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Ralph Nader joins US presidential race
And.. we have a winner?
Independent candidate Ralph Nader has announced that he is entering the US presidential race, a move which many Democrats fear could deprive their party of vital votes.
Mr Nader was accused by supporters of Al Gore of handing the 2000 election to George W Bush by attracting voters who would otherwise have backed their candidate.
Mr Nader's run could prove a blow to the Democrats
The consumer rights activist announced on NBC television's Meet the Press that he was launching a third-party campaign for the White House because voters were disenchanted with the Democratic and Republican parties.
The 73-year-old believes none of the presidential contenders are addressing ways to stem corporate crime and Pentagon waste and promote labour rights.
Emerging Democratic frontrunner Barack Obama's "better instincts and his knowledge have been censored by himself," Mr Nader said, while Republican heir apparent John McCain was "the candidate for perpetual war."
He called Washington "corporate occupied territory" that turns the government against the interest of its own people.
"In that context I have decided to run for president," Mr Nader said.
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Mr Nader's run could prove a a further blow to the Democrats' campaign after a bitter fight between Mr Obama and Hillary Clinton. In contrast, John McCain has had a virtually clear run to the Republican nomination.
In 2000, in the tightest presidential race in American history, Mr Nader ruthlessly targeted the liberal activist wing of the Democratic Party, picking up votes from disillusioned environmentalists, opponents of globalisation and radical feminists.
In all, Mr Nader gained 2.78 million votes in a contest that was eventually won by a margin of 537 votes.
In Florida, where a controversial recount gripped the attention of the world, 97,488 votes were punched in his favour.
The trauma of Mr Gore's defeat in 2000 led to the creation of a "Repentant Nader voter" website, on which disconsolate Democrats confessed to voting for a candidate who had no chance of winning.
While Democrats have never forgiven him for splitting the liberal vote, Mr Nader refused to accept that his candidacy may have handed the presidency to George W Bush.
Mr Nader was accused by supporters of Al Gore of handing the 2000 election to George W Bush by attracting voters who would otherwise have backed their candidate.
Mr Nader's run could prove a blow to the Democrats
The consumer rights activist announced on NBC television's Meet the Press that he was launching a third-party campaign for the White House because voters were disenchanted with the Democratic and Republican parties.
The 73-year-old believes none of the presidential contenders are addressing ways to stem corporate crime and Pentagon waste and promote labour rights.
Emerging Democratic frontrunner Barack Obama's "better instincts and his knowledge have been censored by himself," Mr Nader said, while Republican heir apparent John McCain was "the candidate for perpetual war."
He called Washington "corporate occupied territory" that turns the government against the interest of its own people.
"In that context I have decided to run for president," Mr Nader said.
advertisement
Mr Nader's run could prove a a further blow to the Democrats' campaign after a bitter fight between Mr Obama and Hillary Clinton. In contrast, John McCain has had a virtually clear run to the Republican nomination.
In 2000, in the tightest presidential race in American history, Mr Nader ruthlessly targeted the liberal activist wing of the Democratic Party, picking up votes from disillusioned environmentalists, opponents of globalisation and radical feminists.
In all, Mr Nader gained 2.78 million votes in a contest that was eventually won by a margin of 537 votes.
In Florida, where a controversial recount gripped the attention of the world, 97,488 votes were punched in his favour.
The trauma of Mr Gore's defeat in 2000 led to the creation of a "Repentant Nader voter" website, on which disconsolate Democrats confessed to voting for a candidate who had no chance of winning.
While Democrats have never forgiven him for splitting the liberal vote, Mr Nader refused to accept that his candidacy may have handed the presidency to George W Bush.
And.. we have a winner?
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