On Ralph Nader

[pbca]

I don't think that Obama has anything to fear from Nader. I think Obama will seem like change enough for most, he is already pulling in huge support among independents. If Hillary is the nominee the equation changes. I think there is a large 'Anyone but Hillary' faction out there, but the 'Anyone but' at this point means McCain (= Bush) and independents and progressives won't be happy about that. I think a huge Nader protest vote would happen if Hillary was nominated.

Assuming it is Obama I think Obama's reaction is perfect

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x4742012

He can afford to praise Ralph Nader (Nader has done some great work in his life) while discounting him as a serious candidate - perhaps even meet with Nader to get a sense of his issues and priorities. In other words the Nader factor to Obama will be small enough that he can afford to be gracious and magnanimous about it. Appear sympathetic and inclusive, without losing many votes to Nader. On Ralph Nader

I don't think that Obama has anything to fear from Nader. I think Obama will seem like change enough for most, he is already pulling in huge support among independents. If Hillary is the nominee the equation changes. I think there is a large 'Anyone but Hillary' faction out there, but the 'Anyone but' at this point means McCain (= Bush) and independents and progressives won't be happy about that. I think a huge Nader protest vote would happen if Hillary was nominated.

Assuming it is Obama I think Obama's reaction is perfect

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x4742012

He can afford to praise Ralph Nader (Nader has done some great work in his life) while discounting him as a serious candidate - perhaps even meet with Nader to get a sense of his issues and priorities. In other words the Nader factor to Obama will be small enough that he can afford to be gracious and magnanimous about it. Appear sympathetic and inclusive, without losing many votes to Nader.

[fenriswolf]

1. one other point

Obama will not be the left candidate, he will be the middle candidate. That alone will make him alot more viable to fence sitters on the right.

[pbca]

2. True but

Obama is perceived to be at least somewhat left by the left, so he can reach out and be inclusive - make potential Nader supporters feel like he does understand their issues.

He is the 'middle' candidate but I think he's in a position to make that a very broad middle.