The Return of Ralph

In presidential politics, John McCain is (or was, as recently as last November) what one would call an "underdog." Mike Huckabee might fairly be labeled a "long shot." Ron Paul? A beloved, well-funded impossibility.

And then there's Ralph Nader.

If you haven't checked up on the anti-corporate crusader since, say, 2004, you might be surprised to learn that, on Jan. 30, he went to the trouble of launching a presidential exploratory committee. That's right--"presidential." As in, the United States of America. And now, according to an email sent this morning to supporters (hat tip to Ben Smith) it's looking like Nader has convinced himself that the third time's the charm.

As you know, we've been exploring the possibilities in recent weeks. And here's one question that keeps coming up: What's been pulled off the table by the corporatized political machines in this momentous election year? Answer: Cutting the huge, bloated and wasteful military budget, adopting a single payer Canadian-style national health insurance system, impeaching Bush/Cheney, opposing nuclear power - among many others. Who will pick up these issues and put them back on the table? Hope you get a chance to tune in to watch Ralph Nader this Sunday on Meet the Press. 

Stumper is never one to declare a candidate DOA, but the math on this fellow is pretty unforgiving. Of course, the 66 percent of Americans who disapprove of George W. Bush could suddenly forgive Nader for bestowing him upon the country. And the 84 percent of Democrats who are happy with their choices could, as Naderite Patti Smith puts its, "awake from [their] slumber." But I'm going to assume, for a moment, that this election will still be held on the planet earth. In 2000, Nader received 2.9 million votes, or 2.74 percent of the total. In 2004, he netted 411,304 votes, for a total share of .33 percent--an 89 percent decline. If the trend continues, he should wake up on Nov. 5 with something like 16,000 votes. And last time I checked, that was about 62 million shy of a majority.

But at least he'll be able to spread his ideas. 

Go, Ralph, go.