Ralph "Glory Hound" Nader has destroyed any legacy he might have had by his megalomania. The man does not believe in democracy; the man believes in seeing his name in print. "Unsafe At Any Speed," a book about auto safety, made him his name and his first taste of money. But, yet again, what he has proven is that the only taste he really likes is fame. After what he cost this nation in 2000, and what he is doing now, all he will die with is infamy.
Nader, who will turn 70 this week, said he contemplated retirement but decided against that. "I've decided to run as an independent candidate for president,'' he announced on NBC's "Meet The Press.''
"This country has more problems and injustices than it deserves,'' Nader said, bemoaning a "democracy gap.'' He said he needed to get into the race to "challenge this two-party duopoly.''
"There's too much power and wealth in too few hands,'' he said. "They have taken over Washington.'' ...
Asked if he would withdraw if he concluded his candidacy would merely ensure President Bush's re-election, Nader told interviewer Tim Russert, ``When and if that eventuality occurs, you can invite me back on the program and I'll give you the answer.''
Nader decided against running under the banner of the Green Party. His candidacy four years ago has been blamed by many Democrats for costing Al Gore the election against George W. Bush.
Last week, Democratic National Committee chairman Terry McAuliffe revealed that he had met with Nader several times urging him not to run. ...
"It's his personal vanity because he has no movement. Nobody's backing him,'' New Mexico Democratic Gov. Bill Richardson said Sunday in advance of Nader's announcement.
"The Greens aren't backing him. His friends urge him not to do it. It's all about himself,'' Richardson told `"Fox News Sunday.''
"Now, Ralph's made some great contributions to consumer issues over the years, but clearly it's not going to help us,'' he said. "I don't think he'll have a sizable impact, but it's terrible if he goes ahead because it's about him. It's about his ego. It's about his vanity and not about a movement that supposedly he headed for many years very effectively.''
