Many Democrats have been ecstatic lately at the possible prospect of a Barack Obama presidency, which seems to be more and more likely everyday. Notorious for blowing opportunities, this time the Democrats seem confident they are on the right course and are ready to claim a momentous and historical win in November. Not so fast.
Word out of Washington is that Ralph Nader might be announcing another bid for the presidency any day now. What has caused the speculation all of a sudden? Well, in late January Nader launched an exploratory committee and a Web site that promised to fight corporate greed, corporate power and corporate control and it was just announced by NBC that Nader will be a guest on Meet The Press this Sunday. This is the venue in which he announced his last bid for the presidency.
Nader, sources say, also has told abcnews.go.com that he will run in 2008 if he is convinced over the next month that he would be able to raise $10 million over the course of the campaign and attract enough lawyers willing to work free of charge to get his name on state ballots.
If true this could portend political disaster once again for the Democrats and might just cement Ralph Nader's place in history as the most narcissistic, ego-maniacal, self-destructive muckraker in political history. Mariane Kulick, a concerned Democrat wrote the following eloquent letter to Mr. Nader which expresses my sentiments and those of millions more exactly.Mr. Nader, I have been a supporter of many of the things you have worked for all your life. However, any good you have done will mean nothing if you help another Republican Administration win. The Democratic candidates may not be perfect candidates, but there is a difference. If the Republicans win we can expect perpetual war and the end of any work towards global warming. We can expect continued erosion of civil rights and the repression of opposition. If we are looking to have a future for our planet we have to get rid of Bush's crowd. It will not be wonderful with Democrats but it will be better and can possibly lead to more public participation and increased understanding of our plight. Please do not do this. It will undo all the good you have done.
Amen Mariane. We'll see Sunday.