Kerry doesn't ask Nader to bow out

By Nedra Pickler

May 19, 2004 | WASHINGTON (AP) --

John Kerry met with independent Ralph Nader Wednesday, but the Democrat didn't ask the third-party candidate to quit the presidential race despite widespread Democratic fears that his candidacy could ensure President Bush's re-election.


Kerry told The Associated Press shortly before the meeting that he believes he will "reduce any rationale" for Nader's candidacy, but he would never ask another candidate to abandon an election bid.

"In the end, I hope I can make people aware that a vote for Ralph Nader is a vote for George Bush," Kerry said. "A vote for John Kerry is a vote for the principles and values they care about."

Following the meeting, Nader said the two discussed a variety of issues, but Kerry never asked him to abandon his independent campaign.

http://www.salon.com/politics/wire/2004/05/19/nader/index.html

I am going to become a Kerry fan if he doesn't get more careful about avoiding saying things that piss me off. And that is a threat.

...One that believes it's American for everyone to have a voice?

One who is unafraid of opposing or differing opinions?

One who has the ability to reason?

One who is not afraid of discussing ideas?

One who embraces the Truth?

John Kerry doesn't have a back problem.



John Kerry exhibits leadership skills.



Kerry can also work alone.

I want Ralph to drop out as much as anyone, but Kerry shouldn't be the one to tell/ask him to do so. Nader has a right to run under our system, regardless of the consequences.

people can vote for whoever they want. Nader even said to vote for Kerry if you want to get rid of Bush.

John Kerry, he's my man.

Honest John Kerry BELIVES IN DEMOCRACY!!!!!

He wants to engage America in a debate for the common good of all of us. It is about time John Kerry is exposed for who he is...a defender of democracy!

:kick:

for Kerry will probably be so huge that it won't matter too much. Kerry must know this so there is plenty of room to take the diplomatic approach!

Ignoring the Nader people was the insult they hated. Kerry did the right thing. Now he can go on and campaign against Bush and against Nader (from different angles obviously).

Nader is stating truths that Kerry cannot state,...if he is to WIN.

Nader is an asset,...not an enemy.

I'm telling you,...do not take this man's contribution for granted,...please.

Okay,...go ahead and DUMP!!!!

detrimental effect on Kerry's campaign...

both believe in democracy Nader is an attack dog. Unsafe at Any Speed, who's side do u think he is on? I am happy Kerry listened to Nader, now he will weigh the issues and do what is in his heart to help all americans.

the implications if he did could have been catastrophic to his presidential bid.

As a side note, has anyone else noticed Nader's poll numbers are draining points from Bush not Kerry?

In fact, Nader's Consumer Unions were almost a Republican version of Labor Unions that the Democrats had. Nader could never go for the liberal social culture that the Dems promoted either, but absolutely wanted the government out of people's personal lives, very much like the old Republicans used to be.

Aside from the heated rhetoric, I can see why old fashioned moderate Republicans would vote for Nader.

from Bush & Kerry.

I think like a third or a fourth of his 2000 votes were from Bush. interesting...

Why can't some of the psychotic Nader hating people understand this concept of democracy?

Kerry, Rival Nader Discuss White House Bids
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Democrat John Kerry held "a friendly discussion" with rival Ralph Nader on Wednesday but did not ask the independent candidate whose third party run could sink his presidential bid to drop out of the race.
<snip>
"These two have known each other for 30 years," the aide said. "Obviously it was a very friendly discussion ... there was nothing contentious about it."
<snip>
"He believes he is helping John Kerry by doing this," the aide said. "That he can provide a sharper counterpoint to Bush and that the Democratic Party over the past 10 years has not been particularly tough on these issues."
<snip>
The four-term senator from Massachusetts pointed out that he and Nader had been "together for 30 years" on issues like corporate welfare, consumer issues and abortion rights. The Nader statement said corporate welfare, corporate crime and union rights were among the issues discussed.
<more>
http://wireservice.wired.com/wired/story.asp?section=Breaking&storyId=866942&tw=wn_wire_story

stick a thumb in your eye, stick it to the man crowd.
Not all by any means but some. Kerry's actions have a neutralizing
effect. Good work.

Nader is a non-factor. Look at the latest polls: 4,5,6% total and pulling equally form Kerry and Bush.

Let's just stop talking about him. He's not a factor this time.

President Kennedy was universally known as JFK, and many of us still remember his assassination with grief.

"A vote for John Kerry is a vote for the principles and values they care about."

I wasn't a Nader voter in 2000, and I'm not likely to be in 2004 --but Kerry's chances of convincing me he's a vote for my values and principles are slim over none unless he can stop talking about the Iraq war as 'mishandled' and publicly recognize that it's just a mistake (i.e. that we have no valid reason to have invaded).

In all likelihood, the Republicans are still going to control Congress no matter who takes the White House, which means the #1 job skill is not signing onto their damn bills. You can't run an essentially scare campaign ("Vote for us or the Republicans will stay in power!") with an appeasement candidate ("Don't rock the boat, you'll scare the swing vote!"). Just doesn't gel.

and I don't think he's running a scare campaign. I'm not sure where you got the quotes ("Vote for us or the Republicans will stay in power!" and "Don't rock the boat, you'll scare the swing vote!"), but I'm sure they didn't come from Kerry or his campaign.

Idoan geddit.