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 reason Ralph is running for is Ralph. Can't get enough of himself.
what a jerk.... this is the man who handed Bush the 2000 election.
Nader is just what the Republicans need to win in 2008
Finally! Someone worth voting for since Edwards dropped out.
Apparently the only way to get your issues out to the American people is to run for president. I love the idea of third party candidates in our system; They can improve the debate and reduce voter apathy, However, Nader Has already been here, shared all of his ideas, and proved that he has no chance of winning, and as a result, won't do either. I hope Nader fails at fund raising to the degree that he will not be able to garnish enough support to attend the debates or run his divisive ads.
When will this guy just give up? Everyone knows that Nader is joining the race to help republican's win the election. However, with so much of the people in Obama's or Clinton's camp, his tactic will not work this time. I hope the people will not fall for this guy again and not vote for him. Nader is a republican operative trying to help McCain, nothing more.
Nader, this is for your own selfish ego-driven purposes, and not for any principle; the only good news is that the vast majority of Americans have become wise to your serial candidacy, your need for the spotlight, and your dishonor to your own legacy, and will not vote for you - those that will vote for you would not have been voting most likely anyway, so at least they get a chance to exercise their right, however fruitless.
And, by the way, what is most troubling, is that you could have been a force for a viable third party in the nation had you applied your efforts to a more realistic office - such as senator or congressman - an office that would have allowed you to support other candidates, build representation in the legislative branch so that should a viable candidate for President actually come along, that President would actually have a constituency to work with in the Congress once elected. But that would be if you were serious about change, and not just wanting to stroke your ego.
Running for President is not about candidates' rights - its about serving this nation; stop crusading for yourself, and show some grace and wisdom - your legacy demands it.
Thanks a lot Nader. All of the things that you really believe in and we want to happen can only happen through the Democrats lead. You will not win the election, the past two elections should show you that. But what your name on the ballot will do is take crucial votes needed for a change. Your arrogance is delusional; although I do understand your agenda.
Awesome, The political system at its best!!!! The more choices we have the better chance we have of electing the best person for the job. I have gotten sick of having to pick from bread and cheese cake, a hamburger and fries is nice once in a while as well.
More than the Republican wing of the Supreme Court, Ralph Nader is responsible for the selection of George Bush as president in 2000. It is no stretch of logic or common sense to say that Nader has on his hands the blood of hundreds of thousands.
I really cant see why he thinks this is a good idea for the country, but I dont think this will have the same effect as 2000 I think there will be very few people on the fence between Obama and McCain that will go to Nader.
Another distraction? Vote democratic.
If his presidential runs in '00 and '04 are any indication of his effect on elections, this means we can now look forward to president McCain being sworn in come January '09. Thanks for nothing Ralph!
Obama has the nerve to say "He seems to have a pretty high opinion of his own work" – Apparently he never looks in a mirror,
he's going to win
Why does he waste his time and money and mess up the the campaign which already is a mess? I saw zero chance he can get anywhere. It is silly unless is a plot.
Oh gawd he's back again! You got to be kidding me! People that support him are the delusional ones! He will never be President, and they're wasting their vote! He's only a spoiler that led to 8 years of a Bush White House!
I seem to remember something about Nader getting seriously scolded on a recent 'policy wonk cruise' sponsored by The Nation magazine.
Nader's ubiquitous candidacy has been reduced to a parlor trick. After the damage of 2000, he'll never gain the momentum that the Republicans fondly dream of again. The fringe element that will continue to vote for him would likely abstain from voting for either Democratic candidate in any case.
The really sad part of all this is that Nader has done such important work on behalf of the American consumer. Why couldn't he use his talents to advise and influence a Democratic candidate – perhaps get a cabinet post? That would be the way for him to to really effect change; instead, he's permanently installed himself as court jester.
Welcome to the race Nader. My family and I are rooting for you.
Great. If Obama becomes our candidate, and Nader steals enough of his votes, we could be stuck with another republican
I hope everyone who is thinking about voting for him is wise enough to not.
He's getting my vote. The corporations run this country and the only chance of stopping it is to stop voting for either party's shill.
Maybe if we ignore him he'll just go away?
The field is wide open this year for a successful Independent run for the White House. But it ain't gonna be by an egomaniacal near-octogenarian loser like Nader. It will be someone with big bucks, like Mike, not the one from Alabama. Look for another New Yorker to enter the presidential race right after the current one loses both Ohio and Texas on March 4th.
Will Hillary throw a lamp at him too ?
We love you Ralph, but no thank you.