Ralph Nader's entrance into this year's presidential electionhas sparked concern among democrats -- and hope among republicans-- that he could pull would-be John Kerry votes, in effect givingGeorge W. Bush the election.
"The danger of Nader taking votes away from Kerry seems veryreal since they (Nader supporters) are closer to Kerry then Bush,"said University of Memphis junior economics major Kyle Carlson. "Ithink the Democrats want to prevent him (Nader) from getting toomuch attention to keep those voters with Kerry."
But Nader is trying to steer as much attention as possibletoward his campaign, which is why he spoke at Rhodes College June17, to students and members of the press, trying to muster supportfor his controversial campaign.
"He gave a pep talk to volunteers and supporters," said JasonThompson, member of The University of Memphis chapter of theStudents for Nader and senior political science major. "He startedby talking about money and the sway and pull it does to candidates.When big corporations are pulling a candidate, they set mandates ofwhat a campaign is about. Ralph talked about how he accepts onlyprivate donations and how his campaign is really by thepeople."
Nader continued the conference by asking those in attendancetheir opinions on some of his more controversial stances onissues.
"Nader asked us about lowering the voting age to 16," saidThompson. "This is something he supports because many start payingtaxes at 16 and are subject to being tried as adults.
"Nader also criticized the war in Iraq and has called for thewithdrawal of troops, while Bush and Kerry support leaving troopsin the country. I think it makes a good contrast between him andthe other candidates."
On Feb. 23, 2004, Nader announced his running as an independentcandidate to "join all Americans who wish to declare theirindependence from corporate rule and expanding domination."
His announcement has since sparked controversy across thecountry, as liberal voters fear Nader will split the Democraticvote, costing Kerry the election. Some democrats have pointed toNader for taking votes away from Al Gore in the 2000 election.
Recently, Nader campaign organizers have been fighting to gettheir candidate in the National Debate with Bush and Kerry, sayingthe debate commission is funded by corporate interests and run bythe two major parties, an idea that bothers some Nadersupporters.
"The fact that I would only have two choices this election bugsme," Thompson said. "We live in one of the most culturally diversecountries but have one of the least diverse political systems. Ithink Nader would make a legitimate and substantial change in thedirection of this country."
But for others, the issue isn't so simple. Sophomore BenSimpson, political science major, said though he tends to agreewith Nader more than Kerry on many issues, he will still voteKerry.
"I think Kerry has a much better chance of beating Bush," saidSimpson. "One of the main things I'm concerned about with thiselection is getting Bush out of office."
Thompson said he is voting for Nader because his mandate is forthe people and not big business.
"At Rhodes, he mentioned at the end of the election (the electedcandidate is) a slave to those who put (him) in the White House,"he said. "If it is big business that puts (him) there, Bush andKerry come from one body with two different heads."
