Oregon Green Party activist Harry Lonsdale had this editorial yesterday, begging Ralph Nader (for whom he and I voted in 2000) not to run this year. Here are some excerpts:
It’s too soon to tell whether the 2004 election will be close, but with the country so evenly divided about the Bush presidency, it could well be. And Nader is thinking of running again. Should those of us on the left encourage him to do so?
I’m a huge Nader supporter. I voted for him in 2000 and sent him money. Anyone who has examined his record of public service over the past 35 years would have to admit that he has done more — or attempted to do more — for the American people than virtually any other living American.
Whoa, Harry, easy on the hyperbole. But after pouring on this praise, Lonsdale comes to his thoughful conclusion:
Nader has sent out a letter to his major 2004 contributors, seeking their advice on his 2004 candidacy. (Knowing Nader’s integrity, I believe he was honestly seeking input and not just campaign contributions.) My advice to Nader was to not run. There are many ways to promote his issues and the Green Party platform besides another run for president: Raise money for a regular radio or TV show or a nonstop speaking tour or start a grassroots democracy organization. Had he chosen to, he could have received a ton of free air time for many months by running in the Democratic primaries.
But I’m one of the ABB persuasion — Anybody But Bush — and so is just about every progressive I know. Maybe we’re all overreacting by talking about leaving the country if Bush is re-elected. But the Bush imperial presidency has shaken us down to our heels. This is no longer the country we thought we knew and loved.
Well, I may not be shaken down to my heels. But I am happily in the ABB category, and share Harry’s sentiments. Ralph, stay home.
Worse than Nader running, a good friend of my has hypothesized that if Dean doesn’t get the nod from the Dems, he’ll turncoat and run as an Independent. It’s just a hypothesis of his, but a scary one at that.
Dean/Nader 2004! Or not.
Yikes.
Of course they’re full of it about leaving the country if Bush is re-elected.
We heard the same shit in 2000, and I’m still waiting for them to actually get the hell out.
Yeah, we aren’t leaving anytime soon, mollusk…
My problem is more with the histrionics than with the people.
I simply want them to follow through with what they swore up and down to do.
I doubt that you were among that number, and thuse you can’t have a free bus ticket on me.
Darn.