Nader to Announce Decision on 2004 Bid

The Mercury News ^ | 21 February 2004 | Sam Hananel, Associated Press

[MegaSilver]

WASHINGTON - Ralph Nader, the candidate many Democrats blame for Al Gore's loss in 2000, will announce on Sunday whether he will make another bid for the White House, with all signs pointing to the consumer advocate joining the race as an independent.

If Nader decides to run, his late start, lack of party affiliation - he won't be on the Green Party ticket this time - and the challenge of getting his name on ballots in 50 states weigh against his candidacy.

So does the palpable anger among many Democrats after nearly four years of a Republican in the White House.

Calling Nader "egomaniacal," veteran Democratic strategist Dane Strother said the independent would "have the same impact he had last time. He would hand the presidency to George Bush."

Democratic National Committee chairman Terry McAuliffe said he met with Nader several times urging him not to run because he could pull votes from the Democratic nominee.

"I don't want Ralph Nader's legacy that he got George Bush for eight years in this country," McAuliffe said on CNN. "I'm urging everybody to talk to Ralph Nader. I'd love him to take a role with our party, to energize people, to get out there and get the message out."

[MegaSilver]

"I don't want Ralph Nader's legacy that he got George Bush for eight years in this country," McAuliffe said on CNN. "I'm urging everybody to talk to Ralph Nader. I'd love him to take a role with our party, to energize people, to get out there and get the message out."

You wanna talk "egomaniacal..."

Go get 'em, Ralph!

[international american]

Nader's Raider BUMP!!

[Russ]

I don't think he will run. What he will probably do is use his Meet The Press appearance to back the Democrat candidate and use the time for a free hour of Bush-bashing.

[Integrityrocks]

Every time I see the Nader headlines, my smile just gets wider. :)

I don't think we need him for Bush to win, but it still makes me smile.

[CasearianDaoist]

That is my bet too. I would love to lose it. I think, however, that Nader bashing Bush is a good thing as he is such a fringe character and so dated. His ethos is on the other side of 911.

[billorites]

Whenever I see Ralph I wanna run out and buy a Corvair.

And maybe buy something made by Chinese child slaves.

Oh yeah, and light up a Chesterfield.

[Cboldt]

I don't think we need him for Bush to win ...

Darn frightening, if "we" do.

[Cboldt]

Whenever I see Ralph I wanna run out and buy a Corvair.

I know somebody that has scores of them, if you're serious.

LOL, re: Chesterfields. Still around, hard to find. Reminds me of days gone by, and Donald Fagen's "Nightfly."

[Malcolm]

LOL, go ahead and run Ralphy! It will make up for the 2 times Perot ran and handed the ofc to Clinton. And Gawd, do we need 2 terms to repair what the country suffered in the 8 years he was in ofc!!!

[Salvation]

Go, Ralph! Go!

[CasearianDaoist]

Hey, don't knock Covairs! I remember when they were hip.

[billorites]

I remember when this was hip.

[CasearianDaoist]

Your youth was even more wayward that mine. BEt you are a Kingston Trio fan.

[no dems]

I certainly hope you're wrong. But there's one thing no one is addressing. THE GREEN PARTY WILL HAVE A CANDIDATE. It looks like it might the guy who ran for Guv of California during the recall election; can't remember his name. It's Canejo or something like that. Anyhow, he was pretty impressive in the California debates. He may help carry the day. COMMENTS ANYONE?