Ralph Nader suing Democratic Party for trying to keep him off the ballot in 2004

[DutchLiberal]

Run time: 06:46 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7r2ZHnfndQU   Posted on YouTube: November 04, 2007 By YouTube Member: Views on YouTube: 0   Posted on DU: November 08, 2007 By DU Member: DutchLiberal Views on DU: 940

 
Ralph Nader talks about the 2004 presidential election, and reveals his intent to sue the Democratic Party for trying to keep his name off the ballot, in what he calls a 'conspiracy' against him.

He also says out of all the Democratic candidates, he would support either Kucinich or Gravel. He won't say if he considers running again in 2008.

Nader challenges Democratic complaints that him running could 'spoil' Democratic victory and give the White House to Guiliani, arguing that everybody has a right to run, and voters should have enough options and choices.

I expect people to blast Nader for this, but I just want to say: hear him out before you attack. It is wrong for the Republicans to manipulate elections, so is it right if Democrats do it? (Assuming it's true what Nader says.)

Blast Nader all you want, but don't blast me for posting this video and asking a question. If you're planning to flame me by accusing me of being a 'Nader-supporter in disguise' or something and I 'don't belong at DU', then please don't react at all.

[Birthmark]

1. Nader can go to hell.

But not immediately. He should wait for a couple of eons until Hell is dangerous and run down THEN he should go there. In the meantime, might I invite Mr. Nader to F off?

[DutchLiberal]

6. I congratulate you with your excellent arguments against Nader's claims.

[Rabo Karabekian]

2. Democrats Should Have Already Passed Instant Run-off Voting

I don't blame Nader for this, if the Democrats passed instant run-off voting there would never be another 'spoiler' again. This is an issue of democracy I don't like the idea of barring people from running for election in America.

p.s. The spoiler idea really doesn't work for me. A candidate needs to earn his or her votes. Republicans and Democrats aren't entitled to the support of their respective bases. They should earn support by talking about things that appeal to their bases.

[toadzilla]

22. but if they did that then people like Kuchinich would have a fair chance

and those who hold the power don't want that....

[papau]

3. Funded by the GOP again - as was his campaign in 04 - it is just more GOP manipulation of elections

[Rabo Karabekian]

5. Nader Speaks to What I Believe

Well IMO, the GOP creeps who donate to Nader are wasting their money. He, in his campaigns, has brought a lot of attention to living wage, so-called free trade, campaign finance, the war on drugs, the military budget, and a plethora of other issues. He talks about a lot of stuff the Democrats are AWOL on. If they weren't there would be no reason for him to run.

[DutchLiberal]

7. Honestly, I have not heard about that. Can you provide evidence for this?

Also, are you referring to the GOP as a party or to individual members of the GOP, who hoped to split the progressive vote?

[papau]

8. The media reports that he admited was that the GOP was funding his 04 run - the trip to Florida in

the last 4 days when his sponsoring party asked him not to go there - etc.

Nader is not ashamed of it - saying that he'll take money from anyone to "get his message out" - whatever the hell that message was.beyond stop Kerry and elect Bush.

Google should give you a few hundred media stories - Lexis does give few you several thousand but there is a fee for the search..

Here are a few links (for legal reasons the official GOP party used wealthy members for money for Nader and used poorer GOP members to gather signatures for him):

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2004/07/09/MNGQQ7J31K1.DTL

http://www.commondreams.org/views04/0720-15.htm

http://www.cnn.com/2004/ALLPOLITICS/06/30/bush.nader/index.html

http://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi%3Ffile%3D/c/a/2004/07/10/MNG9J7JMDK1.DTL&sa=X&oi=archive&ct=result&cd=1&usg=AFQjCNFUR9VsOJbURAg8Oi8m7e8FF6qHpA

http://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.accessmylibrary.com/premium/0286/0286-8976202.html&sa=X&oi=archive&ct=result&cd=2&usg=AFQjCNGRv_Xs6cst7oEkWLb6FkoQD81a4Q

http://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.usatoday.com/news/politicselections/nation/president/2004-08-12-nader-usat_x.htm&sa=X&oi=archive&ct=result&cd=3&usg=AFQjCNH72uvEXWBwMcKeZy97OGkOJzxZAw

http://www.command-post.org/2004/2_archives/013003.html

http://stevegilliard.blogspot.com/2004/07/nader-talks-to-salon.html

http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/04_32/b3895043_mz011.htm

[DutchLiberal]

9. Thank you for providing this information. But still, I want to ask you:

How does this challenge his claims that the Democrats tried to keep him off the ballot?

[papau]

11. I does not chamge the facts, if any, of his claim - just gives you motivation on boyj sides if true

[DutchLiberal]

12. "Boyj sides"? I'm sorry, I don't understand...

[papau]

13. Thumbs typing - yj is but one slot over from th - therefore "both" - spell-check works when one

Remembers -

This is obviously a night to go to bed early before I embarrass myself any further! :-)

[liberalnurse]

4. Nader is not a Democrat.....

Our goal is to LEGALLY win elections for Democrats......

Your perception is skewed.....

" It is wrong for the Republicans to manipulate elections, so is it right if Democrats do it? (Assuming it's true what Nader says.)


Republicans appear to of disenfranchised voters via Blackbox voting, intentionally providing less than adequate numbers of functional voting boxes in Ohio to where folks had to wait in line for hours if they could wait that long..... thousands upon thousands couldn't even vote on election, etc...........

There is a big, big difference.

[jzodda]

10. Fuck Nader..Thanks for 8 years of hell

Never forget, never forgive

[DutchLiberal]

16. The 8 years of hell came from people voting for Bush; and KKKarl Rove, who stole the elections.

You're blaming the wrong person.

[jzodda]

25. I can't look at it the way you do

I just can't. Its an emotional issue with me

But it doesn't matter anymore-right or wrong its behind us and its time to set things right in 2008.

[remember2000forever]

14. I'm Ashamed To Say I Voted As An Independant For Nader in 2000

Think if all those spoiler votes had gone to Gore. Yes, I liked Nader's message then, but this is a whole new ballgame. The stakes are way too high this time around. Ralph, please go away. Your country is in dire jepardy !

[DutchLiberal]

17. I don't support Nader, but he's right about one thing: "spoiler votes".

It's a false concept. Everybody votes for whomever they like. It's not as if those voted 'belong' to a certain party or candidate and then get 'taken/spoiled' by another party/candidate.

[madfloridian]

15. Nader has taken donations from right wing groups to attack Demcrats

http://journals.democraticunderground.com/madfloridian/33

So let's not play the game of his being so pure.

[DutchLiberal]

18. That's morally wrong (at least, to me), but that is not illegal.

[madfloridian]

19. So you are ok with morally wrong if it is not illegal? Good convenient thought.

Let's you do whatever you want as long as you skirt the line of legality.

Convenient

[DutchLiberal]

20. You're putting words in my mouth. And you're ignoring the difference between what Nader did,

and what the Democrats did (if it's true what Nader claims).

[madfloridian]

21. Did you read this part of my post? This is really bad stuff Nader did. "

""Hi, my name is Russ Walker, director of Citizens for a Sound Economy here in Oregon, and I wanted to tell you about an opportunity we have to drive a wedge through the Liberal Left’s base of support.

In this year’s presidential race, Ralph Nader could peel away a lot of Kerry support in Oregon, but he has to be on the ballot first. He will make it if at least 1,000 people show up this Saturday at Benson High school at 4:00 pm and sign the petition to certify his candidacy.

Liberals are trying to unite in Oregon and keep Nader off the ballot to help their chances of electing John Kerry. We could divide this base of support by showing up at Grant High school on Saturday.

Poor Ralph Nader: He just wants to make the ballot here in Oregon. Let’s give him what he wants and just watch what happens in November!"

So that is legal and what activists did is not?

Oh, come on. Read that twice and read it again. That is one of the most right wing groups there is.

http://journals.democraticunderground.com/madfloridian/33

[DutchLiberal]

24. Yes, in fact that's legal and what the Democrats did, according to Nader, is not.

[iamthebandfanman]

23. i like alot of naders views BUT

hey, u get what u give...
take donations from republicans in mass and know ur doing so and why they are giving to u...
cant bitch when dems try n screw ya.
dunno what to tell ya ralph.


if ud just get off that horse u sit high up on
lol