Nader unloads on Obama, Clinton [View All]

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Nader unloads on Obama, Clinton

By: Mike Allen
Feb 25, 2008 06:14 AM EST


more: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0208/8664.html

Ralph Nader tells Politico he’s launched his independent candidacy for president in part because of what he sees as the spinelessness of the potential Democratic nominees, Sen. Barack Obama (Ill.) and Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (N.Y.).

Nader said in an interview that Obama is an overly cautious captive of his handlers who has a “relatively mediocre” Senate record.

Clinton, Nader said, “is a panderer and a flatterer.”

The consumer advocate, lawyer and author launched his bid Sunday on NBC’s “Meet the Press,” delighting Republicans and worrying some Democrats, who say he could sap crucial votes — as he did in 2000 as the Green Party nominee — if the general election winds up being close.

Although some Democratic strategists believe Nader will wind up being a marginal force — more a joke than a nuisance — he said he’ll push to be included in presidential debates, through court action if necessary. Nader said he also has lined up pro bono lawyers to help him fight state-by-state ballot-access battles.