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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Can America ever have an election that does not resemble
a Comedy Hour or Laugh In?
Guess Bloomberg will be next now ... And then Karl Rove.
why??????????
Hopefully someone donates a Corvair for him to use as a campaign vehicle.
It is too late for Mr. Nader. And if you think the Latino vote for Barack Obama was low because of his name being unpopular to them, then Mr. Nader can surely count their votes out. Besides, where has he been during all of the crucial debates...what/where are his views on the economy, healthcare, and the Iraq war? These are things we need to know about him, and he has too short of a time to convince people that he is on point with these things. Forget it Mr. Nader, it's just not going to happen.
Oh, no!! Not again. What a spoiler!
Excellent news for John McCain!
too bad!!!
don't think he'll achieve much – maybe a little bad publicity!
Rush Limbaugh thanks you!
Hopefully you can pull enough votes to sink the dems and put "Bomb bomb bomb Iran" McCain in the white house.
What a goofball.
Catch the Tina Fey SNL Weekend Update.
Congratulations Democrats ;(
Now the race gets silly.
STAY OUT NADER.!
-BECAUSE OF YOU IN 2000 WE GOT STUCK WITH BUSH
Go away Mr. Nader. Why do you wish to have four more years of bush style policy under Mccain?
As independent or as GP candidate? I know nader won GP primaries in California but there are others greens seeking nomination.
Yeah! Now the left has its own Ron Paul!
Here we go again! The perennial spoiler. Had he not siphoned votes that might have gone to Gore, we would not have had this seven year nightmare known as George W. Bush. He serves no good purpose to America or to its people.
If Mike Huckabee does not get the nomination and big corporations and the media is going to shove Clinton, McCain or Obama down our throats then YES GO RALPH NADER!
Please don't do this Mr. Nader. I have problems with the two party system, but you running for president is just a waste of time, money, and effort. You won't win. The only thing you could possible do is take votes away from the democratic candidate. I can understand you running once, but now it reeks of ego. Just sit this one out.
Nobody really cares about NADER. Nevertheless, by the simple fact to
appear on the ballot and his opposition to the traditional parties, h will carry some protest votes, especially some from Hillary's former supporters unhappy with Obama, even if the bulk of these will rather abstain
TOM
I think it would be great if nader won.... but lets be real all he is going to do is take votes away from the democrats... so either he should withdraw his candidacy or we will be faced with another republican party in office
I guess Nader really likes the idea of a President John McCain then, eh?
That's the only thing his running for president helps to happen.
Good for Nader! I applaud his decision. The Dems are going to hate him for this and the GOP will be celebrating...what a great day.
It's a shame to see a man who once did so much for this country with his consumer activism reduce himself to jousting at windmills. It makes me wonder whose compaign will be undermined this time.
Nader = real change
Please go to: YOUTUBE AND TYPE IN HEADLINE NEWS POLITICS..LUISA 1331..TALK ABOUT INJUSTICE, THIS VIDEO HAS BEEN SENT TO SEVERAL SENATORS, PRESIDNETIAL CANDIDATES ANSD SO ON..PLEASE READ THE COMMENTS
Good, if Obama gets the Dem nod, I have someone to vote for other than him.