Ralph Nader calls Barack Obama an "Uncle Tom"

[enigmatic]

Run time: 03:24 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XkoB4r9FSzY   Posted on YouTube: November 05, 2008 By YouTube Member: Views on YouTube: 0   Posted on DU: November 05, 2008 By DU Member: enigmatic Views on DU: 6634

 
What a piece of shit Nader is.

[Ken Burch]

1. Did Ralph have a stroke at some point? It looks like one side of his face is paralyzed.

n/t.

[WyldRogue]

23. Looks like...

... he suffering from Palsy which does partially paralyze one side of the face or the other and generally goes away after a few weeks/months.

[Shiver]

30. Actually

He has Bell's Palsy, which has paralyzed his left eyelid and done a number on the rest of his face too.

[Ken Burch]

36. I thought something had happened to him.

n/t.

[Name removed]

46. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[bjobotts]

47. Nader never called Obama uncle Tom.. he asked which way Obama would act.

[bjobotts]

48. Would he act like uncle Sam or Uncle Tom. The right always tries to belittle

[bjobotts]

49. and demean anyone who speakd out against corporations and you fall for it

[bjobotts]

50. Every single thing Nader said was true.He's always stood for the consumer and the poor

[bjobotts]

51. against coporate power and they hate him and use any chance to degrade him

[bjobotts]

52. Nader would be perfect as head of the EPA or the CPA. That reporter...

[bjobotts]

53. tried to make an issue out of nothing but the words "Uncle Tom". What are you a wingnut

[bjobotts]

54. Going along with that pathetic wingnut smear. It has been proven beyond doubt that

[bjobotts]

55. Nader running for president had nothing at all to do with Gore or Kerry losing

[bjobotts]

56. Nader runs to get funding for a national platform for consumer protection and anti coporatism

[bjobotts]

57. You fall right in line with those wingnu'ts desires to demean anyone on the left.

[bjobotts]

58. Democracy now had an interview with Nader today where he wasn't taken out of context.

[bjobotts]

59. On democracy now Nader spoke eloquently about how we should influence Obama etc.

[bjobotts]

60. Suggest you go look at some truth and fuck Fox's smear.

[TheEuclideanOne]

82. Hey bjobotts...ummm....there is a message box with lots of space to write in.

[TheEuclideanOne]

83. Just sayin

:)

[readmoreoften]

2. Criticism is fine, but that's inappropriate and rude.

[jpgray]

3. Nader defenders ought to separate the man from his policy positions

The former is uniformly lousy at making any sort of progress on the latter these days. This, and the "no difference" rhetoric in 2000 are perfect examples.

[Proud-D]

4. And to think I once respected Nader back when he was a Green.

What is wrong with this man? He could have made the same point without using that dirty analogy! By saying what he did and on fox no less he has lowered himself to level of Ann Culter who just says controversial things simply to make headlines. What a small low down man he is to try and steal just a little of President Obama's thunder on the night of his election. If Nader ever runs again I hope he wont even get 1% of the vote or better yet fails to get on the ballot at all! On a side note I find it funny how fox news anchors are now trying to kiss Obama's ass, shocking I tells ya shocking! I wonder how long that will last lol.

[pedo]

5. Ralph is definitely not a piece of shit

and he is entitled to his opinion. He didn't actually call Obama an Uncle Tom, he said Obama has a choice, he can be Uncle Sam or Uncle Tom. But I do agree that it was a really stupid thing to say.

and Shepard Smith was being a condescending self-righteous douche

[trumad]

7. Fuck Nader and fuck those who enable him.

[Postman]

11. You're an idiot.

Ralph Nader stands up for the little guy against corporate fascism.

Apparantly you have a problem with that.

[trumad]

16. Fuck Nader and those who enable him....

[demigoddess]

20. ralph nader USED TO stand up for americans , but it has been a long time

since he did anything useful in that department. Let's face it running for president without a viable party is a futile gesture at best.

[susanwy]

32. Yes, you have hit on the point

Had Nader pulled out and backed Gore in 2000, he would have had a cabinet post in a Gore administration and could have made a difference on issues he cares so much about (not to mention the rest of the alternate universe that lives in my dreams). I supported him in 2000, but so hoped he would pull out in the final weeks. You can't change things unless you get a seat at the power table.

Instead he choose an alternate path, and it has descended into a place where he says outrageous things just to get the attention and the sad thing is I think HE knows he is completely irrelevant and has ruined his legacy. He is a shell of the man he used to be, and I just feel pity for him.

However, he does have one thing right, NO ONE, including Obama, ever mentioned the poor in this race (except Edwards, who also managed to squander his political capitol and loose a seat at the table). They have been forgotten. I can't blame Obama, had me made an issue out of the poor, that socialist thing would have stuck in the minds of independents (not true, but FOX and others would have made hay out of any proposed help for the poor).

[NavyDavy]

24. screw Nader this is Democratic Underground we don't cheer

lead idiots like that

[bjobotts]

61. Your ignorance astounds. You reject without investigating.Get the real story at Democracy now

[urgk]

6. "We expect more of Barack Obama"?

I expect more from Ralph Nader.

Or I did.

I don't know where the jackass who helped lose 2000 and 2004 for the Democrats thinks he gets the life equity to throw a term like "Uncle Tom" around like that, but he's wrong. He's just slipped from irrelevance into outright foolishness.

[TheEuclideanOne]

8. Hey Ralph, doesn't it suck to be irrelevant?

No need to resort to the gutter element. It hasn't worked too well lately. Ask Grampy and Dole. :rofl:

[bjobotts]

69. Yeah, keeping jumpin on the wingnut band wagon.Nader will never be irrelevant

[bjobotts]

70. What have you 'ever' done that gives you the right to call Nader irrelevant

[bjobotts]

71. Not 1/2 percnt of what Nader has done his whole life.Liberals cheer Nader for what he's done

[TheEuclideanOne]

91. Yeah, liberals cheer for what he did many moons ago, not the egotistical

Ralph Nader who does nothing for the country except run for president. He is really a great american I believe and accomplished so many great things, but that was in the past when he was fighting for Americans. Sadly, his legacy will NOT be seatbelts for automobiles or anything else from back in the day. His legacy will be of the guy who comes out of nowhere every 4 years and runs for president with no other goal than running and getting some publicity.

[TheEuclideanOne]

90. Well, one thing is that I figured out how to use a discussion board. Not a big accomplishment, but

regardless of what I have accomplished or haven't, it still doesn't make Ralphie any less irrelevant.

Just a helpful hint......
When you are replying to posts, you will see a big white textbox underneath the subject. It says "Message" to the left. If you type in it, you can save all of that space that you take up on the replies. If you need more help, I am sure you can email the webmaster for a tutorial. :rofl:

Regarding Ralph Nader, at best he can get some attention by throwing an election every 4 years. Well, he used to anyway, and thank goodness he didn't this time. I guess we will be hearing from him again in 4 years, then in 8 years. He just likes the attention, I suppose. Then again, I guess that you do as well, since you include the contents of your entire post, one !#$@% line at a time. You know, it is okay if people don't actually read what you reply, no need to force it in their face the way that you do.

[demwing]

93. Clearly Uncle Ralph is his mentor

in conceit. Find a soapbox, rant from on top, and claim everyone who disagrees hates the poor, or backs corporate control of the universe.

There's a bit of the fascist nationalist in Ralph Nader, and his more dyspeptic supporters, that chills me.

[TheEuclideanOne]

94. If only he could wait another 4 years before adding those 50 line series of posts

Then you could say that Ralph was his mentor. :rofl:

If Ralph Nader were alive today, maybe he would stand up against people spamming discussion boards.

[demwing]

92. I excercised my right and duty as a US Citizen

I can say Nader is irrelevant, and I can say it in confidence that I am correct.

If Nader is relevant to you, after the way he has behaved in the prior two presidential election cycles, then this says more of you than of him.

And stop over posting, use the message box instead of the subject line.

[screembloodymurder]

9. Sour grapes from an idealist who should know better.

Very sad.

[Enrique]

10. there goes his chance for a cabinet post n/t

[Jacobin]

12. Fred Phelps, move over

Ralph is now the biggest asshole in the country

[superduperfarleft]

13. I understand his point, but what a horrible way to make it.

I still won't go as far as calling him a racist, and I'll gladly defend his policies to this day, but that was a stupid stupid stupid thing for Nader to say.

And Faux News guy was just happy to have someone to take his frustration out on. After some of the racist shit that spews from that network, no one there has any right to lecture someone on racist comments.

[stark6935]

14. Whos the guy on the right?

Must be a nobody.

[Native]

15. I'll do it for ya! The guy is a racist pig.

How many other ways could he have made the same point? Do you think he would have said that to a white man? No matter how you look at it - it is a racist comment.

[pjt7]

18. People need to grow up here

Nader is 1000% right that Obama needs to prove he will take on the military industrial corporations/criminals that need tp be prosecuted on Wall Street, hidden 9.11 string pulllers, etc.

Honestly, I'm very glad Obama won, but the jury is still out.

The scummy producer of FOX probably set Ralph up to make the whole interview about the "uncle tom" word & not the issue of true accountability.

[NavyDavy]

27. what the hell are you talking about? the juries still out? your a fool

[superduperfarleft]

21. Don't do it "for me," because I never said that.

Even if I'm supremely disappointed in Nader's comments, I'll never be part of the rabid and irrational DU Fuck Nader Brigade.

[bjobotts]

62. Bullshit. Waht better way to characterize corporate slaves or the Money party leaders under lobbyist

[bjobotts]

63. AT&T (paid for telecom immunity before our very eyes)paid for the dem convention

[bjobotts]

64. If they and their lobbyists got unfettered access to office holders and candidates

[bjobotts]

65. and they consider themselves the masters...what does that make those getting huge donations

[bjobotts]

66. and offers of future job opportunities for themselves(Trent Lott), friends and families

[bjobotts]

67. Ever ask a black man if he was gonna act like a "boy"? What a motivator.

[bjobotts]

68. The post heading is a lie.proving a pre existing agenda.Nader is only irrelevant to corporate power

because of your ignorance.

[mt13]

17. Nader is not a racist pig and...

he has a point about the large corporations. i do not believe he thinks Barack is an "Uncle Tom"

[pjt7]

19. Guess what our side won!

We don't ever have to be MANIPULATED by FOX again. & that is exactly what's really going on here.

I'm just looking for honest Government & true accountability. Obama needs to deliver it & Nader is right to look for it.

[bjobotts]

72. Agreed. Good insight

[Eric Condon]

22. Hey Ralph, guess how much ANYONE gives a shit what you have to say anymore

If you guessed "not at all in this lifetime or next," you got it. Fuck you, you irrelevant moron. I know you're disappointed that McCain didn't win, but them's the breaks. Deal with it.

Yep, Obama's the real sellout here, you tell us as you come to us live from Faux News.

[bjobotts]

73. He was on democracy now with a greatr interview. But who cares about liberals huh?

[bjobotts]

74. EPA and CPA doing a great job so who cares about watchdogs on our goverment.

[bjobotts]

75. I agree with the wingnuts.Let coporations run things. Fuck Nader.

[bjobotts]

76. I like being an Uncle Tom. What ever the corporate bosses say I do

[bjobotts]

77. It wasn't just Obama that won...it was the people that won, He represents our wishes.

[Eric Condon]

81. I dont' know if you know this

but seeing as this is DEMOCRATIC Underground, and Nader has been actively working against the Democratic Party for at least 8 years, that pretty much gives us the right to criticize him. Sure, this is the liberal netroots and all, but Nader has actively, publicly and openly tried to hurt the Democratic Party. He deserves all the contempt we afford Lieberman here.

[IsItJustMe]

25. Nader makes some good points in my view, but his phrasing is completely inappropriate. I always

wondered why Obama never used the term Poor people in his speeches.

[NavyDavy]

28. oh shut the f**k up and go to freeperville with that crap

[IsItJustMe]

29. Nope, I have been here for years and I will remain. Truth is the truth and Obama never mentioned

poor people in his speeches. It is what it is.

And by the way, me and my entire family voted for Obama.

On edit. Your the one that is acting like a freeper, trying to squach any type of opinion that does not correspond with your own. That is Republican as it gets there.

[Neutralator]

43. I noticed that too. It may be because...

...Poor people is somehow equated with AA's. A good example is sub-prime mortgage crisis & ACORN. So I think it was a strategic move on Obama's part to not open himself to unwanted attacks. Having said that, he addressed poor people by describing their condition -- lack of Healthcare,wages, education etc...

Obama did spoke to and for poor people, he just didn't use the word poor people. So there is a difference.

[IsItJustMe]

45. I think there is some truth to what you are saying. If he talked about poor people, they would have

gave him hell as a welfare president. I took Obama saying middle class as code for including poor people. I hope that is the case, but regardless, I know his policies of tax cuts and medical care will help poor people regardless.

[rateyes]

26. Nader, I blame you for the Iraq War.

Fuck off.

[superduperfarleft]

31. How about the Dems who voted for it?

Do you blame them too, or just Nader, who didn't get a vote on it, much like the rest of us?

[rateyes]

33. Yes, I blame those who voted for it. Their only excuse is that

Bush lied with cherry-picked intelligence. And, Dems should have impeached the SOB.

[Hobbershall]

34. Ralph Nader is a humorless turd

You need a personality to become president.

[wryter2000]

35. He needs to go away

Seriously. He needs to retire and STFU.

[elocs]

37. Nader is all about Nader and he said what he said to get attention.

He knows better that you do not casually throw out the term "uncle tom" in referencing a black person. Nader is irrelevant and it's time to pull the handle and flush him.

[Jack Rabbit]

38. Go away, Ralph

I get what you're trying to say, but find some better way to say it.

As a white person, I am reluctant to call the most right wing black public figure an Uncle Tom. It's really poor taste. Please develop some sense of restraint in your choice of words. Understatement, after all, is the mark of a literary artist.

[donheld]

39. Nader is an asshole

[bjobotts]

78. Your an idiot with no memory. Seat belts anyone.Exploding gas tanks?Poison food

[mac56]

80. Yes, I remember. He's still an asshole.

A proud legacy, that he promptly pissed away through arrogance.

He and his apologists are pathetic. Like the middle aged guy sitting on the barstool, reminiscing about the touchdown he scored back in 1973.

[swag]

40. Fuck Racist Ralph.

[prd_kucitizen]

42. I hope the democrats aren't becoming rednecks

First I am not a new member though I don't post often. I mostly just like to read so I can feel connected to people like myself. I recently changed my e-mail address so this will appear as my first post even though I have nearly 200 posts since I joined in 2002. As I said I don't post often but I felt compelled to on this particular thread as some of the posts seemed like they were from people from a Palin rally which I absolutely don't condemn.

Maybe what Nader said was a little over the top but at least he means well which a lot of the anti-nader people don't have a clue as to where he is coming from evidently. Evem though I have been reluctantly voting for corporate democrats in the last two elections this includes Obama because you can't tell me he got all of that money he raised from poor and middle class americans so I am a little curious as to whom he might be beholden to. I have been skeptical from the beginning and will be paying careful attention myself as to which promises he keeps to the american people. I voted for Barack because we can't keep going down the same path the Republicans have been taking us and I am worried about my childrens future. However, if Barack doesn't deliver this will be the last time I vote democrat because this is the absolute chance I am giving this party to redeem itself. That is what Nader was aaying by the way for those who don't get it.

Anyway I wish I was better at conveying my feelings and will just leave it at that. I hope as Nader was saying I don't have to give up on the democratic party next election cycle but I do expect some big things from a democratic controlled congress. Our country is totally controlled by this rigged two party system that some of our forefathers warned us about. I'm concerned that until we break that cycle we may in fact be doomed. But unlike some of you who don't give Nader any benefit of the doubt I will give Obama the chance to prove himself before I give up on the party entirely.

[bjobotts]

79. That is the most ignorant statement. Nader is not racist by any means.

[swag]

87. Well, he has a bad habit of using language associated with racists.

I'm not the only one who thinks so:

http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/talk/blogs/scientific/2008/11/naders-nadir.php

[paulkienitz]

41. he did not CALL him that, but still... (forehead slap)

I've defended Nader in the past against a lot of Dem resentment, but jeez dude, try to show a little class.

[The Night Owl]

44. The title of this thread is dishonest. {EOM}

[gwinnettdem]

84. Misleading, yes

But Nader STILL should not have put it in those terms. There are ways to encourage President-elect Obama to take your concerns to heart, Ralph. Using the term "Uncle Tom" is not one of them. All that Republican money you've received over the years has warped your mind.

In short- Nader is an ass-hat for saying this, no matter what the context is.

[nikolaas]

85. ic

ok about that

[reorg]

86. Flamebait. The actual title of the video is different.

I think the "reporter" is the piece of shit, not Nader.

[Downtown Hound]

88. Ralph who?

Oh you mean that creep that lays low and is nowhere to be seen unless there's a presidential election where he then pops out of nowhere and acts like he's been fighting a valiant war against the oppressed masses of America all this time when in fact he was just waiting for the next election where he then arrogantly claims that anybody that doesn't support his candidacy isn't a true progressive and who's candidacies don't amount to jack shit in terms of getting anything meaningful accomplished except helping tilt close elections in favor of the fascist Republicans? That Ralph?

Oh well, who cares and fuck him. He's less relevant than a fly at this point. Good riddance.

Sincerely
Downtown Hound,

Very repentant Nader 2000 voter. In my defense I only did it because it was in CA and the state had already been called for Gore when I voted, so I figured I had nothing to lose. Nevertheless, I'm very sorry. I blame bad drugs at the time.

[democracy1st]

89. BS Title This is the way Fox plays viewers in order to appear fair and balanced

Nader is so far left he can't see straight but the title is a example how the rightwing promotes the Fox Network

[Deja Q]

95. Oh my...

[Name removed]

96. Deleted message

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