Nader the Spoiler? Unlikely

The Wall Street Journal ^ | Friday, December 19, 2003 | ALBERT R. HUNT

[presidio9]

For all the gloominess Democrats may harbor about Howard Dean's chances in the general election, here's a bit of good news: Ralph Nader, whose third-party candidacy cost Al Gore the presidency in 2000, seems unlikely to mount a run against the former Vermont governor.

[Steel Wolf]

If Dean wins the nomination, he won't need a spoiler. HE will be the spoiler.

[John Jorsett]

I see as an interesting scenario that the Dems somehow torpedo the Dean candidacy and HE runs third-party. The entire Angry Left would go with him and it would end up being much worse than having Nader run.

[ConservativeMan55]

Laura Bush is hot!

[Tacis]

Gore will be the dem nominee. In fact, if he runs, Nader might do better this year than ever. If Nader opts not to run and then Gore is nominated, I hope some well meaning, sensitive, group of American patriots will quickly assemble to run a write in campaign for Nader in California and some of those other left wing places.

[TheGeezer]

A Gore run is quite a scenario, though if I recall correctly, during the late Spring polls of one sort or another showed only Gore to be a good challenger to GWB.

But a Gore victory in 2004 could thwart Hildebeats's run in 2008, when the last thing she needs is a Demo incumbent in the White House. From the article: Back in Washington, last weekend's events only added to the mounting pessimism among prominent Democrats, leading to one probable reaction: There soon will be renewed efforts to persuade Sen. Hillary Clinton to get into a race she flatly has ruled out.

This is what scares me. I think a Hildebeast candidacy would draw out many to vote against her who would otherwise sit it out. Nevertheless, I think that election would be very - and dangerously - close.

[bobo1]

Nader could very well be the spoiler.

He could take away the only one or two states that dean could have a chance in.

I can see it now! Nader wins mass. and washington d.c. Bush wins wins the rest, the democrats win nothing, nada, zilch, not one state.

Go, Nadar Go! I am your supporter! Protect us 'less the covair comes back!

blessings, bobo

[Hugin]

It is already too late for Gore (or Hillary) to run in the Dem primaries. The delegates of those candidates will be pleged to vote for them. Are you predicting a deadlocked convention and a draft or what?

[uncbob]

Wonder what Nader will do as Dean runs for the center after the nomination is over

[kennedy]

Ralph Nader, whose third-party candidacy cost Al Gore the presidency in 2000, seems unlikely to mount a run against the former Vermont governor.

Bummer. I was really looking forward to Nader and Dean fighting it out for the left wing fringe vote.

[expatpat]

it sounds to me that little Allie Hunt is full of wishful-thinking and is whistling nervously in the dark........

[SwinneySwitch]

"Reading his position papers sounds eerily similar to what we've been saying,..."

You both sound eerie to me, Ralph!

[presidio9]

it sounds to me that little Allie Hunt is full of wishful-thinking and is whistling nervously in the dark........

That's what I got out of it too. Nader did not say "I'm not running," he said "I hate Dean less than I hate Bush."

[HardStarboard]

The Republican's don't need Nader as spoiler. The Nine-Lemons are already turning green and a bit rancid.