Stop fighting the last war

[WilliamPitt]

2000: Ralph Nader has the Green Party, which means he has a small army of people to collect signatures so he can get on the ballot everywhere. The Green Party can raise money for him. Even with this, he pulls 2-3% nationally. Some argue that this cost Gore the election, but such an argument *cough* ChoicePoint *cough* ignores some other significant factors. Still, a residue of bitterness lingers.

2004: Ralph Nader has no party, which means he has no people to get him on the ballot anywhere. He has no one to raise money for him. Eight months before the general election, one poll has him at 7% and lots of people start chewing on the inside of their cheecks with visions of Florida dancing in their heads.

The only thing Nader has going for him is the free media he is getting, and that free media has been augmented because 7% of people had fun picking his name when it didn't count. Count on that number dropping, especially if he stops getting free media or if the media story becomes 'Nader Only On Ballot In Maryland and Idaho.'

Worrying about Nader right now is fighting the last war. Things are different. Way different.

Memo to Kerry: DO NOT go after Ralph. You will give him more free press.

[sangh0]

1. I agree

Kerry needs to concentrate on his own campaign.

[BeyondGeography]

2. The deadline for Texas is May 13

And he needs 64,000 signatures. Wonder how that effort is going.

[WilliamPitt]

13. 64,000 signatures from people who didn't vote in the primary

[Dogmudgeon]

3. Why do you think he's getting any coverage at all?

The press knows that they can play this mini-drama for a few more sound bites. It takes some pressure off of Bush and allows the pundits to soak themselves in Eau de Gravitas.

No, we shouldn't take the bait, but all it takes is one statement from a single active Democrat, and every newsfeed in the country can run the Bad-Boy-Ralph story.

I don't think Kerry will go after Nader. He's already shown that he has some formidable chops.

--bkl

[redqueen]

5. I agree

I think Kerry's smarter than that. His chops so far seem first rate indeed. :)

[redqueen]

4. And start fighting this one - BBV!

Damn this is ticking me off. Kerry hasn't co-sponsored Graham's bill, hasn't been bringing the topic up often, and what do people here get their underpants twisted about? Nader.

I originally thought he would love all this attention, but now I think he probably just thinks it's sad. I know I do.

[VelmaD]

11. Absolutely YES YES YES!

Nader is a distraction. He's important only because throwing him into the mix makes the race closer - makes it easier to get away with stealing it.

[bearfartinthewoods]

6. your are assuming that no greens will work for him, independently?

big leap, imho

[redqueen]

8. I think that was 2000

I think the OP indicated that in this election they won't be helping him.

[WilliamPitt]

14. Some might

but the Greens have scads of local candidates within their own party. Will they abandon working for them to work for a guy who isn't their standard-bearer anymore, isn't even in the Party?

I don't think so.

[bearfartinthewoods]

16. she-bear's dad, a life long dem with greenish tinge is talking nader.

at this point, it's all talk because he doesn't like Kerry on the vet issue but he could end up as the one in a hundred that votes for nader should his name appear on the ballot.

fathers-in-law....god's true revenge.

[redqueen]

17. Does he live in CA?

Swing-state voters who are leaning Nader this time are in need of some SERIOUS outreach.

:wow:

[bearfartinthewoods]

19. nope...PA but outreaching is a baaaad idea in this case.

the man is....stubborn to the point that he will push nader to me if i push against it which may end up pushing him into actually voting for nader. my best strategy is to nod and smile and say criptic things that will both confound him and further re-enforce his belief that i am a hellova lo smarter than him but still wet behind the ears.

leave'em alone and they'll come home...wagging their tails behind them :grin:

[redqueen]

24. Gotcha

Your plan sounds good. You know the man so you know better than I what will work and what won't. :)

7. Agreed. Nader is a political symbiote. He can not run on his own power.

Is it parasitism or amensalism?

Hmm. Right now, show of hands, who's going "wtf is amensalism?"

http://www.dictionarybarn.com/AMENSALISM.php

[RichM]

9. Some truth to that, but the 7% probably does indicate dissatisfaction

with both big-party candidates. Yes, the 7% number will drop, but its significance will not disappear entirely. It's a measure of apathy & disenchantment.

[redqueen]

10. Yeah it is

And it would matter, if IRV or other election reforms were enacted.

As it is, the two parties have a lock on power so there is no cause to worry about the thoroughly disgusted majority.

[CWebster]

12. Wouldn't want the "free press"

to cover anyone or anything other than the who or what the establishment deems acceptible.

[Mick Knox]

15. I agree.. Much Ado About Nothing...

Polls are one thing.. if Naders not on the ballot.. wont make a bit of diff.

[revcarol]

18. Ahem. Is it only me or is Ralphie-boy the ONLY candidate

talking about THE ISSUES?

Kerry and Bush just trading barbs, playing nanny-nanny-boo-boo, yes you did, no I didn't, you did...This is INSANE so far.

[WilliamPitt]

20. Actually

Bush is fleeing the issues because he has none to run on that help him (except fear). Kerry has been hauling him back each time, pointing to the issues specifically as a means to demonstrate why the Bush crew is so wrong.

So you have one side that is, yes, firing barbs. You have another side firing barbs back, each barb wrapped neatly in an issue. I like what I am seeing thus far.

[mdmc]

23. Kerry names names

The Spanish Guy, Tony Blair, Putin. These guys say they like me better. I have no doubt that Blair prefers Kerry. Lets hear Kerry say it.
As far as issues, I don't hear mention of them.
I like what I see so far as well. The issues are for another time.

[MessiahRp]

25. Naming Names is a bad idea

And is a Republican ploy to call out these other countries because if they know that they supported Bush's opponent, they will fuck them on any help or funding now and especially after the election. This is a vengeful group and they will do it just as they cut off support to countries that did not support the Iraq War this time and how Bush I did the same to countries that did not support the Iraq War last time.

Plus the Bushies are hoping to spin him as a traitor for even talking to other countries about the election and trying to draw support. Realize that a lot of this country (as stupid as many people in it are) are still pissed at the rest of the World for forcing us to go it alone because of the way BushCo. spun it on TV and how the Media helped them.

Even a lot of centrists on the issue absolutely hate Russia, Germany, and France and because of such they have a distrust in Europe as a partner as a whole.

Kerry should not name names, and should be adamant in saying that naming names allows the spiteful Bushes to call those countries out and treat them differently because of their distrust in the current Aministration.

Rp

[mdmc]

21. Kerry is a good choice v. Nader

I think that people choose Nader in these polls because they like what Sharpton, Kucinich, and Nader are saying regarding the State of our Union. That is the only explanation for it.

[Feanorcurufinwe]

22. Sometimes

Sometimes you feel better after you Ralph, but that doesn't mean you want to do it again.

[WilliamPitt]

26. Kick