With Ralph Nader getting 5-6% of the vote for President in the latest polls, it's time for Democrats to can the wishful thinking that he can be ignored this time around. Nader has to be effectively challenged on his basic message that Democrats are somehow no different than Republicans, and Howard Dean I believe is in the best position to do this given his ability to talk straight with people. We need to hear straight talk about how the Republican record on the environment is much worse than that of the Democrats, for example.
Dean has the visibility and credibility with potential Nader voters to make a strong case without having to go negative on Nader also. This is important, given the existing bitterness that still lingers from Nader's 2000 run. So Howard, let's hear you speak out now and help us win in 2004!