Today Show: An Aging Nader Talks Policy as Katie & Matt Fret About His Impact on Dem Hopes

The Today Show

[governsleastgovernsbest]

In the first half-hour of this morning's Today Show, Matt Lauer interviewed Ralph Nader. Katie Couric, in Florida, spoke with a leading journalist, also focusing on the Nader effect.

In both cases, the Today hosts focused exclusively on his impact on the race, and in particular on the potential damage to the aspirations of the Democratic candidate.

In contrast, Nader was interested in discussing his grab-bag of far left policy proposals.

Before getting to the substance of the interview, it must be said, if you'll forgive a French phrase, that Nader has taken "un sacre coup de vieux," which is to say that he has very noticeably aged since his last presidential go-round. This was evident not only in his appearance but in his speech. I believe this will hurt him with an electorate that demands a certain minimum level of vigor in its presidential candidates.

Turning to the interview, Lauer peppered Nader with one question after another from the same fundamental perspective: how can you do this to the Democrats? He quoted from the New York Times, from Howard Dean and Al Sharpton. He cited statistics from the last race, particularly Florida. He raised the issue of electability. Everything went back to the same point: don't you risk handing the election to the Republicans?

On a certain level, Lauer's questions were understandable. Given Nader's non-existent chances of winning, it is his effect on the other candidates rather than his own policy nostrums that are important. However, I imagine that if, for example, Jesse Jackson had launched an independent candidacy, his views on the issues would have been more solicitously examined.

In any case, it was obvious that Nader was determined to get in his soundbites. He spoke over Lauer's questions, doggedly getting in his comments about Washington being "corporate controlled territory," and promising to provide "full" health care to every American, etc. His mood was generally defiant and angry. This guy is not going away.

Katie is in Miami this week, and she interviewed Tom Fiedler, a senior journalist from the Miami Herald. Perhaps it was being in Miami and getting away from the cold in New York, but Katie was most definitely in a sunny mood.

A number of her questions focused on Nader's impact in Florida, particularly considering that he got over 97,000 votes in 2000 whereas W won by only 537 votes. Even so, I must say that her questions and body language lacked a partisan edge.

Fiedler was reasonably balanced in his comments, but at the end seemed to be talking as much from his own heart as from his analyst's head in saying that many Dems in Florida who voted for Nader last time won't make the same mistake this time.

[governsleastgovernsbest]

The media were forced to cover Nader's announcement. But I have a feeling that as the campaign progresses, he will find it very difficult to get air time on the networks. With the possible exception of Fox, that is! ;-)

[governsleastgovernsbest]

Today Show ping.

[rabidralph]

I wonder if there was this much handwringing from the media when Perot ran in '92? Were they concerned that Perot would "siphon" votes from President GHW Bush?

[CR]

I think the liberal media template on Nader's run is already set and was decided on long before he announced. The template is as follows:

1. He has nothing to offer the voters that Kerry cannot offer.

2. Given #1, he can only be running for vanity reasons - it's all about Ralph's ego.

3. He is a spoiler and must be discredited as such.

As usual the template is just that and has nothing to do with the facts. I have met Ralph and can honestly say that while his ideas and beliefs are wacko left wing socialist, he honestly, passionately believes what he says. He's running because he does not think the Democratic party is left-wing enough.

[Williams]

To the contrary, Perot was heavily promoted by the media. All mainstream media approaches the news straight from the dem perspective. That's one reason we keep hearing all about the primaries and how it's an "anybody but Bush" country out there. Another favorite topic of the media is how the dems will take back Congress.

[Catspaw]

I wonder if there was this much handwringing from the media when Perot ran in '92? Were they concerned that Perot would "siphon" votes from President GHW Bush?

I'd say yes, but in a different way. Perot was portrayed as just plain nuts, a paranoid wacko (remember that he dropped out, then rejoined his own campaign). Unlike Nader, Perot had a sense of humor, so he was easier to cover. However, I remember that Larry King gave him lots of time to let him blather.

[governsleastgovernsbest]

Bingo.

[governsleastgovernsbest]

Unlike Nader, Perot had a sense of humor, so he was easier to cover.

Nader might just be the most dour man in presidential politics since "Silent Cal" Coolidge!

[no dems]

Definitely not. I've not heard one person mention the fact that Ross Perot handed the election to Bill Clinton in l992.
I think Republicans need to send Ralphie some campaign money. I also hope that the Deaniacs get on the Nader bandwagon.
Let's not forget also that the Greenies WILL have a candidate on the ballot for Prez as well. It looks like it might be the guy who was their candidate for governor of California during the recall election; he is a pretty sharp cookie and can siphon a few vote himself. What say ye?

[Catspaw]

Nader might just be the most dour man in presidential politics since "Silent Cal" Coolidge!

Ain't that the truth. I have never seen Nader laugh--or even smile. I mean it's scary when Sam Donaldson would smile, but if Nader smiled, I'd hide the woman, children and pets.

[capt. norm]

Last night's episode of "The Simpsons" had a great Katie Couric line...something about her "escaping from the circus and becoming the world's most famous dwarf".

I wasn't paying attention to the show before that line, so I don't know how they got on that subject.

[governsleastgovernsbest]

I guess from now on we'll have to call her "the dwarfish but affable Eva Braun of morning talk shows"!

[Catspaw]

The Today Show is on here now. Nader's talking points on Today are about the same as they were on MTP, almost word for word, as a matter of fact.

[McGruff]

The talking points seem to be Nader stole enough votes from Gore to cost him Florida. My question is how many votes did Buchanan take from Bush in Florida?

[YaYa123]

Jonathan Alter was on Imus, same song, different channel. Alter trying to insult Nader AND anyone who might vote for him.

Thanks for the coverage of Nader on TODAY.

[cripplecreek]

I voted for buchanan in 2000. i wouldnt do it this year were he to run. i plan on helping get our president reelected. 2008 is another story.

[Sangria]

I don't think he is serious about running. He just wants air time to attack George Bush.

[Catspaw]

From what I saw on MTP yesterday, Nader attacks President Bush and the Dems evenhandedly. At one point during the MTP interview, he gave the Dems a D+ and the Republicans a D-, said their was little difference between the parties, that they were both bought & paid for by corporations.

If you can stand listening to Dennis Kuchinich, he has about the same message as Nader.

[governsleastgovernsbest]

Nader's talking points on Today are about the same as they were on MTP, almost word for word.

Agreed. Nader's voice definitely had the inflection of a drone on auto-pilot!

[governsleastgovernsbest]

My pleasure. As suggested, I don't expect we'll be seeing Nader sitting down again with Katie or Matt any time soon. No free media for him!

[ROCKLOBSTER]

"Turning to the interview, Lauer peppered Nader with one question after another from the same fundamental perspective: how can you do this to the" RATs?

Nadar, "Uh...well Matt, I guess it's a matter of honesty. Unlike me, they don't admit they are........COMMUNISTS!"

[governsleastgovernsbest]

LOL

[Catspaw]

Agreed. Nader's voice definitely had the inflection of a drone on auto-pilot!

Perhaps he hypnotizes his supporters with his monotony....you are getting sleepy...you are getting sleepy....

I've been trying to figure out what "names" supported Nader in 2000. The only one I can think of is Phil Donahue.

[Semper Paratus]

I don't trust him. As an independent he could in to push Kerry to the left and then endorse him at a strategic moment.

Maybe that's not a bad thing.

[Maigrey]

Sounds like the Monday morning Whine Session.

Hope the tummy pills hold out for you once again today!

[Catspaw]

I don't trust him. As an independent he could in to push Kerry to the left and then endorse him at a strategic moment.

It's not a bad thing--but Nader also made some claim on the Today show about getting more votes from Republicans in New Hampshire than Democrats (I don't have the exact quote). I also expect him to get substantially less votes than he did in 2000 because he doesn't have the Green Party behind him, so he may well have as much influence on the left as the Constitution Party has on the right.

[Semper Paratus]

he may well have as much influence on the left as the Constitution Party has on the right.

I agree. His biggest effect will be to confound 'rat strategy, at least in the short term, and that can only help.

[PJ-Comix]

A number of her questions focused on Nader's impact in Florida, particularly considering that he got over 97,000 votes in 2000 whereas W won by only 537 votes.

Does anybody know if Nader will be able to qualify for a spot on the Florida ballot?

[Mr. Bird]

That was a great line. They were talking about how Lisa could become anyone she wanted. Homer then replied, "Oh Marge, you don't think Katie Couric just became the world's most famous dwarf...

Similar to one of my favorite Simpson exchanges:

Marge: "Homer, you can't be a stripper and a Supreme Court judge."

Homer: "Oh yeah, what about the late Chief Justice Earl Warren?"

Marge: "He wasn't a stripper!"

Homer: "OK Marge, now look who's being naive."

[MinuteGal]

I don't think Nader's candidacy is helpful to us at all. His presence in the news and on the ballot will tend to make the ultimate Dem candidate appear more middle-of-the-road, more centrist, more interesting and more appealing.

In the meantime, Ralph will get at least some of his anti-Bush, anti-capitalism message out to the masses during all the months leading up to the election.

Leni

[governsleastgovernsbest]

Does anybody know if Nader will be able to qualify for a spot on the Florida ballot?

Lauer raised the general issue of Nader's ability to get onto the ballot across the country. Nader claimed "thousands" of volunteers who will ensure that he will be on the ballot everywhere. I'd guess he's probably close to right.

[governsleastgovernsbest]

Actually, Nader's entry into the race has had a very calming effect on my digestive system. ;-)

[zook]

That's an interesting idea. But do you think it would apply, say, if Buchanan entered the race? Would he make Bush look more moderate and thereby increase his vote total?

[plain talk]

At one point during the MTP interview, he gave the Dems a D+ and the Republicans a D-, said their was little difference between the parties ...

Sounds familiar. How about a Nader / Buchanan ticket?

[Catspaw]

Sounds familiar. How about a Nader / Buchanan ticket?

Perfect. I mean it's not like Pat has anything to do since his MSNBC show got cancelled.

[MinuteGal]

Theoretically, perhaps. However, in practice, doubtful.....because one never knows what position Buchanan will take on any given issues. Nader never wavers on his issues. So it's really not possible to draw a definitive comparison on your hypothetical regarding the two men.

Leni

[baseballmom]

The dems are such hypocrites. Why is Nader being treated with such comtempt, while Sharpton and Kucinich are allowed to deliver their message in the debates? I thought the dems welcomed diversity and and all viewpoints being discussed.

[MrB]

he may well have as much influence on the left as the Constitution Party has on the right

And how much influence does the Constitution (party) have on the GOP...? I'm just hoping for a final demise to the DemocRat party so that I CAN vote Constitutionalist without the threat of allowing a 'rat into power.

[ChadGore]

Why hasn't Katie Couric pursued one of the finer food service industries ?

[governsleastgovernsbest]

The dems are such hypocrites.Why is Nader being treated with such comtempt, while Sharpton and Kucinich are allowed to deliver their message in the debates?

Great point!

[petercooper]

yes, nobody ever mentions the 20 million votes perot "siphoned" in 1992

[ChadGore]

The democrats know full well they are going to loose BIG in 2004 (not gain a majority control in any branch of the federal government) and they are setting up Nader as the patsy.

[N. Theknow]

Ralph Nader = The Corvair of the Democratic Party

[governsleastgovernsbest]

Uh-oh, we're gonna crash!!!!!

[Catspaw]

And how much influence does the Constitution (party) have on the GOP...? I'm just hoping for a final demise to the DemocRat party so that I CAN vote Constitutionalist without the threat of allowing a 'rat into power.

The Dems aren't going to go away, despite our best efforts.

But I have seen a number of single issue freepers post that unless Bush does something tougher about something (illegal immigration appears to be the subject du jour, but that can change on a whim), they'll vote a 3rd party. They echo Nader in the "there's no difference between the R's and the D's) mantra. The Constitution Party seems to be their vote repository for now, but that, too, could change on a whim. The Libertarian Party also has backers on FR.

The only way to vote a 3rd party safely is if you live in a state in which the Republicans are going to take the state by a wide margain. In my state (Wisconsin), that's not the case.

[arasina]

Looks to me like Nader is not capable of doing more than a flea bite's worth of damage to the Dim dogs---just a small irritation that they have to scratch at every so often. I think he'll drop out in a couple of months because there's not enough momentum or funding for his campaign.

My question is: How does Nader entering the race fit into Hillary's plan?

[MrB]

The only way to vote a 3rd party safely is if you live in a state in which the Republicans are going to take the state by a wide margain.

I'd say Kansas was one of those states -
but, only for the President. Reps are a different story in Johnson County - we've been plagued with Dennis "the interstate commerce clause says we can pass any damn law we want to" Moore.

[governsleastgovernsbest]

I agree that for a number of reasons Nader is likely to get far fewer votes this time around. However, as we saw last time, just a few hundred votes could make the difference, not only in Florida but in other states like WI, MI, OR, etc. So hopefully Nader can still play a constructive role in W's reelection campaign!

[Savage Beast]

"He spoke...about Washington being 'corporate controlled territory,' promising to provide 'full' health care to every American"

This makes me defiant and angry.

Radical environmentalists and their "charities" are as well financed and far more menacing to the average person, to liberty, and to justice than are "big corporations"--which provide jobs! The entire United States is rapidly becoming "Radical Environmentalist Controlled Territory"!

Remove lawyers and malpractice awards from health care, and we will be able to provide "full" health care to every American. Nobody can afford it now!

[Catspaw]

I'm watching Nader give a speech on CSspan2. This seems like a speech he recycled from 2000.

But he is BORING, BORING, BORING. If I had to listen to him for any length of time, my 1st response would be to get checked for narcolepsy.