Ralph Nader presidential campaign, 2008
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| Ralph Nader for President 2008 | |
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| Campaign | U.S. presidential election, 2008 |
| Candidate | Ralph Nader Founder of Public Citizen and progressive activist |
| Affiliation | independent candidate |
| Status | Announced February 24, 2008 |
| Headquarters | Washington, DC |
| Key people | Matt Gonzalez, Running mate |
| Slogan | People fighting back. |
| Website | |
| www.votenader.org | |
- See also: Ralph Nader's presidential campaigns
Ralph Nader announced his U.S. Presidential candidacy, running as an independent candidate, on February 24, 2008 on NBC's Meet The Press.[1][2] This is Nader's fifth effort; he ran in the four election cycles prior to 2008: 1992, 1996, 2000, and 2004. The 2008 election will be the third in which he has officially run a national campaign.
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[edit] Pre-announcement
In February 2007, Nader criticized Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton as "a panderer and a flatterer." Asked on CNN Late Edition news program if he would run in 2008, Nader replied, "It's really too early to say...."[3] Asked during a radio appearance to describe the former First Lady, Nader said, "Flatters, panders, coasting, front-runner, looking for a coronation ... She has no political fortitude."[4] Some Greens started a campaign to draft Nader as their party's 2008 presidential candidate.[5] In June 2007, Nader said, "You know the two parties are still converging -- they don't even debate the military budget anymore. I really think there needs to be more competition from outside the two parties."[6] Nader praised Dennis Kucinich, Mike Gravel, and John Edwards during the race for the Democratic nomination.
After the election became a contest between Obama and Clinton, Nader hinted more towards his own presidential bid by participating in the Green Party Presidential Debates in San Francisco on January 13, 2008, though not as an announced candidate. Then he formed a presidential exploratory committee on January 30, 2008, telling CNN he would run again if he could raise the necessary funds.[7]
Before entering the race, Nader was asked by Wolf Blitzer on CNN's The Situation Room if he liked any of the Democratic presidential candidates in 2008, and said "in terms of his record, Dennis Kucinich and in terms of a great Democratic stengthened Democracy proposal, Mike Gravel." [8] A petition was started to urge Nader to run with Mike Gravel as a vice presidential candidate.[9] In the weeks before the Iowa caucus, Nader praised former Senator John Edwards and his populist message, calling him "a Democratic glimmer of hope" and encouraging Iowans to "give him a victory."[10]
[edit] Campaign developments
After announcing his run on Meet the Press Nader announced that he had chosen former San Francisco president of the Board of Supervisors and Texas native Matt Gonzalez as his running mate on February 28, 2008.[11] Gonzalez was a supporter of Nader in 2000 and 2004, and has a background as a public defender and civil rights attorney. He narrowly lost the San Francisco mayoral election to Democrat Gavin Newsom in 2003. [12]
While campaigning at his alma mater Princeton University Nader gave a lecture entitled "The Corporate State and the Destruction of Democracy." He discussed the "political bigotry against third parties" and the lack of limitations on the power of corporations. Nader described his plans for reform, including single-payer national health insurance, cuts to the military budget, crackdowns on corporations, and a repeal of the 1947 Taft-Hartley Act. [13]
On March 9, Nader visited West Chester, Pennsylvania where he talked with the Chester County Historical Society about protection of the "victims" of "corporate crooks". He stated that taxes should be levied first on polluters, gamblers and corporations, and that taxes should be lowered on labor and necessities. He called for a withdrawal of American troops from Iraq criticizing the current presidential candidate's stance on the war, "Children not even born yet today will be in Iraq under these [current] candidates...We will bring our troops home".[14]
On March 15, it was reported by the Associated Press that peace activist Jerry Rubin had begun a fast three weeks earlier to protest the campaign of Ralph Nader. Rubin believed the candidate's run would recreate the divisive atmosphere of 2000 and 2004. He feels Nader will take away votes from the Democratic candidate in the general election, which would lead to the election of a Republican. He prefers the election of a Democrat because he believes that would speed the withdrawal of American troops from Iraq. When asked about the drive, a Nader spokesman stated that the candidate had no comment on the matter. [15]
In April 2008, Nader praised Jimmy Carter's plan to visit the Middle East saying: "It is time for all retired military, diplomatic and national security officials from both parties who agree with Carter - and there are many - to band together and launch the Washington Peace Show leading to what a majority of Palestinians and Israelis want - a viable two-state solution." [16]
[edit] Polls
In a Zogby International poll released March 15, 2008, Nader received 6% of the vote in a McCain-Clinton-Nader race and 5% in a McCain-Obama-Nader race. According to pollster John Zogby, "Nader’s presence in the race can potentially turn a lulu of a race into an absolute tizzy. The messages to Democrats are clear – number one, Nader may win enough support to get into the general election debates. Number two, what could be at risk is support among several key constituencies that the Democratic Party candidate will need to win in November, notably younger voters, independents, and progressives.” [17]
In an EPIC-MRA poll taken in Michigan from April 4-9, 2008, Nader received 10 percent of the vote in the hypothetical McCain-Clinton election. McCain would've won, receiving a landslide 46 percent of the vote to Clinton's 37. In the McCain-Obama situation, Nader received 8 percent, while Obama led McCain 43 to 41 percent. [18]
[edit] Grassroots efforts
The Nader 2008 campaign is relying heavily on grassroots organizing. The "Roadtrip for Ralph" effort sends Nader supporters to states to get Nader on the ballot.[19]
[edit] Ballot access
For ballot access in most states, the Nader campaign must circulate nominating petitions, with varying numbers of signatures and deadlines, to get on the ballot. In some states, the requirements for ballot access are lower for new parties than for Independents, so Nader is attempting to qualify as the candidate of the Independent Party (composed of Nader supporters). Nader qualified for the 2008 New Mexico ballot using the new party procedure, rather than qualifying as an independent, because the number of signatures for a new party is only one-sixth as many signatures [1]. The campaign has also turned in petition in Hawaii, which requires 663 signatures. The Independent Party turned in approximately 2,100 [2].
[edit] References
- ^ "'Meet the Press' transcript for Feb. 24, 2008: Ralph Nader, David Brooks, Doris Kearns Goodwin, Michele Norris, Chuck Todd", NBC News' Meet the Press, National Broadcasting Company, February 24, 2008. Retrieved on 2008-02-24.
- ^ "Ralph Nader enters presidential race", CNN, 2008-02-24.
- ^ Nader Leaves '08 Door Open, Slams Hillary Reuters, February 5, 2007.
- ^ Ralph Nader: Hillary's Just a 'Bad Version of Bill Clinton' Feb. 16, 2007
- ^ DraftNader.org
- ^ Nader ponders run, calls Clinton 'coward'
- ^ Mooney, Alexander. "Nader takes steps towards another White House bid", CNN Political Ticker, Cable News Network LP, LLLP., 2008-01-30.
- ^ "Ralph Nader on "The Situation Room," names Gravel, Kucinich", YouTube., 2007-11-02.
- ^ "Nader/Gravel 2008 Petition", PetitionOnline, PetionOnline., 2008-02-25.
- ^ Template error: argument title is required.
- ^ "Nader picks running mate", CNN, CNN., 2008-02-28.
- ^ Alexovich, Ariel. "Nader Announces Pick for Vice President", New York Times, New York Times, 2008-02-28.
- ^ Shamma, Tasnim. "Nader ’55 calls for more civic activism", The Daily Princetonian, Princeton University, 2008-03-10.
- ^ Lynch, Danielle. "Nader visits Chester County", Daily Local, Daily Local, 2008-03-09.
- ^ Rogers, John. "Peace activist launches fast to protest Nader presidential bid", San Francisco Chronicle, Associated Press, 2008-03-15.
- ^ Jimmy Carter - Ralph Nader for President in 2008
- ^ Zogby International
- ^ WOODTV.com & WOOD TV8: Grand Rapids news, weather, sports and video | Obama does better against McCain than Clinton in Michigan poll
- ^ New Mexico Roadtrip Update - Ralph Nader for President in 2008
