Does Ralph Nader entering the Election at this juncture disturb you?

In the last election, many Democrats believed that Ralph Nader entering the election stole just enough votes from Al Gore to cost him the election and allowing George Bush to win. This time around, Ralph is entering the race once again as an Independant and his campaign seems similar to previous ones, i.e. he believes both Democrats and Republicans are catering too much to big businesses, therefore his candidacy he pronounces as relevant. But does anyone -- including Ralph himself -- believe he can actually win at this late juncture? Why do people do this, i.e. jump into an election (like Ralph is doing) or stay in an election (like Huckabee is doing) when they know they can't win it and all they are doing is creating a distraction that doesn't serve the American public. It produces a spoiler effect and one which might generate a winner that might not otherwise have won, i.e. like the last election. Do you admire Nader or Huckabee more now...or LESS? Thank you responders as I stand corrected. In costing Al Gore the election, I mispoke when I said the "last election". I meant the Year 2000 election. Please forgive the oversight.

Public Comments

1. It doesn't phase me at all personally. I think a lot of us already know who we are going to vote for at this point.
2. Nader isn't trying to make a point. He is a closet republican and he is out to screw democrats.
3. Please, just remember that if Gore could have simply carried his own state, he would not have needed Florida.....spoiler or not, these guys give a voice to people who feel unrepresented by the leading candidates.
4. Yes, it's a spoiler move. Ralph Nader entering the election now annoys me more than disturbs me. Ralph Nader isn't running because he wants to be president. He's running because he wants to screw up the election to prove some obscure point known only to him. It's a meaningless power play just to prove that he can screw the system.
5. Nader had an impact on the 2000 election but not the last one in 2004. He received less than half a million votes last time, down 80% from 2000. I don't see him doing any better this time.
6. Found out that it was Nader's birthday yesterday. Maybe, he wanted the world to know that when he told the ABC ankor host that. I think Nader has become disillusioned as he now has only a few articles published in magazines. remember that he's no longer treated like a celebrity like he was years ago, I was surprised to hear his feeble reasoning for running. I really pity him. I doubt he would get that many votes. He's pretty old. If he couldn;t win after 5 attempts, he'd be crazy to think he would this time. I guess he's desperate to get noticed. again as none ever talk about him these days. A lot of celebrated environmental activists and experts gave already ousted him out of recognition.
7. At this point, Nader is a political gadfly, and is approaching "perennial candidate" status. It doesn't disturb me much. While I think a strong argument can be made he cost Gore the election in 2000, I don't think Kerry's loss can be blamed solely, or even mostly, on Nader. I think most potential Nader supporters realize that a vote for Nader is effectively a vote for the Republican candidate. Maybe if this election wasn't looking to be close, some might vote Nader as a protest vote, but hopefully most will realize every vote will count this year.
8. He is largely irrelevant, but at least he helped keep al gore out of the White House. He has the chances of a snowball in hell of getting elected.
9. I'm happy he is joining now. Now, if Obama wins the democratic nomination I will be able to vote for someone other than McCain. Otherwise I would have chosen to not vote. Soooo my choice is Hillary and if she does not get nominated because Democrats are blinded by Obama's talk then I will vote for Nader.
10. ralph is just going off and being a richard again. i guess he thinks he can ruin another election and cause america even more harm. There cant be any positive reason the slug would enter the race but to disrupt things.
11. Hi John S, I find Ralph Nader jumping in at this time during the primaries ridiculous. I strongly agree his participation during the 2000 election was just enough to cost Al Gore the win.....along with other elements (cough, cough). If I had to choose, as far as the most annoying candidate fighting a losing war, Ralph Nader by far has given me the creepy crawlies. A few responders are declaring it doesn't affect them, they know who they are voting for, BUT, he still can disturb the votes just enough to take from the Democrats. UUggghhh, why doesn't he just retire? What is his platform even about? I would have given this man credit if he decided even (6) months ago to play....but come on! Thanks for asking, I was about to until I saw you beat me to it! Great question! Amazing reading the thoughts of other people.....