Reply #95: Ah, here comes the indignation. [View All]

[JackDragna]

Constant slander of the man as egomaniacal, uncaring about the American public. No mention is made, of course, of the two major remaining Democratic candidates supporting the president in two of his worst political decisions, namely the Iraq war and the Patriot act. Ralph Nader is the product of liberal discontent with the Democratic party, not its cause. He would not exist as a political force in 2004 if the Democratic party had not been so eager to march lock-step with the president, beating the drums of war. Nader also exists because the Democratic party now seems interested in running mostly centrist candidates who will criticize the president, but not push any policy the public might see as "liberal." The DLC's badmouthing of Howard Dean and the abuse Dean and Kucinich took during the debates are examples of this.

The problem with that strategy is that it allows Republicans to better frame political discourse at the national level. The Republicans have moved so far to the right and so embraced the language of super-patriotism and simple-answers-to-complex-questions that a simple "that's just not a good idea" won't do. The Democratic candidates end up looking maudlin and unattractive. Bill Clinton did well as that style of candidate, but Clinton was also a good campaigner. Al Gore was not and I fear Mr. Kerry won't be, either. The bottom line is that even if Mr. Nader didn't exist, the Democratic party is adopting a long-term strategy of failure by pushing people like Kerry. As the situation in the U.S. worsens, people want someone whose differences between the Republicans are sharply defined. I know Kerry is much more liberal on his social positions, but sharing the same positions on big issues like whether to go to war on Iraq weakens him as a candidate. The big issues get the most media coverage and if those in your electoral base see you as too much like the opposition, they'll vote for a third-party candidate or just not vote at all. Republicans toss bones to their voting blocs (born-again Christians, NRA members, etc), yet the Democratic party seems to want to alienate its base.

So, before all of you crucify Mr. Nader, remember he wouldn't exist if the Democratic party wasn't mismanaging its presidential campaigns. Dean may have been conservative on some issues, but he took umbrage with the president on those issues which will get the most play in the media. If you support a pro-war, pro-Patriot act candidate now, you support the continued deterioration of the Democratic party at the national level.