Ralph Nader talks trash about Barack Obama

Ralph Nader irrevocably earned a spot on Democratic "don't invite him" lists when, in the view of virtually everyone except himself, his 2000 presidential bid cost Al Gore the White House and delivered it to George Bush.

Nader will go to his grave scoffing at such complaints; whenever asked, he insists that Gore has no one but himself to blame for the loss and presses his case that there's virtually no difference between the two major parties because both are beholden to corporate interests.

He's running for the umpteenth time again and, as he made clear in an interview this week with Denver's Rocky Mountain News, there's little worthwhile he sees in the latest Democratic pick for president.

Summarizing the interview, reporter M.E. Sprengelmeyer writes that Nader accused Barack Obama of "downplaying poverty issues, trying to 'talk white' and appealing to 'white guilt' during his run for the White House."

The "talk white" and "white guilt" comments, of course, ensure Nader a burst of attention that his latest candidacy has been lacking up to now.

Here's one of the Nader quotes from the article:

There's only one thing different about Barack Obama when it comes to being a Democratic presidential candidate. He's half African-American. Whether that will make any difference, I don't know. I haven't heard him have a strong crackdown on economic exploitation in the ghettos. Payday loans, predatory lending, asbestos, lead. What's keeping him from doing that? Is it because he wants to talk white? He doesn't want to appear like Jesse Jackson? We'll see all that play out in the next few months and if he gets elected afterwards.

The full story and a video of the interview can be perused here.

Appearing on MSNBC a few minutes ago, Obama aide Robert Gibbs called Nader's comments "reprehensible and basically delusional."

They also are an interesting contrast to remarks Nader made about Ron Paul when pitching himself to Paul's supporters earlier this month.

[UPDATE: At an afternoon news conference in Chicago, Obama was asked about Nader's remarks and he responded cooly and without anger. "What's clear is that Ralph Nader hasn't been paying attention to my speeches" because, he said, he frequently has addressed the issues Nader charged he had been ignoring. He dismissed the inflammatory language Nader used as a bid to try to get attention for a candidacy that has been mostly under the radar. "It's a shame," he said, given Nader's "extraordinary" legacy as a crusader for consumer causes.]

[UPDATE II: In a stroke of good timing, the Washington Post today published this lengthy feature piece that covers his struggles to stir up interest in his campaign, the grief he still takes about the 2000 election and, in general, where he's coming from.)

-- Don Frederick

Photo: Associated Press

Comments

[I need to find a bar]

Maybe he can get Imus to sign on as his running mate. Seems to me that would be a good combo after reading this article.

[DisturbingQuestions]

Most of you are unaware of this but on 9/11 there was a third steel structured tower that collapsed at free fall speed, perfectly symmetrically and directly downward into it's footprint. This was a 47 story building that collapsed in 9 seconds - perfectly uniformly collapsed that is.

The three World Trade Centers that collapsed are the only steel structured skyscrapers to collapse due to fire in history and there have been many fires in steel structured towers throughout history. So they are a glaring statistical anomaly.

Here is the collapse of World Trade 7. Remember, this is 47 stories collapsing in 9 seconds:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LD06SAf0p9A

Go ahead, watch it, it's only 9 seconds out of your day.

Doesn't it look strange to you? That mild fires and minor non-uniform damage can result in a freefall, perfectly uniform collapse?

What you also may not know is that NIST - the National Institute of Standards and Technology has been having a very difficult time explaining this collapse. They've been working on the report for 5+ years and continue to delay the report. Well, a preliminary version of the report has been leaked and you can read it for yourself here:

http://www.infowars.com/?p=2867

http://www.infowars.net/WTC7Report/

If you find the collapse of World Trade 7 intriguing you may find the many other questions about 9/11intriguing too:

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=1336167662031629480&q=painful+deception&ei=L6FiSMnoEo-eqgO2ttmuAw&hl=en

BTW - Have any of you wondered what happened with those anthrax attacks that occured immediately after 9/11? Don't you find it strange that there has been no follow up on that story in the media? The FBI has still not found the perps even though the anthrax was Ames strain weapons grade anthrax that was developed at Fort Detrick.

That is, an inside job.

[abby0802]

Nader, your time is past. Go home and stay there.

[david]

The problem is that Nader is right on the issues and Obama is not. Does that mean that one should vote for Nader rather than Obama? Well, that depends on whether you want the lesser of the evils (Obama over McCain) or the candidate who doesn't make one hold one's nose when voting (Nader). I haven't decided yet.

[shirlin]

Nader's delusional comments remind us that when folks hit the over seventy-year-old mark, they may begin to exhibit symptoms of dementia. I am almost 64 and am aware that my temper, speech, energy, etc, are not what they were 20 years ago. Nader is obviously unfit to run even a sanitation department. Neither is his age-colleague, McCain McSame McBush.

[Andrew S]

If Obama is so confident that he has addressed the issues that Nader feels that he hasn't, why doesn't he highlight them more? Why doesn't Obama take a tougher stance against payday loans, predatory lending, dumping waste in low-income neighborhoods, etc.?

[Harvey Westfall]

Go away, NADER. You are tired, boring and look like

hell. Get some rest..

[Jomo]

Nader, Nader and Nader. Well, what Nader says should not surprise, because this what many thought Obama would be doing in this campaign. It would take years to many of our fathers generation to realize that Obama is running to be the President of US and of all americans. Obama race has however blinded many to this reality. Sorry Nader!

[Fareed]

Want some Air Time call a press conference and say something Stupid about front runner Democratic Nominee Barack Obama. Yesterday it was Rev. James Dobson trying to criticize a 2006 Obama Speech. These attention seeker stories last about 12 to 24 hours, until the next one.

[Clyde Nugget]

Disturbingquestions: Your are in need of urgent, immediately mental health care!!! Go to the nearest emergency room right away, or call 911.

I believe (truly) Obama is a sleeper. He's been brainwashed in Indonesia and Kenya.

Y E A, N A D E R

[A]

My gosh, people must be desparately afraid of the issues to be trashing Nader without saying anything.
Nader is right on the issues, and you cannot trust anything Obama says these days.
I would love to see Nader and Obama debate, but Obama ain't got the game to do so, without a speechwriter handy, so I'm sure he'd be afraid that he'd actually be asked tough questions from somebody who doesn't just smile and clap.
Nader has stood up on African American issues way more than Obama, which is kind of funny, since Obama turned his back on them as soon as it was convenient.

Peace -
Obama - http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/06/04/obama.victory/
Nader - http://www.votenader.org/issues/middle-east/

Lobbyists -
Obama - http://www.mindfully.org/Reform/2008/Obama-Money-Cartel21feb08.htm

Discrimination Issues -
Obama - http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080619/NEWS06/806190376
Nader - http://www.washington-report.org/archives/May_2004/0405072.html

http://www.blackagendareport.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=680&Itemid=1
Who tried to address it. One guess... http://www.thirdworldtraveler.com/Nader/CutCorpWelfare_Nader.html

The moderators there pull out references to Nader, because they don't want people to talk about him. He's the only candidate really trying to speak out for their issues. They complain nobody is talking about the media spectrum givaway, but they censor the only candidate trying to bring it up. Maybe they don't really want anything solved at blackagendareport though, and just want to whine. Maybe America does not want to address a corrupt system, and just wants to whine.

If Nader's trying to get attention, I'd say it's for our sake, not his. I can't imagine him trying to deal with a corrupt Congress, but he asked for it. Do we want to support wars and kill the earth and ourselves with it, or not? Republicans, there's a financial interest in not destroying the earth or our neighbors. Wars cost money, and it's only going to a tiny handful, not even most Republicans that get it. The tax breaks are shams shunted to the deficit. Democrats, if we don't kill the earth, we'll feel better. Libertarians, no war means more freedom. Greens, come on...

[Gromit]

Don, as a preliminary matter, you have an obvious troll comment up there from "DistrubingQuestions." Do as you will with it.

On topic: Nader manages to unite the GOP and Democrats on one issue, namely: Nader's comments are racist and stupid.

[Sidd]

Hey, look. I think he has a valid point here.
(I'm not just plugging it) visit votenader.org and read his latest grouse on Obama failing to filibuster a bill that could bring "retroactive immunity for telecom companies", in the context of the wiretap program.
I think he may have underestimated Obama a bit, but Obama HAS been overtly polite since the primaries began. On one hand, it could be a calculated price to pay to get elected in a basically flawed system (the kind that, besides other things, disenfranchises 3rd party candidates like Nader) - but if you're not going to speak your mind before the elections, when will you?
My admiration and respect for Nader is unmatched although I realise how *practically* redundant it is to vote for him.
I'm impressed by Obama and his mind. He's clearly a thinking individual with a healthy *inner* life (basically, a soul that's relatively un-corroded by power politics yet), but I fear he may get insulated with executive power and cease to respond to public sensitively once he is elected. The only way to avoid this is to speak his mind better.. NOW. Enough with the platitudes and "these are the same folks". Take a hint from Ron Paul/ Kuccinich, for god's sake. Do you have any idea why their campaigns caught on despite shoestring budgets?

[Julie]

Hooooowwwwww....jealous.

[bruce becker]

Enough talk of Nader's racist sociological musings.
He wont win one elector.
McCain has possibly got Alzheimer's.
Is that an issue? Why did his medical report not include any testing for short term memory loss or incipient alzheimer's? When did Cindy and he first do it? The marriage, one month after the divorce from Carol was finalized seems to imply yet another, unconfessed adultery.

[jojo star]

nader didn't cost gore the prsidency in 2000, gore lost it because he lost his home state tennesse and arkansas - i he had bill campaign for him he would have won those states and be president s dont blame nader

as or obama nader has the ability o speak what everyone knows but cannot say because of political allout they would face, naderr doesn't have any fallout because he has no chance to win and not trying to get a job from the eventual winner.

the country needs change, but many tims false prophets hijack this need for their own purposes.

[PacificGatePost]

OBAMA’S ARTISTRY OF THE AMBIGUOUS - It is not his lack of experience that will work against him, it is his indecision.

Obama would be well served by his hired help if it could move him to specifics on numerous critical fronts.

Voters are looking for definitive action while they battle overwhelming increases in costs on all fronts.

http://pacificgatepost.blogspot.com/2008/06/obamas-artistry-of-ambiguous.html

[Boss Hogg]

As a gifted rhetoritician, Obama can disgustingly misuse history and symbology just too his advantage. That does not make his claims correct. As the debates heated up amongst the Democrats, he claimed that you cant keep sending the same old people back to Washington and expect a different result. Hey I agree! But, it seems that that only applied to Hillary. And only in the narrow confines of the moment. All of these people that are part of the cadre that he embraces have been there for over 30 years! Kennedy, Biden, Inoue, Byrd, the list of names goes on...So, a great line, but, again garbage in the light of day...

[Dino]

Dear Ralph,

Obama's tring to "talk white"???!!Pretty patronizing and outrageous!! Now it is official--you have lost your mind and are a certified nutcase. People in the psych ward would make more sense than you.

[Alessandro Machi]

I think Mr. Nader has all but given up at how bought the media has become. George Soros, Huffington Post, MoveOn.org, MSNBC, Newsweek, Media Matters and CNN have basically butted into this years democratic process to help nominate Barack Obama.

Will the media ever address how Hillary Clinton can win 11 out of 12 states while Barack Obama wins one out of those 12 states yet Clinton only wins the delegate race 555-550 in those 12 contests? http://www.FAIR-REFLECTION.com

What about the unfair reflection from the caucus state contests?

We've reached an era where everybody in high places is concerned about losing their job moreso than doing the right thing.

[John]

PLEASE -- Don't get rid of payday loans. I know the interest is ridiculous -- but it is not like my bank is going to spot me $500 in a pinch. If they did not serve a purpose...no one would use the services.

[Behihoo]

Nader is 100% correct. No black person in this country can get to where Obama is without trying to assuage white people's fears that he's going to stir trouble by talking about issues of importance to African Americans. Obama is saying that race issues are almost completely solved in this country. He's either delusional or lying.

On issue after issue, Obama and McCain offer very little to choose from. Iraq: Both want to stay there for years. Iran: Both agree with the NeoCon line that Iran is a grave threat to the US (how?). On Healthcare: Both are against single-payer universal healthcare. On FISA: they both agree that warrantless wiretaps are A-OK.

If all you care about is abortion, then yeah, there's a difference between Obama and McCain. On matters of global importance, however, they're almost identical.

[noti]

Maybe just maybe, someone should take a seat belt, wrap it around Nader's neck and test the impact rating of a go-cart at 100MPH, just a thought......

The seat belt is his claim to fame. He's just to the left of Karl Rove

[charles ranalli]

dear Clyde Nugget
you are quite wrong to criticize mr Disturbingquestions
for highlighting some of the disturbing questions about the events of 09-11-2001.
there are a lot of disturbing and unanswered questions about those events.
like many Americans - you would just rather ignore them.
charles ranalli
albuquerque

[Quentin]

First off for those of you who don't even know anything about Nader, he already has a running mate (Matt Gonzalez), so it's only an indication that you don't know a thing about his campaign when you references reference idiotic racists as his running mate. It probably indicates that you haven't taken even a few minutes to look at what his issues are.

Onto the racial issue though. There are only two things that Nader said that are really closely related to race:

(1) The only difference b/w Obama and other corporate democrats is that he has a different racial identity. What does he mean here? Well, this is a much discussed issue, and I think that Nader is pointing out how a lot of people focus on this rather than real issues, and that in terms of policy alone, there's nothing different.

(2) "Talking white" - what does he mean by this? I take him to be saying that Obama is ignoring real race issues in this country, yet at the same time so many people seem proud to support an African American or think that it's something special. It's not anything special if he doesn't tackle the racism implicit in government policy that allows predatory lending practices, high infant mortality rates among lower class Americans (African Americans being a large part of this percentile), incinerators in low income neighborhoods, a prison-industrial complex, etc.

People who aren't even aware of the problems that relate to race and class are not in the position to call Nader a racist - why are you a racist if you accuse someone of not dealing with racial issues?

Sure, with Obama in the office, we probably wouldn't have seen the near 2,000 one-time body count with Hurricane Katrina. But we still will have to worry about the 18,000 annual body count for people who have no health insurance. Given Obama's flimsy "I'll take donations from the Health Care Industry" plan, I doubt we'll see a substantial improvement, even if he cares to really push his plan once he's elected.

No crackdown on corporate crime, corporate influence in Washington. No shaking of his fingers to the dirty industries that cause billions of dollars in lost productivity. No concerns about the horrible lack of tenants rights, predatory lending etc. in lower income neighborhoods.

"Talking white" might be a little harsh to your ears, but I think its pretty clear that Obama isn't talking to a large portion of African American segment of our population.

[Willard]

Nader is losing it. Dementia is setting in. Someone should do him a favor and put him down.

[Harvey]

The older these supposed politicians become the more their need to be in the spotlight displays their mental deficiencies. There was a time when Ralph Nadar never would have made the comments he made, his inner censor would have prevented it, even if he really believed it. Now his lack of an internal censor will not allow him to admit it was a dumb thing to say. I guess the theory is that it is better to have others think I am an idiot than to admit I made a mistake and prove it!
If Mr. Nadar was really against the flaws in the system why would he perpetuate the type of racist thinking that has been at the core of the racial problems in America? Why must a person with mixed race parentage be Black? Why must this person talk Black (whatever that is?) Why must the person Mr. Nadar has apparently labeled as the Black representative focus only on the issues Mr. Nadar (a White man) identifies as Black issues? Why is it always some over the hill White guy who believes he has the chops to pontificate about what Black issues are.
I thought that Obama was running to be the president of the entire United States not just the president of the Black people who happen to live here.

[Andrew Austin]

Nader was standing up for the black community and more broadly the working class. He wasn't talking trash about Obama. Don't play dumb. As Nader pointed out: "Talking white means telling the white corporate power structure what they want to hear, rather than calling them out and telling them what they need to hear."

What Nader said is not controversial. How Obama is running his campaign is. Once again, Nader is speaking for those who have no voice in US politics - that is, the vast majority of Americans of all races.

[stan cooper]

For seven years I was an ardent Green Party member. I bought the Tweedle Dee ~ Tweedle Dum argument and was hoping that rationalism would win the day. I must say I have never bought the idea that I threw away my vote in 2000 or 2004. I reluctantly changed to registered Democrat in December of 2007 so that I could participate in the California Primary. At the time I was leaning towards Edwards for is populist message of Universal Health Care. Later I was supportive of Richardson because of his International credentials. I remember the moment I changed to Obama.

Obama spoke before Ebenezer Baptist Church on Martin Luther King Day. The message was important for a number of reasons. Prior to that day, Clinton had a rather firm grip on “The Black Vote” and many people were saying in so many words that Obama was an Oreo, Black on the outside and White on the inside. On that day he spoke plainly of his background. He addressed parental abandonment, extended families, the role of parents and grandparents, of faith and individual responsibility of individual success and education and some of the things his said cut to the quick regarding socio-economic issues in not only the Black community but in all communities in this country and when he said “We are not a Black America and a White America, we are the United States of America”, I was stunned and at once, a supporter.

Ralph Nader recently said that Obama was playing too “White Guilt”. My first posting here on this subject was disallowed because of some intemperate speech regarding that accusation. In the 1960s my white family was involved in The Civil Rights Struggle. One of my siblings was jailed in Mississippi at Parchman. During his imprisonment, the KKK called our home threatening and cursing. They called at all hours and you can imagine their comments, after all it was 1961. At school we were vilified as “Commie Lovers” and worse (by our teachers!)

I was once a supporter of Nader, but I think this latest comment from him is pathetic. Currently Ralph couldn’t fill a bus with his total supporters. It must be said here, that I was a Green Party member because of the populist policies of the Greens and Nader didn’t join the Greens, he just piggy-backed on them. Now he is desperate for the populist support that has gone to Obama. We have gone to Obama because we need to win. There is no way we can do that with Nader. I will always be thankful to Nader for his consumer activism, no doubt about it. I just feel sorry for him at this point, and populist pity is not equitable to any form of guilt.

Ok Ralph, you got some headlines, and yes there are million things wrong with the quality of life in the American inner-cities and the rural poor as well, but enough with Don Quixote. It’s time to battle the real dragons, and Ralph is just not up to the job. Obama is. And by the way, Nader, I don’t appreciate my support for Obama being denigrated. It is genuine and heart felt.
By the way, I am a teacher now.
Stan Cooper

[Adrienne Zurub]

I heartily respect and agree with Mr. Stan Cooper's thoughtful post above.
I too give Nader kudos for his consumer activism.
Yet, this recent display of vitriol regarding Obama is masturbatory grandstanding!

In Nader's attempt to reduce Obama and the force of Obama with his divisive comments ("talk white" and white guilt" comments, etc.) NADER is using 'race' to garner attention for his nowhere campaign. Yet, he comes off sounding inflammatory for attention's sake and frankly, ignorant.

As Mr. Cooper stated, "...I don't appreciate my support for Obama being denigrated. It is genuine and heartfelt."

Adrienne
http://adriennezurub.typepad.com

[Cheryll]

Why is everyone so mad? Nader is right. Obama could cares less about anything but a vote.

[Andrew Austin]

See Kevin Gray's essay, "Obama's had a few too many 'Sister Souljah' moments" out today. Yet one more argument in support of Nader's point.

Liberal Democrats so badly want the symbolic achievement of a black president that they are changing their politics to fit Obama's campaign strategy.

As Nader points out, Obama wants to be the white establishment's black candidate. It's a betrayal of progressive liberal values.

If Obama intends to govern differently than he campaigns, then he is a liar. If he intends to govern in the way he campaigns, then his election will be counterproductive to the progressive movement.

Democrats should've picked Hillary. Oh, wait, the convention isn't until late August. Democrats can still pick Hillary.

[Frank]

Disturbingquestions: In 1993, WTC building designer John Skilling explained that they performed an analysis that concluded that the WTC towers would survive the impact and jet fuel fires from a Boeing 707:

“Our analysis indicated the biggest problem would be the fact that all the fuel (from the airplane) would dump into the building. There would be a horrendous fire. A lot of people would be killed… The building structure would still be there.”

In fact, no steel-framed building structures had ever collapsed due to fire before or since 9/11. This further supports Skilling’s analysis about the possibility of jet fuel destroying the WTC towers.

[stan cooper]

Reply to Andrew Austin

According to your logic, if I am white, progressive and I support Obama, not Nader then I am a dupe.

Andrew, my opinions are as relevant as yours and my candidate can actually get elected which yours could only in a parellel dysfunctional universe.

Please explain how your candidate can get elected in the real world and if he can not, aren't you being unrealistic?
We need to practice coalition pragmatism and if we are to shift the paridgm of power towards a populist view, please tell me how supporting Nader will accomplish that. It is just illogical. As I said before I respect Nader for what he has offered America in the past as a consumer advocate, but in the big kid arena of national power politics, Nader is bush league has been.
Stan Cooper

[Web Smith]

After seeing what the MSM special interest groups did to Ron Paul, many more people will read and listen to what Ralph has to say. They will discover another man who has been successfully painted as a wacko.

The unfortunate thing about Ralph is that he tells you what's on his mind and what many of us are thinking. It's an admirable trait but, in the political world, self destructive. The gangs of America do not allow criticism of blacks or Zionists whether they are wrong or not.

It will be interesting to see what the MSM special interest groups do to Bob Barr., a lawyer who has served in many agencies of the federal government since 1971. Undoubtedly, he will not be invited to the, incredulously, special interest group staged Presidential debates.

Stay tuned to see another wacko spin. This should be amusing to those looking forward to another four years of more of the same.

[BlueBerry Pick'n]

Its unfortunate that the vast majority of Americans aren't educated enough that Nader could talk to them with any intelligence.

OF COURSE OBAMA 'TALKS WHITE" its the language of a society where the MONEY & POWER is predominantly caucasian.

You want him showing up in a dashiki... yeah, that's electable.

When petitioning the VAST MONEY & POWER of your Ownership Class, he must appear 'unruffling' of their position in money & power. He must also appear 'unscary' to the folks who are easily 'skeered' by change.

Unfortunately, the TV society of consumerism doesn't encourage Americans to think about these issues except in terms of 'black & white' or 'good & bad' or any other binary terms.

If Nader had used educated terminology, would it have even been COVERED BY THE PRESS?

no. & chances are, you wouldn't have had a clue what he meant. as it is, there are precious few who do 'get it'.

NADER IS TALKING ABOUT OBAMA BEING FORCED TO APPEASE MONEY & POWER.

gee, ya think? What happened to Kucinich & Dean's media coverage when they *stood up & acted the men they are*? kinda disappeared, right?

& if Nader stands up & says what's true? bad press. why? BECAUSE HIS PLATFORM EDUCATES YOU ON WHAT THE OTHER TWO PARTIES AREN'T PREPARED TO NEGOTIATE ON YOUR BEHALF FROM THE OWNERSHIP CLASS OR CORPORATE POWER.

Notice that Obama's platform is becoming more & more **corporatist**...

garsh... could it mean... exactly what Nader SAID?

why is it the only time Americans discuss anything, its to scream, throw tantrums & argue? BECAUSE CORPORATE MEDIA SAYS ITS GOOD ENTERTAINMENT.

Nader again demonstrates that nobody should underestimate the willingness of Americans to engage in a fight without knowing the issues...

... & that nobody ever went broke underestimating the intelligence of the Public.

NADER'S PLATFORM IS THE TEMPLATE BY WHICH YOU SHOULD BE DEMANDING MORE FROM OBAMA, rather than watching Obama sell you down the river to get himself elected...

Sure, Obama's great... but nobody's demanding he remain PROGRESSIVELY LIBERAL, while MONEY & POWER are demanding he become JUST LIKE THE GOVERNMENT THEY DEMAND.

BlueBerry Pick'n
can be found @
ThisCanadian com

"We, two, form a Multitude" ~ Ovid.

"Silent Freedom is Freedom Silenced"

[Changeplease]

Whether Nader is right or not is an individual opinion, however I take offense to his statement about "talking white". In 2008 does our society remain totally oblivious to the evils of stereotyping, and generalizing? Is a man "talking white" simply because that individual is articulate? Does public opinion still condone the idea that blacks lack the intelligence to assemble their ideas and relay them eloquently? These are questions that Nader would probably answer: yes!

I am sure that in the coming months Obama will elaborate on his position concerning the highlighted issues. If he were to focus on the very issues, Nader would probably complain that Obama was only appealing to his own demographic. With Nader Obama can't win.