Slightly good news for Bush

[thebin]

apnews.myway.com/article/20040222/D80SE3080.html


I can't believe Nader is in again. I guess he has flipped his gord. I don't think he will attract anywhere near the support he did last time- but he will certainly siphon of a few hundred thousand Dem votes- but in all likelihood from mostly solid blue states. But there are battleground states with urban areas where these votes are going to be quite precious (Fl, Ohio, PA) . Man if I were a Dem I would want to clock this guy for jumping in at this hour in a total pyrric stand.

[showcase]

I don't know that Nader really affects the race at all. As I recall, he's not even running as the Green Party candidate - he's purely independent. I'm not suggesting that the Green Party is a political institution of some magnitude, but Nader's going to be even more marginalized than he was before. Heck, I thought I read that without a party affiliation, he'll have a hard time getting on the ballot in most states.

Nader's turned himself into a clown, pure & simple. Maybe he was thinking he'd stand to benefit with a Republican in the White House again, as it would help keep the cause alive (whereas a Dem president would probably pay enough lip-service to appease his base). However, it the conditions are such that he's not going to affect the race, all he's doing is alienating himself from the Dem. party and its most politically aware constituency.

[jerseyhoya34]

If this thing is the close race that many are anticipating, I don't think Nader is going to tip the balance. I think the primary exit polling shows that the Dems are coming out in full force with the Anybody But Bush spirit behind them. Turnout has been great thus far, which is a good sign. So, I think the base is going to be more energized this time around than it was in 2000, ceteris paribus, and Nader will not attract the votes that he did in 2000.

That said, this is probably the best piece of news that Bush has had in two weeks. I think that it will be a shortlived victory with another Tuesday rolling around where the Dems are going to dominate free media. Additionally, another debate is coming up, so coverage will soon turn to that.

[Z]

the fact that nader has eschewed any pretense of using his run to enhance the viability of a third political party shows that this presidential run is nothing more than an exercise in self-aggrandizement.

i would be shocked, shocked, if he garnered anywhere near the levels of support he did in 2000. even the most ardent greens would have to consider the fruits of their last nader vote before casting a ballot for him again.