Vainty, Thy Name is Nader

28 June 2004



Greens Ignore Nader's Campaign

Ralph Nader's vanity campaign for president suffered a mortal wound over the week-end when the Green Party's convention in Milwaukee chose someone else to be the party's presidential candidate. Mr. Nader has only himself to blame, and the decision by the Greens makes any poll that includes the consumer advocate worthless.

Mr. Nader "ran" as a Green back in 1996 in a campaign that might have been confused with hibernation. In 2000, he actually turned out the vote, and some falsely claim he lost the election for Al Gore (Mr. Gore failed to carry his home state of Tennessee which would have given him the White House). This time around, he said he didn't want to run as a Green but as an independent. So, when he asked for the party's endorsement in Milwaukee, the delegates quite rightly told him where to go (or perhaps they merely quoted the vice-president's imperative to Senator Leahy).

Getting the nod from the Greens would have put Mr. Nader on the ballot (subject to lawsuit -- is an endorsement a nomination?) in 22 states. He can still qualify, but as a true independent, it's even harder. None of this electoral deposit like in Britain; in the American democracy, there is no equality of opportunity for candidates who aren't Republicrats.

And so, the polls will continue to name Mr. Nader and may consequently show Mr. Bush with a plurality (which evaded him in November 2000). Such polls are worthless because it will be virtually impossible to vote for Mr. Nader if his name doesn't appear on the ballot. His 5% or so of survey support will drop by a factor of 10 or more.

Instead the Greens have chosen a man who campaigned as a Green, who is a Texas lawyer who wants to build the party, and who has said he will not contest states where his participation may help return Mr. Bush to the Oval Office. Mr. David Cobb is a far better standard bearer than Mr. Nader.


© Copyright 2004 by The Kensington Review, J. Myhre, Editor. No part of this publication may be reproduced without written consent.


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