Nader ponders spoiler run in '08

A piece in The Politico today states that Ralph Nader is considering another run for the presidency. Of course, whenever Nader considers such a move, it's not out of hope of actually winning, but it's to protest the ineptitude of the Democratic Party. The piece has some pretty poignant quotes from Nader that are well worth sharing:

"You know the two parties are still converging -- they don't even debate the military budget anymore," Nader said in a 30-minute interview. "I really think there needs to be more competition from outside the two parties."

Even the possible entry of New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg into the race as an independent might not dissuade Nader.

"He is interesting (but) unpredictable," Nader said of Bloomberg. "I really like the stand he took against smoking, but he goes along with corporate welfare in New York and tax-funded stadiums. So he is unfinished in that way."

Nader would have little or no chance of winning the presidency should he run, but he doesn't need to win to affect the outcome: Many Democrats still blame Nader for draining enough votes away from Al Gore in 2000 to throw the election George W. Bush.

And while Nader, 73, realizes he might once again be accused of being a "spoiler" candidate, he says the Democrats could win in 2008, unless they spoil things for themselves.

"Democrats have become, over the years, very good at electing very bad Republicans," Nader said. "Democrats always know how to implode, how to be ambiguous, how to waver, how not to be authentic."

That's very well put. Democrats have become very proficient at helping pathetic, classically inept Republicans get elected to Congress and the presidency.

If a Democrat can't win the White House in '08, perhaps the party will be relegated to permanent minority status for the foreseeable future. And it will deserve it.

I'll never forgive Nader for the 2000 election, when he clearly siphoned off enough votes from Gore to cost him the presidency. I won't get into it again for the umpteenth time, but it's tough not to ponder how different of a country we would be living in today if Nader hadn't chosen to run in 2000. But, that's water long under the dam.

But, this time, I'm happy that Nader is considering a run, and I hope he throws his hat into the ring. No one, not even Nader, thinks he can win in '08, either. But, I don't care.

The more choices we have in 2008, the better. Nader's and Bloomberg's candidacies next year will do nothing but good things for the electoral process, and hopefully will add much-needed debate to the political discourse. It may be the only way that the GOP and Democratic candidates take each and every vote seriously. In other words, candidates would have to earn every vote.

What a novel concept.