Why, oh why, Does Kerry not attack Nader???

[sleipnir]

Is it because he doesn't want to legitimize Nader's campaign or is he slightly worried about angering the far-left base of the Dem party?

I think that some well placed attacks against Nader would help Kerry in the long run. He needs to discredit Nader (and now Camejo)and if he doesn't go on the warpath, Nader will.

Sure, Nader has little in the warchest, but why not eliminate that annoying mosquito once and for all. Even if it's a scandal, just something to get eradicate Nader's presence in the election.

[skooooo]

1. Umm..maybe because.

...that would only draw more attention to Nader?? Is that what you want?

[Name removed]

2. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

4. Maybe you should ask him to explain violent revolution to you next

because the manner in which he is attempting to usher in a new progressive era is dangerous and has been known to lead to it.

[FlemingsGhost]

8. I got news for you, NSMA

The collapse is coming with or without Ralph Nader's influence. It's been materializing long before his interference.

As for "violent revolution," that's entirely avoidable... If we so desire.

[sangh0]

13. Things have to get worse before they get better

so vote for Nader because he'll make things better before they get worse.

[FlemingsGhost]

15. No thanks.

I won't be voting for Ralph Nader. Never even considered it for a moment.

Nice try, though. Well, not really ...

[Name removed]

9. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[JanMichael]

17. I agree and I'm a cranky Socialist.

We hardly have time to prepare for the almost inevitable consequences of a 2nd Bush term.

But, as I've said before, you gots to do what you gots to do.


PS~ Steph wants her toaster.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

21. Exactly it might be fun in a romantic way to ponder this in theory

but causing real suffering for real people has never pleased me even if it made my point.


(Steph's earned a convection oven and trash compactor.....;) )

[MrBenchley]

3. Why bother?

Really what is there to say about Ralph?

If he attacks him, he's bullying poor little Ralph. He's better off ignoring him.

"He needs to discredit Nader (and now Camejo)and if he doesn't go on the warpath, Nader will. "
Yeah, that Camejo's a mighty juggernaut, all right. (snicker)

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

6. Actually Mr. B, Camejo got something like 9% in the 02

gubernatorial election...so he's pretty good at the spoiler role...had Simon been Reardon...it would have been as disastrous as the recall he asked Greens to sign the petition for as he trolled around college campuses currying favors from rich kids who've never really had to deal with the real world and Republican party's policies because they have yet to hold their first real job.

[MrBenchley]

11. Actually Camejo got 242,000 votes, just under 3%

http://vote2003.ss.ca.gov/Returns/summary.html

Not enough to make any difference whatsoever.

And he's utterly unknown outside of California.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

16. that was the recall vote...no?

I'm talking about the 02 gubernatorial election..IIRC it was much higher

[orthogonal]

5. Gives nader a platform

Attacking Nader invites the media to ask Nader for a response, giving him a platform.

Far better to ignore, implying he's marginal.

[sangh0]

7. Yes, let's waste time on trivialities

while Rome burns and Nero fiddles.

So what tune would you like to hear next?

[vi5]

10. That would be a no-win move on Kerry's part.....

Who does it get a rise out of? People who are already going to vote for him anyway. So what does he gain? The only thing he does is piss off the far left even more, and lose people who may or may not be on the bubble of voting for him.

I don't know of any swing voters or moderates who would be impressed with Kerry pulling that move.

He's playing it the right way. Not letting Nader dictate how he runs.

[leftistagitator]

12. We want Nader supporters to join us.

So how could it help to attack him? That's just going to breed resentment, so I think we'd be better off by laying out a liberal policy plan and courting them over to our side.

[Feanorcurufinwe]

14. Attack who?

[Deja Q]

18. Maybe because he isn't attacking Bush* either?

:shrug:

[sleipnir]

19. Ah....good point...but...

Eventually, Kerry will attack Bush, might as well cut his teeth on Nader first.

[TolstoyAndy]

27. Why, Oh Why does Kerry ! Not ! Attack ! Bush* !?!?!

I knew someone would beat me to it.
I'm just glad it's a Toad I can trust.
I say that without being hypnotized.

[JackDragna]

20. Here's a better idea!

How about wishy-washy Kerry come out and eliminate any rationale for Nader being in the race? Kerry could eviscerate Bush by getting after him for bad decisions made during the war, but Kerry is hoping to take the "high ground" and not go after Bush's character as much as he should on politically sensitive subjects.

[Tellurian]

22. Would you kick a midget to the curb? nt

[Disturbed]

23. The Nadar threat

To those who still claim that Nadar is responsible for BushCo being in power, please ask yourselves how many voters were discounted by the Right Wing Machine in Fla. I believe that the election was stolen from Al Gore via illegal means.

The Dem party move to the right has in my view been a mistake because it has allowed the Right Wing to be in control of every agenda while most Dems flounder wondering what are their real principles. Being Right Wing LITE isn't standing up for the American Worker.

I feel that Nadar and Camejo will ask their supporters to vote for J. Kerry about a month before the election. I hope that I am not wrong about that.Attacking Nadar would be foolish for Kerry because the Greens sure as Hell don't want BushCo to be in power for 4 more years to reek havoc on the environment and spread war and imperialism to other countries.

[frylock]

25. greg palast blows the whole "nader handed bush the election"..

excuse completely out of the water. People who still demand that Nader is the reason that shrubco is in the White House need to read "The Best Democracy Money Can Buy", or STFU.

[Tellurian]

26. Nader is looking for Redemption...

Guilty or not-

Nader has lost his identity along the way.
He used to be the advocate hero...alas,
He needs a just cause to advocate...

He will in the end, throw his support to Kerry.

[Media_Lies_Daily]

24. Nader is already discredited. Why bother?

[sleipnir]

29. Since Camjeo joined in??? I respectfully disagree.

Why is Nader still polling at 4-7% nationally, that doesn't sound like an already "discredited" person to me? After Camjeo as a running mate, look for Nader to get close to 10% in some states, (if not nationally...) That's hardly discredited, Kerry had better do something or he's going to be toast, and not thanks to the Bush thugs.

I don't want to be a harbinger of bad news, but it after today's announcement, it seems like Kerry is going to have to fight a two front war, against Bush and the Greens/Independents if he wants the White House. And he better go negative before too much time goes by, or we're all in a world of hurt.

[Massacure]

28. It's better to drop Bush a point than it is to drop Nadar a point.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

30. Maybe he's smart enough to want the left on his side.

And, not make the mistake that Gore did.