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Roachboy,
The Democrats have been screaming at the top of their lungs about the conservative backers of Nader, but I doubt that it is having much effect on Nader's ambitions.
The man is that rarest of creatures....an American political purist that has somehow captured some public attention. Nader feels that there is a purpose to be served in saying the things that are never said in this country, by either party. The idea that third parties have driven the (forgive me) Republicrats (Demopublicans?) to the extreme margins of their parties just doesn't survive any historical scrutiny. Can you imagine the modern Demos nominating McGovern or the Repubs Goldwater? Bush the militarist's nuclear threats may bring up visions of good old Barry, but Bush the economist has nothing to do with him.
Still, the Democrat's embrace of many American conservative ideas has pushed this country rightward in the last two decades, and it is exactly this that Nader wants to battle. I respect the man for his sheer political courage in effectively poisoning his own historical legacy. Not just anyone is willing to flush every bit of political capitol that they ever earned right down the toilet just to make a point.
With that said, I'm not voting for him this time. I was an active Nader campaigner last time (albeit in Louisiana, where Gore had no chance), but I feel that the stakes are different this time around. 9-11 gave Bush carte blanche in foreign policy and domestic security policy, he (ab)used these powers, and I think that our country has suffered from it. Although I wish that Ralph would give this election a pass, I can't fault the man for exercising his rights as a citizen. As Nader knows quite well, it sometimes takes a hellbent, cantankerous nut to change something.
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