Nader in 2004? (Liberals now begging consumer activist not to run, citing 'National Emergency')

Salon ^ | April 23, 2003 | David Talbot

[ewing]

Nader who many Democrats and Progressives blame for tippping the last Presidential election to George W. Bush, in key states like Flordia, has not announced his decision about 2004.

But according to National Green Party Officals, Nader will probably run. 'Im getting that sense, says Ben Manski one of five National Green Party co-chairs.

Juscha Robinson, a member of the partys Presidential exploratory committee agrees, 'The co-chairs of the committee met with Ralph a couple of weeks ago--it was a very comfortable discussion. It does look like he is leaning in that direction.The surprisingly bellicose and hard right direction of the Bush Administration has given many Greens pause about running a third party Presidential campign next year.

One prominient Green Party activist--journalist and former Nader confidant Ronnie Dugger--has publicly and privately pleaded with his old friend not to run for Presdient, urging him instead to run for Senator or Governor.

Dugger argues that the extremism of the Bush Presidency has created a 'national emergency' that requires a unified effort on the left to beat the Republican ticket in 2004.

[ewing]

We are really winning, but it won't matter if they beg because Reverend Al will be in the hunt as well in the General Election!

(you know he is going to do it claiming the 'racist Dims' kept him from getting the nomination..)

[theDentist]

I gotta send Nader and Sharpton donations. (evil grin)

[beaversmom]

Woo hoo! Run Nader Run!

[ewing]

possible Reverend Al opponent update!

[johniegrad]

Just a naive question: Would violate any laws for the DNC (or some money laundering organization thereof) to pay him to not run? The question is less about whether there is a legal mechanism for moving funds in this direction and more a question of whether Nader would be violating any laws by accepting money to not run.

[A CA Guy]

We have to get Reverand Al on the card for the Reparations Party, so he can get some votes away from the Dems.
About 25% of their vote I would think.

[johniegrad]

"would violate" should be "would it violate"

[Catspaw]

If I remember the reasoning of the Greens (if one can call it "reasoning") was that Gore was as bad as Bush, that they were interchangeable, so a vote for either one was like a vote for the other, so vote Green. Now they've done a 180. (Insert loud guffaw here).

And after Jihad Cynthia McKinney lost her house seat, I thought she had thought about running for prez on the Green party ticket. I don't know where that's going, but she just can't seem to stay away from DC, given her appearances--complete with her usual contigent of Nation of Islam buddies--at anti-war rallies.

[A CA Guy]

We have to get Reverend Al on the card for the Reparations Party, so he can get some votes away from the Dems.
About 25% of their vote I would think.

[ewing]

Heck, I want to be a Reverend Al county chairperson!

I just want to see the look on my neighbors faces as I unfurl my Sharpton 2004 yard sign..

[ewing]

lol! Reparations Party.. could Rev. Al put that in the Dims Party Convention as a Campaign Platform Plank?

[DCPatriot]

FI-FY-FO-FUM....I smell the blood of a Vince Foster Arkanside!

[nanomid]

They changed the name to "Green Party", after "Red Party" didn't go over well.

Hey, Green like trees and money. That'll sell well.

[ewing]

Jihad Cindy as Green Party VP!!

This just keeps getting better and better..

[ewing]

Green on the outside and pure red on the inside...

[A CA Guy]

If Reverend Al attempted a Reparations Party, I actually believe there would be enough of his followers to actually get him as a third party on the national ballot.

That is not a joke in FACT.

He could, if he wanted to, take a great deal of the Democrat vote with him in a new third party easily. I think if he really wanted power in the Democrat party, he would do this in 2004 and threaten this in 2008. Could make him an actual VP candidate in 2008 on the Democrat ticket.
Think about it, not a bad plan for him personally.

I

[cinFLA]

But the real question is whether Harry Browne will run or whether the Libertarians will throw their 300k votes to Nader. /sarcasm

[ewing]

I would sign to get Reverend Al on the ballot.

[ewing]

Nader would never go for that, he already has myriads of foundations set up for dodging taxes and getting contributions.

[finnman69]

Time to send Nader more donations.

Boo Hoo DU.