Washblog || Ralph Nader

Ralph Nader

By chadlupkes
Wed May 14, 2008 at 11:52:47 AM PST
Section: Diary Topic: Alternative and Community Media

Mr. Nader is going to be on the Conversation today. This is what I sent to them in response to the alert.

----

My work with the Democratic Party comes from my understanding of the word "activism". Activists have to answer three questions.

What decisions are being made?
Who is making that decision?
How can I influence that decision?

Elections are our best opportunity to be an activist. We have to find a balance between three factors when deciding who we vote for.

How much does each candidate follow my values?
How likely is any particular candidate to listen to my opinion and my ideas?
How likely is a candidate likely to have the opportunity to push my values? (Basically how likely is someone to actually win the election.)

Ralph Nader, as much as I respect him for his past work and values, has forgotten what it means to be an activist in 21st Century America. He has also advanced the notion into our political lexicon that voting for a candidate with low/no chance of winning is equal in electoral value to voting someone who will actually listen to their constituents. I work to elect candidates who are willing to meet and talk with me face to face, which contrary to what may be the impression of many is actually MOST of them. I have had face to face talks with Senator Cantwell, Rep. Inslee, Rep. McDermott, Gov. Gregoire, and all Democratic candidates for office and incumbents for the County and City offices. How? Because I choose to be involved.

I doubt, although I could be wrong, that Mr. Nader would be interested in meeting with me because I work within the Democratic Party. That makes him ineligible for my support. I don't believe that he caused Al Gore to lose in 2000. I do believe that he would have made a great Democratic Party candidate in 2000.

By saying that he would only launch a bid for the White House if Edwards dropped out, he again articulated his position that he is not interested in doing the most important thing that any candidate for office can do.

Ralph Nader refuses to listen.

Chad Lupkes
Seattle

< McCain Tries To Lay Green Eggs In Oregon | What Does Edwards Obama Endorsement Mean? >

Ralph Nader | 8 comments (8 topical)

Nader has not the slightest interest in organizing

All of his civic achievements have been of the lone paladin sort.

by eridani on Thu May 15, 2008 at 06:34:07 AM PST

* 1 none 0 *

Chad, your letter was good...but...

If you do not think that Gore would have won without Nader in the race in 2000 then it follows that the actions of people do not cause global warming or that reductions in base flows in our rivers do not effect salmon.
In politics as in life, when we are faced with choices we must take into consideration what effect they will have on the things we value.
In 2000 and again this year, if Nader gets in he will make it harder for the democrat to be elected. Gore ran a shit campaign and many many factors combine to create global warming or cause the decline of salmon populations. The fact that salmon populations would diminish anyway (to some extent) does not mean that dumping oil into a stream has no effect.
Anyone thinking about throwing a vote to Nader should think long and hard about what another 4 years of Bush policies would mean and then practice risk avoidance.

by Particle Man on Thu May 15, 2008 at 12:04:54 PM PST

* 2 none 0 *

Nader will be even less of a factor... by N in Seattle, 05/15/2008 04:27:35 PM PST (none / 0)

Folks should use their heads. by Particle Man, 05/18/2008 08:27:33 PM PST (none / 0)

Nicely for us nationwide, Bob Barr by gibney, 05/18/2008 10:47:26 PM PST (none / 0)

still using that Dem party "Leader" by rmdSeaBos, 05/17/2008 07:42:47 AM PST (none / 0)

The Dems need Nader

If the Democratic party messes things up this election year again (you have to stop winning, then allowing the GOP to have the election anyway. You are aware that both Gore and Kerry won.)
they will need Nader to blame. Otherwise, they will have to explain why they allowed themselves to be cheated again. I know this is harsh, but PLULEASE, stop snatching defeat from the jaws of victory.
The best thing is to allow Obama on the ballot, no matter what sneaky tricks Hilary uses, so the majority of Nader voters will actually consider using their vote to support a Democrat for Prez.

by Linde Knighton on Mon May 19, 2008 at 12:14:30 PM PST

* 7 none 0 *

I think that Obama will be more effective-- by eridani, 05/19/2008 07:38:44 PM PST (none / 0)

Ralph Nader | 8 comments (8 topical)

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