Just when Jeff and I thought that things might be winding down, and that our recent bouts of bad health and overextension might have forced us to put 2G2K to rest, Ralph Nader comes out and throws his name into this year's Presidential race.  Nader's declaration to run made what was already a great week for republicans only better.  First the NY Times gave their base something to rally around by running an article with murky allegations of impropriety against John McCain, then Nader decides to join, a move that immediately puts the democratic candidates on notice. 

 Nader cites a desire to get core issues on the agenda as his reason for running, but from my vantage point it seems as if he just wants to get his name back out in public forums.  Nader has every right to run, but it's unclear how continually resuscitating Nader helps advance the Green Party's claims of legitimacy.  With its rabid supporters and ability to made gradual inroads in local politics, it's disconcerting that the Greens have to cultivate another viable presidential candidate.  Worst yet, Nader's announcement undermines the campaigns of Cynthia McKinley and Kent Mesplay who had been seeking the Green Party's vote.  Nader supporters will spin his candidacy as the equivalent of Al Gore jumping into the democratic fray, but unlike Gore, Nader and the Green Party seem content with letting him jump in without acknowledging the efforts of his competitors. 

The democratic and republican candidates have already started crafting their own responses to Nader's announcement.  It will be interesting to see what impact Nader's campaign has on this race. Will he pull voters away from Obama, and if so, will this create the opening for Clinton that she desperately needs at this point?  Will either Clinton or Obama be sandwiched into a debate between Nader and McCain?  And finally, can the Green Party create a viable slate of delegates without Nader? 

F