Ralph Nader: Why run for president if you don't have a chance?

The 2016 presidential election is attracting an unusually large number of hopefuls. The Republicans will probably field more than a dozen candidates and the Democrats, as many as five. Presently, very few of these supposed contenders have a real chance of becoming president. Republicans Ben Carson, Carly Fiorina and Ted Cruz are long shots. On the Democratic side, that term applies to everyone but Hillary Rodham Clinton..

If you tell them in private, "You do not have a chance to be president," they will point to underdogs who won, such as Jimmy Carter or Ronald Reagan, or front-runners who faltered — such as Clinton herself in 2008. They all harbor the belief that they can catch fire, especially during the primary debates. They know that Clinton could falter yet again; if so, they will be ready.

Short of winning the presidency, however, there are many other rewards for running.

You can fatten your mailing list and your Rolodex for future opportunities. These can include lucrative jobs, retainers, paid speeches or book advances. After 2008, former Gov. Mike Huckabee made it to Fox News and, by staying in the limelight, set himself up for a second run.

Ralph Nader, a four-time candidate for president of the United States, is the author of "Unstoppable: The Emerging Left-Right Alliance to Dismantle the Corporate State."

Oh the irony. “Why Run...” indeed. From a 4 time loser.

Click the link, though. He does make some valid points.

2 posted on 05/15/2015 10:42:58 AM PDT by Responsibility2nd (With Great Freedom comes Great Responsibility.)

3 posted on 05/15/2015 10:45:13 AM PDT by OttawaFreeper ("Keeping your stick down used to be a commandment, but not anymore" Harry Sinden, 1988)

“Ben Carson, Carly Fiorina and Ted Cruz are long shots.”
Can anyone guess who they are worried about?

4 posted on 05/15/2015 10:45:46 AM PDT by Iron head mike (with a politican's promise and 2 bucks you can get a cup of coffee any where.)

Money. Candidates get to keep unexpended campaign contributions.

Another "Do as I say, not as I do" liberal speaks.

-PJ

6 posted on 05/15/2015 10:49:56 AM PDT by Political Junkie Too (If you are the Posterity of We the People, then you are a Natural Born Citizen.)

If Ted Cruz is a long shot, then I am in the wrong party. Then again, that Romney was the nominee in 2012 indicated that one of us — him or me — was in the wrong party.

8 posted on 05/15/2015 10:53:54 AM PDT by Finny (Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. -- Psalm 119:105)

Is not how many but that most do not have a proven record of success with a firm basis in the USC.

Obama barely had a past let alone a proven record of success.
That’s putting it mildly.

I would wish in a population of 350 there would be at least a half a dozen who qualify.

10 posted on 05/15/2015 11:02:54 AM PDT by Leep ("Soon you won't be able to live in America as a Muslim. The noose is tightening," Elton Simpson)

the LSM must be very worried about Cruz, they keep trying to tell us that he is a long shot or a presidential hopeful.

11 posted on 05/15/2015 11:03:53 AM PDT by Cyclone59 (Where are we going, and what's with the handbasket?)

Wasn’t Obama a long-shot in 2007?

He went from overhyped speech at the 2004 DNC convention to President (God forgive this nation) in the blinking of an eye.

12 posted on 05/15/2015 11:04:24 AM PDT by rightwingintelligentsia (Democrats: The perfect party for the helpless and stupid, and those who would rule over them.)

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13 posted on 05/15/2015 11:11:25 AM PDT by deoetdoctrinae (Become a monthly donor and END FREEPATHONS!)

At least Fiorina can go at Clinton in debate without being labeled sexist.

Hope Bush, the huckster, Paul, Santorum, Carson and Christie are paying attention....

To: AdmSmith; AnonymousConservative; Berosus; bigheadfred; Bockscar; cardinal4; ColdOne; ...

selections from the FRchives:

16 posted on 05/16/2015 11:53:57 AM PDT by SunkenCiv (What do we want? REGIME CHANGE! When do we want it? NOW!)

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