Toward Nader's Nadir
Like many another who has tasted the thrill, but unlike those who also have a sense of perspective and the good judgment to listen to it, Ralph Nader couldn't resist -- or either a certain political party told him that the time had finally come and he was needed again, to play the spoiler role. Formerly known for being an effective consumer advocate, he is again running for President, for the fifth time, as an independent. After the candidates in the two mainstream parties have expended so much cash and effort over a long period, he just now made it official. Maybe he had to conserve his energy. In a few days he will be 74, three years older than John McCain, whose age has already led to some reservations being expressed about him, and, being older than either of those two, I have to say with good reason.
Or maybe Nader was inspired by the massive turnout in the primaries of Democratic voters, and he must think that he would have good chances of cutting out from that herd a goodly bunch, especially if there is conflict at the Democratic convention. Otherwise it's hard to guess why he would go to the trouble. There's nothing sadder than a habitual perennial candidate. Harold Stassen showed that. Remember him? Starting in 1948 that former governor of Minnesota made nine unsuccessful runs at being President, the last time in 1992.
Nader will get plenty of support at least from the likes of the commenters at Common Dreams. More violent toward the Democrats than they are toward the Republicans, though the latter make up the party that is doing the real demolition work on what remains of the forward-looking institutions of America, those people would like nothing better than to see the Democratic party dismembered into sections, so that they can grab as many as possible to put together a viable 3rd party. They have no hope of chipping off similarly from the Republican body, since it has the consistency of a granite boulder.
Nader's running was a grave disservice to the country in 2000, and the fact that he is so unable to feel any sense of shame for that should sink him without a bubble right there. He and his supporters vehemently deny that they helped the Republicans to win in that tragic year. That their rationales hold no water must be the reason that I can never remember what they are. Mike Huckabee, McCain's sole remaining competitor for the Republican nomination, said today that a vote for Nader is indeed a vote for Republicans, and he welcomed Nader into the contest. So there you have it.
For all Nader's good services in the past in the consumer area, I hope that as a Presidential candidate, he will remain only what he has been reduced to being -- a favorite wet dream of an unknown number of disgruntled, spite-saturated, supposed Progressives.
Or maybe Nader was inspired by the massive turnout in the primaries of Democratic voters, and he must think that he would have good chances of cutting out from that herd a goodly bunch, especially if there is conflict at the Democratic convention. Otherwise it's hard to guess why he would go to the trouble. There's nothing sadder than a habitual perennial candidate. Harold Stassen showed that. Remember him? Starting in 1948 that former governor of Minnesota made nine unsuccessful runs at being President, the last time in 1992.
Nader will get plenty of support at least from the likes of the commenters at Common Dreams. More violent toward the Democrats than they are toward the Republicans, though the latter make up the party that is doing the real demolition work on what remains of the forward-looking institutions of America, those people would like nothing better than to see the Democratic party dismembered into sections, so that they can grab as many as possible to put together a viable 3rd party. They have no hope of chipping off similarly from the Republican body, since it has the consistency of a granite boulder.
Nader's running was a grave disservice to the country in 2000, and the fact that he is so unable to feel any sense of shame for that should sink him without a bubble right there. He and his supporters vehemently deny that they helped the Republicans to win in that tragic year. That their rationales hold no water must be the reason that I can never remember what they are. Mike Huckabee, McCain's sole remaining competitor for the Republican nomination, said today that a vote for Nader is indeed a vote for Republicans, and he welcomed Nader into the contest. So there you have it.
For all Nader's good services in the past in the consumer area, I hope that as a Presidential candidate, he will remain only what he has been reduced to being -- a favorite wet dream of an unknown number of disgruntled, spite-saturated, supposed Progressives.
posted by Carl (aka Sofarsogoo) | 11:37 AM
2 Comments:
Carl,
I wanted to stop by your site since you have been so sweet to comment on mine. I think Nader is wrong to think the high turn out in the Democratic primaries will help him in any way. The Democrats are speaking so loud and in so many numbers because there is someone to finally speak about. The first woman President? The first black President? Either of which will do 110 times the job of Bush or McCain. The Dem voters want something/someone new, not that same old white, rich, middle aged guy. And that is what he is!
Hi, Lady! Thanks for stopping by. I'm hopeful and optimistic that a high Democratic turnout in November will indeed, among many other good things, result in Nader being so submerged that he will think of better things to do on the next cycle.
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