What is likely to become of Ralph Nader's attacks

This is ridiculous. He's holding them to the same standard. In the interview he keeps being quoted in, the Rocky Mountain News reporter asked him about Obama, and he answered about Obama. His comments were not comparing Obama to McCain, they were comparing Obama to basic interests of Americans that are not represented by either corporate party.

Obama is no different then all the crooked Dems and Reps. He supports the courts rulings. Yuchhhhhhhhhhhhh. He is just a well spoken crook.
IE Democrat/Republican.

To understand the truth of Ralph Nader's critique, you have to ask yourself exactly why Obama dumped his pastor? Was it because his pastor lied or misrepresented reality? Or was it because his pastor scared the power structure and made it feel uncomfortable? By sliding into pro-handgun, pro-death penalty positions, Obama has created a persona comfortable for the power structure. Can you count on him anyway? Of course, the way you counted on Clarence and Condi.
We all can dream. Ralph Nader wants explicit promises from our next President and is willing to suffer the abuse to get them.

This is quite an ignorant post, Mary. A few notes:

1. Clinton did do more for blacks than Obama. The fact that Bob Johnson and others received backlash from members of the black community doesn't make their observations incorrect, as your post implies.

2. Nader isn't holding Obama to a higher standard than McCain. He has said in interview that he would prefer an Obama presidency to a McCain presidency; he has no illusions that McCain appeals more strongly to the white power structure than Obama.

3. Even if Nader were holding Obama to a higher standard, Nader is competing more directly with Obama than McCain. It is precisely because they have competing liberal agendas that Nader would logically hold Obama to a higher standard; McCain is obviously not going to claim that he has better intentions for minorities than Obama. Nader, on the other hand, should claim precisely that. Instead, Nader has simply asked why Obama hasn't addressed - in full detail - a number of crises essential to the economic survival of minority communities.

4. Nader has never attempted to manipulate the insecurities of his voters, unlike the corporate candidates who have obviously brainwashed you. The only thing Nader has done is ask the hard questions that no one else is willing to ask. Here's the direct qutoe: "I haven't heard [Obama] have a strong crackdown on economic exploitation in the ghettos. Payday loans, predatory lending, asbestos, lead. What's keeping him from doing that? Is it because he wants to talk white? He doesn't want to appear like Jesse Jackson?" Until Obama fully addresses these concerns - and also shows how his policies would be better than Nader's - we do have to wonder: What's keeping him from doing that? Maybe he wants to talk white.

What's truly disgusting to me is that you would even consider this an attempt to exploit black insecurities. Neither the impoverished nor the minorities in this country are being fought for by Barack Obama and John McCain. The attempt to sweep under-the-rug the neglected concerns of these communities - which have only been voiced by a few candidates, such as Ralph Nader - is only an attempt to restore "white securities" to white Americans.

Ralph Nader - a speaker of seven languages, born to Lebanese parents - is fighting harder than any other candidate for minority protections and equalities. It's shameful that you would try to silence his legitimate criticism of Barack's white-power-structure-pandering.

Please look beyond the 3 second CNN sound clips before writing such articles. Ralph was referring to the corporations and special interests that control the two major parties, and it just so happens that almost all major corporations are run by rich and powerful WHITE PEOPLE. Obama and the Democrats don't want to upset the people who are lining their pockets, so they all talk "WHITE".

Well, its also insulting for the two party candidates to ignore the issues that are most affecting the major minority populations in this country. Obama's talked his talk, but Nader and whoever else has the balls to speak up should call him for not walking the walk except when it comes to corporate interests. Obama set the standard for himself when he campaigned on these vague terms of "Change". What you should be insulted by is how little "change" he's come to represent.

The comments in question were Nader's responses when he was specifically asked about Obama. Here are relevant excerpts from the interview.

[N]ader was asked if Obama is any different than Democrats he has criticized in the past, considering Obama's pledge to reject campaign contributions from registered lobbyists.

"There's only one thing different about Barack Obama when it comes to being a Democratic presidential candidate. He's half African-American," Nader said. "Whether that will make any difference, I don't know. I haven't heard him have a strong crackdown on economic exploitation in the ghettos. Payday loans, predatory lending, asbestos, lead. What's keeping him from doing that? Is it because he wants to talk white? He doesn't want to appear like Jesse Jackson? We'll see all that play out in the next few months and if he gets elected afterwards."

[A]sked to clarify whether he thought Obama does try to "talk white," Nader said: "Of course.

"I mean, first of all, the number one thing that a black American politician aspiring to the presidency should be is to candidly describe the plight of the poor, especially in the inner cities and the rural areas, and have a very detailed platform about how the poor is going to be defended by the law, is going to be protected by the law, and is going to be liberated by the law," Nader said. "Haven't heard a thing."

"[H]e wants to show that he is not a threatening . . . another politically threatening African-American politician," Nader said. "He wants to appeal to white guilt. You appeal to white guilt not by coming on as black is beautiful, black is powerful. Basically he's coming on as someone who is not going to threaten the white power structure, whether it's corporate or whether it's simply oligarchic. And they love it. Whites just eat it up."
© Rocky Mountain News

I would like to hear Obama respond substantively. As an African American and Obama supporter, in view of many of the dynamics of his campaign, including overwhelming African American support, I would like for him to address Nader point by point. This is my take on this.

Wow, Mary, actually do some studying before you spew this stuff? I totally agree with steve above me. If you truly did read up on what was actually said in full, you would too, but controversy is better news right? And that is why you will never be seen as a great reporter, sorry but it is the truth.

PEW - I'd rather hear you address Nader point by point. The chances that your candidate would engage in a direct verbal confrontation (i.e. debate) with Nader are unbelievably small; Nader's plans outclass Obama's a thousand-fold. So, instead, I'd like to hear your feelings on this issue.

In my opinion, we're confronting one of those eternal philosophical questions, here: does being in a unique position of power obligate you, ethically, to certain responsibilities? Does the fact that Obama could represent one of the most real chances for change for millions of minorities and impoverished people mean that he ought to be more outspoken about their plight?

This isn't an easy question to answer. Some people will inevitably feel, as Nader seems to, that whenever a person is in a position to speak a truth, for a cause, loudly and publicly, they ought to. Others will feel that it's wrong to require something more of someone simply because of their special position. But, if you ask me, there's a lot of situations where most people would expect a person to act a certain way because of their position.

As an example, imagine an American who is overseas and sits at a bar table with some new foreign friends, who proceed to engage in a conversation in which they slander America, its government, its policies, its people, etc. The things that they say are misrepresentative of the truth and, worse, it turns out that these people are reporters who are writing a story about America for all of their countrymen to read. Now, suppose that this American feels that these reporters are wrong about all or most of their feelings toward America. Before those reporters print a hateful story, a story which will surely damage the American image even further and generate more hatred toward our country, is it the reponsibility of the lone American to speak up against the opinions of the reporters?

Most people would say "Yes". And this is exactly what's happening here, with Obama. Obama is the 'lone' American and the white power structure (of which I, personally, am a part of) represents the hateful foreigners. Obama has the opportunity to have an audience with our entire nation, including some of its most important representatives. But instead of stepping up and calling out the crisis of minorities and the impoverished, Obama is trying to change the subject of conversation. Well, it turns out that Obama isn't the 'lone' American in this situation; Nader has been watching Obama play nice with the white power structure and now he's calling him on it.

But, whether or not most of us would agree that being in a unique position of power entails unique responsibilities, we can all agree that sometimes you have to infiltrate the system in order to make change. I suspect that this is precisely the notion that most Obama supporters have already, or will in the future, adopt: "Obama does, truly, represent change for America but, in order to get to a position of power, he has to play the political game, accepting donations from corporate executives and appearing non-threatening to the white-power-structure."

And if you believe that, there's not a whole lot more that I can say than this: if you're going to take Obama "on faith", then you are necessarily taking the Democrat Party on faith, and that is a dangerous thing to do. Ever since the democrats began pandering for corporate money (to keep up with Republican campaigning), they have been a cowardly and misguided party. The simple fact of the matter is that minorities, along with all others, have nothing more to take Obama on than his word and the color of his skin. He's not the first candidate to talk of "change in washington" and he certainly won't be the last. But, as a native of Illinois, I can say that, without a doubt, this man hasn't done anything to earn my trust that he will actually bring change. And neither have the democrats, for the last half-century.

Nader, on the other hand, is probably one of the five most patriotic persons of the 20th century. So, if I'm choosing between Ralph Nader and his legacy of consumer protections and governmental participation, or Barack Obama and his Democrat Party, I'm going to choose Fact over Faith.

Mary, I agree with you totally!! Will somebody please tell me what Bill Clinton did for the masses of African American people? Bob Johnson created a video show that did nothing to inspire Black youth or young women. I have always admired Tavis Smiley and his voice, but his repeated criticism of Barak Obama surprised me, made me angry and hurt deeply. When Obama becomes president of the United States, I believe he will make a positive difference in our country like no other president has done before.

RAlph Nader is right-unless yiou spin it this way:
For Obama, a Pragmatist’s Shift Toward the Center

By MICHAEL POWELL
Published: June 27, 2008
Barack Obama has taken a stroll this week away from traditional liberal political positions, his path toward the political center marked by artful leaps and turns.

I think Obama will ultimately be a big disapointment for people who are looking for a progressive "Change" in American politics. That I think, is what Ralph Nader was trying to say.

Peter,

I don't feel comfortable responding openly to your request to me on this blog, but you have provided some very powerful food for thought. Thank you.

I wouldn't be proud of a fascist backlash that silenced one of the few sober and non-exploitative African American critics of Obama, if I were you....

To break it down so all may understand -- did Malcolm X issue fatwas against Dr. King, because their tactics and outlooks concerning the black community differed sharply? Did they ever fail to respect each other, or listen to each other?

Smiley did not endorse McCain; he didn't bring endorsements into it. He simply wondered out loud why Obama skipped events -- event*s*, more than just Smiley's -- that helped his base understand his strengths. Then Smiley was as shunned as Imus, just for asking that question.

Wake me up when black Americans believe in the first amendment, again.

To all who are questioning Senator Obama, who we know has to be twice as good as the worse of others, you have a choice. I look at the different comments on websites and I say for those who are critical of Senator Obama, vote for Senator Mccain and we can continue the policies and you will feel comfortable with less and less. In the past we voted for candidates who we thought could move mountains,(the past 7 years). How qualified was Bush when he entered the White house?

I agree with Linda Faye, stop judging a BOOK by its COLOR, as for you Mary Mitchell, I understand you have too keep your job.

Mr. Nader clearly, in response to a question from a reporter, challenged Senator Obama to do nothing more than talk the talk. Senator Obama has already walked the walk by establishing the most liberal voting record in the U.S. Senate---even more so than Ted Kennedy. So why should his words not match his deeds? What's wrong with truth in advertising? And sad to say, Senator Obama's tepid response, in which he did nothing more than attack Nader's character----shows that Nader is right in his assessment of Obama.

TAVIS SMILEY IS A GOOD PERSON, HE JUST BECAME TO FORCEFUL IN
DEMANDING THAT BARACK OBAMA APPEAR AT HIS STATE OF THE UNION
ADDRESS, OBAMA HAD A SET AGENDA AND HE WANTED TO SEND HIS WIFE,
BUT SMILEY SAID SOME WORDS HE PROBABLY WISHED HE HADN'T AND NOW
HE IS NO LONGER ON THE TOM JOYNER MORNING SHOW!
WHAT PEOPLE HAVE TO UNDERSTAND IS FOR BARACK OBAMA TO DEFEAT
HILLARY CLINTON AND ALL THE OTHER DEMOCRATIC HOPEFULS, HE HAD TO
PUT TOGETHER A MASTER PLAN AND CARRY IT OUT TO THE LETTER, THAT
MEANT HE COULDN'T DEVIATE FROM THE PLAN, THAT'S WHY HE COULDN'T
BE AT TAVIS SMILEY'S EVENT, THAT'S WHY HE DIDN'T GO TO MEMPHIS
FOR THAT EVENT, BARACK OBAMA IS ON A MISSION AND HE IS DETERMINED
TO COMPLETE THE MISSION, ALL THAT STANDS IN THE WAY IS JOHN MCCAIN
AND HE ISN'T MUCH! P.S. THE GOP KNOWS IT TOO!

After 20 years of not voting because of being disgusted with the policies of the Neo-Cons, i.e. Bush/Cheney and Clinton/Gore, I have decided to register to vote. What it comes down to are the answers to the following questions: Who is more likely to maintain or increase military spending and the budget deficit? Who is more likely to defend Social Security and Medicare or cut the deficit and bring down inflation?

I think the answer is pretty clear that Obama is the clear choice in this election. Having said that, I would not expect a dramatic transformation in the standard of living of the middle class in this country. Most of the people who live within 5 miles of Obama do not have jobs that pay livable wages, lack access to adequate health care, and have schools that are falling apart without the necessary materials and supplies. As a community activist and a state senator, he did not do very much to change this situation.

MARY MITCHELL THANK YOU for your article and the truth about Ralph Nader and Bob Johnson. Frankly, I believe RALPH NADER IS BEING PAID BY THE REPUBLICAN PARTY TO STOP BARACK OBAMA. BARACK WILL ADDRESS THE BLACK ISSUES AFTER HE BECOMES PRESIDENT. GIVE HIM A CHANCE. WE SHOULD NOT LET RALPH NADER THE TRAITOR TELL US HOW WE SHOULD VOTE. Do you honestly think Nader is interested in the plight of black people? I DON'T THINK SO. REMEMBER HOW HE STOLE VOTES FROM AL GORE AND WE GOT BUSH? PLEASE don't be fooled again. Your vote for Nader will help JOHN MCCAIN and that's why he is in this race. Also,I hope this time white America will see through Nader's deceptive trickery again.

Talk about beating a dead dog, enough already.
How many stories/columns, must the suntimes and Mary write on Obama..so you back this guy, big deal..there are other stories out there.

If you want to be come his campaign manager, great, move on!
Anyone that jumps on Barack is target for you and the paper.

Your endorsement of Stroger leaves us with another tax hike.

Do some real reporting, and show your talents, if you do have, or have another fight with Steinburg, those were fun to read..2 kids fighting in the same paper.

Your both a disgrace to journalism, honestly.
Try renting The Front Page..old movie..learn from it.

What is likely to become of Mary Mitchell's attacks on Ralph Nader? Nothing. Please dig a little deaper in your critique of Ralph Nader then a 10 second sound byte. I've been listening to Mr. Nader for the past six months has he has attempted to show how an independent third party is really the only choice for true change in this county. In most all of his speaches, he has treated Mr. McCain and Mr. Obama with the same leval of scrutiny. It's a shame that a BLOG entry such as this on a major Newspaper website doesn't have an Editor reviewing content. Your web blog doesn't deserver the light of day.

Thank you for your on time column. Ralph Nader has tarnished his one prominent star by putting his own short sighted, selfish interest above those of the reality of our political system.

I hope no one wastes a single vote on him. It seems that many of his campaign workers are on the blog.

NEllis

Ralph Nader answer is a legitimate one, especially when you remember that he and Obama are competing for the same position. Anybody can say that Obama could be more outspoken and specific about minorities (Specially blacks) but let's not forget that he never presented him self has a civil right leader, he is not the next Jessie Jackson or Al Sharpton (No disrespect) on the contrary, he always present him self as the candidate of all Americans. Not only that's the only way for him to win but the best way cause he will do more for minority as President than he would ever do as the next famous MiLITANT. Ralph Nader could be sincere, he could also be just another politician being a politician or he could even be (like somebody said) paid by the Republican to undermine Obama; We just don’t know; but what we know for sure is that he will not be the next president, therefore he can say whatever he wants.
Now People, one of you mention Faith and Fact here's some facts:
The "MINORITY" only can't put obama in office he cannot carry the minority Agenda only. In my opinion he set the record strait in his speech on Race and he refers to the minorities every day in his campaign when he talks about” Healthcare” “The economy” …. Think people
Don’t expect Obama to bring solution to all your problems, it’s impossible, no one can.
Let’s see it that way: The change that will come with an obama win in November will have a grater impact for minority everywhere compare to Mc Cain, or Nader or any of the others. compare to the others.
OBAMA is more than enough for me.

BARACK WILL ADDRESS THE BLACK ISSUES AFTER HE BECOMES PRESIDENT

Maybe it's just me but should black people address at least some of the black issues? I don't know..stuff like drug use, crime, teen pregnancies.

Or would you rather have Obama participate in another meaningless march on the city streets?

caucasians pretend they are experts in everything, politics included .The bottom line is they have no concept of reality.Look how they voted for that loser Dubya he rewarded them with $5.00 a gallon gas,a bad economy,Increased terrorist attacks on american interests,being asleep at the wheel on 9-11 and a inept administration that will go down in history as worse and corrupt as ever.(NOTE:95% of African-Americans did NOT vote for BUsh)with that voting record by caucasians ,they maybe should not be allowed to vote at all.McCain to them is like a doting grandfather, while to African-americans he is like the pervert who dwells on the internet trying to convince his victims he is harmless.We need "change" ,not Depends diaper "change" which will we have with the ever aging McCain.Caucasians should be embarrassed by McCain and their sick attempts to try to finagle another old white guy in office by any means neccessary.Its not racism to point out racism, only racists think that way.By the way what was McCain thinking when he voted against Dr.Martin Luther King's Birthday Holiday?

Who cares what Ralph Nader thinks about anything?

"caucasians pretend they are experts in everything, politics included .The bottom line is they have no concept of reality"

That's why I love this blog!!! Constructive comments all the way around...well done DOC

I am a 33 year old black male. When Obama first announced he was running, I felt he had a chance if distence himself from other black leaders, and surround himself with white advisors. I felt if he appear to black and talk about only black issues he wasn't going to have a chance. Obama has worked in the inner city of Chicago, his wife grew up in my old side of town(the southeast side), he knows what goes on, I beleive he will handle the problem when elected. I understand where Nader is coming from, he just said what everyone was thinking. With that said let Obama play his game of chess(chess is a game of stretagy).

I resent that Nader is holding Obama to a higher standard than he is holding John McCain the Republican nominee?

You are NOT by yourself on this one, you have plenty of company, but others have been done this throughout the 2008 presidential process.

Nader's attempt to exploit black insecurities is insulting.

Surprisingly, I am not insulted, just amazed some individuals like him HATE to moved on from this way of thinking in 2008?

Posted by Mary Mitchell on June 26, 2008 06:18 PM | Permalink

For those who do not know, Senator Obama is needlessly trying to help Ms. Clinton retire her campaign debt, when his focus should be on the Republican candidate. Senator Hillary Clintion has over $24 million dollars ear-marked for the general election of her SUSPENDED CAMPAIGN, which she can re-start at any time. http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2008/06/06/1120861.aspx Please view the link, then ask yourself why is this tid-bit NOT gaining the attention it should? Why does she need his help, if not first asking her supporters what to do with this money? Understand, if they tell her to keep it, most can/will/should go towards settling her Democratic campaign debt and the rest to another senatorial bid for the state of New York.

Keep voting for the least worse and well keep living the same false dream.

Chances are if Barack Obama hasn't addressed the Black issues as US Senator of one state, then most likely he won't as US President of 50 States.

Gore lost because of his lousy campaign, the Electoral College and the courts. If you don't like the Electoral College and courts, stop voting strictly for Democrats (and Republicans) and get some new parties in with new blood who might actually accomplish something.

If Obama continues his move to center and right of center, Ralph Nader may get more votes than he expects. People who were so enthusiastic for Obama during primary days, can't be happy with him now -- he's not going to end the war as promised. He really, really wants those other votes too, so sorry guys, you get thrown under the bus.

DOC, before you stick-your-nose up at us and tell us whats wrong with our votes, remember this, African-Americans overwhelmingly have voted for Marion Berry, for Kwamme Kilpatrick, and for Ray Nagin. So those cities and citizens only got what they deserved.............And explain to us Bobby Rush beating Barack Obama 80-20% when Obama's being half-WHITE became the main issue during that 1st District Primary a few years back? Well, EXPLAIN?

susie q, be prepared for the fact Obama is going to be tougher on the Black Community after he's and if he's president. Those days of so-called Black Leaders NOT accounting where all there contributions and grant money goes will be over. Using the 'race card' whenever an excuse is needed will no longer work. Chances are DISCIPLINE and SELF-RESPONSIBILITY will become a factor just like it is in all the other communities.

Hey everybody, don't worry about Nader's comments. Its not Ralph who wants to cut Obama's n_ts off. Is it? Its a man who initials are JJ. A guy who only apologized because he was caught.