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| Fifth Column |
| Nader calls Bush 'dictator' |
| 2003-03-23 |
| Ralph Nader said his 2000 presidential candidacy — which some say siphoned off votes that could have meant a Democratic victory — is not to blame for President Bush or his war. The war in Iraq developed instead, he said, from ``a messianic militaristic determination turned by a closed mind, facilitated by a cowering Congress and opposition Democrat Party and undeterred by a 'probing' press.'' Bush is acting ``in effect as a selected dictator,'' Nader told the Mercury News in an interview Friday. The president has not listened to any of the many retired admirals, generals and foreign-policy experts who have warned against the war, Nader said. And the stated reasons for going to war ``have either been disproved or greatly distorted,'' he said. The greatest danger will come, Nader said, after the war has been won. Bush, whom he called ``a hit-and-run president,'' will not stick with the difficult, protracted process of rebuilding Iraq and making it democratic, he said. The warring factions Iraqi President Saddam Hussein has held at bay will dissolve into Shiite Muslims against Sunni Muslims against secular Baath Party loyalists, and Kurds fighting invading Turks, he said. ``For a cheap political advantage, the administration will destroy freedoms and civil rights, undermine our economy and destroy the position of the United States in the world,'' Nader said. I've got this filed under "Fifth Column," but that's only because I don't have a category called "STFU" — yet. |
| Posted by:Fred Pruitt |
| #9 need i remind everyone that if had not been for Nader Al Gore would be President now?? Does Mr. Nader still think that Mr. Gore wouod have run things no differently than Pres. Bush has? If so he should say so, as that would be quite interesting, from my point of view. OTOH if he thinks it would have been different, he should explain what that says about his own campaign. |
| Posted by: liberalhawk 2003-03-24 08:26:40 |
| #8 Nader must have seen the trial lawyers stop contributing and is beating the bushes for more danegeld. |
| Posted by: TJ Jackson 2003-03-23 22:18:49 |
| #7 Yeah, Ralph. I sure wish you were president. I'd be taking home 20 bucks a week, having tofu and water for dinner, walking to work, and living in a biodegradable tent. I'd also probably learing Arabic. Another 60's derelict... |
| Posted by: tu3031 2003-03-23 21:45:22 |
| #6 Nader is the nadir of American politics |
| Posted by: Alaska Paul 2003-03-23 21:10:51 |
| #5 People who worked for Nader say he is a control freak, nitpicky and requires everyone to put in 80 hour weeks. Frankly, I'd rather work for a dictator. |
| Posted by: mhw 2003-03-23 20:12:06 |
| #4 he's only trying to ingratiate himself with his base. Michael Kinsley in a friday (or was it thursday?) Washington Post opinion piece called Bush the closest thing to dictator of the world. As a Republican I can only encourage these people to speak up and encourage others in the Dem party base to do the same...heh heh |
| Posted by: Frank G 2003-03-23 19:57:50 |
| #3 "Buffoon" is much too kind. Nader's been breathing too much oxygen. |
| Posted by: Old Patriot 2003-03-23 18:46:59 |
| #2 Let's hope Nader runs again in 2004. heh heh |
| Posted by: anonymous 2003-03-23 18:39:21 |
| #1 Nader calls Bush 'dictator' Phillips calls Nader 'buffoon' |
| Posted by: Patrick Phillips 2003-03-23 18:26:39 |