Josh Marshall not worried about Nader's impact

[lancdem]

I agree

http://talkingpointsmemo.com

In any case, I have a rough confidence that this won't be as damaging to Democratic prospects as some fear. Because after the last four years I just don't think that many people will get in line again behind this pied piper of political oblivion.

Late Update: A reader notes that since Nader now isn't even running as a Green, he has apparently abandoned even the pretense that he is in the race to create a viable third party in American politics. If he runs, it would now be strictly on a platform of vacuous moral posturing and self-aggrandizement.

[bamademo]

1. I see Nader as taking away votes from *

Many Repugs don't want to vote for * so they won't vote at all. If Nader runs they have a third choice.

[glarius]

2. "pied piper of political oblivion"....great description!

It's hard to believe that anyone who is serious about getting rid of Bush would vote for Nader this time!

[Journeyman]

3. I had two friends vote for Nader* in 2000 . . .

neither of whom will even consider it this year. In 2000 they were disenchanted with a perceived lack of differentiation between the parties; today, they're convinced BushCo is evil and must be removed.

*New motto: Friends don't let friends vote uninformed.

[earthside]

4. Green Against Nader

I am a Green.

I cannot tell you how happy I was that Nader decided that he did not want the Green Party nomination this year. But it looks like the egomaniac is going to run as an "independent" anyway. (I was not a Green four years ago and voted and campaigned for Gore. I became a Green upon the collapse of the establishment Democratic Party after 9/11.)

Defeating Bush is the top priority of almost all the Greens I come in contact with. I would guess that 80 percent of Greens will vote for the Democrat this time. However, I support putting a presidential candidate on the Green Party ballot line .... but only as a "paper" candidate. I want America to understand that Nader is not the Green candidate.

Many of us believe that the Green Party can be important in reminding the Democratic nominee not to stray too far to the right, as he will be tempted to do in the general election.

But the Pryor court appointment reminds us why we all have to swallow our desire for liberal purity and vote for the ouster of Bush. Period, the end.

[59millionmorons]

5. Not worried about Nader

Nader needs to feed his ego, but in the end I think you will see Nader tell his few supporters he has left to vote for the Democratic candidate.