If Nader voters are such a huge problem

[CTLawGuy]

then why doesn't kerry try to appeal to them to switch their votes?

If they are not a big problem, then we should not worry about them, and understand that we are going to win anyway.

[WI_DEM]

1. I think way too much empasize is put on Nader on DU

Too many progressives want Bush's ass out of the WH. I think Nader will not get nearly as many votes as he did in 2000. Why? who is signing the petitions. Many are republicans and they will not vote for him in November. Second, Nader will not be on as many ballots this time as in 2000. Third, the people who do want to vote for a progressive candidate will be divided between the official Green party nominee, David Cobb, who is not campaigning in swing states, and Nader. In 2000, Nader got 2.8 million votes. This year, I doubt he will even get a million.

[creeksneakers2]

2. Kerry met with Nader

Did that change any Nader votes?

[CTLawGuy]

4. I dunno

maybe it did

[Cronus Protagonist]

3. How would he appeal to people who think he's just like Bush?

And who refuse to accept proof to the contrary?

It's impossible. I used to think like you, and I was appalled when I had several conversations with several Nader people. Not one of them was willing to look at the facts. Not one of them was willing to consider that Kerry would be a step in the right direction, even although he's not perfect by any means. Every one of them was actively encouraging people NOT to vote in the election this year... because there was "no difference and therefore no point".

Now, for sure, there must be some Nader supporters out there who are persuadable, but that's a percentage of an already small percentage. So it's basically not worth the effort.

SHOVE IT! - Drop Bush Not Bombs! - Hero Kerry AWOL Bush
http://brainbuttons.com/home.asp?stashid=13

[MasonJar]

5. One million is enough to put Bush back in. Are these voters nuts?

[lastknowngood]

6. You can't argue with or change a closed mind

n/t

[TrueAmerican]

7. The Democratic Party will not be held hostage to

Ralph Nader's ego.

thank you.

[mzmolly]

8. I don't think you *can appeal to them, they are bent on finding fault with

Kerry and will do so no matter what.

Also, Dennis Kucinich ran with basically the same platform, look where it got him ~

Much of Nader's platform is plagerized from other sources, the guy hasn't served one day representing the people, he has busted unions, stiffed the homeless, taken money/help from Republicans and anti-gay groups, owns stock in the defense industry (including haliburtion) owned stock in Enron, etc... and somehow he's considered above our Democratic candidates? :crazy:

I just don't get it.

There are 200 plus candidates running for office, it would seem to me that the left could find a much better hero, if that is what they so desire.

David Cobb for example, is a man of far more integrity as far as I can tell.

[Green Lantern]

9. Gore

won the popular vote by what, about 550,000 votes overall.
Nader got just under 3 million votes.
It is not Kerry that many of the Naderites are concerned with. First is the issue of Bushwa. Second is the direction of the DP under the DLC. Point 2 is a major consideration, and why you still hear "little difference between..."

I don't think Nader will receive as many votes this time, as he will not be on as many ballots and he has ticked off many Greens.

I think it more important for the DP party to get past the 2000 election, or Nader might well be responsible for the loss of 2004-because the DP is not focused on the issues of 2004 but rather on a phantom that is four years old.

The election is Kerry's to lose-DU and the DP should perhaps focus on getting the Congress back in blue hands to support Kerry.

I live in a very conservative area, and I see but few Bush bumper stickers etc. Most people here are thinking Congress. We have a first term Dem Congressman who is vulnerable to the moderate repug they are pumping with a great deal of outside money. (We are a swing state) Taking back America is more than just taking back the WH, the Clinton years proved that.

[Name removed]

10. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[sandnsea]

11. Fundie voters are a problem too

Maybe we should just run on an anti-abortion, anti-gay, prayer in school platform to appeal to them?

No pleasing idealogues from either side of the political spectrum.

[redandstinky]

12. Here's a page that shows real differences...

between the policies Democrats support and the policies Republicans support:

http://www.politicalaffairs.net/article/articleview/238/1/34/


If some people think there is no difference, they are either blind or so superprivileged that they might as well be – and probably are – Republicans.

[mzmolly]

13. Excellent information. Welcome to DU!

:toast:

[George_Bonanza]

14. It is the self-contradiction of the die-hard Naderite

"Nader has such big support that the Dems should be catering to his every whim, but his support is not big so the Dems should be wary of his running."

And they say Kerry's too nuanced...

I'm not worried though. Nader said good things about Kerry back in the primaries on CNN's Crossfire, and their meeting seemed to have gone over well. The people who are voting for Nader in swing states right now are not going to be reasoned with and are too busy feeling almighty over the common sell-out masses of the Democrats and their voters.

[jrieth50]

15. A real third party...

As long as Naderites believe we should abolish the CIA and immediately cut military spending by 50% informed (sane?) Americans will refuse to vote for him. I think it would be in Kerry's interest to simply let the public know all the many reasons Nader simply cannot work at this junction.

"I am no longer actively pursuing the presidency," - Howard Dean

Call me crazy, but if the above never happened we could have had a real third party. We could have called them the democrats, and renamed these other jokers...