Campaign 2004: Nader's in, says he's no spoiler

WASHINGTON -- Consumer advocate Ralph Nader announced yesterday he is running again for president, this time as an independent, and rejected claims that a long-shot candidacy would merely siphon enough votes from the Democrats to ensure President Bush's re-election.

But Nader's decision was greeted with a chorus of condemnation from Democrats, longtime friends and former supporters who blame him for Al Gore's loss four years ago. They suggested that Nader would not pull close to the 2.7 percent of the vote he won before without the backing of an established party and some of his past supporters.

Republicans generally resisted the temptation to gloat. Party Chairman Ed Gillespie proclaimed that Bush would win a second term no matter who runs. Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour, a former chairman of the Republican National Committee, said, "It will make less difference than the Democrats fear, but I know they're very nervous about it."

In declaring his candidacy, Nader said Washington had become "corporate-occupied territory."

He accused both Democrats and Republicans of being dominated by corporate lobbyists who "care little" about the needs of ordinary Americans.

"It's a question between both parties flunking," Nader said on NBC's "Meet the Press," where he chose to make his announcement. He asserted that "it's time to change the equation and bring millions of American people into the political arena."

Nader said he will mount a national campaign as an independent to highlight issues he claims the major parties are ignoring, including universal health care, rising poverty and environmental concerns.

Democratic National Committee Chairman Terry McAuliffe, who personally urged Nader not to run, called the decision "unfortunate."

"You know, he's had a whole distinguished career, fighting for working families, and I would hate to see part of his legacy being that he got us eight years of George Bush," McAuliffe said on CBS' "Face the Nation."

Gov. Bill Richardson of New Mexico minced no words. "It's a total act of ego," he said.

Vermont Rep. Bernie Sanders, the only independent in the House, a liberal and a longtime Nader friend, called Nader's decision "counterproductive." Even the Green Party, whose banner Nader carried four years ago, chose to focus on its own priorities.

"Our midterm goal is the creation of a multiparty political system and the participation of a strong Green Party in that system," said Ben Manski, the party's co-chairman.

But Nader dismissed his critics among "the liberal intelligentsia" and called the spoiler moniker "contemptuous."

"It shows how hostage they are to the antiquated electoral system and how unwilling they are to oppose and change it," he said in an interview. "I would urge them to calm down, start reflecting, be tolerant of democracy and freedom and watch events unfold since we're all on the same page of wanting to retire our supremely elected president, George W. Bush."

Nader predicted he would get more net votes from conservatives and liberal Republicans dissatisfied with Bush's record than from registered Democrats.

Democratic officials yesterday claimed that Nader has promised to refrain from criticizing the Democratic nominee, instead focusing his ammunition on the Bush administration. Nader acknowledged the pledge but said it does not mean he will refrain from criticizing Democrats if they attack him. "I'm not going to avoid responding," he said.

Nader scheduled a news conference for today to discuss issues. He said he plans to begin campaigning this week on Bush's home turf of Texas, where he will focus on Bush's record.

As the Green Party's nominee in 2000, Nader appeared on the ballot in 43 states and Washington, D.C., garnering nearly 3 percent of the vote. But in Florida and New Hampshire, Bush won such narrow victories that had Gore received the bulk of Nader's votes in either state, he would have won the election.

An independent needs about 700,000 signatures to get on the ballot in all 50 states.

Nader said his exploratory committee had raised about $150,000 in the past five months. He said he is confident he can raise more than the $8 million he received last time.

Democratic presidential front-runner John Kerry said, "I'm going to appeal to everybody in this race, and we'll make it unnecessary in the end for an alternative."

Kerry's rival, North Carolina Sen. John Edwards, said he could attract many of Nader's progressive followers. "It will not impact my campaign. People are looking for someone who can beat George Bush."