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Nader Forgot to Think

Nader's announcement today that he'll run for president as an indepedent seals my opinion that this guy is losing his mind. I was likely in the minority amongst my progressive friends as a Gore voter in 2000. At that time I was of the opinion that nothing mattered except beating Bush, while my friends extolled the virtues of the Nader platform and the importance of starting a 3rd political party. While I also agreed with many Nader positions, I strongly disagreed with Nader's contention that Gore and Bush were one and the same.

Unfortunately, I feel vindicated. Bush has turned out to be the worst presidential disaster in my lifetime, and every day brings a new move from this White House that wouldn't have been taken by Gore had he been elected. The differences are further illustrated by Gore's speeches since the election, which illuminate his depth of understanding of a wide variety of progressive topics.

Nader tries to justify himself on his website:

You can ... still say that this candidacy will take away votes from the Democratic candidate. If so, you also have to assess how many more votes the Democratic nominee will receive by (a) being pressed to appeal more forcefully for the interests of the people and (b) how many effective modes and critiques he can pick up from the independent candidate to improve the prospects of defeating Bush and (c) a more exciting campaign that brings more progressive voters out which, in a rigged, winner-take all system would go to the Democrats in large percentages. By the way, there are astute political observers who believe that the Greens pushing Gore to more populist rhetoric allowed Gore to get many more voters than the net 20% of the Green vote that apparently would have voted for him.

I'm sorry, but Nader seems to think its still the year 2000--he just hasn't been paying attention to this election cycle. Bush is the supremely motivating force amongst democrats, progressives, and even some republicans to get out and vote this year. Republicans can't stand the fact that Bush calls himself a fiscal conservative, yet has massively increased federal spending while destroying the revenues to pay for it. Presuming Nader's fantasy is right and that he got Greens and other progressives to vote for Gore in 2000, Bush's extremist actions on everything from gutting the EPA to enacting a pre-emptive war strategy will ensure that these voters vote against Bush this time around, regardless of the alternative choices available to them.

Nader seems to think he needs to be in this thing to help the democrats. He's going to help the dems to be more democratic. Hasn't Dean already done that? The rhetoric on the left has changed dramatically from where it was even 2 months ago, with a [new] willingness to attack this president and his policies. People are determined to overturn Bush. Kerry and Edwards both lead in the polls against Bush (as long as Nader isn't included in them).

So will Nader get some votes in 2004? Probably. Will these votes come out of the democratic nominee's tally? Probably. Will this cost the democrats the election? Probably not, but is it worth it? Wouldn't it make more sense for Nader to embrace the new nominee? Demand a spot on his cabinet? Serve as an advisor? Endorse him to ensure his '04 supporters come out and vote?

It won't be long before we starting seeing Nader 2004 signs and stickers planted in republican yards and plastered on the bumpers of BMW's. This is the best news the Bush White House has had since they captured Saddam.

Posted on February 22, 2004 12:07 PM

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