Nader says he'll meet with Kerry

[Nicholas_J]

Independent candidate cites common objective: Bush's defeat
Monday, March 29, 2004 Posted: 4:02 PM EST (2102 GMT)



Independent candidate Ralph Nader says he won't drop out of the presidential race.


ATLANTA, Georgia (CNN) -- Independent presidential candidate Ralph Nader said he will meet with presumptive Democratic nominee John Kerry next month to discuss their "common objective" of beating President Bush in November.

The Kerry campaign had no immediate comment to Nader's disclosure, which came as the consumer advocate campaigned Sunday in Atlanta, Georgia.

Nader said the meeting will take place in Washington in April but said no specific date has been set. He told CNN that he and Kerry "have a common objective, and that's to defeat the giant corporation residing in the White House masquerading as a human being."

http://www.cnn.com/2004/ALLPOLITICS/03/29/nader/

Also see:

“Independent” candidate Ralph Nader offers alliance with Democrat Kerry
By Jerry Isaacs and Barry Grey
30 March 2004

Just five weeks after announcing he would run as an independent candidate for president in the November US election, consumer advocate and 2000 Green Party presidential candidate Ralph Nader has all but dropped the pretence of opposing the Democratic nominee, John Kerry.

Speaking Sunday in Atlanta, Georgia, Nader said he would meet with Kerry next month to discuss their “common objective” of defeating President George W. Bush. “I’m going to say, ‘Look, let’s collaborate to defeat George Bush, even though we’re competitors,’” he told the CNN cable news network. He said his campaign would serve as a “second front against Bush, however small.”

http://www.wsws.org/articles/2004/mar2004/nad-m30.shtml

[chelsea0011]

1. Just how dumb is Nader???

Step 1 to beating Bush....DROP OUT

[citizen snips]

2. Go home Nader.

n/t

[aquart]

3. He won't drop out?

Gosharooney. What a surprise. Be sure to take lots of that nice clean Republican money, Ralphie.

Could I loathe his sanctimonious ass more?

[no name no slogan]

4. Good for Nader-- and good for Democrats

It may actually work for Democrats to open up a second front on Bush-- especially if Nader is not on the ballot in most states (which looks like it may be the case).

Nader plays the attack dog role very well-- he'll be able to say stuff about Shrub that Kerry as the Democratic Party nominee may not be able to say.

I for one am not afraid of Nader, and don't see any harm in his being part of this race. If anything, he'll continue to bring progressive issues forward, and hammer on Dubya when Kerry can/will not.

[lancdem]

5. As long as Nader stays off the ballot in swing and battleground

states

[Nicholas_J]

6. The only states

Where Nader is likely to be able to get on the ballots are low electoral vote states that are likely to go to Bush anyway.
There is virtually no way that Nader wil be able to get thre number of signatures required in the larger states that are leaning democrat, because of the enorrmous amount of signatures required, like 90,000, 100,000. Many of the smaller states that seem to be leaning towards Bush anyway, require 1000 signatures to get on the ballot ( I cant remember which state Edwards almost didnt get because it required 1000 signatures and it took up until the last week for him to make it.) So while Nader seems to be in play in many of the nationa polls, pulling down 6 or 8 percent, when you look at the state polls for larger states, he is pulling down 1 or 2 percent.
In states where Kerry has an enromous lead, like Connecticut, with Kerry at 52 percent, Bush at 33 percent, Nader has 4 percent. Illinois, Kerry is ahead of Bush 47 to 39, Nader has 2 percent.
Florida, Kerry ahead of Bush 49 to 43, Nader 3 percent.

In the naitonal polls, Nader does much better than he is actually doing on the ground, in the states where the electoral votes are won. In this arena, Nader may be hurting Kerry, but not by enough for it to cost Kerry those states. I think Nader is becoming aware of this fact rather rapidly, and wants to make hay while the sun shines. Only one poll in one state does Naders last polling show that he may make a differnce to Kerry and that is in Pennsylvania. Where Kerry would be clearly defeating Bush if Nader did not have people supporting him there.

[MAlibdem]

7. Kerry better not meet with him

Tell him, PRIVATELY, that Kerry will not meet with him unless he drops out FIRST and ENDORSES Kerry.

Do NOT give this man the attention he craves, it will only embolden him.

[creeksneakers2]

8. We need every vote

Nader can still take away write ins anywhere. The only thing he can do to help now is drop out and endorse Kerry.

[messiah]

9. After trhe replies I see democrats are trying to make the same mistake

they did in 2000!.