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So this morning, I logged online and saw the headlines, "Ralph Nader enters presidential race". The words that came out of my mouth were "ARE YOU SERIOUS?" Although Nader's participation in the national election can come across as something akin to that of a pesky fly, you have to admire his stubbornness and tenacity. However, although some may think his entrance changes the equation in this election, I don't think it will have much of an impact at all. This year is different. Times have changed. In the 2000 election, when Nader effectively robbed Al Gore of his presidency in a razor sharp election with Bush, Nader's participation was seen in a different light. Nader appeared fresh, appeared not to carry the baggage of Washington and seemed to shine like a beacon of hope for progressive politics. In that election, Nader won 2.74% of the popular vote. In contrast, Nader won 0.38% of the popular vote in 2004 which barely had an impact on the Kerry campaign. This, although, the progressive community was taking Kerry to task for supporting the Iraq war. However, Nader did not have much of an impact because the anger rising against Bush was palpable and Nader was seen as a selfish, attention seeking election grinch. Liberals remembered how he had stolen the election in 2000, and was not going to fall for it again in 2004. Today, in 2008, Nader will have an even more miniscule impact than he had in 2004. Today, it is Obama who represents something fresh and new, it is his campaign, fueled by hope and a desire for change, that is breathing new excitement into this election. The issue that progressives care the most about is the war on Iraq. Obama had steadfastly been an opponent of that war from the very beginning. On top of this, after 8 years of a Bush presidency, a wide portion of the population are disillusioned and looking for something different. Nader does not represent this. If anything, Nader will face a great deal of animosity from the Left, and be seen as nothing more than a tool for the right, for his stubborn entry into this race even as all the signs show Obama clinching the nomination. In this race, the Left will stick faithfully to Obama, Nader's entry will be nothing more than a sidenote. My advice to Ralph Nader. RETIRE.
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