BUYING OFF NADER: looking for a win-win approach [View All]

[ulTRAX]

First of all I don't think Nader can be bought off for money. That would be insulting to even suggest. I still have immense respect for Nader even if many Democrats are furious with him for running. While I won't be voting for him as I did in 96 and 2000, until the Democratic Party can make a better case to Progressives... he SHOULD be hounding the Dems. I consider myself more of a Green than a Dem and it infuriates me that in 2004 our system is so backwards that I STILL do not have the ability to vote my conscience without supporting a spoiler.

I also realize our method of electing a president is both dysfunctional and anti-democratic. Dems should NEVER forget that none of the shenanigans in Florida or the USSC would have mattered EXCEPT for that unaccountable, anti-democratic star chamber called the EC. Unless Democrats understand this simple fact... all their anger is wasted blaming the OTHER victims of 2000: those Progressives who WOULD have voted Gore if there was a run-off system.

That being said I think the Democrats would be making a mistake NOT to try to offer Nader a carrot to pull out of the race in a face saving manner... a way that gives him what he wants, and his supporters a GOOD reason to vote for Kerry.

What is an issue Nader cares deeply about? I suspect it's political reform. I believe the Green 2000 platform included reforms such as proportional representation. Maybe it's corporate reform.

What if Nader could have a better chance of promoting his reform agenda by NOT running than if he did run? Imagine a good faith pledge from Kerry that his administration would investigate political reforms such as the EC... run-off voting... why 50% of the voting age population stays away from elections. What if Nader were offered the chairmanship? He would not have to taint himself by becoming a Democrat.

Of course if Kerry doesn't win... Bush certainly isn't going to call for reforms.

Now Nader might NOT go along with this commission and decide to run anyway... in which case some other outstanding Progressive would get the job. Such a move could alienate some of Nader's followers who then have a more vested interest in Kerry winning than a protest Nader vote.