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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Finally someone will talk about the need for REAL universal healthcare and getting rid of the Constitution shredding PATRIOT Act, Military Commissions Act and getting corporate lobbyist influence out of Washington!
Hillary Supporters-
This is the end for you. Most of the American people KNOW that universal healthcare does not work. How? We are a nation of immigrants. Many of us have relatives, friends, acquantances in Canada, Germany, Britian, etc. We know their health systems are vastly flawed and Hillary's plan is not a SOLUTION...
Not only that, but Hillary keeps yelling at us like a nagging 'white-house-wife'... (clever huh)
Obama Nation baby!
Nader has to be getting some pretty decent money or other type of compensation from some Republicans....is there just no way to find out who and how much it takes for buy him off? He knows that he helped to put the war mongering oil men in the White House..the fact that he is willing to do it again makes it pretty clear that whatever they are giving him is well worth being hated.
Looks like a Republican in a white, 100% cotton sheet. If he siphons off any democratic votes in the general election, he himself should feel guilty of consumer fraud. An ego that never quits.
This guy is either the most delusional figure in American political history or he's on the GOP payroll.
next govt is going to be republician. Nadar has always hurt democratic chances. So obama & hillary- both of you are done.
PLEASE GO TO YOUTUBE AND TYPE IN THE SEARCH BOX.....HEADLINE NEWS POLITICS........LUISA 1331
This man has serious problems... hopefully though he will run the same kind of campaign as Mike Gravel!
Obama Richardson 08!!!!!
A true anti-War third party candidate! Nader is more environmentally conscious than either Obama or McCain. As long as Nader's economic policies are in line with a smaller federal govenment and a more private and consumer driven economy, then I welcome and would support his candidacy.
Nader is at best an egomaniac, and at worst a dangerous nutcase.
But he can't touch Barack . Senator Obama's support is too strong!
OBAMA 08!!!
The Democrats are done. If Clinton is the nominee, the Obamanites will stay home, as they cannot see themselves voting for any one else than their leader. If Obama is nomited, many Clinton supporters will vote for Nader as they cannot see themselves voting for Mr. Change. All in all, the Republicans are laughing. Regardless of their feeling towards MacCain, they will come together in the end, hold their nose and vote for him.
So, Mr. Nader and the Republicans are in collusion once again to try to undermine the Democratic party? I'm afraid it will not succeed this time. We ALL KNOW that he was openly funded by the Republicans the last time he did this. Americans are not as stupid as those guys seem to believe. He knows for a fact that he stands no chance of winning the election. He and his cronies are merely trying to throw the election in favor of the republican party. In addition, this is absolutely a waste of money, be it personal, or the taxpayers money in matched funds. It never ends does it? Go ahead Mr. Nader! All you will succeed in doing this time is to ruin the Republicans of any chance whatsoever of the chance at the White House. Democrats in record numbers are going to show you what they mean this time. Washington: are you getting the message?
Nader's legacy will forever be one of being a fringe candidate. This time around, he will not even get close to what he did in 2000. People realize a vote for Nader is a vote for GW Bush.
a closet republican with no shame...
Must be getting a bit low in the old Nader bank accounts again. No worries, just throw together the quadrennial presidential run, make a lot of puffing noises, don't spend too much on the campaign and then save a few million of the leftovers to get you through the next four years. You should be proud of yourself Ralph.
great! the man who brought us george bush is hoping to screw over the american people once again.....
Seeking similar media publicity and coverage as McCain – Clinton attacks Obama
why does hillary refuse to release her tax returns.
No! No! No! We love Ralph and think he would make a great prez. My husband and I voted for him in 2000, but like so many other idealists, we helped hand the office to Bush. We can't do that again!!!
ho hum.......yawn.
I've been following these blogs for quite a while and have noticed how angry and disrepectful the Obama supporters are to Hillary. Maybe some of the Hillary folks will turn to Nader if she doesn't get the nomination. Obama folks: you need the Hillary supporters! Quit being so angry and look at the bigger picture here. You may be helping to put McCain in the White House.
Hillary could very well become the Senate majority leader if she is not the nominee. Obama will have to cowtow to her in order to move his agenda. Oh, that's right...you aren't following the issues, you're in a movement!
Between Anthony Scalia and Ralph Nader, it is difficult to determine who is more repsonsible for the 2000 selection of George W. Bush as president.
OBAMA FOR PRESIDENT
GO AWAY!!!! NO ONE WANTS YOU!!! How this bull is allowed is beyond me!
Ralph must have flipped his Corvair and landed on his head.
Please God nobody vote for this joker! He should be mounting a horse and riding off the edge of a tall cliff rather than mounting a presidential campaign.