Ralph Nader Hearts Ron Paul, Hails Potential Left-Libertarian Alliance

[PotatoChip]

38. Boo!!!

I had until now, maintained some respect for Nader's views and life's work as a consumer advocate; despite his actions in the 2000 election (of which I highly disapproved). But even that has gone out the window w/this news.

How the hell can he justify support for Ron Paul? To be fair, the blog points out that Nader has not formally endorsed Paul's candidacy. Furthermore, I don't disagree w/Nader's assertion that there are some views that progressives share w/libertarians. Problem here is that Ron Paul embraces his libertarian approach from the far right. That approach carries w/it all that is abhorrantly wrong with the right wing in this country. In fact, it is magnified in Ron Paul imo.

From a pragmatic standpoint, I support doing our best to pull as many far left, progressive, civil libertarians as we can back into OUR tent. Make the tent larger if we have to, but be sure they are made to feel welcome and appreciated. And not w/just lip service. This means compromise between mainstream Dems and the more liberal among us.

I think the biggest mistake the Democratic party has been making in the past 20 years or so, has been to take our more liberal members for granted, ignoring them even. We've moved farther right than we should have in order to appease fickle, center/right voters. The result? People like Nader feeling so disaffected, that they'd even consider an alliance w/the far right.

All of that said, the OP makes a good point here. Nader is doing the very same thing he condemned the Democratic party for, by even suggesting an alliance w/the fringe far right Paulies. Unacceptable, and hypocritical in the extreme imo.