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Bill Press

Bill Press

Posted: February 25, 2008 06:00 AM

I'm Not a Nader Raider


Just when you thought there was no way Democrats could lose this election...

Here we go again...

Ralph Nader decides to run, as an independent candidate, for the third time.

Let me tell you, I used to be a big Ralph Nader fan. And, in his heyday, he was a mighty, effective champion of consumers in this country. But today, he's nothing but a colossal, misguided, egomaniacal jerk.

Nader says he's running because people are disenchanted with both major parties and their candidates. What planet is he living on? Doesn't he know that Democrats are turning out in record numbers? And does he really think he's more exciting than Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama?

Ralph Nader's living in the past. The problem is, he could, once again, destroy our future.

There's no doubt that Ralph Nader cost Al Gore the election in 2000. The election was so lop-sided in 2004 he didn't have any impact.

But, if it's close again this year, Nader could be the difference between moving forward or four more years of Bush-Cheney policies.

Unfortunately, Ralph Nader cares more about what's good for Ralph Nader than what's good for America.

 
 
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
shadow322
12:34 AM on 02/26/2008
You are right about Nader but he is no more threat this time than he was with his 3/10 of 1% of the vote in 2004. At least we have rules about debating (requires a minimum amount of support - Dennis Kucinich blows Nader away in this category). Just who are these people who convinced him to run again? There's the real story. Nader being an effective candidate - no story there! Do keep an eye on what comes out this time as to who is funding him and we'll all have enough to read for the rest of the season. What a jerk he is!
06:53 PM on 02/25/2008
Bill, Your right. let’s face it The Democratic party is in large part has not been much better than some republicans. The war continues. The telecom’s get a pass and on and on. Where is the beef.. The only sane voice today is Keith Olbermann and he has been hanging around to much with the misogynist Hardball’s Chris Matthews. Hardball should stick to the war where he does a great job. But one lonely sane voice wont save us from the tragedy of the last 7 years.


The democratic super delegates make my blood boil -- so you don’t trust the people. I wish there was a real alternative. On the other hand, Bush, Republicans and the “Supreme Reight†that used to be Supreme Court are real issues.
Nader in my opinion has blood on his hands of history and so does the Supreme Court for the tragedy of perhaps our 100 year war.
My wife likes explains that in our culture and law there is a difference between Bush murdering men woman and children in this War he lied us into. However, to me if we ever “The USA “lost power I believe he would be tried for war crimes and hanged like a common criminal. The problem is there are no other solutions to the republican pro war McCain.
I think Hillary would make the best president. Barack is a great candidate for the youth that has no history to make a mature judgment and those who believe in hope and the afterlife. Reminds me of my own stupidness in the sixties of youth when I voted for Ronald Regan believing any one from Hollywood would be pro marijuana. I’m glad he wasn’t now, but that the only thing he was good for in my opinion. I will vote for Obama he is the candidate. I only hope when he is done with his presidency he does a Jimmy Carter and redeems his public service. Obama and the Democratic Party in my opinion is better than nothing, and nothing is what we will get if Ralph has his way. If he does, I will not blame this arrogant fool Ralph again I will blame the Democratic Party for squandering it.
02:50 PM on 02/25/2008
To Bill Press and every other Nader basher here:

Forget about the history of the 2000 election. There are many of us that do not accept your simplistic, self-serving Democrat interpretation which ignore any criminal wrongdoing by the Republicans, or the politicization of the Supreme Court decision, not to mention the vast incompetence of the Democrats which included Gore being unable to win either his home state of Tennessee or Clinton's home state of Arkansas.

Not a single mainstream newspaper or columnist and no liberal website such as this one has the integrity to review the comments Nader made in his 17 minute announcement on Meet The Press.

I defy you to discredit a single fact Nader produced regarding any issue he presented, from the fact that none of the candidates can be expected to do anything meaningful to reduce corporate influence to being nothing more than willing accomplices to anything that hard right Israeli governments choose to do to the Palestinians while totally ignoring those in Israel who are willing to consider more equitable measures to deal fairly with them or on any other issue which he mentioned.

Get a grip, will you.

So-called liberals in this country are always willing to use Western Europe,Canada and Australia as examples of having more enlightened policies on all kinds of issues from universal health care to global warming to human rights, etc.

But when it comes to acknowledging the fact that none of these nations are locked into a two party political system which makes sure that no other entities can become effective voices in the political debate, the silence is deafening
pizzmoe
My micro bio is empty
10:47 AM on 02/25/2008
Ralph is a joke. And for the people who think he is the only Democrat that speaks for them, have you already forgotten Dennis Kucinich? Go away, Ralph !
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JohnFromCensornati
The End is near
11:06 AM on 02/25/2008
You mean the Dennis Kucinich that is NOT running for president?
That one?
11:12 AM on 02/25/2008
Nader is not running as a Democrat. Kucinich could run as a third party candidate. Americans relish the idea that in America we have multiple party candidates to choose from. Those candidates don't carry responsibility for Democrats losing an election. Get a grip! Listen to their platforms, and vote your conscience.
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10:31 AM on 02/25/2008
For all the carping about people not voting for their "interests" - Ralph Nader is really the only candidate left that speaks to my issues. Unfortunately because of American politics being the way that they are he can never be the candidate of either party which leaves him out there to speak his mind. The Democratic Party, however, can adopt his programs which they failed to do either during or after the Gore fiasco. Just one point about the Democrats that perhaps Mr. Kaplan can address. The Democrats have, for all intents and purposes, tossed away one of the key components of their party - labor. Since the disasterous Labor Reform Act of 1977 Democrats have decided simply to take the money of unions without helping unions maintain membership or even grow. This could be done easily enough but in 1977 with a Democratic Congress and President it failed. The Dems get what they deserve for dumping (except to take their contributions) a constituency that, if once again powerful, could forward their cause. Where is labor law reform on anyone's agenda - no where to be found. For all the carping about people not voting for their "interests" - Ralph Nader is really the only candidate left that speaks to my issues. Unfortunately because of American politics being the way that they are he can never be the candidate of either party which leaves him out there to speak his mind. The Democratic Party, however, can adopt his programs which they failed to do either during or after the Gore fiasco. Just one point about the Democrats that perhaps Mr. Press can address. The Democrats have, for all intents and purposes, tossed away one of the key components of their party - labor. Since the disasterous Labor Reform Act of 1977 Democrats have decided simply to take the money of unions without helping unions maintain membership or even grow. This could be done easily enough but in 1977 with a Democratic Congress and President it failed. The Dems get what they deserve for dumping (except to take their contributions) a constituency that, if once again powerful, could forward their cause. Where is labor law reform on anyone's agenda - no where to be found.
pizzmoe
My micro bio is empty
10:48 AM on 02/25/2008
You'd prefer McCain?
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10:50 AM on 02/25/2008
You've obviously missed the point.
10:30 AM on 02/25/2008
My favorite line in this article is: "The election was so lop-sided in 2004 he didn't have any impact." I don't think Nader really had much of an effect in 2004 but the popular vote was 62 million, 59 million; the electoral vote count was 286, 251. For Bill Press telling Ralph Nader to get with reality he sure missed some of it hisself. And I think Ralph Nader is right when he says about this year's election and his effect: "If the Democrats can't landslide the Republicans this year they ought to wrap it up."
10:27 AM on 02/25/2008
Nader is running the way Pat Paulsen is; perhaps they can be a team.
Without Raiders, Ralph won't get on any ballots.
To the extent Nader's 'entry' into the race is beneficial to the Republicans is because he makes McCain look youthful.
10:24 AM on 02/25/2008
When are some of you guys going to stop thinking that Ralph Nader cost the Dems the election? Why do you have your heads so buried in the sand and are so unwilling to look at yourselves and your party for what it really is? Sure, it's so easy to point the finger and blame others, but it's a lot harder to call an ace an ace, especially when it's in yourself. If being honest with yourselves is too much for you, you could at least point out with greater energy and discernment the massive election fraud that occurred in more than just Florida. And why did Al Gore back down so easily? Who influenced him to not make waves? No, it's not Ralph's fault. If anything, he's far more courageous, unselfish, and altruistic than any Democrat to ever take or run for office. Quit pointing the finger and as Hillary says, "get real."
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
shadow322
12:39 AM on 02/26/2008
Ralph's song was "there's no difference between the Democrats and Republicans, there's no difference at all." He convinced a very few he was right but it was enough. I was there and these are the facts. Sure it's too bad the Democrats did not have a greater lead but the race was close and Ralph helped put Mr. Bush in the White House. These are facts - or are we going to play the "there's no difference game" again?
10:17 AM on 02/25/2008
Oh come on. The corporate shillstress and Obama are awash in K street money. More of the same one party washington elite rule. Ralph is keeping their feet to the fire. Last time I checked the constitution anyone who was an American citizen and over 35 years of age could run for the office of president. Has that changed?
HUFFPOST COMMUNITY MODERATOR
WorkingClass
10:05 AM on 02/25/2008
Democratic Party clubhouse. No populists or progressives or lefties of any kind allowed. White men not welcome. The HuffPo is loaded with Nader haters today. You are just one more Bill. You are the reason I left the party. It is more obvious than ever that Nader is right. Our problems stem from one party rule. Since the mid-terms it is equally obvious that the Democrats are quislings. All you have left is fear of Republicans. When people discover the Republicans are no longer a threat they will leave the Democratic party in droves.
11:57 AM on 02/25/2008
I am with you brother. ONe party elitist garbage by people who think they know what is best for everyone. Nader rocks.
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
shadow322
12:45 AM on 02/26/2008
Nader rocks - HOW DOES HE ROCK? He has had 4 years since the last election. Please tell us what he has been doing to rock us. Has he put together another party with a new and better platform? If he did, he's certainly good at hiding things - that's one attribute. Now, what would he do as president and how would he do it? Oops! Never thought of that? Maybe he's a faster worker than the rest of us and can put together a new progressive party in the blink of an eye - maybe? Yeh - Nader rocks alright.
09:37 AM on 02/25/2008
I'm sure Duhbya will be forever grateful to Nadar for helping him win in 2000. Well, Nadar, and SCOTUS, of course. A vote for Nadar is a vote for McCain.
09:33 AM on 02/25/2008
How easy it is for democrats to blame their own shortcomings on Ralph Nader.
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JohnFromCensornati
The End is near
09:32 AM on 02/25/2008
If Obama can't beat 100 Year McBush, don't blame it on Ralph Nader.
Blame it on the lameness of the Dims.
Have the ended the "war" yet?
How long ago did we elect them to do that?
Didn't they decide that funding the war would improve their electoral chances more than de-funding it?
Unfortunately, the Dims care more about what's good for the Dims - than what's good for America.
09:55 AM on 02/25/2008
That is so true. Sad, but very true. And people recognize it quite easily, which is why the democrats lose often and lose big. They are a joke, they are lightweights. Nader is what they wish they could be (or should) but having no courage, they are what we see, utterly lame. Republican-lite. Which is the real reason Republicans have nothing but contempt for them. Like Bill Press et al., they are posers.
11:58 AM on 02/25/2008
You are right. It is funny after Gore "lost" he started trumpeting a lot of the stuff Nader had been saying. Yet it was Ralph's "fault" he did not get elected!!????
09:13 AM on 02/25/2008
All of you HuffPo Obama fans: Where's the beef? He's euphoric alright, but that isn't the same as competent. I don't like this "believe" stuff he's pedeling. It's too ideological. I don't endorse Nader, although I hope Obama adopts some of Nader's positions, and provides substance to his empty evangelical rhetoric. Hillary seems competent for the job, but she's part of the machine. While she can steer the ship, I don't feel good about where she might steer it.
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HUFFPOST PUNDIT
jmpurser
See My micro-bio
09:10 AM on 02/25/2008
And if a "colossal, misguided, egomaniacal jerk" can cost the Democrat the election then maybe, just maybe, the Democrats need to look at the type of candidate they're offering up for national elections.