Why the Democrats should fear Nader
Letter submitted to the Albany Times Union
Published on 1 April '01
Editor:
I read with interest Tom Teepen's column on Ralph Nader (March 20). His column illustrates
that it is easier to blame others than to look in the mirror.
Then-Vice President Gore and his campaign heads spent
the entire campaign obstinately refusing to debate Nader
on the issues. Democrats used the spurious "a vote for
Nader is a vote for Bush'' line. They said a vote for
Nader would be wasted because he wouldn't win. They
engaged in the usual ad hominem attacks ("arrogant,''
"self-obsessed,'' "egomaniacal'' -- a trait mimicked by
Teepen -- "a presidential campaign as a middle-age
trophy'').
Why Democrats chose to focus on personal attacks
rather than contrasting the substance of Nader's or
Gore's positions is easily inferred. The Democrats'
campaign theory concerning Nader was the inverse of
Voltaire's declaration. "I may agree with what you say,
but will oppose to the death your right to say it.'' A
responsible, patriotic citizen votes for who he or she
thinks is the best of all candidates. If Democrats continue
to reproach fair-minded voters who did exactly that,
they will find themselves in even more dire straits in
2004.
Brian Farenell
Glens Falls
Click here to return to my writings' page
Click here to return to my home page
Page last updated: 14 April '01, 1005 EDT
Email: saabrian@yahoo.com
