Nader Rails Against Clinton And Supports Edwards
I doubt Nader’s support will hurt Edwards since he is stating what most of us already know about
MUSCATINE, Iowa — Ralph Nader unleashed on Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton Monday — criticizing her for being soft on defense spending and a chum of big business — and expressed his strong support for John Edwards.
In an eleventh hour effort to encourage liberal Iowans to “recognize” the former North Carolina senator by “giving him a victory,” the activist and former presidential contender said in an interview that Clinton will “pander to corporate interest groups” if elected.
Nader specifically accused Clinton of failing to challenge military spending because “she is a woman who doesn’t want to be labeled as soft on defense, and she doesn’t want to be shown as taking on big business.”
As Clinton campaigned through a snowstorm in southeast Iowa, pledging to “bring about the changes we need,” Nader accused the Democratic senator from New York of using empty rhetoric.
“[Clinton] has not led the way against the avalanche of military contracting, corporate crime, fraud and abuse,” he said. “We want to inform the people of Iowa about Hillary Clinton because all the focus is on, do they have the experience and do they have the personal charisma, and can they cross the aisle” Nader said.
“The issue is corporate power and who controls our political system and it’s not who has experience for six years or two years,” he said, alluding to an ongoing debate over experience between Clinton and freshman Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois.
“She has experience in the Senate, and what that experience has meant is going soft on cracking down on corporate crime, fraud, and abuse, soft on cutting tens of millions in corporate subsidies,” he continued.
On Monday, Nader also issued a public statement criticizing Clinton as a “corporate Democrat,” echoing the exact words Edwards uses to challenge Clinton. Nader said he has watched Edwards from afar and sees his more pugilistic brand of populism as an encouraging sign.
“It’s the only time I’ve heard a Democrat talk that way in a long time,” Nader said, acknowledging what was, for him, a rare moment of praise for a Democratic leader.
“Iowa should decide which candidate stands for us,” he added. “Edwards is at least highlighting day after day that the issue is who controls our country: big business or the people?”
Sphere: Related Content
January 1st, 2008 at 9:04 pm
I’m not a fan of Nader who helped put Bush in the throne of evil, however he finally made a sane choice with Edwards.
January 1st, 2008 at 9:07 pm
Larry:
Finally Nader is doing something I can get behind.
January 2nd, 2008 at 8:32 am
Nader does have a huge case of the ass against the Clintons. Who can blame him?
I heard last night that Kucinich is telling his Iowa supporters to vote for Obama, which freaked me the fuck out. I was half asleep with the tv on. I have to find it somewhere on the internets to make sure I wasn’t dreaming it
January 2nd, 2008 at 8:39 am
Dusty:
Nader is finally on track instead of always being the spoiler.
I was shocked that Kucinich was going for Obama. In 2004 Kucinich told his supports to go for Edwards.
January 2nd, 2008 at 9:00 am
omg..its true! I just found the LAT writeup about it. But yeah..he supported Edwards last time around..wonder what changed?
This really bugs me about Dennis..is he playing politics? He was always a man of conviction..and that is why I have supported him from the beginning..sigh ;(
January 2nd, 2008 at 9:43 am
Dusty:
I think it’s time to move on. Dennis seems angry this time around and has gotten lost in the crowd. I don’t know what Kucinich sees different in Edwards this time since he is basically running on the same platform.
He very well could be playing politics. Maybe he thinks the support will hurt Obama and sling shot to someone else. I really don’t get what Dennis has been doing the last few weeks.
January 2nd, 2008 at 10:05 am
Nader the Trader is like the whacko uncle who makes an appearance on Thanksgiving and at funerals.
The good news is, Obama leads the Ice Queen in Iowa by a full 7 points and yesterday, Kucinich asked his supporters to support Obama.
Nader needs a job. Maybe he could drive Obama’s campaign bus?
January 2nd, 2008 at 11:01 am
Christopher:
Nader is such a pain. I doubt it will hurt Edwards. As least this time Nader is not in the race.
I am thrilled that the Ice Queen is not leading the pack. Honestly as much as I want Edwards to take Iowa, I just want the (s)Hill to end up in 3rd place. If Obama and Edwards can do it (in any order) it will be a huge win.
The Kucinich thing should help Obama but I am confused since he picked Edwards in 2004 for his supporters.
January 2nd, 2008 at 11:03 am
oh hells bells, I swear, Kucinich backs Obama …err ok. Nader backs Edwards…well good. In 04 Nader went to Kerry with 3 platform points all of which Edwards now emcompasses. This is good , its very good. Kucinich you gotta wonder , like Dusty i thought WTF, then thought ahh american democratic politics at its finest. He is Gavel type, no hope there. Honestly i believe Edwards has more of a chance at going against corporate forces..Hey Dennis wake UP. On the other hand i can sort of see that he is going the anybody but Shillery route. (we saw where that got us in 04) – as much of a pariah as Nader is, I am really happy that at least he has integrity and is Backing Edwards. Its very good news, the Green Constituency is actually very large.
Yesterday was discouraging, had dinner with a few friends and they are so detached and uninformed really about politics. One even said Obama wants to start a race war..i nearly choked on my food. Many people just see ALL politicans and turn off. I can understand that, but don’t think it helps..
January 2nd, 2008 at 12:52 pm
ProudP:
As I read through the comments the one thing that comes to mind about Kucinich and Nader is most of the country, in both parties, thinks their out to lunch. So I really wonder how much weight their support carries. In any case I’m just glad Nader is supporting and not running.
Sorry to hear about your dinner conversation but then I think many have tuned out. However, for me if you don’t participate you should not complain.