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It's Official, Ralph Nader Gets Off On Democrats Losing
Here <a href="http://www.thepersonalispolitical.com/2008/02/i-dont-know-how-to-put-this-ralph-nader.html">I just thought Ralph Nader was a dumbass who wasn't aware of the consequences of his actions</a> (or just didn't care). <a href="http://www.politico.com/blogs/bensmith/0308/Whos_got_her_back.html">Turns out</a>, he gets his jollies off of watching the Democrats go down in a ball of flames:
<blockquote>
Nader has released a statement reacting to <a href="http://www.thepersonalispolitical.com/2008/03/senator-leahy-to-hillary-withdraw-and.html">comments by Sen. Patrick Leahy</a> (D-Vt.) suggesting an apparently insurmountable lead by Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.):
"Senator Clinton:
"Just read where Senator Patrick Leahy is calling on you to drop out of the Presidential race. Believe me.
I know something about this. Here’s my advice: Don’t listen to people when they tell you not to run anymore. That’s just political bigotry.
"Listen to your own inner citizen First Amendment voice. This is America. Just like every other citizen, you have a right to run. Whenever you like. For as long as you like.
"It’s up to you, Hillary. Just tell them — It’s democracy. Get used to it.
"Yours truly, Ralph Nader"
</blockquote>
Isn't that sweet? The ultimate loser, no chance in hell of winning candidate has become the spiritual mentor of the next up in coming loser, no chance in hell of winning candidate.
<blockquote>
"Listen Hillary, even though there is no way you can win without hijacking the democratic process and disenfranchising hundreds of thousands, if not a million voters, and even though you staying in this race is only helping the Republicans get yet another turn at the White House, you go girl! You don't have to drop out if you want to be a spoiler, look at me! If you want to destroy the Democratic Party's chances in November, you go right ahead! I did, and I f**kin' loved it!"
</blockquote>
Wonderful. It looks like she is in great company. They should join a "We like to screw the Democratic Party out of spite" Club. They could do bake sales and earn badges.
<I>You can check out my full blog here: The Personal Is Political</I>
Comments (6)
I apologize, TPM hasn't invested in a decent system for posting in html, and they apparently don't think that a preview option is a good idea, so it is totally messed up. And since TPM apparently doesn't think an edit option is necessary, I can't fix it. Thanks TPM, it's getting a little old, along with the making me log in 3 times every time I post something.
March 29, 2008 11:16 AM | Reply | Permalink
Just reply to your own blog here with the HTML. Just be aware that you are only allowed one URL per comment for some reason.
March 29, 2008 12:37 PM | Reply | Permalink
This is a smart move on the part of Nader.
Many Democrats fault him for entering and staying in a race without a possibility to win; where the outcome would be damage to the Democratic candidate.
Many of those who have criticized him just for that, are now pushing for Hillary to continue in this race without a possibility to win; even if the outcome is damage to the Democratic candidate.
It is now his time to connect with those people (and indirectly with any Obama supporters who wouldn’t vote for Hillary come November.)
A recent poll “shows” that many Hillary supporters would go to McCain. He is hoping that they would choose him instead and this is a pitch to that and a reminder that he is another option for November.
Like it or not, it is his right to run for President.
Just as it is Hillary’s right to stay in the nomination race to the end.
The difference between the two of them is that Nader is not “bound” to the well being of the Democratic Party. Hillary is “bound” to that; let me rephrase that: Hillary SHOULD be “bound” to that.
March 29, 2008 11:34 AM | Reply | Permalink
Lookingin,
I have to disagree here. Nader does have a right to run for president, that is a constitutional position.
Hillary has no "right" to continue running for the Dem nominee spot as that is a political party and can run it's own affairs anyway it wants to.
However, I happen to agree with you that Hillary should not be forced out in any ugly way, not because it's her right, but because it's important for the Dems to not create a situation that splits the party into squabbling.
And therefore, I do agree with your nice succinct last line about SHOULD be bound to the party's success.
I'm intending to write a blog on this topic...but I hope that the sketch I just provided is at least clear.
March 29, 2008 12:43 PM | Reply | Permalink
"Hillary has no "right" to continue running for the Dem nominee spot as that is a political party and can run it's own affairs anyway it wants to."
Point taken.
However, as of now, the process to choose a candidate passes through the Primary race and Hillary is participating in the established process (if while trying to debank it as well ;-)
(For that last point see: Michigan/Florida issue, "caucases don't count," "the popular vote is the key metric...")
March 29, 2008 1:04 PM | Reply | Permalink
Oh, you mean we have to follow rules?
Okay, who's going to get that memo to Camp Hillary?
;-)
March 29, 2008 2:26 PM | Reply | Permalink
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