Don’t worry progressives who are unhappy with Obama, Ralph Nader is here to save us all. Because Ralph Nader’s interference worked out so well in the past.
Consumer activist Ralph Nader said Tuesday that he’ll launch an initiative soon to field primary challenges to President Obama in key states.
Nader, who waged two presidential campaigns as a third-party candidate, is working with a group of frustrated Democrats who are hoping to turn up the heat on Obama from the left.
“It’s an initiative to scan the possibilities of people who may run,” Nader said in a phone interview. “My guess is that it’s almost 100 percent sure there’s going to be a primary challenge to Obama from somebody or somebodies — plural — in some states.”
Nader’s effort follows comments over the weekend by Sen. Bernie Sanders (Vt.), a liberal independent who caucuses with Democrats, that it would be a “good idea” for Obama to face a primary challenge in 2012.
Gee, two members of third parties want to tell Democrats what to do. Maybe they should join the Democratic party and do it themselves.
I’m sure you’re aware of one definition of insanity – repeating the same actions again and again hoping to get a different outcome. That definition applies here.
Now for all of you who think this is a good idea, give me an example where a primary of an incumbent president has 1) worked and/or 2) let that president keep his job. The ones I remember – Reagan vs. Ford, Kennedy vs. Carter didn’t work out so well. Not only is it really, really expensive but it tears up your coalition. So anyone arguing this will be a good thing must show evidence of how a primary challenger will pick up the majority of the party that backs Obama.
There are other liberals that tend to think a third party is a good thing. I used to think that could be a way but all the evidence I have seen is that 3rd parties benefit conservatives. Third parties gave Gov. LePage in Maine, Gov. Christie in NJ and Senator Rubio in Florida. Except with Christie, all evidence points to the third party peeling off Democratic voters. Look at the examples abroad. In Canada, despite liberals winning a majority (split between 2 parties) they have a conservative government, the same with the UK.
*steps on soapbox*
Despite all our disappointments, the Democratic party remains our best vehicle to enact progressive change. It needs to be done at all levels – local, state and national. Tuning out or holding out for purity is not good enough. If we want change, we need to do it ourselves and not wait for a progressive savior.
*steps off soapbox*