Why Did Kerry Meet with Nader Today??

[BabsSong]

This one really baffles me. For what purpose??? Why did he give any ligitimacy and press recognition to Nader by doing this??? It isn't going to gain anything for Kerry but it gives a boost to Nader by saying "gee, this guy really should be listened to"; and John, my dear, that's only one short fart away from having to let him into the debates (don't go there John). Why isn't Nader bitching that Bush hasn't invited him for tea and crumpets??? After all Nader is not suppose to be either repuke or dem but equally hating both. Come on Ralph, start bitching that Bush won't sit down and talk with you just like you have been complaining about Kerry. John has chosen to stay out of the "Iraq" discussion (and he probably should until he knows what moves Bush will make over the next months); but why didn't he also chose to ignore Nader?? Doesn't it send a subtle signal that "we" are worried about Ralph?? It just doesn't make any political sense..........

[madeuplikebowie]

1. The only thing I can think of

is he wants to reach out to Nader's supporters and give the impression that they are both working to oust Bush. Maybe he wants people to see that it makes sense to vote for him (Kerry) in order to defeat Bush. I think he also sends the message that he isn't alienating Nader supporters (anti war and all that).

[BabsSong]

3. madeup--maybe they are hoping that some Nader people in the end

will go into that voting booth and realize that a vote for Nader is keeping Bush in power and will feel kindly towards Kerry. But, I'm now wondering what Nader thought he was going to get from it----some Kerry voters?? Wierd. All of it..........

[madeuplikebowie]

5. For Nader

I think it was just an ego boost. People are paying attention to him b/c they know he can do damage. And I think he likes that power. Freakin bastard!

[Sparkly]

6. Seems to me Nader has the opposite effect

All his crabbing and whining about Democrats works against Kerry. There is nothing positive in it for Kerry, contrary to Nader's "I'm just here to help" assertions.

To hear Nader, you'd think he and he alone believes in raising the minimum wage or cracking down on corporate corruption or protecting the environment or whatever (although he doesn't have anything original to say on women's rights -- just cut/pastes from NOW). He gives yet another soundbyte for people to parrot against Kerry -- now we've got the RNC's "He flip-flops" and Nader's "He's Bush Lite." With allies like Nader, who needs Republicans?

[burythehatchet]

2. The majority of Nader's support

knows that a vote for him is a vote for Bush. They don't WANT to necessarily do that. This sends the signal to those people that Kerry is willing to listen to what he has to say. Makes it easier for them to justify a vote for Kerry

[goodhue]

18. exactly

It's a smart move by Kerry to sway potential Nader voters.

[whistle]

4. I think it was a good move on Kerry's part....

...establishes the groundwork for a possible coalition, but keeps Nader at arm's length for now.

[kentuck]

7. Gore was lucky....he ignored Nader and Nader only got @ 2-3% of vote

Kerry may not be so lucky. It would be foolish, in my opinion, IN MY OPINION, to ignore Nader again this time around. Absolutely ,talk with him. Find out what he wants. Get his support. Get his supporters. We can't afford to write him off again...no matter how much he pisses us off.

[jobycom]

8. Tough call. Nader was begging for it publicly, so Kerry

Had to either meet with him or not. If he didn't, it could look like he was afraid of Nader. If he met with him, as you say, it legitimizes Nader, but Kerry also looks unafraid, even unconcerned.

It won't kill Kerry, it mainly just lets the story die. The longer Kerry refused, the more it becomes a story, and that would sidetrack legitimate issues.

I don't buy the line that this might convince Nader supporters to vote for Kerry. Everyone knows what's at stake, and Nader supporters are going to make their choices on the whole picture, not on Kerry meeting with him. IMO. I don't understand why anyone would still like Nader, but no one can claim Nader voters are stupid.

[Generator]

9. Just a question: Is there anything that Kerry ever does right in your eyes

because I've not seen it posted, when ironically enough, I believe you said that Kerry was your guy from the beginning.

I can't say the same, as I only warmed to him recently. However, I find myself in defense of him more (and his wife) more than not around here.
I don't suspect his every move as being doomed and the worst one. Politics is a crapshot,and much of what comes across here is just ragged opinion.

I think Kerry's smart. Stay close to your enemies, and Nader is definitely that at this point.

[BabsSong]

14. Bingo--it took how many minutes for one of your to crawl out from

under your paranoia rock. I'm simply asking what was up with this and on cue I basically get "HOW DARE YOU SLIME BITCH CRITICIZE KERRY YOU PIG". There are issues to raise, things to discuss in campaign '04. If I wanted to simply march in lock step and not think, I'd vote republican---perhaps, you might be more comfortable in that type of climate.

[Generator]

17. Thanks for not answering my question

I'll be sure to see if ANY post of yours in the future ever mentions anything Kerry has done right. Criticize Kerry all you want, and I'll defend him all I want.

I think that is allowed on DU. (you are implying it's not with your go to the Republican climate-which is very offensive) Sure there are issues to raise, and GUESS WHAT there is a postive spin on these things just as much as there is a negative one.

[struggle4progress]

10. Because they've fought some fights together ...

and because they both hate the direction the country's going? :bounce:

[KoKo]

11. I don't know, but talked to a Repug Relative from Mass. tonight. She and

hubby are sick of Bush...but don't trust Kerry and are thinking of voting for Nader. :shrug: I have no idea..but in my gentle probing (hey, they are relatives..so I can't do much but ask...around the edges) but they think Bush is a "disaster," but they think Kerry isn't saying anything they want to hear, but Nader is????

I tried to gently point out that Nader hasn't a chance in "hell" of winning, but the female of the couple said, well if we decide that there's no difference then we might stay home.

I think Kerry needs to realize that he better speak up...but I've said that here on DU and just get trashed. So...who cares. Let them stay home or whatever...

[BabsSong]

15. KoKo---sadly I think that no matter what Kerry says a lot of people like

this will still think as they do but it's not because he doesn't have real positions, it's because you can't get the media to cover them and you have the media telling the American people that "he doesn't stand for anything" blah, blah. I saw exactly the same thing happen to Gore. I listened to every speech of his covered by C-Span. He did make excellent contrasts with Bush. And then day after day I saw the media drag out people who said "he's a liar, he changes his mind and he doesn't say where he stands ont he issues"......you can't help the stupid and those unwilling to devote a moment to educated themselves on the issues.

[Sparkly]

16. I agree 100%

There was no excuse in 2000, and there's even *less* than no excuse now! With the internet, TV, newspapers, and Kerry out there giving speeches, press releases, interviews -- not to mention the efforts of his surrogates and supporters -- it's beyond me how anybody could say there's little difference between him and the Chimp. I have *never* seen a greater difference between two presidential candidates, and I've never seen so much at stake.

It's amazing how many people, even here, have no idea of what Kerry's proposals are on a wide range of issues, despite how easy it is to find out.

[htuttle]

12. They were conspiring against Bush, obviously

:evilgrin:

[PretzelWarrior]

13. he wanted to deliver a solid c*ckpunch

but went the other way at the last minute. He tried to convince him in a brief little rehearsed speech of what a moran he's being by thinking he has a chance of even clearing the 5% threshold of votes nationwide....probably offered to get him hooked up with Dean on a progressive action group that will steer political discourse to the left once he's elected.

I thin he should have settled for the c*ckpunch

[sangh0]

19. inflammatory bait

.

[PretzelWarrior]

21. no not really. just felt good to visualize. LOL

call me immature, I don't care.

[GreenPartyVoter]

20. Come on Kerry, come out strong for election reform.

You know you can do it, and you know you'll capture a slew of votes from all over the polictal spectrum by doing so.