Nader isn't a factor. He won't get on the ballot in any of the important states. And frankly, every time he gets a press hit, he makes the Democrats look more reasonable.

If the headline was "Ralph Nader Flirts with Sheep" I'd be more interested.

Won't somebody PLEASE think of the CHILDREN?!

Who will rid us of this meddlesome priest?  or whatever.

When I read Michelle's comment, I thought the end of the sentence would be "this meddlesome priest."

Wait for the whole gaggle of posts about Nader's right to run and that he represents an invisible --and I use that term advisedly--constituency and so on, and wait for Louis Lapham's editorial emeritus as to this.

um, isn't there a cutoff date of 100 to run for President?

refresh my memory people, who said that quote, it is too familiar. I don't remember if it was a Commie or from a movie.

"Nader Rejected by Presidential Bid, Told: 'Quit Talking To Me, You Broke-Ass.'"

That was wierd.  

"Priest" is right: this isn't Nader threatening to run for president, this is Nader threatening _not_ to run for president it his supporters don't pony up $10 million. Somewhere in Boca Raton, Oral Roberts nods approvingly.

I think that lefties have internalized the lessons of 2000 well enough, but there is one way to completely nullify Nader as a factor: nominate Obama.  Nominate Hillary and I can envision more people defecting to Nader...though again probably not enough to make a difference.

To repeat a comment I made yesterday.  Why is it news.  The man got 38/100 of one percent of the vote after being reduced to paying homeless people to copy names out of the phone book in a faltering attempt to get on the ballot.  The libertarian got 37/100 of one per cent.  Will any one find any articles about his intentions.  I think not.  Is it because he is wackier than Nader?  Certainly not.  More right wing than Nader?  Doubtful.  Nader's appearance in the Schiavo case with a right wing nut from the Discovery Institute should have disabused even the most gullible that he is some kind of left wing saint.  In fact, I am not sure at this point which side he would hurt.  Essentially he is another Lyndon Larouche.  They must put a chip in your brain when you become a reporter that makes you take this riduculous old man seriously.  Just ignore him.  He lives for attention.  Just ignore him

Nader says things that must be said--about foreign policy, about the economy, about the shenanigans endemic within the Beltway.

It's just a damn shame that he doesn't say them (a) after inhaling mass quantities of helium, (b) during a bout of Tourette's tics, (c) totally naked except for clothespins covering his genitalia, (d) with Vegas showgirls high-stepping behind him, and (e) while sacrificing a goat.

How sad that his message suffers because of his inept campaign style.

the quote comes from Robert Bolt's play, "A Man for All Seasons." It is spoken by Henry VIII about Thomas Moore, who, as Henry's Chancellor, refused to explicitly approve of Henry's manuevering around his divorces, marriages, and heading the church of england. It leads to Moore's murder.

Nader/LaRouche '08: America Goes Off Its Meds!

I've always felt kind of sorry for the guy, and never been 100% convinced that he handed Gore the election. For one thing (though I admittedly lived in NH at the time) I knew Republicans and independents who were voting for Nader, not because they endorsed his platform but because they saw him as a kind of Perot 2.0 and they weren't enamored of either major-party candidates. Besides, he gave us the seat belt...isn't that worth something?!

Seriously, though, after 8 years of Bush and especially if Obama's the nominee, anyone who votes for Nader would not be voting for a Democrat this fall. I think Nader probably won't run, Paul will and he'll attract many (though not most) of the former Naderites, which should tell you something about who and what his base always was anyway.

I've always felt kind of sorry for the guy, and never been 100% convinced that he handed Bush the election. For one thing (though I admittedly lived in NH at the time) I knew Republicans and independents who were voting for Nader, not because they endorsed his platform but because they saw him as a kind of Perot 2.0 and they weren't enamored of either major-party candidates. Besides, he gave us the seat belt...isn't that worth something?!

Seriously, though, after 8 years of Bush and especially if Obama's the nominee, anyone who votes for Nader would not be voting for a Democrat this fall. I think Nader probably won't run, Paul will and he'll attract many (though not most) of the former Naderites, which should tell you something about who and what his base always was anyway.

[I just changed Gore to Bush in the first paragraph...please TNR moderator have mercy and save me an ignominious talkback debut. Thanks.]

My reaction was precisely the same, Michelle.

Luckily he was not a factor in 2004. He will not be in 2008 either, if God exists.

Yeah, I know, it was just wierd that they posted that simultaneously.  You attract a smart crowd, here.

Sorry, Charlie Kane- you're out.  We don't do teypoes here.  

No, and you are dead right about the Nader/Paul axis.  I think Nader used to be a good man, and maybe still is, but his ego is out of control.  His support has always been self-described outsiders, who leech onto anything that smakcks of difference.  Fine and well when discussing music or art (though I don't care that you think Arcade Fire is awesome and then sell-outs)(sorry- venting at someone I just amde up and got angry at), but when it comes to choosing a President I want a better reason than "he really riles up the suits!"

I thought it was Henry II in reference to Thomas Beckett.

Nader's just jealous of Ron Paul, who's monopolizing this cycle's quota of crazy person coverage.

I used to think that running for president was by definition a patriotic act.  However, in Nader's case the opposite is true.

"We don't do teypoes here." Actually, according to Dan Quayle, that's the correct spelling.

I pretty much agree, though even on music and art I think it's wearing thin. Like I said, I don't think MOST Nader supporters would go for Paul because he's actually 180 degrees opposed to most of what they hold dear. But a huge chunk would.

It's enough to make me go out and buy a used Corvair!

It _is_ a reference to Beckett.  See, e.g., <www.eyewitnesstohistory.com/becket.htm>.  Becket was murdered; More was convicted of treason and judicially executed.  See, e.g., <en.wikipedia.org/.../Thomas_More>.  

Citizen K - I thought the "live free or die" state did away with seatbelt laws?

yeah, it comes from the murder in the cathedral, After these latest venomous reports of Becket's activities, Henry is reported to have raised his head from his sickbed and roared a lament of frustration. What the King's exact words were are in doubt, and several versions have been reported:

   * "Who will rid me of this troublesome priest?" (the most popular version)

   * "Who will rid me of this turbulent priest?"

   * "Who will revenge me of the injuries I have sustained from one turbulent priest?"

   * "Will none of the knaves eating my bread rid me of this turbulent priest?"

   * "What a band of loathsome vipers I have nursed in my bosom who will let their lord be insulted by this low-born cleric!"

   * "What miserable drones and traitors have I nourished and brought up in my household, who let their Lord be treated with such shameful contempt by a low-born cleric?" [3]

Whatever the King said, it was interpreted as a royal command, and four knights — Reginald Fitzurse, Hugh de Moreville, William de Tracy, and Richard le Breton — set out to plot the assassination of the Archbishop.

Tep,

We also voted for Clinton. Nobody's perfect.

If Nader thinks Hillary is getting the nod, he'll run.  I promise you, he'd prefer McCain over Hillary in the White House any day.  Nader does not like the Clintons who are as far from his ideals of purity as any presidential lever politician we have had since Nixon.