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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He's my choice if Obama becomes the nominee, I can't support a Media/Obama ticket.
Cant someone young, innovative, educated join the race? If Rolland Martin was to run for President i would get an American Citizenship just to come vote for him. He seem to have appetizing understanding of was at stake here for America and the World. Nader ?? Who will see Nader?
you stupid man.....
Oh, wonderful. The Great, Gangling Nebbish is in the race, the man who handed the White House to George W. Bush and then later had the audacity to call for his impeachment. I certainly hope the people who voted for him in 2000 have the common sense to rethink that choice.
Who Cares!!
Thank you Ralph Nader, I am an African American Democrat, but if Hillary Clinton does not win the Democrat nominee, I will definitely be voting for you. Thank you for giving me other options.
Why do so many Americans harbor such uninformed, immature views of Ralph Nader? It doesn't take much to understand that citizens have the right to vote for whomever they feel ought to hold office. How dare anyone criticize others for that.
For someone who has no chance of winning, Nader needs to just go away. I value democracy and open dialogue, but Mr. Nader is reaching the level of absurdity.
Selfishness at best! Why does a man who know he stands no chance this late in winning the general election enter the race? For those democrats who say they'd vote for Nader should Obama win the nomination, keep in mind how your attitude epitomizes the divisive politics that has led this country to chaos. Please, do not vote out of spite.
What a political waste of space!!! Why run? He must be a closet Republican. This can only help McCain, and hurt Obama.
Ralph, stick with what you do best. And that's not running for Prez!
Here we go again! We probably wouldn't be in the mess we are in now if he hadn't helped the Republicans in 2000. That didn't end up helping his cause. Despite his wonderful work, there comes a time when you need to put your cause before your own interests.
Now we have another old man joining McCain in the race. Is there no age limit?
Now at least there is a white man people can vote for on the left.
We have looked behind the curtain before and the Wizard is not a Wizard at all but an old man filling his balloon with more hot air.
Clinton is correct. Nader is an unwanted distraction and anyone who votes for him is handing the presidency over to the Republicans and allowing them to keep our men and women in Iraq for "maybe a hundred years," which according to McCain is fine with him. It's not fine with me; come on Texas and Ohio, let Clinton bring them home!
Hillary is the candidate that can take on both and win. People better stop and rethink where they are trying to head in this election. There will be a lot of people expressing regrets if they do not.
Ralph Nader is apparently seeking more attention for himself again. Instead of working with a candidate, working with other elected officials, working with people in various organizations around the country who want to see change, peace, and the economy turn around, Mr. Nader thinks he should attempt a last minute stab at the White House again. Why? His ego must be more prominent than his street smarts for doing stupid things.
This is just as sad and George W. thinking he did anything good in the last 8 years.
Woe is U.S.
Well, if so many Hillary lovers hate Obama so much that they would vote for Nader if Obama wins,
then I will be just as ignorant and promise I will vote for Nader if Hillary wins.
So that just about guarantees the democratic party will self-destruct once again.
So . . . .
Long live the war in Iraq!
Long live no health care!
Long live inflation out-pacing our wages!
Long live tax cuts for the rich!
Long live the exporting of our jobs!
Long live our threatening of countries around the world with bombs and death!
Long live the republicans!!!
Welcome President McCain. Who should we attack first?
Nader will blunt Barack's hype. Mahalo Ralph! Now all we need is Michael Bloomberg.
I will vote for anyone but the arrogant, self serving, pontificating, ego driven, control hungry baby Barack and his instant gratification mantra.
Re: Barack's Nader comment – Wow! Talk about the pot calling the kettle black!
Hillary the HOPE of 08
Hillary can do the hard work of reconciliation and restoration that is necessary for true forgiveness. This will bring real change
Al Gore lost in 2000 because he failed to win his own state of Tennessee.
Anything is a big welcome as long as it messes up or spoils Obama's presidency bid!
Will someone PLEASE inform Nader that his ego has run off without him again and that his messiah complex can be found leaping around the Geriatric ward.
When will this guy pull his hand out of his shirt front and take off the Napoleon hat and go back to bed?
Time for a change in the country Ralph...and you aren't it!
OBAMA '08
on meet the press nader gave his reasons for entering the presidential race-listening to them,the list seemed the same that it has been for years and years. the only thing he left out was the corvair automobile! he is a plant for the republican party,and i mean just that......a plant.
he must be paid well by the republicans to disrupt the election. the republicans cannot duplicate the momentum for mccain that has been generated to barak obama. the other day they talked maybe they could get condi rice to team up with mccain. that would beat out the democrat ticket. it would be a black woman as a vice president. WOW! what a ticket that would be. well,back to nader,the republicans and nader have really stooped so very low.
Obama can not beat McCain. Wake up people!
Be wise, elect HIllary for the nomination. She picks Obama for VP, and they win by a landslide. Any other combination, and McCain is president.
I will vote for Hillary based on this analysis on March 4th in Texas.
I hope democrats will not be dumb enough to waste a vote on this guy again. People voting for him in 2000 is the reason the democrats lost the White House to the current administration. The current administration has ripped this country apart and placed us in an endless war in Iraq.
Gore lost to Bush by 500 votes in Florida in 2000. If Nadir had not been in the race, the democratic party would have controlled the White House. I hope democrats will not make the same mistake again this time around and vote for a candidate that has no chance to win and will help the republicans continue their current control.
We all know you're being paid off by the GOP, Nader.