Ralph Nader Tori Bowman Josh Hertz Eric Lewandowski
Outline Professional Bio Why he’s running Why he changed parties Why people hate him
Professional Bio Books o Unsafe at Any Speed published (1965) o Corporate Power in America (1973) o Who's Poisoning America (1981) o Winning the Insurance Game (1990) Short time as a lawyer and a lecturer
Political influences Over eight major federal consumer protection laws Safe Drinking Water Act Launching federal regulatory agencies Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Environment Protection Agency (EPA) Consumer Product Safety Administration Freedom of Information Act of th time as a presidential candidate
Why run at all? Provides an alternative candidate for those dissatisfied with both major parties. An attempt to provide a different set of standards among candidates. A candidate who doesn’t want corporations treated as equal to citizens.
Why not Green? Two major reasons for going independent, only one pushed in the media. Main reason given for leaving: To try and enter the state ballots Main unspoken reason: His campaign isn’t a Green campaign
Why They Hate Him Who is “they”? Dems. say “Nader should be held responsible for jeopardizing the well being of gays and lesbians, minorities and poor, women and organized labor” – NY Times, Nov. 9, 2000 Very close margins in 2000 election
The 2000 Election Margins Bush won Florida by 537 votes Nader had almost 100,000 votes Bush won New Hampshire by 7,211 votes Nader had over 22,000 Gore won New Mexico by 366 votes Nader had almost 21,000 Gore won Iowa by 4,000 votes Nader had almost 30,000 Etc.
What Would Change 2000 Voter Exit Polls Show: 47% of Nader voters would have voted for Gore 21% of Nader voters would have voted for Bush Today: Republicans view Nader most negatively (42%, up from 33% in 2000)
Current Polls Before Nader’s entry: 46% - Bush 43% - Kerry After Nader’s entry last month: 46% - Bush 38% - Kerry 7% - Nader Nader’s percentage has stayed relatively constant
References Academy of Achievement ( oc/page/nad0bio-1) oc/page/nad0bio-1 Nader Page ( Project Vote Smart ( smart.org/) smart.org/ Time Magazine
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