I don't understand what Ralph Nader is trying to prove by announcing his candidacy for president. He will not take any votes away from John McCain, but may take votes from the Democratic presidential candidate. It looks like he is trying to garner attention for himself because he is a nonentity in this presidential election, but is really just acting like an old curmedgeon.

Jack,

Re your "Nader's Nadir" post: I totally understand the frustration
of those like yourself who see Nader's candidacy as nothing more than some ego-driven boondoggle that can only muck up the gears in the Democrats' November freight train . I felt much as you did in 2000 when, as referenced, the sizable Florida vote for Nader, by all accounts, cost Gore the Presidency. The problem I have had with that assessment since is that,for one thing, it tends to minimize, if not exonerate, the criminal electoral hijacking that George Bush and the Republicans (aided and abetted by right-wing Supremes,a clueless national media, and oh yes, Baby Brother Jeb) perpetrated on the nation. Wholesale purging of Democratic voter rolls, precinct intimidation, and goofy Butterfly Ballots were much more to blame than poor Ralph Nader for what happened in Florida. The fact that Gore and the Democratic Party did not pursue justice to the absolute extreme to avoid that outcome, just as they failed to do in 2004, is a bitter pill for lifelong Democrats like myself to have swallowed, and a cold slap in the face to their supporters. Add to all this the positively disastrous campaign strategy by Gore in 2000 to run away from President Clinton at all costs, along with his bizarre performance in the Presidential debates with then-Governor Frat-Boy, and it is clear that there was more than enough "sandbox behavior" to go around in explaining the 2000 outcome. Blaming Nader for Gore's demise is a like blaming "little Don Segretti" for Watergate. I take Nader now at his word: he is running to keep the spotlight on the issue of universal health care, single-payer style. If he can accomplish little else than to keep the Barack Obama's political feet to the fire on this debate publicly, who loses?. It isn't as if, under the current rules of engagement, he will ever share a national stage with Obama or McCain anyway. In closing, despite what seems to many to be yet another Quixotic campaign adventure, I believe Ralph Nader has earned the right to be heard, even if it is not at the most convenient time for the public, or the political parties, or the media. What he has contributed (and still does)to this country cannot be measured in the usual terms. He is one of the few remaining beacons who remind us of the importance of being vigilant and engaged public citizens, and he has done it selflessly for over 40 years, at great personal and financial cost. Whatever transpires during this campaign will not diminish Ralph Nader one bit in my eyes. Like many figures in history, I doubt we'll appreciate his substantial legacy until he has passed from the scene. He deserves the thanks of a grateful nation. JP

Points well taken, Jerry. BUT - Ralph Nader may think that he is keeping the issues out in front during this presidential election, but it seems to me that he is hurting the liberal cause. This is not the 2000 presidential election and in my opinion will hurt the eventual Democratic presidential candidate and help John McCain.