I want Barack Obama to be president; that's why I am happy Ralph Nader is running.
Ralph Nader announced that he is running for president ... again. On Meet the Press this morning, he basically called Barack Obama a corporatist. He insinuated that an Obama presidency would be no different from a McCain presidency.
McCain and the GOP are going to attack Obama as a liberal shill. They are going to call him a lefty nut who hates America. Having Ralph Nader - Mr. Liberal - attack Obama from the left will only help Obama's cause (assuming Nader can get enough air time to have any impact whatsoever).
This line of attack could make Obama more palatable to independents and moderate Republicans.
Also, I know a few Greens and I don't think Nader will siphon off enough votes on the left to have any impact. No one - including the Greens - can argue that Obama and McCain have not substantive differences. They will not facilitate more years of the Bush war machine.
If I were Obama, I'd answer every question about Nader with the same statement:
"Ralph Nader is a great man who has done some wonderful things for this country. Obviously, we differ on many issues, but I respect his right to be on the ballot."
That quote winks to the middle ("we differ on many issues") and placates the left ("I respect his right to be on the ballot").
Plus, having a second old white guy in the race just accentuates the newness of Obama.