDENT mCCAIN
rharrigfeld1243:52PMFeb 24th 2008
All you people need to wake up! The 2 Party system needs to be destroyed! All of you blindly follow your RepublIDIOTS or your DemoRATS! Neither Party gives a damn about the majority of the American People! The Demorats have become the party of Gays and minorities and the Republidiots represent Corporate America and the Religious Christian nut jobs!!! I am a moderate who can't stand either party- They are extremists!!!
calpaul4:06PMFeb 24th 2008
I, along with a handful of my friends, seriously looked at Nadar the first time he ran, but I never found much substance in the guy. Now has been reduced to little bundle of negativity and buffoonery. He evokes memories of Pat Paulson, but he’s somewhat more amusing because he is actually serious. Seldom have I heard of anyone as self-righteous as Ralph Nadar, with so little to be self-righteous about.
tom4:39PMFeb 24th 2008
I can think of only one person who is more responsible for the condition of this country today.
I bet that replubicans will fill his campaign coffers full of money.
Afi K. James5:16PMFeb 24th 2008
Ralph Nader is a sad sinister joke, he's garbage, ron paul and mike gravel are way better than he is.
Afi K. James5:19PMFeb 24th 2008
Nader, how dare you jumb in this race now.I'm a INDEPENDENT and at this point I would never vote for you. What do they have on you for you to butt in now. I think you'r in with and for the republicans. That's why your in it now, Are you trying to stop some of Obama momentum, maybe your trying to help the Republicans they will need it to run againt him that why they will do anything to get Clinton in. Oh I got it your trying to help Clinton. Trying to be a spoiler, which if you have any integrity you will not butt in now. Oh it will be good for the Republicans which you work for "Right". Get the Hell out of the race keep it honest. Oh you'r not honest are you?
You speak the truth and even though I'm no fan of the two party system, nader should never and will get my vote again after what he did in 2000, he's a disgrace.
Latest Politics Headlines
Most Commented On Posts
Most Recent Comments
Political Machine Photo Galleries
Politics Video
 | Patriotic politicsPresidential contenders John McCain and Barack Obama are both celebrating the Fourth of July. (July 4) |
 | Jesse Helms diesFormer U.S. Sen. Jesse Helms of North Carolina has died at age 86. A look back at his life. (July 4) |
 | Bush heckled at MonticelloProtesters holler as the president speaks at a citizenship ceremony at Monticello. (July 4) |
 | Poll: The flip-flop primarySenior Political Analyst Bill Schneider breaks down new poll numbers about flip-flopping and political gridlock. (July 3) |
 | Obama's Iraq dilemmaHas Sen. Barack Obama changed his position on Iraq? CNN's Jessica Yellin reports. (July 3) |
| « See More Politics Video | |
Declare Yourself is a campaign that encourages young Americans to register and vote.
REGISTER TO VOTE NOW AT:www.declareyourself.org
Betty2:43PMFeb 24th 2008
I think Ralph Nader is nuts! If he had any sense at all he would know he could not possibly win and would stay out of the race!!! He will only have some insane people vote for him, who would otherwise vote for a sane candidate.