Please don't run> Gore would have avoided the war if he could have been elected but you ruined his chances

While Nader is part of the reason Bush got away with stealing the 2000 election, and I will always despise him for that, he is far from the only reason. Ultimately, the dem party has only itself to blame for nominating loser candidates. Gore is very appealing now (and I wish he were running again), but in 2000, it was a VERY different story.

Nader might be an egomaniac, but that does not negate all his historic pro-consumer accomplishments and it makes me sick the way they are being denigrated in order to push Clinton or Obama. Name me ONE even vaguely comparable thing either have accomplished for the average consumer?

I consider Nader's endorsement a big plus for Edwards - especially if it means he won't run. Isn't that what dems WANT? So why isn't everybody thanking Edwards for being the one to neutralize that particular danger? Or is it more important to express your sour grapes because Nader didn't support YOUR candidate?

GO EDWARDS!!!!

Congratulations CNN TV!!!

By running the "I-Report hour long segment" 10 times in a weekend and New Year Eve, and New Year day. You have shown me the light of the day. Cable has repetition but you have crossed the LIMIT!

I have discovered my options in FOX NEWS, MSNBC, CNBC, NBC, ABC News, and CBS News.

Bye bye CNN I have been watching you and reading CNN.com for the past decade since you were the TURNER machine.

People, pollsters, pundits give undue importance to the IOWA caucus anyway. Isn’t it time to break the back of this myth of IOWA’s importance? They haven’t picked a winner since 1976. I will wait for Super Tuesday on FOX NEWS though I know they are not FAIR & BALANCED! However they are the most powerful name in NEWS?

Go Hillary44 08! http://hillaryis44.org/ http://www.thehillaryiknow.com/

john best choose by fare he should have been pres 8 years ago AND WE wouldnt be in the mess we are in but i have to say i do beleave our govs pre planed bushes election for just what he has done and that was to take us to war now it is time for edwards to give the country back to the people

There's some amazing ignorance about Nader on display here. Here's a list of a few of the many acts credited to Nader. Can you name any President who has accomplished more for the average citizen of the US?

Freedom of Information Act
National Traffic and
Motor Vehicle Safety Act
Wholesome Meat Act
Natural Gas Pipeline Safety Act
Clean Air Act
Occupational Safety and Health Act
Consumer Product Safety Act
Safe Water Drinking Act
Clean Water Act
Foreign Corrupt Practices Act
Mine Health and Safety Act
Whistleblower Protection Act

Of course, if you don't drink water, breathe air or drive a car you might not be benefitting from Nader's dedication to helping all Americans live better lives.

Just an addendum: having theoretical positions on pre-K, mortgages and Roswell doesn't qualify as walking the walk. She's been a US senator for six years. Besides giving a blank check to Bush to destroy both Iraq and our civil liberties, what has she done?

" a strong Democratic win by someone who actually knows how to make a difference and not just talk about it: Sen. Hillary Clinton!"

This was the best laugh I've had all day.

Ralph Nader has dedicated his entire life to public service. Hillary Clinton has dedicated her entire life to her and her husband's political careers.

Nader has had huge positive influence for American citizens and consumers. Hillary has done nothing of substance for citizens in her life as an elected official or as an unelected one.

You can disagree with is presidential candidacies if you wish. But in terms of public service, there is no debate. Nader is a giant. Hillary isn't even at dwarf level yet.

Interesting comments by Nader. Reading some of the comments above, it's not surprising that fans of corporate tool Hillary got a little snippy about it.

You pathetic as hell Clintonista's make me sick.

You all complain that "we have nobody that sticks up for the lower and middle class in this country anymore" and when you are presented with someone that has ACTUALLY WALKED AND TALKED protecting us ALL, you mock and berate him because he calls out your "Queen" for the fraud that she is.

I stand by previous postings that she could be caught on video robbing a church with a KKK shirt on and smoking a joint and you "sheep" would explain it away as the "church shouldn't have money laying around, the shirt was somebody elses and she didn't inhale".

I can not think of anything Nader could have done more so to help the Clinton campaign and hurt the Edwards campaign.

cnn pays politicans off?

WHO CARE WHAT RALPHIE THINKS — he only WISHES he was as qualified and experienced as Senator Clinton. She should be HAPPY that he did not endorse her—I would.

Regardless of opinions about how Nader's run in 2000 and 2004 affected the outcome of the elections, give the man credit for the amazing work he has done in progressive politics.

I was leaning toward Edwards before and this endorsement puts him over the top for me. Nader has been one of the most important people in the history of progressive politics. He was the man behind such great legislation as The Clean Air Act, The Highway Safety Act, The Freedom of Information Act, and creating the Environmental Protection Agency among others. He is one of the few politicians who has held himself to the same standards as those he works against. He puts the environment, consumer safety, and American citizens above the well-being of corporations or his own profits. If you ask me, that's something we could use a lot more of in politics today.

It is difficult to comprehend the stupidity of the majority of American voters. Many of the comments blame Ralph Nader for eight years of Bush. President Bush was reelected a second time and Nader wasn't even running. Bush was elected a second time after he started the war in Iraq during his first term. It was you Bible thumping hypocrites that put Bush in the second time. Remember the swiftboat ads against Kerry. They must have been atheists. No God fearing Christian would ever dare to run those swift-boat ads.

Yet,you idiots dare to blame Nader for everything that's happened since Bush has been in office. Praise the Lord and pass the ammunition.

I don't think there is anyone in the World that cares what nader says or thinks.. He's just a has been, that like to see if he can keep the Republican party in office… He's for anyone that will give him money, and will fade away in the space of nowhere right after the elections.. to return in 4 years like sewage backing up.. Go home ralphy boy, no one is lessoning to you any more.

Learn the truth about Nader and his runs for the Presidency by watching the documentary "An Unreasonable Man". Here's a little quiz for you Nader bashers who have swallowed the Democratic Party line that they lost because Nader got more than 500 votes in FL. (The winning margin for Dubya): How many other independent candidates got more than 500 votes in FL? Can you answer that one?

Remember, the Democrats and Republicans wouldn't let Nader into the presidential debates because they said he wasn't a "factor" in the election. If he wasn't a "factor", why does he get the blame when Gore lost? Dems looking for a scapegoat, perhaps? Gore couldn't even win in his own state, and then blames Ralph for his defeat! Sounds more like the Dems ran a terrible campaign.

Well Bill in Chicago, you prove my point exactly. Nothing ever will change cause your gonna cow tow every time instead of do what is necessary to get rid of the useless 2 party system. NOBODY knows what would have been history had Gore won. Not even you.

This is not the first time Nader has opted for creating division in the Democratic party–time to retire him as a spokesperson for any faction if he's incapable of keeping his focus on the main issue here: a strong Democratic win by someone who actually knows how to make a difference and not just talk about it: Sen. Hillary Clinton!
In case Nader still does care about consumer advocacy, he should read closely Sen. Clinton's stand on health care, pre-K education, home loan issues, and economic stability, for starters. Decades ago we admired Nader, but he's lost his calling.

Wow, I'm not surprised to see such ignorance and knee-jerk antagonism to a true patriot like Ralph Nader.

Perhaps it would do all of you naysayers some good to simply watch the recent documentary "An Unreasonable Man" to get an understanding for the true scope of Nader's accomplishments.

And the petty "spoiler" labelling because people are unable to think for themselves. Let's provide a few reasons to refute those reasons right now:

–If Pat Buchanan's votes are also counted, he "stole" 2 states from Bush, and would have given Gore the election

–Nader brought many first-time voters or those who would not have voted otherwise, yet people blame him for the 500-odd votes of Nader's 93,000 in Florida…

HOW ABOUT the 250,000 Florida Dems who voted for Bush?

–How about the fact that Gore ran a miserable campaign?

–How about the missing ballots, or that Gore would have won, had he requested a statewide recount?

Consider these reasons before you curl up with bitterness and point the finger.

Congratulations CNN TV!!!

By running the "I-Report hour long segment" 10 times in a weekend and New Year Eve, and New Year day. You have shown me the light of the day. Cable has repetition but you have crossed the LIMIT!

I have discovered my options in FOX NEWS, MSNBC, CNBC, NBC, ABC News, and CBS News.

Bye bye CNN I have been watching you and reading CNN.com for the past decade since you were the TURNER machine.

People, pollsters, pundits give undue importance to the IOWA caucus anyway. Isn’t it time to break the back of this myth of IOWA’s importance? They haven’t picked a winner since 1976. I will wait for Super Tuesday on FOX NEWS though I know they are not FAIR & BALANCED! The most powerful name in NEWS?

Go Hillary44 08! http://hillaryis44.org/

Nader can be a good consumer advocate. As a political candidate, he should be only a second thought or a puch line to a joke. To think that he really believed in 2000 that Gore stole the election from him; what a laugh!

Ralph Nadar didnt do anything to hurt this country ever EVER!!!!!…..Once again reading peoples comments shows that nobody reads the news or pays any conscious attention to anything ever ever EVER!!!…Its really funny to watch people stick up for these politicans when your not ever benefiting from anything they do….Corporations control our legislative system, check and balances dont exist…It dosnt matter which party you favor there all payed off for corporations and they openly admit and it and every says hey i would do that too if it was me so they let them get away with it…But since no one understands the laws of casuality they dont understand thats why their all poor and the jobs are leaving and health care and the insurance scams and the interest rates are going up and up and up faster then any econonomic assesment could possibly explain….Law makers, the congress, the senate, the president…Are all put into power by corporations and they know that and thats why they do their bidding……Why hasnt the idea been proposed yet that if ANY POLITICAN TAKES ANY MONEY FROM A CORPORATION HE NEEDS TO BE REMOVED FROM POWER AND THROWN INTO REAL PRISON NOT FEDERAL PRISON….I believe in capitalism and i think it could work, but its completley out of control and it needs to be regulated in the most dire of ways soon and fast and very very hard do they need to punch all the corporate lights out and say for the best interest of the people where taking this money and all the power you had away from you….When ford was the head of general motors and a true capitalist he said that even the head of the company shouldnt make any more then 40 times that of the normal worker, now it goes something like 4000 times that of the normal worker…….Dont blame Ralph for your failures and the things you wont but should be doing for yourselfs, he makes you look really bad and he makes politicans look really bad…But since when has it made sense that the person making the bad, dishonest people look bad is the bad one????

nader has stated a number of times that he likes kucinich. however, of the top tier candidates edwards has the most progressive run campaign and edwards is actually a guy who is seemingly genuine.
those bashing nader for whatever sourgrape reasons about a campaign that was rigged in florida and ohio should take a better look as well at 2000 and rethink and retrace reality. gore also had lieberman as his running mate, and we all know that lieberman is essentially a shill for the bush admin. gore ran a less progressive campaign in general—and gore is a less corrupt man now than he ever was.
at any rate, nader is relevant. the guy is still taking up issues that matter or should matter–such as gm payola in the radio/tv entertainment industry–things that should be put on the front page–but isn't –because america's fascination with shiny cars and laugh track phony djs.

A lot of folks believe in this guy. I am not one of them, but if I recall correctly, (and I may be wrong) but didn't this guy take just enough of the liberal vote (14%) to put Bush in the White House? That is a lot of Americans who may potentially give their vote to Edwards. A great endorsement.

EDWARDS '08

GreyGoose- Just reprint the book. It has the whole manifesto and you won't sound like a parrot.

Steve - "I did vote for Nader. Yes we ended up with Bush. This isn't Naders doing. The weak spineless individuals that are scared to vote for change, these are the ones to blame. Your to blame for not speaking up and taking a stand, grow some balls and take some action."

You're right, Steve. Nader isn't to blame, you and the other people that voted for him are. You knew that at best you were simply throwing your vote away and at the very worst, helping to elect the idiot who has decimated our country. If you and your kind had simply "grown some balls" and made the decision to vote for a viable candidate, thousands of Americans would not have died in Iraq and our country would not be on the verge of bankruptcy. So much for "taking a stand", eh?

Thanks Ralph…. thanks to you we've been subjected to eight years of Bush due to you splitting the Democratic vote in 2000. I used to respect you for standing up for the consumer & Joe-Public a long time ago. But now I see you for the egotistic wanna-be that you are. Be honest, tell the people how much money you take from corporate and public troughs, Ralph.

if one powerful endorsement changed the progress of our great nation,Heaven help!

Yes Ralph….I don't believe for one minute that lawyers suing doctors, hospitals and drug companies on a daily basis causes our insurance rates to skyrocket….and Edwards is not part of this problem at all….now pass the weed this way…you are bogarting that doob

Edwards was just rendered the Kiss of Death by Hillary and Bill, they Paid Nader to Endorse him!!! he is done Pack it up and go home John. OBAMA will handle this !!!!!! your are over your head. Your just a John Boy, Barak is a Statesman.

Ralph certain knows Hillary, and that she is a great danger to this country. Unfortunately, he must know nothing about Edwards, who is an even bigger danger.

OR maybe, just maybe, could it be because they are both ambulance chasing, liability case trial lawyers???

Romney and Thompson are obviously the only adults in this game.

Sure Hope Edwards makes it
He just plain make more common sense the other canidates

Ralph Nader is a has-been, a spoiler, and a piece of crap, and anyone who follows his advice deserves to have their candidate lose.

HRC for me!

Ralph Nader is an American hero - if you're not old enough to have followed his career, you really should watch "An Unreasonable Man" to catch up with those of us who ignored the abuse heaped on us by the Democratic Party and voted for him in 1996, 2000 and 2004! Listen to him; don't just swallow the party line. That's silly.
John Edwards' recent talk about corporations has largely echoed Ralph Nader; hence, the "glimmer of hope."
Wake up, be glad for each and every endorsement, and don't be so party-blind that you swallloow the lies about Nader.

m

Michael, Cambridge, NY - And there's the final nail in the Edwards campaign's coffin. Here's a tip Ralph, most Democrats can't stand you, so if you want a certain Dem candidate to win the nomination, say you support their opponent!

Maybe he just did!

It is not Nader who took 2.7% of the vote from Gore. It was people like me who voted for him. - Terry, El Paso, TX

You're right that ultimately the blame should go to the Florida Nader voters who thought they were only wasting their votes, but actually were giving the Florida delegates - and the election - to the psychotic Bible-thumping chicken little that ended up as President of our once great country. However, Nader as an individual was in a unique position in that a decision on his part to withdraw from the ballot in this key swing state would have resulted in Gore taking office and would have prevented the deaths of thousands of Americans, hundreds of thousands of Iraqis, and the complete wasting of over a trillion dollars that could have been used to better all of our lives. Unfortunately, his giant ego and smug sense of self-worth led him to put his own interests above those of the United States. In the end, he's been responsible for infinitely more harm to the American people than good.

Can Ralph Nader just go away. He's had his 15 minutes of fame. As the spoiler in the 2000 elections he served the Republican Party well by running as independent and drawing votes from Al Gore. After eight years of Bush, frankly the only thing I would like to read about Ralph Nader is his obituary.

listen this is what this entire thing comes down to for a democrat in the red state of Nebraska. Edwards can win democrats independants and republicans, he has the support to win in a general election. I like Hilary but EVERYONE who is not a hard core democrat hates everything about her and Obama claims that labor groups that fight coorporations are special intersests meaning he is in bed with big business as the republicans. So edwards is the only good candidate who can win and this endorsement shows the universal message of the Edwards message.

Edwards in 08

Nader…. The man who gave us King Bush!!!! Thank God he is not running - spoiling - this year's race for the presidency….

SC Voter-Wake up and read a history book.
PS Send me some of what you are smoking.

Real liberals don't endorse Edwards. Nader's a fake.

I didn't even know Nader was still alive? Nader has always been a joke. So are we suprised that he endorsed another joke?

I did vote for Nader. Yes we ended up with Bush. This isn't Naders doing. This is the lazy uneducated scared mass of American voters who would rather listen to fear mongers like Bush than listening to truth being told about this country and who runs it. by Nader. Course I'm disappointed about this idiot Bush getting in, but putting blame on a man who has stood up for your rights is just rediculous. You and I need to have the guts to stand up and be counted saying we have had enough, or nothing is going to change. The weak spineless individuals that are scared to vote for change, these are the ones to blame. Anyone who doesn't recognize this mans contribution of years of service to consumers in this country is an uneducated voter who won't allow change cause they would rather things go on as usual as long as it doesn't affect them. Well, between congress, the excutive branch, the judiciary branch and corporations with their lobbyists your rights are being stolen right out from under your feet. Wake up and stop blaming someone like Nader . Your to blame for not speaking up and taking a stand, grow some balls and take some action.

This guy's like the Olympics - we only see him every four years, and in between no one cares about him.

I don't know who likes him the most; the Eco-Squirels or the Right Wing Wackos! The Wackos bankroll his circus and the Squirels vote for him, so they can blame the Democrats for not putting someone up they can vote for - like a winner!!.

Aware,

I respectfully disagree your statement. Any individual, who spends two minutes researching Ralph Nader and his accomplishments relating to consumer advocacy and environmentalism in this country will view him as an asset to Edwards' campaign.

Only the uninformed will view him as the so called "spoiler" of the 2000 election. Dare I say, had he come out in support of either Mrs. Clinton, or Mr. Obama there would not be be these iniquitous attacks against Mr. Nader who has devoted most of his life insuring the safety and well being of Americans…all Americans…even the ones who are too dense to appreciate it.

So boR, As you are against socialism, are You against free speech, justice, healthcare, opportunity, environment, education, safe products, good infrastructure, and fair distribution of resources for all, as a good socialist policy would engender and represent? Are you for, maybe, fascism as in corporate hegemony that rules us now? Or false promises of libertarian laisez faire? Dog eat dog, winner rules, so ok to knowingly take this country with smallpox infested blankets. Fine to idly play at lavish parties on lavish estates while thousands (suckers!) slave 16 hours a day in poor health to strip the land to build your wealth? Fine to deny healthcare, including maybe yours, because it costs money? Fine to send the unlucky slobs to die in foreign lands so you can swap jokes in comfort outside your SUV at the countryclub, draining water to create lawns in the desert -so that you can be too lazy to transition from old oil dependent technology and wealth structures to new and profitable and sustainable technologies?

For all those people looking for a "reasonable candidate".

Believe me–the special interest groups fighting for federal cotracts and concessions–are not being reasonable. They are using all tactics available to them to improve the bottom line.

It is time we had a President whose bottom included the needs of the "majority of Americans".

America is predicated on majority vote, majority rule. Yet a minority of wealthy people run the whole show!!1

It is time the "majority" take back the political process and regain their rights to receive appropriate rewards and benefits for their contributions to our capitalistic success. The current reward system is rife with greed, corruption, and disproportinate rewards of the economic success our nation enjoys.

Its unfortunate and distrurbing to read so many hurtful and ignorant comments disparraging Ralph Nader - who has been without question one of the the most effective private citizens in US history . No other American has contributed more to the safety and well being of this country for more than 40 years from seat belts, to food labeling to civil rights legislation. You should all be ashamed of yourselves.

I am glad to see this.

At least in this election he's not splitting the Democratic/Independent votes. While I don't know if a public endorsement is a good thing–it can't be any worse than an endorsement from Chuck Norris or Pat Robertson.

The more the merrier…let's take over the White House and redirect the erred ship of state!!!

Return American to the voters–not the wealthy and special interests who are contriving to maintain the status qou.

X-man cometh needs a history lesson. It was not the Florida Supreme Court that gave us George W. Bush and his gang of thieves. It was the U. S. Supreme Court and the gang of five that made the decision to accept a case that should never have been reviewed by the Federal courts and gave the White House away. Over 400 Constitutional scholars subsequently paid for full page advertisements in the major media confirm that the U. S. Supreme Court had NO jurisdiction involving a state election.

If you look at where Ralph Nader gets his financing you will find out he is funded by trial lawyers and is a "pimp" for them. Look at his record. He is against big corporations because they are ripe for law suits, not the consumers. His book "Unsafe at any speed is a good example, He could't sue VW, even if it had the same faults as the Corvair.
Yes he got us 8 years of this nut case. That should disquqlify him from and credibility. Don't let him ruin this country anymore.

Another thing, NADER LEAVE JOHN EDWARDS ALONE!!!!!

I want Nader and ilk to disappear into the sunset, they gave us 8 years of Bush. I can't recognize my country anymore. Nader have succeeded where others have failed, he destroyed America singlehandedly.

All Green Party supporters I bet are very proud of their accomplishment, they've left a BITTER taste in the mouth of EVERY Americans.

I hope I get the chance to vote for Edwards when it's my turn. He's number 1 for me, then the next three are Republicans. At least the Republicans just come out and say who they serve, unlike Hillary. Hillary scares me to death! And get real, after a year of it's not what you say, it's what you do, Obama will be trounced! Man, he is weak. Democrat in Kansas.

Nadar is endorsing Edwards. YES!! This is most certainly the kiss of death for Edwards's presidential run. Definitely without a win in the first three primaries, Edwards is done.

Grey Goose-I would like to "abuse and demean" socialism in the grandest way possible. It's remarkable you defend that sorry state of affairs. A better commentary on the democrat party could not be conceived.

I welcome anyone's endorsement for this valiant, straight talking personal injury lawyer who wants to restore our power and our country to us.

I am tired of Obama and Clinton playing their own little "Are you smarter than a 5th grader?" game, and never addressing the issues.

I am more than ready for John Edwards' fight, fight, fight. I will answer his call….he's talking about real people—-the ones with the mortgage foreclosures, the ones who are jobless, the ones that have seen their pensions taken away, the ones who do not have decent health care, the homeless, the hungry….the victims of Katrina who are being driven from their home space by opportunistic developers so the land can be sold for more lucrative gain….these are the people John Edwards is talking about when he says:

Fight!Fight!Fight!Fight!FIGHT!

You betcha!

Too bad! Ralph Nader won't help Edwards. Nader's negatives are too high.

President Bush is a perfect example of how important it is to vote for the person who will fight big corporate interests. Ralph Nader has done that all his life. Just do a little research instead of listening to big media and right wing pundits.
To blame Nader for Gore's loss in 2000 is sil;ly and stupid. Gore could not even win his home state of Tennessee or Bill Clinton's home state of Arkansas.
It wasn't Nader that gave us Bush or the present Supreme Court. It was the Christian Coalition and the religious right. In fact it was the Supreme Court that gave us Bush, by violating Florida's states rights, in the first place.

I'm sure many of you so-called Christians will wonder what does he mean by that last statement. Do a little research instead of blowing off steam.

Keep in mind that it was Bill Clinton that gave us NAFTA which is what corporations wanted; not the American working man. And it was Bush and the Republicans that gave us CAFTA. And it wasn't Bush's father that gave us the Iraq war because our President talks to a higher power.

I once had great admiration for Nader, but I find I must agree with Roy (even his description of Nader becoming "fossilized") that, in part, our nation may have been on a much different path had it not been for this killjoy.

Nader's right. Clinton in '08? Hell NO!!! John Edwards is the closest shot we've got to fixing all that the Reagan-Clinton-Bush schmucks broke. Nader is responsible for losing nothing -that was all Al Gore, idiotic United Statesians and the corrupt Florida Supreme Court. Gimme, give all of us a break, whiney-anti-Nader-ites.

The Hilliary debate about so-called Experience has Mr. Nader sharing with us His knowledge of what type of experience is in big supply with her,- experience on how to assist and work With Big Corporations, Pharmas, and $Special Interests!? - I'm glad Barack does not have much of this Liability. I believe His assets of Experience Is with working for and with the People, and the People's Causes and Needs for Change toward American Dream Ideals . - Edwards, well, He is my second choice. But Obama lights me up with Hope and Possibility for All of American Citizens! - Joe Ward (Marysville, Oh)

I realize most Americans have a painfully short attention span but Nader is far from irrelevant or being a nut. He has tirelessly fought and advocated for consumer (citizen) rights and protection long before it was fashionable,long before, apparently many of you who condemn were even born. I take his assessment very seriously. I'm happy the man isn't running himself, which was a disaster for the democrats (and it turns out the American people), but he has earned my respect as a voice of wisdom on this issue (who might actualy fight for the people's rights).

Go watch "An Unreasonable Man" the movie and then talk about Nader.
Know what you are talking about before you talk about it.
Happy New Year.

Who cares what Nader thinks….this man lives out of his automobile so he is basically homeless by his own choice….if he or anyone else thinks Edwards or any other candidate is not going to cater to the special interest groups they are nuts that includes Clinton & Obama as well all of the GOP candidates….It will take a majority in congress & the executive branch WANTING & WILLING to take them on before anything will be done with the special interest groups…Obama running his mouth about how he is going to do away with them if elected is crap….

Tony in Enterprise, AL, how do you know that he was bought and paid for in 2000 and 2004?

This whole political grind is set up like a high school election. I'm waiting for one of them (Dem or Rep) to promise more pop in the pop machines. No one has addressed anything. Everyone understands the middle class? How? Everyone says the same thing over and over and we're to buy into any of it? In Iowa, there are a lot of Ron Paul signs, but no one hears about him.

I'd like a candidate to be more creative in his approach. I would vote for the candidate who would consider living on a salary of $23,000 a year for one month. They would pay for housing, food, gas money, insurance and don't have health insurance. At the end of that month, take what was raised for that candidate and donate it to a charity.

Then, when that candidate would stand before me and say, "I know exactly what you're talking about," it would be genuine. And that's what is not going to happen. No one wants to be genuine. So, on Thursday, I'll go to the caucus and vote.

And there's the final nail in the Edwards campaign's coffin. Here's a tip Ralph, most Democrats can't stand you, so if you want a certain Dem candidate to win the nomination, say you support their opponent!

Do not -Do not!- abuse and horribly demean socialism or Kucinich by equating it or him with communism! That is false, insidious, destructive, or ignorant. Kucinich is a democratic (small 'd') socialist. I haven't noticed that Sweden, which has had a strong and oft influential or ruling socialist politics, is anything resembling USSR or China, nor even Cuba. I haven't noticed that England or France with their much better than ours, yet very socialist, healthcare, are communist.

This spoiler is directly to blame for the state the US is in.

I voted for Nader. I live in Texas. I knew that Bush would win Texas's electoral votes in a landslide. I hoped to help Nader get 5% of the vote so the Green Party would be eligible for federal funding. My vote for Nader did not help Bush at all, though he did not get 5%.

Nader has consistently argued for policies that would make this world a better place. He is a little too saintly and a little too inflexible for the real world, I think, but big personalities have big flaws or so they say.

It is not Nader who took 2.7% of the vote from Gore. It was people like me who voted for him. He had many appealing arguments, and I voted for him because of his positions on the issues. I suspect that many Nader voters were like me, voting for him because (1) we like him and (2) our states were guaranteed to go Republican whether we voted for Gore or Nader.

Those who scorn Nader now are lacking in gratitude for his many accomplishments or they are too young to remember.

Poor Ralph. Here's an old, old man seeking relevance in a world that would rather not have him. Still having delusions of relevance when the people who mattered the most to him can't stand him any longer. It's funny how little we hear of this guy until election comes around. He must be salivating yet again that this election, some morons will be talking of him as if he's still around. Oh yeah, he still is! But who gives a rat's #$%.

People are so nieve if they believe that any candidate will be able to withstand the full-on onslaught of corporate special interest or the mortar rounds from the opposing political camp aimed at destroying a workable policy or the candidates reputation. Politicans seem to exist in a realm outside of the reality lived by every hard-working low to middle class American citizen. Nader isn't the problem. People in this country are afraid. We're afraid that nobody in Washington really cares about what we really need or want; about what's actually best for this country. Our founding fathers intended that government should be by the people for the people NOT by the prostitutes for the johns with the most money.

Nader had said that if Dennis Kucinich won the nomination, he wouldn't have to run. I am shocked and appalled that he would now support a true politician that doesn't even care enough to get all the information before he votes and doesn't even care enough to read what he votes for.

Kucinich is the only choice, and apparently Nader isn't thinking straight anymore.

The ultimate moonbat endorses Edwards.

Why is Edwards in the race again?

Oh, yea, the ambulance-chasing personal injury attorney who couldn't even get re-elected in his own district is the populist who is going to help out the little guy.

That makes sense.

People can say what they want about Ralph Nader as a "spoiler" for the Democrats in past elections, but those attacking the man directly are making an open display of their ignorance. He is one of the most successful consumer, labor, and environmental advocates in U.S. history. The group Nader founded, "Public Citizen," has been credited with facilitating the passage of the Safe Drinking Water Act and Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), and prompting the creation of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). I defy any of the Democratic candidates or their supporters, or the Republicans for that matter, to go on record calling for the revocation of these acts. I want to hear from Hillary, Bill, Michelle and Barack just what a bad and evil guy Ralph Nader is. You won't hear it, because they can't say it. U.S. workers, consumers, and voters, regardless of their political stripes, all have a debt to this guy and we know it. It is to Edwards great credit he got support from Nader and speaks to the high quality of his platform and political ideals.

A Clinton victory will reinforce that the establishment machine power still alive and combined with money can still overshadow the voice of the people.

An Obama win will show that MONEY can buy media and manipulate democracy by bringing untested, inexperienced candidates WITHOUT proven business or political leadership to the front line, and that is a risk!. Obama is a "nice" but risky proposition to our country.

An Edwards win in Iowa will make the Democrats race a real contest and that will be good for the party. He probably doesn’t have the same amount of money than Hillary or Obama; but he has name recognition for real and people can easily be motivated to support his candidacy. he has the best progressive ideas, real agenda and is working hard for the nomination. Edwards wants to change and re energize the Democratic party from the base up, the middle class across party lines; he is fighting for a real chance…no just slogans, his message is clear and sound. When the big press give him enough coverage his message will reach across party lines to independents and some republicans fed up with Washington gridlock and the powers of big corporations and BIG MONEY.

Go Edwards! show that no one can buy the nomination, not even with the Washington oiled machine, lobbyists, big powers or big TV celebrities or big Hollywood and the controlled media. NOT even 200$ million dollars plus free press and oiled Washington or Chicago machines will buy the Presidency!

Edwards? I wish people would vote based on how that person would solve/ deal with issues of the world….bring troops home from Iraq, take care of Osama bin laden remember him? the guy who "DID" attack us!!!!!! by placing soldiers into Afghanistan, sitting down and talking to Iran and North Vietnam you should always talk issues face to face and try to understand not threatened and harass we are a great nation we should start acting like leaders here not the school ground bully vote smart understand Muslims has people not the enemy lets get religion out of government like are forefathers intended and stop political correctness its going to kill us

I'm disappointed she is disappointed. What a way to ruin my day. Attaboy CNN. Keep reporting these epic news events.

Steven,

The key phrase is "used to be".

Ralph Nader was bought and paid for in 2000, and in 2004.

He is a tool of the special interests. And make no kistake about it, his interests come before all others. Why this lieing shell of his former self is given one minute of air time is beyond me. Every time he opens his mouth his legacy, which was once great, is diminished.

At this point, in spite of his protests to the contrary, Senator Clinton has done twice as much for America as Ralph Nader.

What a joke this tired old man has become.

Vote for Kucinich. He is the only true democrat waving the communist banner. All the other candidates are hiding their socialists agendas behind the democrat party.

a vote for clinton is the start of the second amendment being put into place so the government will belong to the people once more.

nobody has given an honest answer to any of the problems that face this county today.

look back and see why we are where we are today… it,s because ther past few presidents forgot who put them in office

the last three mouthpieces should have been impeached… just remember what they did and how they did it.

now is not the time for a lady to be president of the united states. you can thank BILL CLINTON for that. it would just be pay back time if HILLARY gets the job

Sorry, Ralph, but you certainly did tip the election to Bush in 2000. You got close to 100,000 votes in Florida - your supporters were polled on ELECTION DAY and 8 out of 10 said they would have voted for Gore had you not been on the ballot. Yes, I do believe Gore won the state, but with those 80,000 additional votes even the corrupt Bushies couldn't have stolen it. Just think of how things would have been different - an enviornmental crusader AND no Iraq war just to name two. STILL think there's no difference or are you in some Bush-like denial to cover your ego and reputation?

Well, this oughta be the kiss of death for Edwards.

If I were Edwards's campaign leadership team, I'd be worried. Nader has greatly angered a lot of Democrats with his third party runs and grandstanding. Did some good in the 1960's but has been an egotiscal moron since. Another "grandstander" who should just be quiet. The Harold Stassen of our age as he can't stop running either for President or having an acute case of "hoof in mouth".

Ralph malph had his chance when he ran for president, The people didn't like him then and I don't think he pulls much weight now!! Ralph needs to keep trying to figure which soup is better!! lets the big guys play politics.

This endorsement doesn't redeem Nader's arrogant and irrational gift of Bush 43 to the nation, but it shows he is not permanently delusional.

I have always wondered if Nader get paid secretly by Republicans to derail Democrats.

As GreyWolf said, Nader actually knows that Kucinich is the only real Progressive running, but Nader pretty well pissed me off. You'd think if anyone was for an underdog like Kucinich, it'd be Ralph Nader. But yes, Nader has mentioned that Kucinich is the best… unfortunately he's playing the political game now. I'm sorely disappointed.

People keep forgetting that it's possible reason we got Bill Clinton was because of Ross Perot splitting the vote. Remember the Perot-factor?

The majority of Americans did not vote for Clinton. Who really knows how it would have come out if Perot was not in it, but everyone has to admit that it totally changed the dynamics and added many surprises. This year will continue to have surprises.

Get ready for more because even Bloomberg stands to shake things up down the road too. No matter how you slice it someone will split the votes. Some people act like this who process is predictable. However, it's just getting started, but it is funny how Hillary thought she would just go right to the top, but they all know now that that's not going to happen.

what makes this nation great? The chance to voice one's opinions without being hurt physically and hopefully mentally.We have a GREAT NATION! It would be great if all the candidates that loss their run,would take that same PASSION and gear that love towards a national issue just for two years what a difference our Nation could be and it would be great if all of us had a cause that we would be willing to work for with a strong PASSION.

Did you ever wonder why voting booths are private, sometime curtained boxes? Cuz we don't want to know who you are voting for!!

Nadar and Edwards are the among the few who tell it like it is. Americans dont vote in another corporate puppit. Vote Edwards 2008!

So Nader spends seven years hiding in a hole watching our country be destroyed after handing Bush the presidency and now he pokes his head out to give his blessing to Edwards? The Edwards camp must be thrilled - it's like getting an endorsement from Benedict Arnold.

OK, THAT DOES IT! HILLARY, HERE I COME!!
IF THAT MANICAL SLIMY EGO-DRIVEN LOSER
is attacking Hillary, I give her credit being out there and working harding than HE ever did– to keep a coalition of committed actists together., plugging away.
WWMD? What would Madelliene Albright Do? She's been in the trenches.
She supports Hillary. I will follow her lead there.

The individuals expressing negative sentiments concerning Mr.Nader should probably do a bit of research. He has been a constant friend to the American consumer for years. Perhaps most of you posting these negative posts are too young to remember. He is more than a "spoiler" to use your terminolgy. He is a great American and should be commended for his efforts in protectecting the American consumer. Nader will always be relevant. Many of the safe guards you take for granted are due to his efforts.

For the record, why is it necessary to trash a candidate, or someone who supports a particular candidate, to elevate another candidate. It seems to be a pattern with those whose post's support either Mrs. Clinton, or Mr. Obama.

Why would we support Edwards? He couldn't help deliver a Southern state in 2004. I find it funny that he wants to get rid of corporate lobbyists, but he used to be a member of a huge corporate lobby, the National Trial Lawyers Association.

mass media have allowed us to see the input of famous people towards their favorite candidates,praise God for the power of one vote and common sense.I am sure from Alexander the Great to Andrew Jackson to Stalin all had certain backers.Let's not get upset and not vote our convictions.Remember two parties,one GREAT NATION!

While I agree with Nader that Hillary is not the best choice for the country, I don't see how his opinion really matters. If anything, it is liable to stir up those Democrats who still hold a grudge at his past failures in the political ring.

Right you are 'Jeff in Pheonix'. How could this nation except through apathy, ignorance, and irresponsibility not defeat Bush with all the very clear and available evidence against him, not only the the first time but TWICE!!!! To blame Nader or the stolen votes in Florida or Ohio, or the Supreme Court, is shifting accountability away from ourselves.
I have questions of Edwards' actual effectiveness and policies if he is elected, but I support his populist position and realization of the entrenched opposition that runs this nation now. I am sorry that Mr. Nader has so soon dismissed Representative Kucinich who has a long established record of position, intelligence, integrity for the people, for labor, for healthcare, for jobs, for peace, for justice, for energy sanity, against military/corporate/oil/banking/wealth establishment that Edwards has not. (I believe, in the past, Mr Nader has applauded Mr Kucinich's platforms and history.)
I hope the Green party comes to its senses and drafts Kucinich as its candidate too!

Blast that Nader! Doesn't he realize we have THE DEMOCRATS to safeguard our civil liberties? And what a MARVELOUS job they've done!

For people who only know of Nader via the corporate media, and interested in learning more about this incredible advocate, my new book, "What Was Ralph Nader Thinking?" (Wroughten Books) is available at http://thewomandirector.com It will ring some bells in the heads of viral Democrats, who have forgotten Nader's incredible record of service to America. Nader entering the race would be good news for beleaguered Americans.

Ralph Nader should be a non-issue and he created problems for the Democrats by splitting the vote during recent elections. no one should be listening to him unfortunately some uneducated voters may. Hillary 08, amen sister.

Poor Nader - lost in space, as usual. Who gives a flying farkle what he thinks?

Nader. Now thats the pot calling the kettle black!

Nader was always a "spoiler". He is THE reason why we got 8 years of Dubya Bush Jr.. Had it not been for Nader's politics Al Gore would have been our 43rd President but then we may not have witnessed the Inconvenient Truth about the environment.

Florida 500 votes Al Gore defeat at the hands of the 5 Supreme Court judges was because NADER put his butt in where it did not belong. Like Bloomberg is trying to do now in 2008.

Go Hillary44 08! http://hillaryis44.org/

nader is absolutely right on target. Democrat and Republican party are the same. Prove of that is the fact that the US soldiers are still in Irak, Inmigration issues are never solved by either parties, the cost of health care is going to kill us, we are still depending on foreign oil, althoug we are the super power with the best Universities of the world. College tuition has skyrocketed and more and more jobs are going oversees.
What's the answer? A third alterntive that can break away from corporate powers in DC. Maybe Bloomberg and Obama if the last one does not get the nomination?
Maybe..
Al

Nader gave us Alito and Stevens, and he may be a "fossil", but this is a valuable endorsement of Edwards.

I will never forget that it is Nader who helped put Bush and his neo-con cronies into definint national policy. Nader is an anethema, -just as corrupt, -just as unscrupulous that he seems to attack those he does not agree with. He is a buffoon and a has-been.

He SHOULD be supporting Kucinich. Nader is WAY past his sell-by date.

a loser picking another loser

Isn't voting Hillary means voting Bush again? I donot undersatnd how do they differ on any issue that matter most for the country…

Nader and Edwards, wo mail cannot make anything….

Go for Obama…

This man handed Bush power for eight years and now he is trying to do the same thing again. He has done more to help the corporate interests he rails against than any other person in America. The people who voted for him in 2000 and 2004 were wrong then and would be just as wrong now to listen to him now. Why doesn't this man do everyone a favor and just disappear.

Nadar is a bum. He was once relevant but is now considered an egomaniac.

Blame Nader for the Dems' failures at the polls? Give me a break. Anything short of a landslide victory for the Dems over Bush should have been viewed as an utter failure of their party to hold Bush and his cronies accountable for the dismembering of the Constitution, rule of law, and Habeas Corpus. Nader is a true American hero. Edwards should be honored for his endorsement.

A VOTE FOR NADER WAS A VOTE FOR BUSH. A VOTE FOR EDWARDS IS A VOTE FOR HILLARY!!!!!!!! YEHEYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY

Slightly important, I think it'll sway independents for Edwards…not real sure though. Every endorsement counts though, so no complaints here.

Byron,
You should take heed to two facts.
First, Nader doesn't actually come out against Obama. Although he endorses Edwards he doesn't say Obama will be bad for the country.
Second, Nader and Edwards both worked professionally in the private sector against corporations. I'm not surprised that Nader would support the guy that reminds him most of himself.

Obama '08

Sen. Barack Obama’s campaign manager has spent the final days of the Iowa campaign railing against “big interests” that have poured a “flood of Washington money” into the state in “underhanded” efforts to support his rivals.

But more than three quarters of that money has come from a pillar of the Democratic Party: labor unions.

And top union officials who support Obama’s rivals are in turn accusing the Illinois Democrat, who once sought their endorsements, of trying to damage labor’s political role.

“I’m taken aback that somebody like Obama would think that Oprah Winfrey has a greater right to participate in the political process than the four million people I represent,” said Edward J. McElroy, the president of the American Federation of Teachers, which has spent $799,619 on Sen. Hillary Clinton’s behalf, referring to the television host’s high-profile support for Obama. “It’s sour grapes. It sounds just like the charges the Republicans make.”

Gerald W. McEntee, the president of the other major union supporting Clinton, wrote on Huffington Post that “the Obama campaign’s criticism of our political action committee and some of the so-called 527 efforts, such as the one organized in support of [John] Edwards, is troubling because they are suggesting that workers are somehow a special interest, just like insurance companies and the pharmaceutical industry.”

”We fight for the general interest,” wrote McEntee, whose American Federation of State, Municipal, and County Employees has spent $1,409,312 boosting Clinton and criticizing Obama.

Jennifer Farmer, a spokeswoman for an Ohio Service Employees International Union council – one of several unions that have given more than $1 million combined to a fund that aids Edwards – dismissed Obama’s complaints as “politics as usual.”

The independent support – $2.7 million on Clinton’s behalf, $2.1 million on Edwards’ at the last count – is flowing simply at too high a volume for Obama to shrug off, and it’s immediately noticeable on the airwaves and in the mailboxes in Iowa.

So his campaign has tried to make the most of it, using it to raise money in urgent emails, to cast him as a reformer to reform-minded Iowans, and to cast Edwards – who says he opposes the spending – as a hypocrite.

Obama himself has avoided denouncing the union spending. “I love labor,” he said, when asked directly last week whether he thought the unions had a right to spend, saying his problem was with contradictions in Edwards’ stance.

He has also said he’ll accept outside funding if he’s the Democratic nominee, unless his Republican opponent also turns it down.

(McEntee cited a quote from New York Times columnist Paul Krugman in which Obama appears to refer to labor unions as “special interests,”

Wow, are these Nader haters emotional. No fact is allowed to intrude into their minds.

Scary.

Actually Ralph is correct: there's finally an actual Dem with a chance to win, so Ralph doesn't have to run. There's no reason for Ralph to campaign on the Democratic issues he's always run on. There's now an actual Democrat, an authentic one. No triangulation. No compromise with corporate power.

John Edwards. We have waited a long time for you.

Hillary didn't get an endorsement from Ralph Nader? We ALL know how important the Ralph Nader endorsement is don't we? Oh wait, he's never had ANY effect on Presidential elections. I suggest Ms. Clinton go out and get little Tommy's, in kindergarten at the local elementary school, endorsement. It's her trump to Edwards Nader. I'd actually give it more creedance, at least it's an opinion coming from someone who hasn't used political campaigning as a playground.

Mr Nader–isn't he Karl Rove's cat's-paw?

I can't believe the comments left here by fanatic supporters of other candidates! Who in his or her right mind wouldn't listen to Nader? He's fought for consumer rights against the true evil, corporate giants enslaving the simple-minded who work for them.
As for me and my household, I believe in a decent, up from the bottom kind of candidate who knows the ins and outs of corporate strategies to master the working millions. The best candidate, who knows there are two Americas is John Edwards. And I'm not even a Democrat!
I like Obama for his rhetoric and inspiration, but has a slimy past associated with influence from construction interests. Can he ever free himself from influenc?
The Clintons seem to mean well, but have been duplicitous in the past; it's difficult to "move on" when you feel someone has a hidden agenda to appease their own self-interests. Call it paranoia, but I can't help feeling the Clinton crowd would promise any "pie in the sky" to the dummies who think they are demi-gods. Whew! Just can't stand the plume they emit.
But, ultimately, the people get the government they deserve; which is just another way of saying, "If you don't stop the stupidity in and around government, you'll just get the same old nonsense of gridlock and inertia." Good luck, what's left of America.

Thank you gawd for Nader supporting Edwards….you have made it so easy..Obama 08

Well folks isn't it about time that someone comes along and tells like it is - That is that big oil - big business and special interest have for to long controlled all that we are and could hope to be? John Edwards is the only hope that we have - if anyone believes that Clinton or Obama is going to stand up for the middle class of
America then I have a bridge to nowhere to sell and a pocket full of earmarks that I would like to have filled. It is my belief that only Edwards will make sure that ALL people in this great country have medical insurance and that lobbyist no longer control the doors of the white house. I have listened carefully to the Hot Air that is released each time Clinton and Obama speak and do not believe them for one second. Be safe and Happy New Year to all

Ralph Nader is absolutely right regarding Hillary (and Bill) pandering to corporate interests. That's why we are currently experiencing the declining dollar and jobs shipped to China or third world labor markets.

Yes, Ralph had a hand contributing to the Democrat defeat in 2000. But he has always defended consumers rights. And we know where those rights have headed in the past 7 years. Right down the toilet, that's where!

I'm still behind Obama or Dodd. Edwards didn't effect the last election. I think he could have shown a stronger effort against Dead-Eye Dick during the Veep debate last time.

I seriously doubt Edwards can sway enough independents to win the election. Obama certainly has that strength.

Ralph who?

Well that finishes Edwards chances.Ralph Nader's support is the same as the owner of a professional sports team giving "a vote of confidence" to the manager or head coach.It really means "don't let the door hit you on the way out".The party's over.

If not for one book,Ralph Nader would have had to work and have an actual job like the rest of us and he wouldn't be able to do it very well unless being a chronic complainer is part of the job description.

GOODBY MR.EDWARDS!DON'T LET THE DOOR………!
You CAN do something to help us all out,take your wife with you.That will give you a couple more years to re-write the speeches,programs and plans of this years candidates and try to run on them next time.If you get a real campaign manager instead of Elizabeth who knows,you might have better luck next time but ……only if Nader supports someone else.

Nader may be insignificant, but he's right on the money about Hillary. If the Dems are dumb enough to nominate this polarizing banshee, I hope a whole slew of third party candidates spoil her so badly that Nader's little stunt in 2000 will look like child's play.

"Why does CNN waste their efforts and print Space on this PHONY? "

++++++++++++++++++

Don't get me wrong, I am not a Nader junkie. ..I did not, nor would I, vote for him. You can call him a lot of things, but not "phony". This man walks the talk….I think he really believes what he says. A bit of a rarity in Washington.

A vote for Clinton is a vote for the man behind the curtain! The man behind the curtain runs the present bunch of criminals.Just say NO TO BUSH LITE.

Ugh. I was between Obama and Edwards. This makes me go with Obama for sure. It even makes me think more highly of Clinton. Didn't Nader have this same angry rhetoric against Gore, telling us there was difference between the two? The man is out of touch with reality.

Ralph Nader an Icon? You mean a Pecan(Nut) !Why does CNN waste their efforts and print Space on this PHONY? Ms. Clinton surely does'nt need this "Never Was" supporting her efforts!

I Really do hope this Idiot don't run again!! Clinton 08

Who cares who nader is for. His opinion is a non opinion as far as I am concerned. He showed his true colors in the last election, turning this great country over to a egotistical cowboy and taking this country to the lowest levels it's history. nader needs to find a cave and crawl in it and enjoy his own company and give the rest of us a break.

We can thank this fossil for eight years of Bush for his splitting the Democratic vote in 2000. Talk about irrelevant.

Who?

Hillary pander to corporate interests? Can this be?