Tarnishing a Glittering Record - WSJ's Al Hunt

[question everything]

Ralph Nader is absolutely right: It's offensive to suggest he's not entitled to run for president. Of course he is.

So was Harold Stassen. Likewise, former heavyweight boxing champion Larry Holmes had every right to come out of retirement and fight the likes of Butterbean. But in pursuing such quixotic quests, Messrs. Stassen and Holmes tarnished their reputation and legacy. That's also what Mr. Nader, in his egocentric repeat run for the presidency, is doing.

(snip)

The greatest risk for Mr. Nader is not losing, a foregone conclusion, or even throwing an election to George W. Bush, as onerous as that is to those who've worked with him over the years. It is to blemish his extraordinary achievements over 40 years. Millions of Americans are alive because of the Nader-spawned auto safety movement. If I don't wear a seat belt my teenage kids yell at me; they'd laugh if I told them that not too long ago the anti-Naderites considered mandatory seat belts an insidious intrusion by the federal government.

(snip)

He also has spawned several generations of public-interest advocates. There are college kids graduating this year whose parents were children when he took on General Motors -- the classic David vs. Goliath battle with the same ending -- who, whether they know it or not, are Nader disciples.

(snip)

Four years ago, the Nader candidacy had a coherent rationale: the Clinton-Gore administration disappointed the left and had cozy relations with business interests. Mr. Nader contended there was no real difference between Al Gore and George W. Bush.

That's a claim even he doesn't make today. He suggests he's a more perfect choice, if not a viable one.

(snip)

[Eric J in MN]

1. Who does Al Hunt want to win the Presidency in 2004? (nt)

nt

[Merlin]

2. He's believes Kerry will win. Hunt is a good Dem. n/t

.