Not this time Nader

The 2004 presidential election is one of the most important political turning points in generations. If Bush wins and gets another four years in office he will make untold changes to America, reversing years of social, educational, economic and environmental progress, while John Kerry could help to restore the economy and a positive relationship with foreign allies. However, the presence of Ralph Nader could help Bush to return for another term in the White House. Nader has been a vocal leader of liberal America, but his role in the election could work against everything that he stands for.

Nader the strong environmentalist and populist has made a selfish and egotistical decision to run as an independent candidate in the 2004 presidential election. His role could take away vital votes from Democrat John Kerry and help Bush to win, much like he did in the 2000 elections. He puts Kerry's campaign at risk at a time when solidarity is needed to defeat Bush.

Nader should remove himself from the ballot in any swing states and actively encourage voters to elect Kerry into office. In a tight race the few thousand votes for Nader could make the difference in allowing Bush to win. Most of the Nader's votes would be from otherwise Democrat supporters, thus taking votes away from Kerry.

Nader recently won a court decision placing him on the ballots in Florida. If Nader cares at all about the future of the U.S. and not just his personal celebrity he should remove himself from the ballot or encourage voters to support Kerry. In the 2000 election Bush beat Al Gore by a mere 537 votes in Florida, while Nader received 97,000 votes. In a recent St. Petersburg Times-Miami Herald poll, Bush had 48 percent and Kerry had 46 percent, while Nader had 2 percent in the state. Florida will likely key state, as the state has 27 electoral votes, and Nader could again be a potentially harmful factor for the Democrats.

The 2004 Presidential race looks to be another close contest as polls have shown the American people closely divided over whom they support. If the 2000 election is any indicator every vote could make a difference.

Kerry is not just the lesser of two evils, as Nader makes the issue sound. If Bush is elected to another term the face of America could be forever altered. The budget deficit will continue to expand, troops will continue to die in Iraq, the environment continue to be abused, taxes will continue to benefit the wealthy and civil liberties will continue to be assaulted. Bush has shown that he will continue to aggressively pursue his right-wing agenda.

Nader has lost the support of his own Green Party, prominent intellectuals and publications, and much of the liberal movement. Both The Progressive and The Nation magazines that once supported Nader, have begged him to stay out of the race.

In 2000 Nader said he wanted to create an alternative to the Republicans and Democrats with the Green Party, but now he is no longer running as a Green candidate. He is running with the support of the Reform Party, hardly a party of national prominence or importance. Nader no longer presents a progressive alternative in national politics, but simply a rogue selfish attempt to receive
personal attention.

Useful and constructive critique of Kerry and the Democrats is essential and helpful to defeating Bush. However, vehemently speaking out against Kerry will only be harmful. Kerry and the Democrats should certainly not be given a blank check for support, but everything possible must be done to ensure that Kerry defeats Bush. Once Kerry is elected there will be more room for criticism.

If Nader is still the strong proponent of environmental, consumer and labor rights that he has been in the past he must realize that he is a threat to the future of America and will do more to harm to what he stands for if Bush should win.

Progressive Americans most vote in solidarity to remove President Bush from office and end the chain of Republican control of the national government. The people aren't calling for Nader to run, so it is time that Nader realizes he is unneeded and unwanted in the 2004 election and remove himself from the ballot in any key states.