Ralph Nader to announce...?

[Meldread]

I just got an announcement/invitation to come to the Green Party of Virginia's 2004 Activism Networking Banquet. The Keynote Speaker is Matt Gonzalez, the San Francisco Green Party Mayoral Candidate. HOWEVER one of the Special Invited Guests is "The Honorable Ralph Nader" (large print). Included with his name (in smaller print and under his name) are Kent Mesplay and Lorna Salzman the Green Party Presidential Nomination Candidates. The ACLU, Food Not Bombs, National Youth Rights, Witness for Peace and others are expected to give presentations.

It takes place on Saturday March 6th. I'm wondering if Nader is planning to either announce his candidacy here OR do some fund raising? To be honest I haven't paid much attention I've been occupied with other things. Does anyone know of Nader visiting any other events before this date? If Ralph Nader plans to announce his candidacy for President at this event (I think that would be most inappropriate seeing as how it's a GREEN PARTY fund raiser, and he'll be running as an Independent -- plus two current Candidates will be there for the Green Party). If he is I'll probably attend otherwise I have more important things to do.

Anyone know what's up? I'm certain that he is going to run -- all signs so far say that he will -- and I knew that he would if Dean or Dennis didn't win the nomination.

[sweetcee]

1. I think Nader

would have found a way to rationalize running even if Dean or DK had won the nomination.

This is the typical idealistic left (of which I was a part until 1996) not 'getting' it.

This is about real people dying; from war, no healthcare and poverty right here in the USA and the 'trendy' left wants their wine and cheese.

If they cause Bush to win another 4 years, I believe even they might be sorry ... especially if :nuke: .

[Meldread]

2. Real smart to attack the left...

On a board full of people who *ARE* on the left.

[sweetcee]

3. There's a difference

between the left and the trendy left.

The trendy left are like the limousine liberals back in the day.

The real left understands pragmatics.

If the people referred to here as left don't realize what 4 more years of Bush will do, that's insane.

I also don't appreciate your nasty response. "Big Tent" DU, huh?

[cprise]

8. Projecting your own problems onto others

If someone cannot bring themselves to vote Democratic, then the Democrats shouldn't expect their vote. In most cases, they become non-voters (and aren't attacked by the likes of you).

On the other hand, following what the crowd is doing this year is the definition of trendiness. So pot, meet kettle.

DU doesn't have to act as a "big tent": It's not an organ of the Party and is intended for progressives.

[Meldread]

9. My nasty responce?

I wasn't being nasty, if I was your message would have certainly reflected it. I was just stating the fact that 98.5% of everyone on this board considers themselves to be "on the left".

Frankly my view is this: I am a Democrat but I also work with the Green Party. I work with the Green Party on the local level and the Democratic Party on the National level. (Creating change at the Grassroots.) I support anyone who wants to run for President or any other elected office regardless of who they are left or right. Why? Because I am a Democrat -- because I believe in Democracy and one of the fundamental tenants of Democracy is giving people a choice. If the Democratic Nominee fails to win they only have themself to blame. Placing the blame on a third party is simply a scapegoat. Why? Because having an election is about winning votes. If you fail to win those votes it means you lost those votes, and therefore you were not a good enough candidate to win. Try again in four more years using what you've learned.

Will another four years of Bush be bad? Yes. It would be horrible, but I don't plan on blaming Ralph Nader -- I plan to blame the person responsible. Only when you take responsibility for your actions can you begin to learn from your mistakes. To say Al Gore didn't make mistakes in the 2000 Election is self-delusion. Even Al Gore admits he made great and fatal mistakes.

*IF* the Democratic Party elects a candidate that they know is going to be mediocre and isn't going to have broad mass appeal then you reap what you sow. It comes down to this simple fact: Either you're going to win votes or you're not. However if you fail to win votes you have no one to blame but yourself.

To attack Ralph Nader's candidacy is akin to attacking Al Sharpton's or Dennis Kucinich Primary campaign. They have issues they want to put onto the table -- issues they feel important. Issues that they want discussed and they are using the Elections as a platform in which to do that. There is nothing wrong with that. In the end it is all about promoting Democracy, and as a Democrat I can't in good conscious go against that and I won't.

[Timefortruth]

4. The HONORABLE Ralph Nader, what office has he ever held

that would cause them to call him Honorable? Not that when it is used properly it is any more accurate a description then it is in this example.

He's gonna run, he cares more about his ego then the future of the country. The difference this time is that he's a joke.

Are the Republicans going to finance his campaign also?

[sweetcee]

5. Thank you!

I wouldn't be a bit surprised if he gets a lot of republican money; all in small untraceable amounts of course.

[NewYorkerfromMass]

6. pay attention folks:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=374002

[Meldread]

11. What does that have to do with this thread...? -nt-

[lucidmadman]

7. ...I hope he announces that he's gonna shut up.

...that guy's worn out his welcome as far as I'm concerned. He took RNC money to run ads in '00. Go away Ralph.

[corporatewhore]

10. Noooo he'll steal votes from tweedle dee

[NNN0LHI]

12. Perhaps Ralph is going to announce...

...the results of his investigation into the bad referee calls at the NBA finals that he began a couple of years ago? :shrug:

Don

[bluestateguy]

13. nader would make a great president

...of the Soviet Union.

[Slice]

14. Hmm

Hasn't Nader fucked enough people over already?

[knight_of_the_star]

15. Bad Ralph!!!

Don't do it you idiot!!!

[Rowdyboy]

16. He did good work before 2000

He did much harm then. I, and millions of others pray he will not run, but if he does-get ready for the flames to get seriously hot. Bushco will keep him well funded and use him to great advantage. Many of his former friends on the left will condemn him for allowing his ego to lead him to this ill-considered move.

If he runs, he will be humiliated. The prospect of four more years of Bush will be enough to sicken all but the most irrational of the left and even his base will largely evaporate.

It would be a very disappointing end to what once was a stellar career