Nader Factor

[seahawky]

Is it possible that Nader is in the race and get his constituency excited and pumped up to vote. A month before the election he drops out and tells his supports, who are excited and pumped up, to go out and vote for Kerry. The Bush campaign wouldn't know what hit them.

[sangh0]

1. And maybe Bush* was a liberal conspiracy

to get Americans to hate the Repukes.

[Robroy]

2. Anything's possible..

but I wouldn't hold my breath.

[ladjf]

3. I wouldn't count on that happening. Remember 2000 ?

[Brotherjohn]

4. That is EXACTLY what I was just thinking.... almost verbatim!

[genius]

5. If he drops out, I'll consider respecting him

However, he has such an ego, I doubt he'll do anything but throw the election to Bush.

[rasputin1952]

6. Reality 101...Nader has no chance of being elected president...

therefore, what is the only other purpose for him to be on the ballot?

He is a disruptor, a spoiler; and he knows it, just as everyone else knows it.

the truth is often harsh...none the less it is the Truth, and cannot be denied.

O8)

[mzmolly]

7. Could be? Perhaps he learned a thing or two from 2000.

? :shrug:

[WitchWay]

8. Some More about the Nader Factor

Drop out? No. Nader has principles, and in all likelihood wouldn't drop out of the race. He's said as much. Nader's constituency isn't all dem, by the way...you can look at recent polls to see that when he is out dems and repubs loose the same percentage points.

On Nader's website, he has a letter to ABB democrats, which is an interesting read and tells something of the strategy. Also, look into the word and meaning of "trimtab" because Nader calls his campaign a trimtab campaign. Very interesting stuff.

Nader expects, in the long run, to pull many more votes away from Bush than Kerry. He also feels that his attacking Bush will help Kerry (becuase Kerry's got his hands tied in many ways). He pretty much expects Dems to vote Dem, while Bush folks can cast a protest vote for Nader (instead of Kerry whom they might find too distasteful). His purpose in this race is to expand the debate, bring new subjects to the table, enliven the discussion, reinvigorate our political climate, attack Bush, attack corporatism, and engage more people in the democratic process.

He also hopes to bring out disgruntled non-voters and independents, who because of the terrible Bush administration, will likely vote Dem in local and state elections (adding to the dem vote down the entire ballot, not just presidential).

Kerry is meeting with Nader, and it gives me hope and confidence that there is an exciting and progressive political race ahead of us.

[Sparkly]

9. "Nader has principles"

And he's going to take votes away from Bush, even more than Kerry.
And he wants to expand the debate to help oust Bush.
And he's only trying to *help* the bumbling Democratic party.
He cares so much about his principles, he'd never do *anything* to hurt the causes he champions. Consumers, the working poor, minorities, women, teachers, children, environmentalists and Mother Earth Herself as so glad he ran in 2000 and are thrilled he's running again, since there's no real difference between the two parties, the "duopoly" is the real problem, and another four years of Bush won't matter.

APRIL FOOL'S!!!

[WitchWay]

10. You don't have to vote for him!

Just read his letter, cuz its interesting and makes good points.

I don't think Nader really WANTS democrats voting for him, he wants them to EVENTUALLY vote for KERRY (who will hopefully adopt much of Nader's platform). Nader wants independents and republican votes, votes from disaffected non-voters. He thinks there will be dem spillover to local elections and races, and I think he's right. By the way, he's sending out his letter to republicans soon.

Nader is in the race, and the best thing to do is understand his strategy to make the most of it. Ignoring it won't work, it's best to understand it. Kerry knows this is true, that's why he's meeting with Nader.

[Sparkly]

11. Understanding the strategy

If Nader wants Democrats to vote for Kerry, why doesn't he campaign for Kerry?

Why should Kerry adopt any of Nader's platform? Nader is not a Democrat, never won an election, and never had to form consensus, build majorities, and collaborate across the aisle to get bills passed in Congress.

Nader does not need to remind Democrats of what the issues are, where Republicans fail, or what the country *ought* to be like; and blackmailing the Democratic party is not the way to wield influence.

So yes, I read his letter; and no, I don't understand "the strategy." If the intent is to get Bush out, his campaign isn't helping. If the intent is to change or to "help" the Democratic party, his campaign isnt' helping. If the intent is to make the country a better place in all the ways he *talks* about, his campaign isn't helping. Like I said, I don't understand the strategy.

[WitchWay]

12. Okay.

I respect that you've read Nader's letter, which is very fair of you. So, although I disagree with much of what you say, I'd like to very respectfully disagree.

[John_H]

13. Never happen. Nader gets off on enabling chimp. That's just how it is.