Ralph Nader - Just Say No

Lots of reasons to recommend this. (0.00 / 0)

But my main one is your use of "factotum" in reference to the Sununu lackey.

birch paper; on Twitter @deanbarker

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by: Dean Barker @ Wed Jan 30, 2008 at 19:40:20 PM CST

'full gainer' (0.00 / 0)

"factotum", indeed !

When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro. HST

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by: JonnyBBad @ Wed Jan 30, 2008 at 19:44:08 PM CST

[ Parent ]

It is a great word! (0.00 / 0)

But not one I am able to use often!

Energy and persistence conquer all things.


Benjamin Franklin


 

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by: Kathy Sullivan @ Wed Jan 30, 2008 at 20:07:00 PM CST

[ Parent ]

You know your Latin, so this is not for you, (0.00 / 0)

but for the curious:

factotum isn't, like many English words, derived from Latin.

It's actually two perfectly good Latin words glued together:

"fac totum", meaning a "do it all".

Pop quiz: what other English word is a combination of "fac" and another Latin word stuck to it?  Hint: it has a more common shortened form as well.

birch paper; on Twitter @deanbarker

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by: Dean Barker @ Wed Jan 30, 2008 at 20:25:35 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Facsimile/Fax (4.00 / 1)

My Latin is a bit rusty, but still good enough for that, lol.

--
If you'd rather abolish Medicare than repeal the Patriot Act, you're not a libertarian.

Twitter: @DougLindner

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by: Douglas E. Lindner @ Wed Jan 30, 2008 at 20:31:54 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Optime scriptum! n/t (4.00 / 1)

birch paper; on Twitter @deanbarker

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by: Dean Barker @ Wed Jan 30, 2008 at 20:43:31 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Why was that trollish? (0.00 / 0)

--
If you'd rather abolish Medicare than repeal the Patriot Act, you're not a libertarian.

Twitter: @DougLindner

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by: Douglas E. Lindner @ Thu Jan 31, 2008 at 12:09:42 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Sorry - slip of the rec button! n/t (4.00 / 1)

birch paper; on Twitter @deanbarker

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by: Dean Barker @ Thu Jan 31, 2008 at 15:17:52 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Ralph Nader (4.00 / 3)

was a hero of mine in the 60's and 70's and he did a lot for the quality of life in this country.

In theory he's not wrong to consider a run - why not it's a free country and the issues which are important to him are not being addressed any more.

In practice he would only be a tool of the worst aspects of our system.  I don't know why he doesn't see this.  If the country was ready for a true progressive movement John Edwards would be winning the Dem nomination.  He won the debates and still couldn't get the votes. (I'm not bitter, I'm not bitter)well, maybe I'm a little bitter.  

Ralph is not the answer and I believe that message will come across loud and clear.

BTW - even for this I hate Nancy Reagan's pat, smug answer.

standing on the sidelines looking for a reason to enter the fray.

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by: smucci @ Wed Jan 30, 2008 at 20:01:49 PM CST

We need instant runoff or single transferable vote or some other better balloting system so that people can vote their true preference without warranted fear of spoilers. (4.00 / 2)

--
If you'd rather abolish Medicare than repeal the Patriot Act, you're not a libertarian.

Twitter: @DougLindner

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by: Douglas E. Lindner @ Wed Jan 30, 2008 at 20:18:45 PM CST

[ Parent ]

What we really need is (4.00 / 1)

Ralph Nader to go away...

"Only in the dictionary will you find success before work"

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by: Ray Buckley @ Wed Jan 30, 2008 at 21:08:59 PM CST

[ Parent ]

That too. (0.00 / 0)

--
If you'd rather abolish Medicare than repeal the Patriot Act, you're not a libertarian.

Twitter: @DougLindner

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by: Douglas E. Lindner @ Wed Jan 30, 2008 at 21:19:59 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Into A... (4.00 / 2)

Into a galaxy far, far away.  He was so good when he just dealt with car safety.  

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by: Rep. Jim Splaine @ Wed Jan 30, 2008 at 21:26:56 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Ralph won't go to rehab (4.00 / 2)

no no no I won't go go go

When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro. HST

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by: JonnyBBad @ Wed Jan 30, 2008 at 22:12:25 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Or maybe we need voters (4.00 / 6)

to actually do their job and make tough, final choices.

Like they have to do when they buy a car, or a tire for that matter.

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by: elwood @ Wed Jan 30, 2008 at 21:42:58 PM CST

[ Parent ]

That too. (0.00 / 0)

But sometimes, that means the downfall of a candidate who, unlike Nader, could be credible but never gets the chance because people are afraid to throw away votes.

--
If you'd rather abolish Medicare than repeal the Patriot Act, you're not a libertarian.

Twitter: @DougLindner

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by: Douglas E. Lindner @ Wed Jan 30, 2008 at 22:09:18 PM CST

[ Parent ]

He "could be credible" (4.00 / 2)

if he actually ran for Congress, or even school board.

But I suppose we could revamp all our election procedures instead.

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by: elwood @ Wed Jan 30, 2008 at 22:19:44 PM CST

[ Parent ]

I'm not talking about Nader. (4.00 / 1)

I'm talking about Richardson, Biden, Dodd, and Edwards.

--
If you'd rather abolish Medicare than repeal the Patriot Act, you're not a libertarian.

Twitter: @DougLindner

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by: Douglas E. Lindner @ Wed Jan 30, 2008 at 22:30:54 PM CST

[ Parent ]

True Story (4.00 / 6)

A few years ago, I found myself sitting next to Nader on a flight from Baltimore to Hartford.  Found him to be a pleasant and down-to-earth guy, and we soon began an interesting conversation.

I told Nadar how much I respected him -- his legacy as a crusader for consumer protection, human rights, and civil liberties.  I then asked him whether he was planning on running in 2008.  He replied that he wasn't sure.  

I then -- gently but firmly -- expressed my views on his 2000 campaign, and my concern that his great legacy would be obscured by his role in electing Bush.  Tried not to provoke him -- didn't want to precipitate a defensive response about all the Dems who didn't vote in 2000, etc.  

So I took a different tactic and asked why Nader wouldn't run in a Democratic primary.  It was a natural constituency, and he could leverage his credibility with progressives to push Democratic candidates towards his agenda.  He replied:  "They wouldn't even let me debate, just like poor Kucinich."  I then assured him that his fame and reputation would make that impossible.  He seemed to agree, and we ended our conversation cordially.

Nader struck me as both frustrated and empathetic -- someone angry enough to run, but vulnerable enough to be persuaded not to do so.  True, he has never apologized for 2000, but has publicly admitted that Gore would have been a much better President than Bush. . . . I would like to see Clinton and Obama engage Nader directly, identify with his progressive legacy, and encourage him back into the fold.  

Might be wrong, but have a hunch that might prove effective.

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by: Dartmouth Dem @ Wed Jan 30, 2008 at 22:53:01 PM CST

Nice story DD n/t (0.00 / 0)

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by: NH Ex-pat @ Thu Jan 31, 2008 at 04:51:33 AM CST

[ Parent ]

No need to apologize (4.00 / 1)

I would be careful to expect apologies from Nader or anyone else. If anything, Gore should apologize for blowing what should have been the easiest election in history to win. If anything, the Democrats who voted for Bush's fraudulent war in Iraq should apologize. The only one who has was John Edwards and he is gone now.  

It should be noted that Gore had a 74 Electoral College vote lead in a slew of polls before his disaster of a first debate performance at UMass/Boston, a month before the election. With the help of the media, he blew the election and Gore has all but admitted it.

When at a book signing in D.C. a couple of years ago, Gore called Nader, "his good friend" and signed his climate change book as such. He seems to have moved on. Everyone else should too.  

Politizine.com

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by: Tony Schinella @ Thu Jan 31, 2008 at 12:10:42 PM CST

[ Parent ]

That's the problem (4.00 / 2)

It looks like Nader may not be moving on.



"When you get to the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on."  Franklin D. Roosevelt    

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by: Kathy Sullivan 2 @ Thu Jan 31, 2008 at 12:43:35 PM CST

[ Parent ]

I voted for Nader in 2000. (4.00 / 4)

We all know how that worked out.

I'm still doing penance and my projected release date is in July of 4578.

"But, in the unlikely story that is America, there has never been anything false about hope." Si se puede. Yes we can.  

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by: Paul Twomey @ Thu Jan 31, 2008 at 06:39:08 AM CST

You were already absolved! (4.00 / 1)

 



"When you get to the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on."  Franklin D. Roosevelt    

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by: Kathy Sullivan 2 @ Thu Jan 31, 2008 at 07:05:20 AM CST

[ Parent ]

don't ever apologize (4.00 / 4)

for voting your conscience.  

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by: susanthe @ Thu Jan 31, 2008 at 14:41:43 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Cheers (0.00 / 0)

for a respectful, principled response.


John Edwards - One of the most decent men I've ever met.

http://www.johnedwards.com

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by: JohnMucci @ Fri Feb 01, 2008 at 08:19:29 AM CST

[ Parent ]

So, surely you're with me on my neverending quest for a better balloting system? (0.00 / 0)

Ranked or instant runoff or single transferable vote or some other system (I don't have a favorite, but I have a least favorite...) better than winner-take-all, which forces voters to choose between their preference and their practicality, which forces great leaders out of races because their would-be voters are afraid to vote for them, which takes the votes of Nader supporters, who would much rather have seen Gore win than Bush, and pits them against their natural allies.

--
If you'd rather abolish Medicare than repeal the Patriot Act, you're not a libertarian.

Twitter: @DougLindner

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by: Douglas E. Lindner @ Sun Feb 03, 2008 at 11:24:14 AM CST

[ Parent ]

My work study student (0.00 / 0)

Yesterday my work study student who just mailed in her primary ballot (MA) for the first time, asked me, "Who's that old guy who always runs for president?"  Of course, I was thinking Lyndon Larouche, but knew that her being a 19 year old from Turner's Falls, MA wouldn't know who that was... so we went through everyone each of us could think of.  She said, "I know if you said his name, I would know it."  So, I continued to rack my brain--- which needs a lot of racking lately, and was watching the ticker under the debate last night when I saw the announcement about Nader's exploratory committee, and realized, Eureka! that was who she was talking about.  Can't wait for her to come to work to confirm it.

BTW, she voted for Obama.  She said she wasn't sure why, just knew she didn't want to vote for Romney...

Feeling hopeful since 2004...

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by: Kelly Nordstrom @ Thu Jan 31, 2008 at 08:52:26 AM CST

'Ralph, don't run' (0.00 / 0)

I apologize for not having all the facts but I have to slide down to MA and back before it glazes over...
In prelude to 2000, I ended up stranded at Logan,with no pilot for a flight to Denver(on United)...Ronnie and Granny D. were my partners there. They were going to nominate Ralph at the Green Convention in Denver, I to a family retreat in the Rockies. Famously sporting an NHDP 96 Co-ord Campaign Victory Tee, I argued the merits of a Democratic Gore Presidency, while he mainly railed and flailed at the two party system, 'they're all the same' rhetoric, bull crap, and slander...I went back for the Dems, accepting his distatse for Clintonism on moral grounds as 100% genuine and heartfelt.
I argued for Choice, The Environment, Tobacco Regs, Gun Control Legislation...the things that to me definitely distinguished Clinton/Gore over any Repuglican Admin ever...
Al Gore coulda been a contenda
Four years later Ronnie made up for choice, to me anyway...he said, "Ralph ,don't run"

posted November 14, 2002 (December 2, 2002 issue)
http://www.thenation.com/doc/2...
The Nation

Ralph, Don't Run

Ronnie Dugger

Given the GOP sweep in the midterm elections, progressives and populists must position themselves to play a pivotal role in the next presidential contest. As we demonstrated in 2000, we are a fragmented political force, divided between those who supported, however reluctantly, the Democratic choice, Al Gore, and those who backed the Green Party's Ralph Nader. But the Bush disaster, compounded now by the meltdown of the Democratic Party on November 5, is an emergency. We cannot afford another division in our ranks that will bring about the election of George W. Bush in 2004.

When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro. HST

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by: JonnyBBad @ Fri Feb 01, 2008 at 09:49:15 AM CST

A message to Mr. Nader: (0.00 / 0)

Yes you can sit this one out.

--
If you'd rather abolish Medicare than repeal the Patriot Act, you're not a libertarian.

Twitter: @DougLindner

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by: Douglas E. Lindner @ Sun Feb 03, 2008 at 11:25:56 AM CST