Nader, Don't Run In 2004

To:  Ralph Nader

Dear Ralph Nader -

We, the undersigned, respect your history as a consumer advocate. You have long been a powerful voice on the side of those who have otherwise not had a voice. Many of us supported your past presidential campaigns because you served as a refreshing voice in the political debate. Some of us voted for you in 2000, while others of us would have liked to but could not due to the spoiler effect.

Mr. Nader, we ask you not to enter the race in 2004 as a third party candidate. In 2000, you asked us to vote our hopes, not our fears. The message was to "vote our principles". There is a problem with that, though. We had to vote using a voting system that did not have room for our principles. Many of us recognized that Mr. Gore was preferable to Mr. Bush - but voting for you left no room to express that.

President Bush needs to leave office in 2004. There will not be room for error in the campaign against him. The electoral college means that in order for you to be a viable candidate, you would have to be able to win several states outright. Given your performance in 2000, the national mood since then, and the fact that two strong candidates with strong national parties will run in 2004, it is obvious that you do not have the ability to win as a third-party candidate in 2004.

It is also obvious - both statistically and in tone - that most of your supporters are more likely to vote Democratic than Republican. In terms of the 2004 Presidential results, your candidacy would do nothing except make Bush's defeat less likely.

We believe Democracy would be better served if you did any or all of the following:

- Enter the Democratic primaries to compete for the Democratic nomination.

- Proactively seek a coalition between the Green party and the eventual winner of the Democratic nomination.

- Concentrate on local and statewide races to build a stronger national presence within the Green party.

Mr. Nader, after two wars, a terrorist attack that may have been preventable, and the assault on our judicial branch, it is clear that Mr. Bush cannot remain in office another four years. It is clear that there are better ways for you to have a positive impact on our nation other than entering the 2004 race as a third-party candidate. Help us protect this nation - please do not run in 2004.

Sincerely,

The Undersigned

The Nader, Don't Run In 2004 Petition to Ralph Nader was created by and written by Curt Siffert.  This petition is hosted here at www.PetitionOnline.com as a public service. There is no endorsement of this petition, express or implied, by Artifice, Inc. or our sponsors. For technical support please use our simple Petition Help form.

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