Our Nov. 19, 2003 cover story
It’s bad enough that Ralph Nader is running for president yet again, but whatever. He’s already ruined his once stellar reputation and nobody was going to take another sequel that seriously. Yet I’m truly saddened by today’s news that Matt Gonzalez has agreed to be Nader’s running mate and angry about Matt’s deceptive, preemptive effort (in a guest editorial in yesterday’s Beyond Chron) to knock Barack Obama down a few notches.
That seems to signal this independent, ego-driven campaign’s desire to once again paint the Democrats and Republicans with the same broad brush, denying the obvious difference between Obama and John McCain, as well as the need to be strategic in running for this high-profile office during such a divisive era. In doing so, they undermine the legitimate and desperately needed feeling of hope that Obama is inspiring, sowing cynicism and giving McCain a chance to win the White House.
Nader has always bristled at the “spoiler” label, saying he has a right to run and force a debate on his issues. That’s true. But when Gonzalez characterizes Obama’s campaign as, “one of accommodation and concession to the very political powers that we need to reign in and oppose if we are to make truly lasting advances,” it’s clear that they really aren’t aiming much higher than spoiler.
And if they help spoil an ascendant Obama campaign, they will do irreparable harm to the peace movement, the chance for fundamental change, efforts to bring together progressives and communities of color, people’s sense of hope, and to their own reputations.