Ralph Nader predicts a second term for Barack Obama
Ralph Nader, the third-party spoiler to some, threw a wet blanket on Republicans on Wednesday without even mentioning anyone's birth certificate.
In an opinion piece for Bloomberg, the consumer advocate calls the potential GOP presidential hopefuls a "field of Republican weaklings" and warns that conservative governors are turning off swing voters with their hardline stands against unions.
"Imagine the voter reaction if millions of workers lose their right to collective bargaining, and the impact that cuts in benefits and wages will have on their lives," Nader, 78, wrote in the op-ed titled titled "Why Obama Will Get Second Term in White House."
The four-time presidential candidate (twice with the Green Party and twice as an Independent) said that with no real challengers from the liberal ranks or from any strong third parties, Obama's only serious opponents in 2012 will be from the right. But what will the right run on?
The liberal senator has become a president who is more than friendly to big business. Nader notes that Obama bailed out GE Capital and named its CEO, Jeffrey Immelt, to the president's Council on Jobs and Competitiveness, all while allowing him to keep his day job.
"By 2014, Obamacare will deliver some 30 million subsidized customers to health-insurance companies," Nader continued in his list of big businesses who should have a warm feeling for the incumbent. "The auto industry is forever grateful for its bailout. Obama hasn’t moved on corporate-tax reform, tax shelters for the wealthy, or the preferential capital-gains tax treatment on the 20% service fees of hedge fund managers."
Bullet points that frustrate the most liberal of Democrats, true, but reasons, Nader suggests, that Obama will be able to have "four more years in 2012."
Always the wild card, Nader might predict a second term for Obama but that doesn't mean he'll be supporting him.
"I’d never vote for him," Nader told Politico on Wednesday. "I will never vote for anybody who has a terrible record like that, who’s done what he’s done for Wall Street and turned his back on the people who need him."
-- Tony Pierce
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Photo: Then-presidential hopeful Ralph Nader addresses a news conference at the National Press Club in Washington in Feb. 23, 2004. Credit: Ron Edmonds / Associated Press
Worst president ever.
And Ralph Nader? When was the last time he was relevant to anything? If he wants to "help" why doesn't he take his opinions about Obama's poor performance to the public? He of the consumer advocacy label. Well... put on your advocacy suit and start helping!!
Posted by: jacko | April 27, 2011 at 03:55 PM
I hope Nader's prediction is wrong. Barack Obama have done NOTHING for this country except make matters worse. He and the democrats show little respect for many Americans, especially Republican and Tea Party members. He have divided us all with his bad policies and smart insults for some. America needs a president who loves America and upholds the constitution. America needs a president with widsom and leadership. Barack Obama is a failure with a hard head, he listens to no one but himself. He should be voted out in 2012.
Posted by: No | April 27, 2011 at 04:10 PM
Nader is now a Prophet for the Messiah?
Posted by: Cosmo Topper | April 27, 2011 at 07:44 PM
When Obama came into office the county was a mess. There were difficult decisions made and many not too popular. But in time one or two termed he will be seem as the good man at the helm.
Posted by: steve | April 27, 2011 at 11:21 PM
Millions of people are neither real democrats or republicans, so Nader is right. With a projected BILLION dollar war chest for reelection, who could really stop Obama?
Maybe it will safe to really vote in protest against Obama with a third party candidate.
if just 5% of the people voted for a Green or a Libertarian, millions of matching funds would go to that party for the future and real change!
How is that "Hope and Change" working our for you?? VOTE GREEN!
Posted by: GREENPARTY BACKER | April 28, 2011 at 02:33 PM
@jacko. Isn't that why he wrote the op-ed? and does pretty much any interview that he is allowed to?
Posted by: Stevo | May 06, 2011 at 04:34 PM