by Tim Jones
Consumer activist Ralph Nader brought his independent presidential campaign to Chicago on Tuesday, railing against state election laws that he complained have prevented him from gaining ballot access and criticizing the news media for trivializing campaign coverage.
“It’s almost painful to watch the Sunday opinion shows and to see reporters around the round table, wallowing in this tactical speculation [and] commentary on the seriousness of gaffes and who can take a shot of beer in the most authentic manner,” Nader said at a news conference at the McCormick Tribune Freedom Museum.
Nader, who called Sens. Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama and John McCain the “corporate candidates,” repeated his calls for universal health care, a minimum living wage of $10 an hour, slashing the Pentagon budget in half and shifting more of the burden of taxation onto polluters and financial speculators.
The 74-year-old Nader acknowledged the odds of his social justice candidacy winning in November are long but, quoting the iconoclastic journalist I.F. Stone, Nader said, “You have to be willing to lose.”
When asked if he sees young people playing an influential role in November, Nader said no. “If there was a (military) draft they would. They sure would,” he said.
All the presidential candidates have been invited to appear at the Freedom Museum. Nader was the first to attend.
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Comments
Ralph Nader is honest, concise, knowledgeable, wise and has incredible vision. As a lifelong Democrat I will be changing parties and registering as an Independent this election as I am sick and tired of the hap hazard, dis organized and cut throat way the Democrats have been operating. Nader has my vote, he cares about the American people and would reverse everything presently wrong with America.
Posted by: President Nader | April 19, 2008 4:17 AM