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Run, Ralph, Run!
By Doug Patton
February 16, 2004
I have mused several times in this column over the last three years about the potentially disastrous effects of an independent presidential campaign originating from the Right. Most of these fanciful prognostications have culminated in an electoral nightmare whereby the felon and his bride again take up residence in the White House - only this time she is the one with the constitutional authority of the presidency.
I still cling to the hope that the prospect of President Hillary Rodham Clinton (not to mention the nation's initial "First Bubba") sends chills down the spines of enough clear-thinking Americans to prevent it from ever becoming a reality. However, after eight years of watching them lie, cheat, wreck the lives of subordinates, sell state secrets to the highest bidders and create the disgraceful spectacle of a presidential impeachment - all of it culminating in a shameless acquittal, a U.S. Senate seat and an almost messianic devotion from the Left - I remain unconvinced.
So, it was with great joy that I read an Associated Press article over the weekend stating that Ralph Nader, the Green Party's 2000 presidential nominee, "is poised to declare that he's running again this year."
Ever since 1965, when he published 'Unsafe at Any Speed,' wherein he pointed out the obvious by exposing the Chevrolet Corvair as a deathtrap with nothing but a gas tank to cushion a head-on collision, Ralph Nader has been the left-wing gadfly in corporate and political America's soup. He says what he thinks, supports what he believes and lets the chips fall where they may.
Nader was the luncheon speaker at a conference I attended a few years ago, sponsored by the National Coalition Against Legalized Gambling (NCALG). It was the first time I ever agreed with him on anything, before or since, and I realized at that moment I had a grudging respect for the man. He is almost never correct in his assessment of the political landscape, but he is a principled man nonetheless. And I am a believer that principled men (and women) should be involved in the public political process.
Of course, it is for a far more cynical reason that I would love to see Ralph Nader run for president again this year. He is, quite simply, the Democrats' Ross Perot. In his soon to be released book, 'Bush Country,' John Podohoretz writes, "It's beyond dispute that if Ralph Nader had not run in 2000, Al Gore would be president today." With the nation's electorate split down the middle, every vote will be crucial in November. If Nader can convince enough voters on the Left that he is the only real alternative to the political establishment they distrust so intensely, his presence in the race this year could once more make the difference.
This has liberals in general, and the John Kerry juggernaut in particular, very worried. In fact, they are absolutely apoplectic in their efforts to stop Nader's candidacy from going forward. Some of these people were supporters of Nader's 2000 Green Party presidential bid. Whacko propaganda "filmmaker" Michael Moore, socialist ice cream tycoon Ben Cohen (of Ben and Jerry's fame) and the editors of the ultra-liberal magazine 'The Nation,' are among those pleading with Nader not to run.
In a perverse sort of way, a Ralph Nader candidacy could save the Republic once again. In fact, anything that prevents Hillary Clinton, John Kerry or any other liberal Democrat from winning the White House is a good thing for America.
Nader has been quoted as saying that it is not his job to elect his opponents. With the Left screaming, "No, Ralph, No," I count myself among those cheering, "Run, Ralph, Run!"
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Doug Patton is a freelance columnist who has served as a speechwriter and policy advisor for federal, state and local candidates, elected officials and public policy organizations. His weekly columns are published in newspapers across the country, and on selected Internet web sites, including www.GOPUSA.com, where he serves as the Nebraska Editor. He also writes for Talon News Service (www.TalonNews.com). Readers can e-mail him at Doug.Patton@GOPUSA.com.
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Note -- The opinions expressed in this column are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions, views, and/or philosophy of GOPUSA.
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