Posted on 08/26/2008 2:51:04 PM PDT by Oldeconomybuyer
DENVER -- The Ralph Nader for President campaign in Colorado revved up to start its demonstration march at the onset of the Democratic National Convention. All six supporters were ready to go, leaflets in hand, their 15-foot-tall brown beer-bottle protest balloon was inflated and tied down on the trailer behind the 18-year-old silver Ford F-150 pickup.
Then disaster struck -- the generator powering the air-pump that kept the balloon afloat died. Out of gas. The giant balloon shriveled and went limp. One of the Naderites sprinted off for the nearest gas station.
"We're trying to draw attention to our rally Wednesday night," said Jenny Przekwas, 42, a professional gardener from Denver who is the Colorado coordinator for Nader's independent campaign for president. Nader will appear at the University of Denver's Magness Arena.
"You know who is sponsoring the presidential debates? Anheuser-Busch. Check the facts," Przekwas said.
From 1996-2004, the beer company has been one of several corporate sponsors of the nonprofit Commission on Presidential Debates, which coordinates the annual fall debates. Nader, a consumer advocate and perennial presidential candidate, has been excluded from presidential debates and blames corporate sponsors for influencing the commission.
Thus, the giant beer-bottle float sporting the slogan: "Open up the debates." Nader wants a chance to debate John McCain and Barack Obama this fall.
"We have a giant contraption, an opener that uncaps the bottle," Przekwas said. "Get it. Open up the debates."
The gas can arrives and the generator starts right up and the balloon is quickly refilled. Nineteen minutes late, the Nader for President parade finally begins, following a police vehicle that looks more like a tricked-out golf cart with mag wheels and cop lights on top.
After a block, the tethers holding the balloon to a trailer come loose and the balloon teeters over, and the Nader volunteers shout for Przekwas to stop the pickup towing the contraption.
"This is such a nightmare," she said.
A few blocks later, a gray-haired, bearded man in a tattered denim coat and carrying a picket sign joins the six Naderites.
"Who is that guy?" Przekwas asked, as the man turns and shows his sign. "Oh, he's a 'Vote 4 Jesus' guy.
"That's OK. We're all inclusive."
Honks and waves greet the protest all along the way. But another problem arises at intersection of Stout Street and Speer Boulevard. The overhead electric lines that power Denver's light-rail trains are too low, and the beer bottle has to be untethered and bent so the procession can pass under safely.
Police ended the parade at Lawrence Street and Speer Boulevard. The rest of the protest route to the Pepsi Center and the Democratic National Convention is only open to protesters on foot. Przekwas loaded her Naderites into the bed of the pickup and headed back to the campaign office.
"It's too bad we couldn't take our message all the way to Pepsi Center," she said. "The Jesus guy got to go all the way."
(Steve Myers is a reporter for the Denver Rocky Mountain News)
:::snicker:::
Nader should have had enough HOT AIR to pump up his LIMP balloon.
Go away, Nader.
Stop being a joke.
Maybe the generator running out of gas is a metaphor for Ralph’s campaign?
I hope he’s on the ballot in Florida.
“Nader wants a chance to debate John McCain and Barack Obama this fall.”
Oh PLEASE!
Stop wasting peoples time.
The sheeple don’t want you, Ralph!
Grow up!
The spolier days are long gone.
Maybe the generator running out of gas is a metaphor for Ralph’s campaign?
I hope he’s on the ballot in Florida.
Why in the world would you want THAT?
I do like the metaphor plus he’s full of hot air.
It would have been nice to start missing him forty years ago.
The more non conservatives on the ballet the better, although it would be nice to have at least one conservative.
Don’t be stupid.
Nader would only draw votes from Obama. He should be supported.
A giant beer bottle would’ve gotten Ted Kennedy’s attention.
And he likes big windy gas bags.
Wow your mind just takes it all in as you read and its wonderful lol.
A moonbat vote for Ralph is a moonbat vote that won’t go to Obama.
Go Ralph Go!
On the other hand, it could give the PUMA’s a way to show displeasure with Obama while not having to cross over and vote for McCain. This of course would defeat the purpose of electing McCain so Hillary can try again to run against him in 2012.
Why?
I don’t think Mitt brings much to the table. I think he was the “not McCain” candidate and got those votes, but he had very few dedicated enthusiasts. I don’t think there is a chance in the world that he could make any of those NE states go red. He speaks well, but if McCain wins, I’d like to run someone more conservative than Mitt next time, and with McCains age there is a better than usual chance that the VP might have to step up.
McCains biggest problem is with conservatives. He needs a very conservative VP pick, and I hate to say it, but it would be all the better politically if they were minority, female, or both.
“Nader wants a chance to debate John McCain and Barack Obama this fall.”
Gotta earn it, Uncle Ralphie, and having all of six acolytes in a booby hatch like the DNC convention doesn't qualify.
I don’t think Mitt brings much to the table. I think he was the “not McCain” candidate and got those votes, but he had very few dedicated enthusiasts. I don’t think there is a chance in the world that he could make any of those NE states go red. He speaks well, but if McCain wins, I’d like to run someone more conservative than Mitt next time, and with McCains age there is a better than usual chance that the VP might have to step up.
Mitt is a sharp guy. Don't underestimate him. He'd be great for the economy. No, he was more then the “not McCain” candidate. Till the Huckster stepped in with attacks on Mormonism he'd have cleaned Huckabees clock. Mike was the spoiler. Mike is no better than a Demoncrat. The only difference between Huckabee and a Demoncrat is Mike mentions the word Jesus now and then, preaches SOCIALISM and is pro life. I looked at the Arkansas papers. Republicans HATED him because of his Demoncrat stances. What they didn't think of Huck did.
“McCains biggest problem is with conservatives. He needs a very conservative VP pick, and I hate to say it, but it would be all the better politically if they were minority, female, or both.”
Mitt is more conservative than you think. No the last thing we need is a surfacy minority or a female for visual. You need a strong candidate based on MERIT. Forget this “diversity” crap based on skin color and gender. McPain will fail he takes that route. People have MOVED ON from that.
We already have Condi who is sharp etc... the GOP has played the “diversity” game. Mitt is the best bet at this stage. BTW, I'm not a Mormon either. I simply care about the U.S. and I am worried about the direction we are taking.
I caught that Rendell, another loser compares the Obomination to Adley Stevenson! GEESH! If you are not familiar with him. do look this guy up! Scary people.
Well we agree on Huck, but don’t rule out identity politics. Its a very strong factor for a large portion of the non-thinking population, and politics has its bikini contests.
I’m not running off to fill the one-legged, black, female, lesbian ticket. I’m saying that given the choice between a conservative man and a conservative woman of comparable talent, the woman would be the better choice.
I’d prefer that politics were a well judged debating match, but its not.
There is way too much “identity” politics. Dress em up in a burlap sack, change their voice and make the decision based on merit. I will have one litmus test, NO homosexuals, trangendered or any other confused human beings. If they can't get THAT RIGHT, I question the rest of their judgment. You have to be in heavy duty DENIAL to be part of the freak pack.
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