Ralph goes nuts

This is just too bizarre:

Nader has now jumped into bed with the ultrasectarian cult-racket formerly known as the New Alliance Party and its guru, Fred Newman: Ralph was the star attraction at a January conference of "independents" that was just a front for the Newmanite crazies. By rejecting the Greens' ballot line, Nader will have huge difficulties getting his name on the ballot. So he went shopping for help in ballot access from the Newmanites. The New York Times reported Nader says he'll "link up" with existing "independent" parties in New York and elsewhere -- which can only mean the Newmanites (who control New York's Independence Party and similar remnants of the Reform Party in many states).

This cult is the antithesis of every value Nader holds dear. A Maoist grouplet in the '70s, the Newmanites morphed into supporters of Pat Buchanan in the Hitler-coddling commentator's 2000 takeover of the Reform Party. Newman recruits and controls his followers through a brainwashing scheme baptized "social therapy," designed to create blind allegiance to Newman. He has frequently dipped his rhetoric in the poisonous blood-libel of anti-Semitism, denouncing Jews as "storm troopers of decadent capitalism." By French-kissing the cultists to get on the ballot, Nader has allowed himself to be used as bait to lure the unsuspecting into the Newmanite orbit, where they risk being sucked into the cult. That's a betrayal of the many young people to whom Nader is still a hero. And an acid commentary on Nader's judgment.

Dave Neiwert at Orcinus has more on the Newmanites. It's worth reading. Reactionary, former Maoist, ex-Larouchie cult. Very nice.

I'll reserve comment on what this says about Ralph's motivations for running. Oh, who am I kidding, he'll do whatever he can to get on all 50 ballots 'cause it strokes his ego.

Honestly, I hope it's other than it appears. I'm not going to vote for him, so I don't much care. But I hope the Nader folks here take a good look at this. This is the sort of thing that can tarnish a whole lifetime of good work.