Rumor has it Nader won't run if Dean wins the Dem nomination

[JaneQPublic]

Just on C-SPAN's Washington Journal, Gerald Seib, the Washington Bureau Chief of the Wall Street Journal, said he has heard from reliable sources that Ralph Nader "feels compatible enough with Howard Dean" that if the Dems make him the nominee, Nader won't feel compelled to run in 2004.

[bluestateguy]

1. God let's hope so

eom

[robbedvoter]

2. So, he's the new VP, then. I heard he's the new popular choice

I couldn't care less what Nader does. His 15 minutes of fame are way over and while Clark had many Green supporters, his base is made of thoughtful people - no danger from the cadaver. Will he hold hands with Gore now, endorsing *D?

[mw]

3. If Dean picks Nader as VP, then hello President Bush for 4 more

That would be a big mistake for Dean.

[robbedvoter]

26. His followers want it - it's their way of neutralizing threats

Like they did with Clark - in spite of his denying it on every talk show from entering the race onward. Now, they love Nader. Will Al and Ralph kiss and make up? Will Karl join in a group hug? Stay tuned for the next eposode of Soap.

[w4rma]

34. "followers" eh? You really think *I* want Nader as VP? (n/t)

[ErasureAcer]

4. I don't care...I'll still vote 3rd party

Many 3rd parties actually stand for what is right in the world...while Dean does not.

[BlueEyedSon]

5. So, you're content with 4 more years?

[Mairead]

17. Well, you're content to have Bush Lite, so what's the difference?

At least EA is trying to achieve real change.

[beyurslf]

20. Please don't start with the what's the difference line again.

Surely four years of Bush have proven what the difference is. While some Repubs may be moderate and near what some Dems are, Bush is NOT one of them.

[Mairead]

25. Well, when Dean actually comes out for real change, then let's talk

But so long as he militantly stands for the status quo, why would any real Dem or progressive want to vote for him?

[AWD]

35. Hey, it worked last time

They voted for real change in 2000, and dammit, they GOT real change.

Nice job!

[BOSSHOG]

7. Yes, they can stand for what is right -

outside the halls of congress and outside the fence at the White House.

[BOSSHOG]

6. Nader, not Dean, is ROVE'S dream candidate

Nader's announcement that he would run as a third candidate would be welcome news at the WH, regardless of who the Dem nominee would be. I'm sure there are plans in place to aid him financially in a covert manner that he wouldn't even know about.

[TrueAmerican]

8. Who care what Nader says

He lost all credibility in 2000.

[mzmolly]

29. It's interesting that there is a candidate that appeals to Nader and Gore

So much for being unelectable. Remember the southern state of Florida was decided by 500 votes, 97,000 votes went to Mr. Nader.

[dusty64]

9. This is interesting, I wish

I could believe it.

[LiberalBushFan]

10. yeah it's true

"With Howard Dean as the Democratic nominee, this election really doesn't need a spoiler" said Nader

[Terwilliger]

31. LOL

I think you have your answer

[flpoljunkie]

11. Not what Nader said to Judy Woodruff on Inside Politics Wednesday ...

http://www.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0312/17/ip.00.html


WOODRUFF: All right. Howard Dean is somebody who has voiced some of those concerns that you just expressed. He has put together a remarkable grassroots movement. Why wouldn't Ralph Nader be with Howard Dean?

NADER: He has broken the frontiers on small contributions through the Web, and all the blogs, and the get-togethers. That's his great contribution. One is, his record as governor is really pretty conservative. Number two, he's a work in progress.

<>Woodruff: Let's quickly go back to Howard Dean. I was asking, why wouldn't Ralph Nader support Howard Dean, given the grassroots effort, given the position he's taken on Iraq and a number of issues that I would think are near to your heart?

NADER: Well, I support and urge Democratic voters to support DENNIS KUCINICH. I've worked with him for many years. He's the real thing. He's sacrificed his political career for what he believes in, standing up to big business. I think he's the best candidate.

EDITED BY ADMIN: COPYRIGHT

______________

The poor delusional, egomaniacal bastard thinks his candidacy would "amplify" the vote, "excite more people to come out"--like it did last time Mr. Nader, when you received 97,488 votes in Florida! Does Nader really think right-wing conservative types will vote for him? The man has his head up his ass!

[maddezmom]

12. he confuses the heck out of me

He wants dems to vote for DK, which I think is a great idea. But if Dean wins he won't run??? huh?

[JI7]

13. well, that comes from the wall street journal

the thing about nader not running if dean does comes from the wall street journal. and i usually don't believe them unless i see it reported or said elsewhere.

[Mairead]

19. "i usually don't believe them unless i see it reported or said elsewhere"

Exactly. They're not disinterested.

Given that Dean had already received the anointing when Nader announced his exploratory effort, I'd guess that the claim is rubbish.

[Moderator]

32. flpoljunkie

Per DU Copyright rules
please post only 4
paragraphs from the
news source.

Thank you.

DU Moderator

[CMT]

14. I imagine this goes for Kucinich as well

eom.

[LWolf]

15. Yes.

Sorry I don't have a link; that information was out there months ago. Another Kucinich supporter can probably confirm it.

[Freddie Stubbs]

22. He has said that

But Nader has said that he will make his decision in January, which is before the Democratic nominee will be decided. The only way these statements don't contridict is that Nader is not running. But Nader is not a man to let contridictions get in his way.

[Bucky]

16. Same Nader who says Dean governed Vt. "as a conservative"?

Maybe Bob Nader of Ft Wayne IN won't run. Ralph will run. Watch for it.

[prisonerseven]

18. What if Kucinich goes third party after losing the primary?

Could he pull it off?

[Freddie Stubbs]

21. I doubt it

He would have a hard time holding on to his House seat if he pulled a stunt like that.

[newyawker99]

33. Hi prisonerseven!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[AWD]

36. Dennis would be barred from running third party

As an Ohio representative, he is bound by the "Sore Loser" statute that states all candidates who do not win primaries are forbidden to run as a third party, independent or write-in candidate.

I had to sign the statute before they'd accept my candidacy.

[John_H]

23. More proof ralph wants us to lose

[helleborient]

24. This goes well with Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn's endorsement in Illinois...

Pat Quinn has a long history as a Nader-type consumer advocate. Here's good info on Pat - I'm sure he and Nader have more than a passing acquaintance.

http://www.state.il.us/ltgov/

If someone like Quinn endorses Dean...an endorsement at some point from Nader wouldn't surprise me. I would expect it's the grassroots support that impresses Nader...just like it did Gore. This is what democracy is about.

[dansolo]

27. I suspect the fact that the DLC hates Dean helps too

Giving Nader the benefit of the doubt, his real beef may be with the capitulation of the DLC, and their rightward trend. While Dean is a conservative, he is definitely not a tool of the DLC, especially since they are doing everything they can to destroy him.

[mzmolly]

28. Guess Dean just became *gasp* more electable then the rest ... go figure.

:) I am glad to hear it!!!

[Terwilliger]

30. that's intended as a slam against Dean

plus, I doubt it...I think Nader has his sights on Kucinich.

There may be other factors that keep him from running, but the biggest is whether or not the Greens will support him this time.

[goobergunch]

37. Quoting from the article (via Politics1.com)

"Reading his position papers sounds eerily similar to what we've been saying. He speaks clearly … not in Senate-ese … and projects vigor. We need a macho Democrat," said Nader. Nader has previously expressed strong support for Dennis Kucinich's Presidential campaign, but this is the first time he's praised Dean. Don't think, however, that Nader is a total Dean cheerleader: "Dean's record as Governor is nothing to shout about," explained Nader.

http://www.politics1.com/

[Sean Reynolds]

38. He also said we should give Dean the benefit of the doubt.

Take it at face value though, it is Ralph Nader.

[denverbill]

39. Very, very good news from Ralph.

And I'm a Green who has never voted for a Green for President.

I agree with Nader on MANY MANY issues, and only disagree with his means to the end. A Dean endorsement from Nader would confirm to me that Nader feels Dean is good for the Democratic Party, taking it away from the corporate dominance of the 80's and 90's.

[West Coast Democrat]

40. Nader would have little effect this time around

I would only expect people in very strong Bush states to vote for him.

[ozone_man]

41. I like that rumor.

Especially since I voted for him last time and am voting for Dean this time.

I'd be curious to hear his reasoning. My own take is that Dean, while not perfect, is electable, and his enormous grass roots organization can jump start the movement of the Democratic party back to where it belongs.

Who knows what this movement may grow into and maybe Ralph is hoping that it may grow into something he can get behind.

[mot78]

42. We'll wait and see if this is true

wasn't Nader pressured into not running in 2000? He's stubborn.