by Puteri | February 25th, 2008
WASHINGTON (CNN) — Ralph Nader is entering the presidential race as an independent, he announced Sunday, saying it is time for a “Jeffersonian revolution.”
Ralph Nader is running for president as an independent.
“In the last few years, big money and the closing down of Washington against citizen groups prevent us from trying to improve our country. And I want everybody to have the right and opportunity to improve their country,” he told reporters after an appearance announcing his candidacy on NBC’s “Meet the Press.”
Asked why he should be president, the longtime consumer advocate said, “Because I got things done.” He cited a 40-year record, which he said includes saving “millions of lives,” bringing about stricter protection for food and water and fighting corporate control over Washington.
Nader’s decision, which did not come as a surprise to political watchers, marks his fourth straight White House bid — fifth if his 1992 write-in campaign is included.
The two contenders for the Democratic nomination were quick to pounce.
“He thought that there was no difference between Al Gore and George Bush and, eight years later, I think people realize that Ralph did not know what he was talking about,” Sen. Barack Obama said a town hall meeting Sunday.
Calling Nader’s move “very unfortunate,” Sen. Hillary Clinton told reporters, “I remember when he ran before. It didn’t turn out very well for anybody — especially our country.”
“This time I hope it doesn’t hurt anyone. I can’t think of anybody that would vote for Sen. McCain who would vote for Ralph Nader,” she said.
Nader was criticized by some Democrats in 2000 for allegedly pulling away support from Democrat Al Gore and helping George Bush win the White House.
Noting that he ran on the Green Party ticket that year, Clinton said Nader “prevented Al Gore from being the ‘greenest’ president we could have had.”
Nader has long rejected his portrayal as a spoiler in the presidential race. In his NBC interview Sunday, he cited the Republican Party’s economic policies, the Iraq war, and other issues, saying, “If the Democrats can’t landslide the Republicans this year, they ought to just wrap up, close down, emerge in a different form.”
But Clinton said, “Obviously, it is not helpful to whoever our Democratic nominee is. But, you know, it is a free country.”
Full story here.
For once I agree with Bill Clinton. It is indeed a free country.
Like what Nader said, “If the Democrats can’t landslide the Republicans this year, they ought to just wrap up, close down, emerge in a different form.”
If some Democrats choose Nader over Obama or Clinton, that is their choice. They must see something different in Nader to make them want to vote for him. Nobody is putting a gun on their heads and making them vote for Nader after all!
Run, Nader, run! 