Green Party Pioneer, Ralph Nader has decided to run for President...again. When will this guy ever learn that he can't win? Although he's making a stand by running and maybe even making a few people proud, by him joining the madness that is the Presidential election, will he create even more madness?
There are some pundits that believe that the soon to be 74-year-old Nader won't have too much of an influence on either the voters or nominees, but it is easy to see differently, especially in November. Voters who will vote for Nader will more than likely be Independent, Green Party, and radical left wing Democrats - all voters who would have formerly voted for a Democrat. By Nader joining the race, he can take those voters away from the Democrats and also those who are undecided - all while not effecting right-wing voters at all. This could turn ugly.
The two Democrats running seem to put up a facade as if they aren't worried about what could possibly happen - but it would be foolish and naive to think that they aren't thinking about it and might even alter their focus and speeches to rope the voters who would vote for Nader in, pleading for them to vote for someone who has a chance.
Quotables:
- "He thought that there was no difference between Al Gore and George Bush and, eight years later, I think people realize that Ralph did not know what he was talking about. My sense is that Mr. Nader is somebody who, if you don't listen and adopt all of his policies, thinks you're not substantive."- Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL)
- "It is very unfortunate...I remember when he ran before. It didn't turn out very well for anybody -- especially our country. This time I hope it doesn't hurt anyone. I can't think of anybody that would vote for Sen. McCain who would vote for Ralph Nader. Obviously, it is not helpful to whoever our Democratic nominee is. But, you know, it is a free country."- Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-NY)
- "I think it always would probably pull votes away from the Democrats and not the Republicans, so naturally, Republicans would welcome his entry into the race." Gov. Mike Huckabee (R-AK)
According to CNN.com, Nader encouraged people to look at his campaign Web site, www.votenader.org, which he said discusses issues important to Americans that Obama and Sen. John McCain "are not addressing."