TalkingPointsMemo on Ralph Nader: SMACKDOWN!

[DoveTurnedHawk]

I truly hope that Democrats will not spend too much time abasing themselves, begging Ralph Nader not to run again for president in 2004, as he seems likely to announce he will do on Meet the Press this Sunday.

Certainly, this latter-day political narcissist has already made up his mind what he's going to announce. So there's no point waiting to call him what he is: an enemy of progressive change in this country and a cat's paw of the Republican party.

If anything, calling him a 'cat's paw' is too generous since a dupe at least doesn't know he's being used.

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.

http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com

DTH

[arwalden]

1. Excellent Post!

-- Allen

[NNN0LHI]

2. Ralphalfa wants to keep his part of the Bush tax cut for the rich...

...fuckers like him. That is the bottom lie here. THE GREEDY PRICK!
Don

[lovedems]

4. You are to kind. I could think of alot more things to say about

Ralphalfa (LOL). I have over done it this week with my potty mouth. I am trying to keep myself in check.

[waterman]

3. Yeehaw! You've been bitch-slapped, Ralph. How does that feel?

I'm so sick of this prick. Someone needs to let the air out of that over-inflated ego.

[NWHarkness]

5. And remember, since he's NOT Green

He has no automatic ballot access. He has to qualify state by state, and that is going to be a long grueling haul with no guarantee of success. He may run but end up not being on the ballot in many places.

[virtualobserver]

6. Ralph was proven right....

The Democrats offered only token resistance to Bush since Gore won the popular vote in 2000.

Attacking the messenger who delivers the unpleasant truth is a big mistake.

[DoveTurnedHawk]

7. Then I'm Glad Your Guy Helped Pave the Way Toward a Better Response (eom)

DTH

[virtualobserver]

11. I'd be 1000 times happier if Wes was the frontrunner

rather than Kerry.

[MurikanDemocrat]

8. He is insignificant. He'll barely make a dent if he runs.

[boobooday]

9. He's a wanker

He doesn't deserve any of the attention he is getting.

They don't even cover some of the democratic candidates, and they are all waiting with baited breath for this guy to make his decision.

http://www.wgoeshome.com

[Florida_Geek]

10. Only problem will be Repug $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

He does not have any money to speak of, and without the Green Party behind him, he has to raise money on his name only. Getting on the ballot in the states is going to cost a lot of money.

IMHO, look to a grassroot money raising group, leaded by Mr Rove for that money. Rove will want him on the ballot in Florida and a couple other states.

Again IMHO, I would not put it past Rove to funnel 10 million into his run.

On edit, I am bookmarking this thread and this post, to see how this plays out if he runs.

[PlanetBev]

12. Great post, Dove

The worst part of Nader running is the Democrats begging and pleading for him not to. All that does is feed his inflated, deluded ego, and make him feel like he is indeed "The Kingmaker". I heard that Terry McAuliffe has been taking him to lunch and schmoozing him, hoping to disuade him. I think Nader has a sadistic streak and having McAuliffe beg him makes him even more exited about the possibliity of throwing the election to Bush.

[robbedvoter]

13. Here's the permalink for it

http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/week_2004_02_15.html#002586
for future use. Excellent point. I saw an action on voter NY to protest Nader when he goes to NBC for his MTP taping.
I asked myself: last time I protested was what? War? Ashcroft/Patriot act?
How did things get so trivial? What's next? New Coke?