...very interesting. ____________________________________ News - October 31, 2004 Nader to Democrats: “It’s not over” By BEVERLEY WANG Associated Press MANCHESTER — Independent presidential candidate Ralph Nader Saturday warned Democrats to expect legal action over tactics he called “disgraceful” and “fascistic.” “Stay tuned. It’s not over,” he said. Democrats have tried to keep Nader off the ballot in several states, including New Hampshire. Nader called their efforts “the most disgraceful, fascistic practices in the modern history of the Democratic Party.” He said his campaign is gathering documents to prove volunteers collecting signatures for him were harassed. “The only steps we took were to ensure that Ralph Nader was playing by the rules,” said Jano Cabrera, Democratic National Committee communications director. “If he wanted to get on the ballot in these states, he had to prove that he actually gathered valid signatures in these states, and Mickey Mouse and Betty Boop are not valid signatures. These are signatures that people gathered in Ralph Nader’s name.” New Hampshire’s state Democratic Party tried to kick Nader off the presidential ballot by arguing that signatures submitted for him were collected through widespread fraud and deceit. Nader remained on the state’s ballot. Nader said he was disappointed in Sen. John Kerry for keeping quiet on such issues, even after the two spoke about them on the telephone. “Sen. John Kerry, who told me 12 weeks ago he didn’t know about these dirty tricks over the phone, ... he never got back to me, notwithstanding my calling him 25 times in 35 days.” Cabrera said Democrats have repeatedly reached out to Nader. DNC Chairman Terry McAuliffe has spoken with Nader several times, he added. “In each instance, we have told him we don’t want him to play the role he played in 2000, namely a spoiler in the election, a role he seems determined to play,” Cabrera said. Nader called McAuliffe “the chief architect of dirty tricks incorporated.” Cabrera labeled the comment “laughable in the extreme.” “They’re so stupid,” Nader said. “This is why they’ve been losing, losing, losing to the worst of the Republicans at the local, state and national level. This is Bush’s election to lose, and if Kerry wins, it’s largely because Bush significantly self-destructed.” About 50 people turned up at St. Anselm College to hear Nader speak about corruption in two-party politics. Nader also called for a leaner defense budget, better infrastructure, social programs and public works programs for Americans. Once, he criticized the group — made up mostly of students — for the low turnout. He told them they were less politically involved than their parents. “We need to reassert the sovereignty of the people and take back Washington, D.C., and we’re the only campaign that has a dedicated 40-year history of pressing for the subordination of corporate power to the sovereignty of people; and a government that cares more for the interests of the people than the interests of their corporate paymasters,” Nader said. Outside, members of the college’s Democratic group protested Nader’s appearance. One wore a George Bush mask and several held a banner reading “Thank you Ralph, Best Wishes, W.” Nader said he hadn’t decided yet if he will run in 2008. He said he would consider this year’s election in New Hampshire a success if he got more than the 22,000 votes he received from the state in 2000. http://www.theunionleader.com/articles_showa.html?article=46368
Nobody likes a terd in the punch bowl, Ralph. Sure, the punch was already poisoned, but at least we couldn't see it.
No wonder the liberals wanted to keep him off. They were both trying to register the same "new" voters.
This guy was the leading consumer advocate in the country for 25 years. He stood up for average citizens and held corporations accountable for their products. Now, he is acting (or being portrad in the papers) like my crazy, drunk uncle who votes for LaRouche and thinks the Rothchilds and Rockefellers killed Kennedy.
You used to be a respected member of this populous, no you are nothing but a egomaniac funded by the right wing corporate political machine you worked for so long to fight. No Ralph, youre wrong, it's over.
History will view Ralph Nader as one of the most influential private citizens of the 20th century. His advocacy has literally changed the world, and we owe a real debt of gratitude for his tireless efforts to hold corporations and government accountable for their jaw-dropping arrogance and ineptitude. His fight against the corrupt two-party stranglehold on democracy is horribly unpopular right now but, deep down, both liberals and conservatives know he's right. He doesn't have my vote, but he certainly has my respect.
Reality to Nader: You have no money, no support in the polls, and you ruined your credibility. It's over. At this point, anybody who still votes for him is beyond salvage anyway.
yes, he is... but his "legacy" may be tarnished by his hatred (yes, I said "hatred") of the Democratic party. If Kerry wins, Ralph should drop this mess against the Dems and embrace the adminstration, going back to his roots, and standing as a voice for change in our corporate dominated society.
Nadir lost my respect a long time ago. He's a multimillionaire in a cheap suit. He cares more about his ego than the issues he purports to advocate. He could have easily won the election for Gore 4 years ago, saved us from the horrible policies of Bush towards those issues Nadir "cares" so much about, and gotten himself a Cabinet position to actually put himself into a position to enact change. He could do the same today. Nadir is too busy pimping himself to the world to take real action for all the things he used to stand for. All he stands for now is Nadir... first, last, and always. Nadir can kiss my Texas ***. (golly, that felt good! ) Keep D&D Civil!!
Man, only 50? When I saw him speak at UH in 2000, it was before a standing-room-only auditorium of many hundred. Ralph heavily criticizes the two-party system, and then blames students for not buying into it and becoming disillusioned? Were college kids so different 4 years ago? Nader's platform represents me far better than any other candidate, and I'm still considering voting for him tomorrow (if he's even on the ballot) since I know Bush will carry all of Texas' electoral votes anyway. But I don't think Ralph's base will ever forgive him for "playing the role of a spoiler" in 2000.
