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
© 2012 Cable News Network. Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
| Advertising practices | Advertise with us | About us | Work for us | Help | CNN Newsource | License Footage
go home nader. we dont want you.
Oh, Nader, please! Just retire already!
Ralph Number...oh boy another idiot to get rid of.
Obama!
Always room for one more idiot. Now thats what we need a Nader-Paul ticket. Good grief!!
Ralph THANK YOU for ENTERING the race! I can't vote for McCain or Obama if he's the nominee for the Democratic Party.
I can't choose between TWO EVILS (McCain and Obama), they're both the SAME.
You'll have my vote Ralph and campaign contribution. THANK YOU VERY MUCH!
No one cares, and no one will vote for you. You're legacy is already defined by ruining one election... thinking of going for another? Well done. Please, go away.
Noooooooo!!! Why????? Nader is the reason the Republicans won last time – way to split the Democratic vote.....
Beginning to question Nader's motives and character. After all this time and past track record, it looks like nothing but a publicity stunt. Please just sit down and shut up. If you aren't part of the solution, you are part of the problem. America doesn't need this.
Older than John McCain? Check. Ego the size of Jupiter? Check. Won't listen to anyone who doesn't completely agree with him? Check.
Yeah, Ralph Nader is just what we need in a president. A 75-year-old version of George W. Bush. Next thing you know he's going to be yelling at people to get off his lawn.
I wrote to his website- telling him to GO AWAY. He already delievered GW Bush in 2000! This is a man who used to be one of my champions. He's went from champion to chump. Democrats: Don't let him do us in again!
What is it with these Johnnie come lately's? Obviously Mr. Nader, you have no respect for the other candidates and all of the hard work that they have already put in on their campaigns. You're also ignoring what most of the voters already would like to have in a president, and that's the clear and strong leadership of Senator Barack Obama.
Frankly, arrogance should have no place in this years presidential election. This will be Naders third or fourth time running for president. So with that in mind, what part of NO doesn't he understand from the American people? It's better to simply leave well enough alone Mr. Nader.
A Repub in uhh, sheeps clothing. Yeah, thats it. Nader must be bored this week.
So, basically this is just a political fluff job...He has no chance of winning nor ever will. So he likes to be center of attention and blow the democrats chance to win.
Ralph Nader at seventy- four is old in his thinking, and whatever pulse on the society he had in the past does not exist anymore. He can only paralyse the two democratic candidates running for president as he has done in the past two elections. Independents want a "good" change for the country, not "dissent", which in his case is about the same as an republican victory which will keep things at status quo. Rethink your running, please. jk
what is this man trying to prove?
please anyone who would vote for nader vote for obama. please
wow! I thought I had finally seen an election where this guy was not involved. Will wonders never cease? Maybe Al Gore will decide to run as well and instead of a three ring circus we can have a four ring one...
Good, Nader, good! You are welcome in this race, and I hope you get on the ballot in every state. Just be sure to get really well organized so you can get out the vote!
Good slogan: More voices, more choices!
This guy is a complete waste of time. He's a moron.
If we think McCain is too old! This distresses me terribly. Just when the democratic party is getting it's legs under it, along come the "lets split the party and really give the Republicans a chance".
I see Nader could give some meat to the debates, so perhaps that will push Barack to let people see how his knowledge on foreign policy has been kept under wraps.
I've read his "The Audacity of Hope" and am amazed by his intuitive grasp on the complexity of foreign policy.
Hillary is intelligent. However, many "intelligent" people don't necessarily possess "good sense." I see a lot of Hillary's decisions reflecting that that is true.
Barack, on the other hand, reflects extremely good judgment as well as a hearty dose of common sense.
Who cares!
he should stop this ...why does nader insist on ruining a sure win for the democrats in november... shame on him
NO!!!!!!!!!!!
I officially dislike this man.
We might as well just inaugurate McCain now and get it over with.
OH YEAH BABY!!! HILLARY SUPPORTERS WE'VE GOT THE ANSWER TO OUR PROBLEMS SHOULD THE DNC SCREW THIS ONE UP AND NOMINATE OBAMA FOR THE DEM TICKET. NADER IS A VERRRRRY STRONG SECOND CHOICE, AND THIS VERY WELL MAY BE OUR LAST CHANCE FOR A JEFFERSONIAN REVOLUTION UNDER THE LEADERSHIP OF SOMEONE AS TALENTED AND INTELLEIGENT AS NADER. WHOO HOO!!!
HILLARY '08 IF NOT....NADER '08
Gee, how long before this news item positively swims in posts. There's nothing much useful to say here. A handful of libertarians and unrealistically dreamy far-lefters will put forth intellectual and ethical defenses of why Nader's run is valid. And these types are generally defiant and impossible to reason with, to the bitter end. They're exasperating, like Nader, who seems to only heed himself. Ralph will dance some high concepts around, all in the realm of the mind. Meanwhile the VERY REAL vastly hurting realm of the tangible physical world, the fires burning underneath our feet, remain ignored. What you SAY pales to what you EFFECT. People are HURTING Ralph. Your high-minded egotism is as bad as that of George Bush. Reflect for a moment that, perhaps unwittingly, you are actually an idealog, every bid as dangerous as the far-right. And intentional or not, you have the effect of a Republican shill. As long as you insist on running, in the interest of all, and this country I love, I do not wish you well. I don't think America does either. Ralph, you have not cornered the market on smarts. Have some faith that Americans are not all a bunch of dummies that need your "leadership". Pack your high-minded "revelations" and go home. OK, pardon me. Better yet, roll up your sleeves, and actually DO something in the physical world to empiracally help people. Well, at 75, he's not likely to change or learn anything new. To all you good voters, don't complain, save your breath, just don't vote for the guy.