Green Party Asks Nader To Run Against Dodd
by Christine Stuart | November 17, 2009 9:34 PM
Posted to Election 2010
The Connecticut Green Party has reached out to Winsted native and Green Party darling Ralph Nader to ask him to run against U.S. Sen. Chris Dodd.
“We’re going to ask him to do it,” Steve Fournier, state co-chairman of the Green Party, said Tuesday night. Nader sees himself as more of a national figure, but “he’s still a star,” Fournier added.
“Since the media reports began in local and national web sites last week, we have seen hundreds of responses urging him to run.” Green Party spokesperson Tim McKee said.
“With Dodd losing in many polls to the Republicans who have announced, we think Nader could be a clear choice to many who have lost faith in Dodd and his scandals with the banking and financial industries,” McKee said.
The Connecticut Green Party has not yet formally asked Nader to run, but that’s because he’s “hard to reach,” Fournier said.
Nader is currently on his “Only the Super-Rich Can Save Us!” book tour.
The Connecticut Green Party wasn’t the first to suggest Nader challenge Dodd. In April Keith Burris of the Journal Inquirer in Manchester suggested Nader run against Dodd in this editorial, which was reprinted by the Norwich Bulletin.
Nader’s entry into the race could spell trouble for Dodd who is already trailing three of his Republican opponents in the latest poll.
Comments (17)
Posted by: Gannon | November 17, 2009 10:02 PM
I voted for Mr. Nader in 2000, but I think most of his activism since then has been focused on putting himself before any cause he advocates. The Green Party might be better served to cultivate new talent than to continue putting out the same front man. I was particularly offended by Mr. Nader's criticism of President Obama during the 2008 campaign and in the wake of his victory - it really was beyond the pale.
Posted by: Joe | November 18, 2009 12:18 AM
Nader is not electable. A waste of time and effort, which should instead go to putting up a good liberal to primary Dodd, who is also -- most likely -- not electable.
Posted by: David McCluskey | November 18, 2009 9:11 AM
Yet one more reason to dislike the Green Party. Never building a coalition or advancing a serious policy initiative - just a bunch of purists/zealots who constantly grumble that Democrats compromise too much. In a state like CT, the party should be able to move its agenda, but it couldn't organize a three car funeral. It can just complain, moan and divide.
Posted by: Doriss Day | November 18, 2009 10:57 AM
I agree with the Keith Burris editorial. Ralph is a serious, sensible man and a national treasure. But judging from his comments in Miami last Sunday (broadcast live on Book TV), I don't believe he would run w/out being drafted. And he's probably not electable anyhow. Not in CT, where the electorate is unusually numb. It's time for the new blood of a new generation of politicos. I like Christy Mihos and _____Khazei in Mass.
Posted by: No Wrestlemania 2010 | November 18, 2009 3:16 PM
Looking at his terrible poll numbers my dog could beat Dodd in next years general election. A serious progressive contender needs to step up and challenge Dodd in a primary or we will be looking at the first Wrestlemania Senator in history.
Posted by: Mark | November 18, 2009 3:23 PM
What a great idea, put one tired old has been up against another tired old has been now that is real progressive thinking!
Posted by: harold burbank | November 18, 2009 3:59 PM
These are serious times for serious people. For over 40 years no one has been more serious about the issues facing the state and nation from a progressive standpoint than Ralph. This is no time for new talent to "emerge" from any party, and the old talent does not have the right stuff. We should all be grateful if Ralph accepts an offer to run for any party.
Posted by: David McCluskey | November 18, 2009 4:20 PM
Harold Burbank, CT Green Party 5th C.D. candidate
ELECTION RESULTS: Many thanks to the 2838 5th District voters who cast their votes for me. We finished 3rd in a field of 4, with 1% of the vote, in the most conservative district in CT, giving the CT Green Party a 'free' ballot line for the 2010 US House 5th district race; a first.
A losing major party candidate in a state rep. district can get TWICE that amount in a high turnout district.
Posted by: No Wrestlemania 2010 | November 18, 2009 4:21 PM
Looking at his terrible poll numbers my dog could beat Dodd in next years general election. A serious progressive contender needs to step up and challenge Dodd in a primary or we will be looking at the first Wrestlemania Senator in history.
Posted by: Patricia Kane | November 18, 2009 4:30 PM
Nader would be an awesome presence in any campaign. He's knowledgeable, articulate and doesn't waffle. He would change what is debated and how it is discussed.
The Democrats have been complicity in all the Bush era civil and international disasters and have no credibility and no new ideas.
While we all want President Obama to succeed (ok, Rush Limbaugh, Sarah Palin, etc. don't), his moderate goals hardly meet the expectations for changes that his rhetoric generated.
Progressive ideas were shot down with Martin Luther King, Jr, Malcolm X and Robert Kennedy. The Democrats are too busy protecting their own jobs to worry about people losing their homes and their dignity. The financial sector is distributing billions in bonuses while people die from lack of health care.
This is a time of catastrophe and Nader will make that clear. Let's stop the "happy talk" and have that battle of ideas that democracy is supposed to depend on.
Run Ralph, Run!
Posted by: Walt![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.ctnewsjunkie.com/nav-commenters.gif)
| November 19, 2009 6:55 AM
Sure, have him run.
That will make it easier to oust Dodd, although I hope the winner is not the wrestling queen.
Posted by: streever | November 19, 2009 9:34 AM
I could not support Nader again after his racist comments when he lost the last election. Sore loser, and worst of all he had no idea that his comments were in poor taste. Out of touch with reality.
Posted by: Mike Brown | November 19, 2009 2:50 PM
Yes Nader.
Nader helped George Bush become president. Just imagine what he could do with a close race in Connecticut.
Posted by: Emily | November 19, 2009 3:28 PM
DO IT RALPH!! You have my vote!
Posted by: Dominik | November 19, 2009 5:04 PM
Nader didn't cost Gore the election. Gore did it to himself. Kerry then ran a piss poor campaign and lost to Bush too.
I would vote for Nader as Senator. Finally someobdy for the people of CT.
Posted by: KDelphi![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.ctnewsjunkie.com/nav-commenters.gif)
| November 24, 2009 3:39 PM
How can anyone who considers themselves progressive, in any way, find his criticism of Obama offensive?? Obama has shown himself to be a very traditional conservative, not moderate at all.
Progressives Af Ams are criticizing Obama as they should (check out Black Agenda Report)
The Dems dont need Nader to hlep them lose an election--theyre in the process of losing their majorities in 2010, because of THIER OWN actions, that throw liberals under the bus...I wont vote for Dems again ever.
Nader "tired old"--if Obama is this generation's idea of progressive, start a new "cool guy" party and compette in districts with old GOP (Obama is aboug as conservative as Nixon--maybe more so)...talk about old thinking..pathetic.
RUN Ralph!
And Dems , stop blaming your failures on the last generation--its start to sound like bitching sabout your parents...
Posted by: Sean | November 28, 2009 4:08 PM
The only people responsible for Bush's presidencies are the morons that voted for him. There were at least two better options, Nader being the best.