Donât look now, but a certain third party candidate is considering a fourth presidential campaign.
Consumer advocate Ralph Nader told the Green Party’s national convention that he is considering a 2008 presidential run and accused Democrats of trying to shut smaller parties out of the political process. […]
Nader said before jumping into the 2008 presidential race he would have to put together an organization of thousands of volunteers and pro bono lawyers to defend him against the “Democratic quadrennial assault.”
“We’re going to be ready for them. We will confront them on every level,” Nader told a news conference.
What’s unclear at this point is why Nader wants to run. He recently conceded that he doesnât expect to win a presidential race, he doesnât expect to change the Democratic agenda, he doesnât expect to appear in the debates, and he doesnât even expect to make the ballot in every state.
Asked what the point of a fourth unsuccessful campaign would be, Nader told the Politico, âWhat third parties can do is bring young people in, set standards on how to run a presidential election and keep the progressive agenda in front of the people. And maybe tweak a candidate here and there in the major parties.â
It’s hardly a persuasive pitch. Major parties can and do bring young people into the process, Naderâs multiple efforts have never affected election standards, and his campaigns have generally done a poor job of promoting progressive ideas (preferring instead to focus on his disdain for the two major parties).
As for âtweakingâ candidates, thatâs a pretty shallow reason to launch a presidential bid.
