Nader, your 15 minutes expired a decade ago. Get over it.

It pretty obvious he isn't running to win.

An appeal to ALL Obama Supporters:

I say we, those who support Obama, begin the healing process now.  Retorts to the Pat and Patty's of the post are senseless and useless.  For them it is less about our country's next leader.

To do this I suggest we continue to post our support for our candidate, but cease commenting about Hillary Clinton's, let's call them flaws.  We can encourage a debate and persuade others to see the qualities we appreciate in Obama.  The nomination is secured and we should come together now!

As a former supporter of Nader in 2000, it is sad to see his legacy spiraling downward into the "joke" category.

Much like the Clintons, certain public figures just do not know how to bow out gracefully when their time is out.

We already have two ancient, geriatric candidates in HRC and McCain, we do not need a third.

Serving as President requires intelligence, judgment, even temperment, and physical energy.

Barack Obama has all of those qualities.

Obama/Webb '08

Tired of being tired.  Sounds great to me.  Stop the slug fest now and be supportive of your candidate.  

Wow, I had forgotten all about Nader.  I can't believe someone is still interviewing him.  It must have been a slow day for MSNBC.

Nader is a pathetic joke, egotistical, and a spoiler whose movement and he is comparable to the “Ice Age”.

Can't Nader just disppear?

"'I think he's a corporate Democrat,' [Nader] said of Obama."

C'mon.  Obama was a community organizer.  He was a civil-rights lawyer.  He was a constitutional law professor.  He was an Illinois state senator.  He's a U.S. senator.

It seems as though no one is good enough for Nader except Nader himself.  And I don't see how you change anything with that mindset, from that starting point.    

You're just shouting into the wind, and then, when things don't go exactly your way, you absolve yourself of any responsibility.  It's a cop-out.

Remember what J.D. Salinger said: "The mark of an immature man is that he wants to die nobly for a cause, while the mark of a mature man is that he wants to live humbly for one."

the idea of naders movement is a good one but nader is the wrong guy to put it forward. until the green party dumps him as a spokesperson the movement will go nowhere.
go obama

Our country invaded Iraq. Our government used September 11th as an excuse to invade this country. I can't blame the American citizens for their "thumbs up" at the time. Some of the media were against it, however, the articles against invading Iraq were put not on the front pages, but buried somewhere in the middle of the newspapers. The American people by and large heard nothing but pro-Iraq invasion because we were told Iraq had WMD's - we heard mushroom cloud over and over.

Rachael Maddow has stated that her vote in November is a anti-war vote. As is mine. We have had over the years too little questioning of our government's motives back in 2003. Now it is all coming to light. And it is sad.

Why do you suppose people were so upset over Reverend Wright's remarks? To me, it was a case of people not wanting to look in the mirror and face the realities of our past.

The same thing I believe is happening with Iraq. Rachael Maddow, Keith Olbermann, Jonathan Alter, Richard Wolffe I don't believe are necessarily Barack Obama supporters. They sound more like people who want America's soul back. They sound like people who do not want to see any more American soldiers or Iraq civilians die needlessly. They don't want anymore sacrifices made for George Bush and Dick Cheney's benefit.

Rachael is smart and she's honest. I have gotten to the point where I have to put the mute button on when Joe Scaroborough, Tucker Carlson or Pat Buchanan are speaking. This tactic of theirs of saying the Democrats want to cut and run is disgraceful & it's false.

We all know people who pretend they are the smartest people in the world - it's an image they portray.

To me, Keith Olbermann, Rachael Maddow and Barack Obama are extremely intelligent. They are three people who don't have to pretend they are - they just are.

It's obvious.

Nader is a pathetic joke, egotistical, and a spoiler whose movement and he is comparable to the “Ice Age”.
Beverly, Chicago (Sent Friday, March 28, 2008 11:24 AM)

This is the typical sentiment that shows what is wrong with American politics today. ANYBODY CAN RUN. He's not a spoiler or pathetic. He has a valid viewpoint and the Constitutional right to run for president of the United States. Even you Beverly, and your narrow vitrolic viewpoint have the right to run. Nobody should be disparaged for having the guts to put thier chin out and letting the world take a chop. We should have 3 or 4 political parties running and give us Americans a wide field of choice. The two parties are strangling American politics.
Where's a choice for the Republicans that do not want the war to continue?? Will they vote for a socialist left winger just because of Iraq?
We need more voices, not voices like yours shouting people of integrity down.

Wow, Nader is still trying to drum up some fame huh? Get over it Nader, it is never...going...to....happen.

http://www.politivine.com

I used to admire Ralph Nader. Now I just am disgusted by him. No matter what he said he cost Al Gore the election in 2000. This is just another ego stroke for a guy who has become a has been political gadfly. He needs to take a page from Al Gore (Ralph, remember him?) and effect change from outside the political arena instead of repeatedly looking like an idiot

Why do you suppose people were so upset over Reverend Wright's remarks? To me, it was a case of people not wanting to look in the mirror and face the realities of our past.  
Pat, Boston, MA (Sent Friday, March 28, 2008 11:37 AM)

I don't see at as so. People are upset by his remarks because he is perpetuating hatred. The reality of the past is that America was part of system of WORLD WIDE slave trade and use. It happened here, Europe, Africa, everywhere. The American indians held captives slaves. The African tribes warred, enslaved, sold their enemies to slave traders, etc. It existed, and was ugly, but it was everywhere. Everywhere. I believe that America in its youth, recognized the evil of slavery and was one of the first countries to push for the end of slavery. We fought brother against brother in a civil war that was as much about economics as slavery. In the end America closed the chapter of our history where we allowed outright ownership of another human being. And we have been the world leading champion for human rights ever since. Is our civil rights perfect? Hell no. Are they some of the best in the world? Hell yes. Will we continue to work on it? Of course. Does Rev. Wright's words of hatred help? About as much as KKK speaches do. America does not need either, but in the name of freedom we allow it.
America does look in the mirror, and we should be proud at what we see.

Pat, Boston, MA
Hear, hear!  Above any other issue this year, the war should be first and foremost on our minds when we go into those voting booths.  I still remember the disbelief I experienced when Bush/Cheney/Rumsfield started with their ultimatums before we invaded. How could we as a people have let it happen?!!  It's still unbelievable to me that the war has become such a daily part of lives and we've all pretty much rolled over and just accepted it. That must change!   I also agree with you about the crew at MSNBC. ( I actually have the feeling that Rachael was originally a Clinton supporter, but has changed her mind in the last few weeks.)      

A vote for Ralph Nader can bring us nothing except 4 more years of the failed policies of George Bush, as promised by John McCain.  At least we now have an old riddle solved; Nader talked, no one is listening, but it still made a sound!

RH Oregon -
Right on!

http://twocanpete.blogspot.com/
What the hey, I'm with you Ralph lets knock that windmill down!

Nader did not loss the election for Gore.

Green Party Presidential Candidate Ralph Nader did not work for the Florida Secretary of State, the Palm Beach County Election Commission, the Al Gore campaign committee, or the United States Supreme Court. Yet, he has become a scapegoat among many Democrats for Al Gore’s loss of the 2000 election, and, beyond the election, the person to blame for the resulting policies of George Bush. These diehard Democrats are averse to looking at the failings of their candidate, and they are not blaming voters for failing to vote at all. Instead, they are upset that Ralph Nader did not acquiesce to dropping out of the race as many urged him to do. As a side note, if Al Gore had won his home state of Tennessee, he would have had the necessary Electoral College votes to have won the election and the Florida results would have been irrelevant.

The facts are compelling and undeniable that Ralph Nader is not the reason, and should not be blamed, for George Bush’s victory in the 2000 presidential election.

Besides, Nader is not at all a Democrat, or I wouldn't vote for him. The Democratic party does not speak for all liberals. Personally, I wouldn't vote at all this year, if Nader weren't running. I'm disillusioned. I'm against supporting Moderates posed as Liberals who move the nation too slow and in the wrong direction yet insist on maintaining a duopoly.

Down with Democrats. Down with Republicans. Nader for president. It's time for REAL change, not an illusion.

Nader talks about his candidacy as akin to other movements for social change.  If Nader '08 is a vehicle for change, it's a Corvair.  You'd think Nader would understand that movements require building a constituency and organization -- things that take time and hard work.  Meanwhile, Nader pops in and out of the process on a whim, which is why his vote totals declined so much in 2004.  If he doesn't take his movement seriously, why should voters.

Ralph who?  What's a Nader?  Is it contagious?  Does it smell?  Sounds kinda creepy...ewwwww

Nader's in the race now. What about all the time, money, and months away from friends,family and co-
worker's the other candidates have contributed.

Nader in now is similar to a person joining in on a
employee progressive jackpot(without contributing even
up on all the money) and still thinking if they won
it is a clean win.

Go home, Nader. Go back to puttting restrictions on
automobiles you have never driven.

Ralph, you are the only one who tells it like it is. Would Ron Paul be your VP?
Love it!

these comments make me realize that democracy is over-rated. you just don't get it. you obviously haven't read one word of this article, and don't get why he's running. he's not gonna win. he knows that. but he will push the candidates into taking certain positions that they wouldn't have had they not been pressured. and he is bringing candidate's rights as an issue.

this is essential for democracy to have a open flow of ideas and choices. otherwise its way short of democracy...

MSNBC - Please stop giving ANY coverage, even on your blogs, to Ralph Nader.  

Why does he even get press.  He got .38% of the vote and isn't even on the ballot in many states, like PA.

You Obama supporters who want to talk garbage about Nader are simply ignorant. Do some some real research and shut your yaps.  

The flaw in American politics is that we treat it as a spectator sport where we choose our favorite "team" or candidate and then sit back and expect that person to solve all the problems.  The trap the Democrats have gotten into in this race is that they are caught up in the personalities and have let the issues fall by the wayside.  Now two candidates who are almost identical on issues and barely different than McCain are ripping the party apart over which one is more likable.

Our number one issue, whether acknowledged or not, is the environment because our food supply is in jeopardy.  It will only be addressed if we break the corporate lock on power in Washington because short term business models continue to trump the long term common good.

Hillary Clinton's health care reform failed in 94 because the people were not energized to make that reform happen.  Now she wants a second chance at it by basically giving tax payer money to the insurance industry.  We have to be in the streets demanding real reform if it's going to happen.  Have all you Democratic supporters really given up on the idea of single-payer which is far and away the best solution for the country?

Whatever the differences between Democrats and Republicans, and there are some, they are dwarfed in comparison to those between the Nader movement and the Democrats.  

Pay attention to the issues, not the candidates.

As Nader's running mate Matt Gonzalez said, "We are in a democracy. Candidates with different opinions put them forward, and go compete for votes."

Thanks to Nader and Gonzalez for bringing issues like single-payer national health insurance, an immediate withdrawal from Iraq, and an aggressive crackdown on corporate crime to the table.

I'm still undecided as to who I'll vote for come November, but I appreciate Ralph's right to run and would love to see him included in the debates.

Why any progressive or anti-war voter would support Clinton or Obama is a mystery to me.  Both are pro-nuclear and both continue to pay for the war.  Both are opposed to single-payer universal health insurance.  I'm voting for Ralph Nader.  Whine away, Dems!

First Al Gore didnt even win his own state in 2000. I believe the system is not working anymore for mid class America and in my views big business has had a big part in this. Their is just so much money and power behind keeping the system like it is how could anyone actually believe that a canidate tied to all these special interests could actually change the system. I will be supporting Ralph Nader.

"All Comments Most Be Approved"
So much for NSNBCs take on freedom of speech!
Yea I know you morons aren't going to post this.
But know this,a growing number of real americans are
fed up with corporate owned media and don't think
the truth is on their agenda or ever will be again.
Why? Because it's all about MONEY!

Thanks Ralph,
You did the American public a great service in 2000.  If Al Gore would have been elected gas would have risen to $4.00 a gallon by 2002.  Anyway that is what he said he wanted to accomplish and I for one believed him.  Thanks Again Ralph.  Keep up the good work in 2008.

I supported Nader in 2000, when I was too young to vote, and I support him now.  I'd be happy if Nader pulled out of the race - as soon as the Dems at least partially adopt his platform.

While fast-food chains sell more food, the best food comes small, non-chain establishment...

Could the same be true for political protagonists?

I hardly think that the RNC and DNC are the only "brands" producing political ideas.

Ralph, More power to your ideas. Keep working to end this insane war and bring our people home. You've been out there making speeches, doing interviews and writing articles and have written at least three books in the last 6 years. And you've been writing weekly commentary on the things that really matter, at http://www.nader.org .The question is where has the Press been on these important matters you discuss? where have the "Talking Heads" been on corporate crime and the profiteers of this war? The population is too busy being entertained and watching Sporting events to get involved, they take the EASY route and don't bother to think, settling instead for snippets and quick slogans. Knowing what's going on in a Corporate controlled State takes WORK. Thank you Ralph, for all the good things you've done to protect the PEOPLE of this Country. Amazing how quickly they forget, or perhaps they just don't know. Almost everyone's lives, or that of friends and relatives of theirs, have been improved and made safer because of you, Some wouldn't be alive today, if not for Ralph Nader! Their minds have been intentionly bombarded with with Corporate propaganda and the Democrat Party scapegoating machine. Obama and Clinton, and that phoney Terry McAuliffe should be ashamed of their comments regarding you. They continue the DNC scapcoating myth. thank you for your great service to this Country. More power to your ideas. http://www.votenader.org....All the rest of you out there, buckle-up! ....

Its shameful how some Democrats here who support Obama are against Democracy. Nader has a right to run, and I have a right to vote for him.

My vote does not belong automatically to the Democrat in the race. I am voting for Nader for 2008.

Wake up Nader haters!    Honestly, this nation is full of ignorance.   Tell me one thing that Nader stands for that is not good?  HE is FOR the people.  Are you not tired of Corporate Bullshit?  Corrupt Government? Innocent Deaths?   And if you don't know the real truth as to what the Clintons are for in the end, then open your eyes and start doing some research.  By the way, Nader didn't steal votes you idiots. Do some research before you jump on the "blame bandwagon".  Most of the people who voted for him wouldn't vote if he was not on the ballot.

Honestly,

Ralph Nader is the antithesis of egotism. If the man worried about his ego he would have never run again in 2004. What Nader is, is what all Americans should be conscious of the political process and a believer in the system. Nader has always fought the good fights for the American people INSIDE the system: Seat Belts, Air bags, cleaner air, safer foods, worker safety just to name a few. His political resume shows him to be someone that can help the United States.  A single payer insure plan would be wonderful, he's the only person running for president supporting it. He wants to defend American jobs and industry, but also see to the balance with regulation to protect consumers and workers.

Nader is a great man and if people read more up on him, rather than listen to what the media and the insane Democratic or Republican parties say about him we'd all be in better shape.

So I say no to status quo: Hillary, Obama, McCain

And I'll say yes to what is good for the United States: Nader

It's hard to know where to begin with these superficial anti-Nader comments. "Spokesman for the Green Party"?  Huh? Anyone who thinks that's the case needs to actually learn something about the Green Party. I'm not supporting the Nader campaign this year precisely BECAUSE he's not running for the Green Party nomination.

But I certainly support his (and anybody's) right to run as well as the visibility these issues are getting which would otherwise be undebated in major media outlets. Heck, even people like John McLaughlin (www.mclaughlin.com) are supporting Nader's right to run this year.

I would like to remind the Nader haters that Eugene Debs & Norman Thomas (look them up if you've never heard of them) ran for president 5 times & 6 times each and, as a result, we can all take things for granted such as a 5-day work week, minimum wage, child labor laws, Social Security, etc. Give the Prohibition Party credit for being the first to advocate nationwide female suffrage, in 1869, fifty-one years prior to its passage. Nader patiently points all of this out over and over and over but, for whiny Democrats ignorant of the history of 3rd party presidential campaigns and their impact, it goes in one ear and out the other.

If you don't like Ralph Nader, don't vote for him. It's that simple. Why not join with the Greens and other progressives in a sustained, long term effort to establish instant runoff voting and other reforms (which are being considered, and even adopted, by an increasing number of cities and states) which will eliminate the so-called "spoiler" effect you despise so much?

If you're not willing to do that, then go work to get votes for your candidate instead of complaining about 3rd party candidates -- candidates for whom hundreds of thousands and possibly millions of people want the opportunity to vote, whether they have a chance of winning or not.

Amazing, so many people still do not understand how a democracy is supposed to function. This is especially true of Democrats who are still trying to malign Nader's years of public service. If you don't like him, don't vote for him. It is the winner take all system of American politics that has allowed the two party system to flourish in America and caused many people to mistakenly associate real progress with either the Republicans or Democrats. I suppose many of the same people calling for Nader to drop out are the same who would have called for the members of the Abolitionist ticket in 1840 not to run because they had no chance of winning.    

The sound-bite style thrashing of Ralph Nader comes almost entirely from people who have never listened to him or those few who, having listened, are unfortunately unable to HEAR what he is saying.

   Doesn't anybody get it? Nader is trying to inform us about what's happened and what's going on in this country of ours. He's right when he says that we live in a "Corporate Fascist State". Corporations have bought and paid for the "Best Government" money can buy.
  Corporate America (especially) has been able to do
whatever they want no matter the consequences to the
to the financial security of the American people or
the enviroment. They have done this with the "Blessing" of our so-called "democratically elected" officals. Our government is supposed to "work" for us, the AMERICAN PEOPLE not for corp-
orate greed.
   The laws that were enancted to protect us as employees, consumers, and such, have been gutted meaning they are law in name only! In other words the
protections in these laws have been weakened so much
(as requested by corporate lobbyists and Wall Street)
they can end up benefitting the "big money interests".
  Ralph Nader has been and is a consumer advocate from way back, exposing the misdeeds of big business
and government that hve harmed, cheated or otherwise
had a negative effect on us. He, at the very least needs to be appointed to be "Commissioner of Consumer
Affairs".
  A war paid for on credit from China, made able by
the American jobs outsourced there, tax breaks for the
businesses that move their businesses there, tax breaks that benefit the top 5% income bracket,(tax breaks justified because it creates jobs which IS true
EXECPT they aren't being created HERE!
  Privatization, deregulation, free trade, outsourcing, etc. and Congressional coruption and their dereliction of duty has created the MESS this
Country is in. The middle class and the poor paying
dearly both financially and with their lives (both
wars,4000+ and counting). This is so a few can make
obscene profits. Unfettered capitalisim is a SERIOUS
threat to DEMOCRACY!!!!!!                            
   Ralph Nader is only ONE of the many voices out there,but he is the only one I know of that is running
for President.
   All this is "just the tip of the iceberg". We need to WAKE UP and TAKE OUR COUNTRY BACK!!!!!!!!

It saddens me to read in these blogs that so many Obama supporters turn their noses up at a man who has committed his entire adult life to effecting CHANGE in this country, a man who has done more outside public office to help the average American than most presidents in office have ever done.

Beginning with auto safety, moving on to safety in food processing and medical practice, spurring in our airplanes the no-smoking movement, forcing the government to admit to the FBI's domestic spying of movie stars and 60's liberals, and helping to halt the construction of new nuclear power plant long before the near-disaster at Three-Mile Island, Ralph Nader has been a tireless agent of CHANGE in this country for over forty years. And this list is only the tip of the iceberg. Of course, Naders work has been augmented by the thousands of young people  who owe their introduction to public service to  opportunities he afforded them through organizations he founded. The impact of Raplh Nader and these people on America has been so profound that, without a doubt, daily life is FOREVER CHANGED.  

Give your VOTE tho Obama, if that is what your heart tell you to do. But at least give your RESPECT to Ralph Nader. He has earned it. Besides... considering all he's done, you may well owe him your life.

Message (please, no HTML tags. Web addresses will be hyperlinked):