December 23, 2003
Nader declines to run on Green Party ticket
Ralph Nader announced today that he will not run for President on the Green Party ticket. He has not ruled out a run on another third party ticket, however. Interesting approach. I suspect his thought is that the Greens now have some degree of national attention and now he’d like to help another third party grow. This isn’t a bad strategy. Using his name recognition and leftist bonafides to promote as many third parties as possible is a great idea. The more people are aware of alternatives to the Republicrats and Demicans the more likely they are to join parties that really reflect their ideals.
The Green Party is, of course, disappointed. I however, as a registered Green, am not. I participated in Nader's recent survey and explained that while I voted for him in the past three Presidential elections and was glad to have done so, I was not sure I wanted to see him run in this one. I am of the opinion that anyone (Republican or Democrat or other) would be a better President than George W. Bush. Frankly, I'd rather see George H.W. Bush have another go at the Presidency. Now wouldn't THAT be a great primary? Bush -vs- Bush?
Posted by rev_matt_y at December 23, 2003 02:16 PMI certainly hope he runs. His views are sorely needed and the media won’t give him the time of day unless he throws his hat into the ring.
Posted by: David R Remer at December 23, 2003 02:36 PMInterestingly enough, I am right now listening to Nader’s 1992 acceptance speech (I taped it back in the day). Very inspiring. It reminds me why I was so passionate to support him in the last three elections. If I thought he’d actually win, I’d vote for him in a second. And I did last time because I had no interest in supporting Gore.
Posted by: rev_matt_y at December 23, 2003 02:51 PMI’m very glad to hear this. I was one of the organizers of our campus Green Party group in 2000 and supported Nader all the way. I think Nader’s message needs to be heard, and was utterly disappointed in the media’s approach to him. Even if he doesn’t run for office this year, he should speak out on both the issues and the process.
However, the Green Party needs to show that it’s not just a one-trick-pony which exists to support Ralph Nader. He’s perceived by some as an intentional spoiler to Gore, and the Green Party needs to demonstrate that it’s not a bunch of extremist leftists but a balanced party which is “neither left nor right but out in front.” People have seen and heard Nader from the Greens, now it’s time for a different slant.
There are lots of other good potential Green candidates who can put up a different face and a new message. Of course, the most important thing for the Greens to do is establish themselves in the State Legislatures and city and county elections. But a visible and articulate presidential candidate helps draw locals to the party and provide awareness among voters that there are more than two choices.
Posted by: Trevor Stone at December 23, 2003 03:23 PMI think what would be a great way to catapult third parties forward would be to allow their candidates to participate in the debates. Why just throw the Republicans and Democrats on TV when there are so many more that can show up?
Posted by: Adam at December 23, 2003 04:29 PMAdam, the answer is the FEC, Federal Elections Commission, which has control over the debates in large part, and guess who makes up the FEC? Democrats and Republicans Only Club.
Posted by: David R. Remer at December 23, 2003 04:40 PMWell, now that I did not know, but makes sense considering.
Well,l the Whigs were popular once and look what happened to them. Same could happen to others right… or at least I hope.
Posted by: Adam at December 25, 2003 12:49 AMI see this as a huge disappointment.
I don’t understand Nader’s logic in this.
There needs to be a real third party alternative and without Nader I don’t know how the Green’s are going to get any media exposure.
Posted by: Federation of Metro Toronto Tenants Associations at January 17, 2004 12:03 PM
