WASHINGTON (CNN) - Ralph Nader announced Sunday he is entering the presidential race as an Independent.
In an interview with NBC's "Meet the Press," the consumer advocate said great changes in U.S. history have come "through little parties that never won any national election."
"Dissent is the mother of ascent," he said. "And in that context I've decided to run for president."
Nader, who turns 74 this week, complained of the "paralysis of the government," which he said is under the control of corporate executives and lobbyists.
It marks his fourth straight White House bid - fifth if his 1992 write-in campaign is included.
Nader's entry into the race did not come as a surprise to political watchers.
On Sunday, Sen. Barack Obama criticized him. "My sense is that Mr. Nader is somebody who, if you don't listen and adopt all of his policies, thinks you're not substantive," Obama told reporters when asked about Nader's possible candidacy.
– CNN's Josh Levs
From CNN Politics
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The kettle calling the pot black. Nader is a proven leader. You just talk about leadership. Go Nader 08
Finally,
A capable person to bring Democracy to this Republic!
"Dissent is the mother of ascent" Great quote. Obama would disagree since he wants to "unite" this country and make no disagreement at all. Hitler wanted to do the same thing.
But Melissa E. likes Obama so he must be good.
When will this "clown" get the message to just get lost already.
The only thing I can figure is that he is a closet Republican who waants to do his part in sticking the US with another failed Republican President.
LOL,LOL,LOL Lou Dobbs VP LOL
I can't believe he is running again. He is one of the causes for Bush winning the election. If he believes it or not he is going to cause a republican to win presidency. I beg all Democrats and Independents to not vote for him, I don't want another republican for office, I don't want another 8 years + in Iraq.
Its his fourth Bid for presidenency he wont win, becuase he only splits democratic votes. huckabee as already said that it helps republicans win becuase most republicans never go for Nader.
Why is Nader entering the race for the White House in February 2008? If he was so concerned about the problems of America, he would lauched a campaign several months ago. Each (Clinton, Huckabee, McCain and Obama) has run his/her campaign for more than a year and worked very hard.
Nader, I am an independent but have no intention of voting for you. It would be a wasted vote.
Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hey Ralph – You have zero accomplishments – all you ever really did was write a title for a book about a car that wheel chaired an insurance company lawyer with pearl handle 457s. I hope you vote for yourself.
Here he goes again. Is this legal?
A time wasted !! I don't blame him for wasting his money on the media and his supporters.
what I don't undertand , is why will some American waste their vote for Nader when they know he is just in for popularity contest?.
Oh no not again! Why can't Ralph Nader go quietly into the night. Sure some of the issues he believes in are important but he has no hope of getting elected. He looks ridiculous.
OH.................MY.................GOD! Is he serious????? Is he???? Man, there is no doubt that this is evidence suggesting what state of the country is.
On the bright side, he probably had an illusion...........LOL!!!!!!! Na'h, na'h I'm just playing. He probably is bored, I guess. LOL!!!!
Here we go again. Nader is a narcissistic idealouge who has this grandiose warped sense that he is a viable candidate. Unfortunately all he is going to do is chip 2% from whomever is the democratic nominee. Ralph for once put your country ahead of yourself and stay home this election year. YOU ARE THE REASON BUSH WAS PUT INTO OFFICE I think you have done enough damage
Nader has truly made a Greek tragedy of his life. He has gone from being a hero of mythic status in changing the way government is employed in protecting the public from commercial interests to handing the White House to the most corporate-driven and dangerously inept president in the history of the country. Then his epilogue is that of a buffoon who's ego won't let him stop running for President even tho the stark reality of his lack of support couldn't be any clearer.
The telling point is that discussions of his run do not even pose the question "Can he win?" as was done with Bloomberg. Instead it's "What effect will his run have?" In other words, does he even have the power to inject a 2% spoiling into the race which to date has been his greatest accomplishment as a political candidate.
You're 74 years old Ralph. 3 years older than McCain. Go home. Enjoy your grandchildren. Plant a garden. Start a stamp collection. Leave us alone.
people are hip to his game. He is so transparent. Obama is still going to win because he has a solid base.
TEXAS FOR OBAMA
Please tell the ridiculous, old man to go home. He is an
embarrasment to all mankind.
Come on Ralph. Somebody has to take over an stir up this Election.
So far it has been , he said , she said, then we have the Times , with what they said , he said.
Time somebody does it right. It all would make better head lines.
Nader an Obama . OK!!!!! I agree.
Nader, seriously?
Well, I see the repubs are at it again. They know they can't defeat Hillary, but can beat Obama. So they hire Nader again,to keep smearing Clinton who is clearly the best choice for AMERICA.
GOD save US from repubs and Obama, the WRONG choices.
Ralpn Nader need to go some where and set down, we need to be asking our self who told him to come out and run. Because last week he said that he would not run. So how can any one vote for some one who LIE.
Obama has done more to advance the ascent of 3rd party politics by virtue of his success thru proportional representation in the dem primaries. If is wins that national presidency, he would be the best case to expand that democratic practice to our electoral college.
Nader reflects 2 things. One is the old laundry list of liberal issues. And you're either for them, or you're not an authenic liberal. It's a tired non-strategy that fails the people its supposed to help. Second is a subtle white man's elistism in the liberal cause. I agree, both Barack and Hillary have made compromises in their positions, particularly devicive positions. But their compromises are not borne out of a lack of personal integrity or some selfish political agenda. Our political history is one that has shut out women and blacks. Get it, Ralph. they're dealing with things way beyond your tired, failed laundry list of liberal causes and complaints.
Turn the page.
This Guy is a joke. Nader just miss the public spotlight.
Than you Ralph,
Definately, if Obama is the nomanee ,that guy has no experience,he copies everything Clinton says and write big speeches.
De-rail his nomination if he is,you are the only one who can do this .
Just campaign in big states like CA,AND ONCE AGAIN FL.
THANK YOU SIR.
I voted for you in 2000. Please go away in 2008, Nader.
We have in Obama as close to a legitimate candidate for the people as can realistically be expected in this day and age. All you're doing is taking an ideological Ron Paul approach and stripping votes.