Nader Pledges to Help Re-Elect Bush

Former Green Party candidate will seek Democratic votes in November

The spoiler of the 2000 presidential election, Ralph Nader, announced on Sunday that he would once again seek to aid the presidency of incumbent George W. Bush, by pulling liberal votes in key states.

Mr. Nader, who ran as a Green Party candidate, enthusiastically announced his candidacy to NBC's Tim Russert on Sunday morning's "Meet the Press."

"George Bush and I have accomplished a great deal in the past four years," expalined Nader. "He's gotten to push his extreme right wing agenda and I've gotten to see my name on presidential ballots across the nation. I can't tell you what a rush it is to see crowds of people holding posters with your name on them."

Russert asked Nader about criticism from Democrats, who blame the former consumer advocate for Al Gore's narrow loss to President Bush in 2000.

"They may have a point," conceded Nader, "but most of those people haven't experienced the thrill of having people scream out your name at rallies and speeches. It's really invigorating."

Nader also explained why he had chosen to run this time as an independent instead of as a Green Party candidate.

"Last time around, the Green Party insisted that the word 'Green' appear somewhere on my posters and on the large banners we had designed to hang behind me when I spoke," said Nader. "That meant less room for the words 'Ralph Nader.' We won't have that problem this time."

Russert pointed out that many of Nader's former supporters, such as the Rev. Al Sharpton and filmmaker Michael Moore, were not likely to support him in a spoiler role again.

"That's okay," said Nader, "because I share something with a small sector of the electorate that no other candidate shares, and that's a deeply devoted love of me."

When asked if seeing his name on posters and hearing cheers at campaign events was was worth another four years of George W. Bush, Nader answered emphatically.

"Certainly," said the candidate. "George Bush hasn't hurt me in the last four years. I didn't have to go to war and I didn't lose any of my income. And while many of my fans may have trouble finding work, I still have a job -- running for President. Have I mentioned how exciting it is to see your name in lights?"

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