For Amerca's sake, don't do it, Ralph! - updated with video

Ralph Nader has done a great deal of good for this nation in his consumer advocacy. He has spoken up in defense of the people and given shape to a movement for accountability and protection of the people. He deserves full credit for this and he can continue to have an impact in this area. I hope he does.

However....

I saw this little cluster this morning on Google News:

Consumer advocate Nader starts presidential bid
Washington Post - 1 hour ago
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Consumer advocate Ralph Nader said on Sunday that he is launching another long shot independent campaign for president of the United States.
Three's a crowd -- A history of third-party campaigns Boston Globe
Nader Announces Run for President The Associated Press

My immediate reaction? "That spiteful, arrogant little m**********r!"

I definitely believe we should have more than two parties in the United States, a diverse marketplace of ideas and more options than two for president. And I am not going to shift all blame to Ralph Nader for being the spoiler in previous elections.

But he makes it a helluva lot harder to defeat the corrupt, incompetent, and wicked party in power--and we cannot afford any more years with a Republican president. We have already damn near kissed constitutional democracy goodbye (and I hope it's only damn near).

The overwhelming Democratic turnout in the primaries has been very encouraging. But never underestimate the stupidity and naiveté of the American people when it comes to national elections. Remember 2004? Even if there was election fraud in Ohio (and I believe there was), an informed, sane nation would not have given 51 million votes to the tyrannical warmongering lawbreaking jerkwad now in the Oval Office.



Have you ever tried to think of anything else when a mosquito was buzzing near your face?
h/t to Kagro X for the video

Further updates:
Joe Sudbay at Americablog:

Ralph Nader is on Meet the Press to discuss his presidential ambitions. He should really be on A&E's Intervention instead. The guy has an addiction and needs a 12-step program to deal with his bizarre need for attention every four years. And, Russert should know better. He's just being an enabler.

John Aravosis at Americablog:

Where's Buffy when you need her?

Nader had better not be permitted in any presidential debate. He is not a real candidate, his support went from meager to pitiful the past two times he ran for president - the fool does not deserve to be on the same stage with Barack Obama and John McCain. What has Nader been doing the past four years? You haven't heard about a lot of consumer advocacy from Nader once he decided to be the herpes of presidential candidates. Talk about resting on your laurels. Nader handed us George Bush in 2000, and quite possibly George Bush in 2004, and now he has the nerve to complain about the Bush administration? What was that definition of insanity?

Atrios at Eschaton:

Who cares?

.38% in 2004.

I could get .38%.

Josh Marshall at TPM:

BUSH'S CHIEF ENABLER SIGNS ON
Nader to run again as independent.

--the BB