What’s the hubbub over Ralph Nader?

Democrats are crying foul, arguing that Nader’s ego-driven campaign will hand the presidential election to George W. Bush – just as it did in 2000.

Sure, there’s some truth to the argument that without Nader drawing votes from Al Gore in Florida and New Hampshire, the Democrat would be living in the White House right now.

But history is not likely to repeat itself.

First, Nader will not be on the ballot as a Green candidate and will have a mighty struggle ahead just to get on the ballot in many states.

Also, there’s still a progressive candidate pushing in the Democratic primary. Rep. Dennis Kucinich will not be the Democratic nominee, but he is a true lefty-liberal and continues to deliver his message against the war and the corporate influences in Washington. He’s got an early jump on attracting many of Nader’s backers.

But mostly, 2004 will not be like 2000 because Democratic-leaning voters, regardless of who the nominee is, see now that there is a difference between Republicans and Democrats. They aren’t likely to send their votes to a third-party candidate without a prayer of winning and to risk giving President Bush four more years just to make a point.

Nader has every right to run, for whatever reason he wants. Maybe it’s all about his ego or about pressing a liberal agenda or just adding a new front against Republicans. It doesn’t really matter.

Welcome to the race, Ralph.


Keep embargo


The European Union may abandon its arms embargo of China.

Put in place in 1989 after student protesters were killed by Chinese forces in Tiananmen Square, the ban has prohibited member nations from selling weapons to the communist country.

Leaders of both France and Germany have begun lobbying the EU to drop the ban, pointing to increased economic ties between China and Europe.

It’s a bad move that the EU should reject.

Chinese forces killed hundreds, perhaps thousands, of pro-democracy protesters in 1989. There are continuing reports of widespread religious persecution and continuing human rights violations.

And we cannot forget about Taiwan, a democracy that the United States has pledged to protect against China’s aggression.

If France and Germany are successful with their efforts to sell weapons systems to China, it’s possible U.S. forces would someday face those weapons on the battlefield.

China is a nuclear power with massive industrial resources. The country doesn’t need help from NATO countries to build its armed forces.
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