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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Is this megaloMANiac for real? He blames this government for stagnation without accepting his role in putting this government in office. I one respected Nader as being an intelligent man, but I now consider him less than the backside of the Democratic mascot. Who were his advisors in this decision? It's America and any fool can run for president. This proves it.
Great, now I have an alternative to vote for.
If Hillary is going back to the Senate, so is Obama.
Well, a little comic relief never hurt a campaign- though possibly the votes he might skim off could. Mr. Nurder... um...Nadar..............I can see it now: 2028. Nader announcing from the nursing home: I will run as an In depend dent. Eh? No no! Not that kind of depend!"
I saw him last week downtown babbling to himself and selling pinwheels on the street corner. Say goodnight Ralph.
Where I agree with NADER is when he says:
""If the Democrats can't landslide the Republicans this year, they ought to just wrap up, close down, emerge in a different form,"
By limiting the selection of their candidates to two person lacking experience (or presenting the experience of its spouse as own) and a primary campaign by its attacks doing all the work for the GOP, the Democrats are progresively loosing their chances to win, and NADER will further contribute to the loss by nibbling away some percents by carrying protest voters.
TOM
MR NADER IS DOING THIS ELECTION GREAT HARM. IT IS A FREE COUNTRY AND HE IS CERTAINLY FREE TO RUN. BUT HEY IT GIVES ALL THOSE PEOPLE WHO HATE OBAMA A CHOICE RIGHT??? RALPH NADER, A MAN WITH TONS OF "EXPERIENCE"
DEMOCRATS 08
this man has a "sick" ego that has done more harm than good in this country. We would not have had the disaster of Iraq if he had NOT run in 2000!
Ralph, Obama is the only one that can get into office and actually accomplish a lot of what you would like to see. Please don't mess up this opportunity!
Boring...Nadar running for his EGO, Hillary running for her EGO
OBAMA FOR AMERICA!!
Nader is delusional. By this time it should be clear that these campaign runs of his are only exercises in self aggrandizement. His presence in American politics is pointless because no one listens to him any more.
Sweet, an alternative to Obama. If Hillary doesn't get the nomination, I for one will be voting for Nader as I"m sure most HIllary supporters will be doing as well. After all, he has actually championed and put into practice everything candidates like Obama proposes in his speeches. He has actually done something, whereas candidates like Obama have not and will not because in the end they are what they are, politicians.
Oh come on! This guy is completely egotistical. No change is going to come of his run for president this year... Jus as no change has come of his presidential runs in past years.
I used to respect him...
Why doesn't Nader do something helpful, like run for president of Cuba or Pakistan. There are other countries who need him more.
Here we go again, Ralph Nader to waste all of our time to earn 1% of the vote. They should only allow you run to if you can prove in a primary that you can earn 15%...Nader doesn't even run in the Green Party's primary.
What a laughing stock
Hip Hip Hooray! The Hippies have a candiate! All of the sandal wearing, shower needing, flower smelling, granola eating, blame America first, leave Iraqi now crowd are happy today. Oh-I forgot that's the Democratic Party.
Awesome! McCain 08!!
Great, thanks a lot, Ralph; I guess we can look forward to four more years of the same....
OBAMA '08!
Go away Nader!
If the choice is Obama, McCain or Nader. I think I'll go Nader. I sure don't want Obama the insurgent as he calls himself. Was insurgent a slip of the tongue by Obama? Isn't an insurgent a person who forces you, by violence if necessary, to agree with their way of thinking? Are we not fighting insurgents in Iraq? Like Michelles comment on pride in her country? First time is first time. He is not Presidential material.
Election choices:
1. Hillary Clinton
2. John McCain
3. Anyone but BHO (since this fake is the biggest joke in a centuty!)
The choice is clear!
I'm expecting to see a whole lot of "Ralph – just go away" here. I sincerely believe this gives him a sense of importance that he craves.
Hi Mr. Nader, I'm relevance,
Have we met?
Great..Maybe he willtake enough votes away from the other appeasers (Obama and Clinton) that it will help McCain.. Go Nader....
I am very disappointed again in Ralph Nader's seeningly opinion that we need him in our presidental elections. If he truely wanted to help American consumers he would stick to what he does best and leave politics to those who can lead our country to real change!
It's like having a living fossil run for President