It started in Oregon. Rightwing activists have been working to help get Ralph Nader on the state ballot. The right-wingers hope that having Nader on the Oregon ballot will throw the election to George W. Bush. Nader welcomed the help.
Now Nader has his own private Axis of Evil pushing his candidacy: anti-gay rights groups, anti-tax organizations, and workers from the Bush reelection campaign. The Washington Post reports their efforts have moved beyond Oregon:
The Michigan Republican Party submitted more than 40,000 signatures last week in a bid to get independent presidential candidate Ralph Nader on the state's November ballot.Of course, this is not really about helping Nader. It is all about helping President Bush and hurting Democratic presidential candidate John F. Kerry's campaign in a closely contested state.
Some have argued that Nader deserves respect for his long years of public service. My sense argues that we should take this man down by showing the progressive community that one of our must important leaders has become a man driven more by ego than principle. Nader, who is also being investigated for possible election fundraising violations, should be confronted through letters to the editors, radio call-in shows, and at his public rallies. Our message: Any man who gets his campaign backing from the most extreme right of the Republican party should not claim the mantle of the progressive movement.
It is time for Nader to retire. Sadly, forever his image will be tarnished. Maybe he’ll luck out and the anti-gay and anti-tax groups will build a statute of him to be placed at the gates of the Republican National Committee. Then he can always be remembered for what he is: an ego driven sell out.
