Dean providing a pretext for Nader?

[question everything]

I usually don't take George Will seriously, but this is from a recent column http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/uniontrib/fri/opinion/news_1e6will.html


Ralph Nader must be smiling, in his dour way, now that Dean is saying that Kerry is a "Republican," "Bush lite," "no different" than Bush as being "a handmaiden to special interests" and is making "crazy" promises of tax cuts and spending increases. Dean, sinking with his guns blazing, is providing a pretext – and a cadre – for another run by Nader (or a kindred spirit), whose 2000 candidacy prevented Al Gore from winning.

[liberalnurse]

1. So, please clarify what your point

exactly is ......or is this a drive bye?

[question everything]

6. I wonder whether this makes sense

for many Dean followers, especially. I hope not. I hope that Nader does not run because his voters might as well vote for Bush. In many states, not only FL, Nader votes were a lot more than the difference between Gore and Bush.

Several weeks ago I read that many consumer organizations originally funded by Nader lost so many of their donors that they had to reduce many of their lobbying efforts. One major donor - do not remember which and to what organization - said that he realized that that organization had nothing to do with Bush winning, but he was so mad he had to do something.

Other organization distributed letters to their supporters emphasizing that Nader was not on their boards, or something. Of course, Nader, and many of his followers claim that it was Gore who lost.. I wonder whether anyone has ever conducted a poll among the Nader voters to find out how they would have voted - if at all - if Nader were not on the ballot.

[dsewell]

2. What will Kucinich say?

If anyone really wanted to support a Nader figure this year, the logical person would not be Ralph Nader but Dennis Kucinich. He has earned a lot of respect during the course of the primary, even among those of us who don't believe he is cut out to be president. But I assume (am I wrong?) that Kucinich will support the Democratic nominee, whoever he is. If so, that would cut Nader's legs out from under him, I think: if someone with DK's convictions and integrity is willing to back the Democratic nominee against Bush, why pay attention to Nader's grumbling?

[Atman]

3. Nader pisses me off more than ever

He was on NPR the other night, and was asked about those who were pleading with him not to run, so that we could be assured Bush was OUT.

He doesn't get it. "That is censorship! They don't want me to talk!"

No, dumbass...we don't want you to RUN! This isn't censorship. It is common sense, and the very future of the nation.

"But elections are free speech. Speaking out about your political feelings. So, when they say "don't run" they are really saying I don't have free speach rights!"

No, Ralph, they're saying "do the math."

I might have voted for Nader once. I believe in his mission. But I think his ego has derailed his chances of being taken seriously. Sit this one out, Ralph. Not a free speech issue... It's a FREE COUNTRY issue. And your involvement as a third party candidate just might take the last hope of a free country away from the rest of us.

Grow up, Ralph.

[EXE619K]

4. Ralph Nader is electable.

If you vote for him.

Instead of trying to embrace some of the Green platform, the Democratic Party is trying(ever so hard) to distance themselves even further as years pass.

Nader is one of the good guys...if not the best for liberal agendas.

Whoever becomes the eventual nominee this year, I hope they try their darndest to bridge the interests of both parties.

Ralph Nader and the Greens have their faults, but, to say that the Dems are not responsible for the current political atmosphere is...

Irresponsible.

But, that's just my opinion.

[cprise]

5. Will is diverting blame away from his conservative friends

...for the election theft in Florida.

He knows those "blazing" guns are being fired to prevent people like him from getting their way.