In the year 2000, Ralph Nader drew the support of progressive and independent voters from all over the country. He had the public support of nationally known celebrities like Pearl Jam (yes, celebrities do persuade voters who can’t think for themselves) and was deemed “the lesser evil.”Most people who voted for Nader knew he could not win the election. He was going for national funding. If he acquired enough votes (which he fell short) he would have received more money from the government to run his campaign.
No one at the time could have seen how divided the country was (as 2000 was the closest presidential election in history by three electoral votes) and no one could have foreseen the events that would take place over the next four years.
Ralph Nader announced plans to run for the presidency again on Feb. 24, 2004. Despite many of his political supporters, who have continually supported him since 1994, asking him not to run, he is going to anyway. But this time the majority of the Green Party does not even support him.
This election is the same as 2000, because Nader, once again, cannot win. He will only take votes away from the Democratic candidate, who at this point, will probably be senator John Kerry.
So the question remains: Why has Ralph Nader, despite countless pleas, decided to run for the 2004 presidential election? There are two possible answers. First: Ralph Nader’s ego needs to be fed. Not many people can say they have the power sway a presidential election and he is in this position. Second: He secretly wants Bush to win. Nader cannot provide a logical or sound reasoning for either answer.