Nader less of a factor this time
November 04, 2004
Washington - Ralph Nader ended his latest presidential bid with a fraction of the votes he won four years ago.
But he yesterday vowed to continue his insurgent campaign against corporate domination of American politics.
The consumer advocate - denounced as a spoiler in 2000 by Democrats who blamed him for costing Al Gore the election - lashed out at the "liberal intelligentsia" for pressuring him to end his campaign and rally instead behind John Kerry.
"The liberals who staff and fund so many of those good groups that, years ago, made demands on politicians, they don't make demands on the Democratic Party anymore," a raspy-voiced Nader told about 150 supporters gathered in Washington.
"The contempt that the Democratic Party has for groups that support them, when these groups do not make any demand on them, they are making the party seem more like the Republican Party," Nader said.
Nader was on the ballot in 34 states this year, including at least a half-dozen states where Democrats feared his presence could tip the balance. - Sapa-AP
