I don't care if Nader joins the race. I'm happy that we're down to the

[AP]

final four for the Dems. I think the landscape is ideal right now.

What I want to see is energy in the primaries. If Nader's going to bring a little energy, good. He's not going to bring many votes. If he gets 5% today, he'll get .5% in November when people really have to make a choice (in 2000 only 1 in 10 people who liked him the most of the three candidates voted for him).

Right now, it looks like there's a little something for everyone, and that's good.

[Tactical Progressive]

1. I agree, things are going pretty well

Two week stretch to Super Tuesday. A couple of debates at least, maybe even more for a few weeks afterward. Ralph isn't going to hurt things this time around - enough people have hopefully grown up politically by now - and he might make for a good contrast to Kerry and Edwards.

Then the big VP mystery and attendant chatfest blather, hopefully for a month or so, with plenty of media attention afterward.

Then Springtime.

[WiseMen]

2. Imbecilic View! Votes are 2nd to the Monstrous Shadow of Discord

That is what deminishes the standard-bearer in the battle that
has to be fought.

Without a strong leader the battle is lost. And the role of the Naders of the Left is the validation, but there detractions, of whatever deceptive attacks are concocted by the enemy.

[AP]

3. "Monstrous Shadow of Discord" -- Kerry or Edwards v Bush, Nader's getting

less than 1% of the vote with NO party behind him. And they won't be people who ever would have voted for anyone else.

I have no idea what you're saying beyond "Discord," however.