Ralph Nader: Running on Empty

[WilliamPitt]

http://www.tompaine.com/feature2.cfm/ID/9697

Running On Empty
by Norman Solomon

Ralph Nader plans to announce this month whether he'll be running for president in 2004. Some believe that such a campaign is needed to make a strong political statement nationwide. But if Nader does run this year, what kind of support -- in the form of volunteers, resources and votes -- could he reasonably expect?

Results of a nationwide survey, released in late December, provide a stark look at the current inclinations of people who've been part of his electoral base. After receiving about 11,000 responses from readers on a core e-mail list, the progressive online magazine AlterNet reported back: "While 27 percent of you voted for Nader in 2000, only 11 percent say you would vote for him in 2004."

...more...

[KittyWampus]

1. Well, Here's A Donkey Kick For Nader

:kick:

Don't let the hooves get you on the way out Nader.

[adamrsilva]

2. The only third part candidate that could get real traction

in this election would be one from the right, like a Pat Buchanan.

[John_H]

3. Interesting 27 percent reminds me of 2.7 percent

although 1.1 percent seems a little high since the Green Party wisely hinted that he should (and probably quietly told him to) take a hike.

A Nader race can only accomplish three things:

1)Feed his twisted megalomanial lust for authoritarian power.
2)Provide an "alternative" to the one or so percent of voters unable to sublimate their own authoritarian impulses into productive activism, and
3)Solidify Raph's rightful place in American public life, which is that of an utterly inconsequential demagogue.

With the sincere hope of bringing about #3, I say: RUN RALPH RUN!!!!!!!!

[Zomby Woof]

4. *cues up a Zombyified Jackson Browne*

Looking out for my ego making many rash appeals
Looking back at 2000 when I had supporters in the fields
In '65 I was really keen about safety for everyone
I don't know why I'm running now, for my 15 minutes are really done

Running on - running on empty
Running on - running blind
Running on - running into a brick wall
Fell on my behind

Gotta do what you can just to keep your name alive
Trying not to confuse it with what you do on the news at five
In '69 I won a lawsuit and made a name in every home
I don't know when that road turned onto the ego trip I'm on

Running on - running on empty
Running on - running blind
Running on - running would be so dumb
But hell I don't mind

Everyone I blow, worship me where I go
People need a fake leader to believe
I know it only should be me
If it makes them shake with fright, well of course I'm right
If I can get you to donate please before you leave

Looking out at the road making all kinds of deals
I don't know how to tell you all how crazy my head feels
I look around for the friends that I used and turned on too
Looking into their eyes I see them running away from me too

Running on - my head is so empty
Running on - my followers so blind
Running on - I am like god's son
So you can kiss my behind

Honey we really used you
You know the way the Greens look so kind
I'd love to stick it to you again right in the behind
You know I just want to mess with your funny little mind
Running into a mirror where I look so divine

[WilliamPitt]

6. LOL

So cruel. :)

[Zomby Woof]

7. my parody skills needed the practice

;-)

[nancyharris]

5. Whether or not

there is a resurgence of the Green Party will completely depend (as it has in the past) upon the extent to which the Democratic Party nominee supports the issues which are dear to Green Party voters.

If the Democratic party nominee is perceived as being soft on consumer protection, promotes the US association with the WTO, has no viable plan to end the erosion of US jobs via the off-shoring of labor and production, does not favor a “link” between free trade and human rights, has no plan for eliminating corporate welfare and will not focus major resources in defense of a clean and safe environment (worldwide) then I suspect the Green Party “revolution" will continue despite what this article predicts.

Congressman Kucinich appears to be the strongest candidate to stem the tide of a Green Party bolt.

[ThirdWheelLegend]

8. true

Nader has already stated that he doesn't see a need to run if Kucinich is the nominee.

Imagine that! We have a PROGRESSIVE democratic candidate!

GO DENNIS!

TWL

[Iverson]

9. It's like Pavlov's dog and operant conditioning.

We haven't had foamed at the mouth about Nader for at least eight hours! Yeah, that's the ticket.

:eyes: