Nader Continues Gore Attacks
Oct. 26 -- Ralph Nader, unswayed by mounting criticism he could harm Al Gore’s presidential hopes, continues to launch sharp attacks on the Democratic candidate.
Speaking at a press conference in Washington on Wednesday, Nader blasted Gore’s record on a series of environmental issues, concluding, “The best case Al Gore has made for being an environmentalist in the campaign is that he is not George W. Bush.”
And the Green Party nominee indicated he was unruffled by the attention now being given his candidacy by Gore and other prominent Democrats.
“We welcome the new and enhanced attention that the Democratic Party has been paying to the Green Party,” Nader said. “That just informs more voters.”
Nader also shrugged off suggestions that he was siphoning away voters who would otherwise cast Democratic votes. A television ad currently airing on behalf of the National Abortion and Reproductive Rights Action League says, “voting for Ralph Nader helps elect George W. Bush.”
“We’re drawing from the Ross Perot voters, the independent voters, and people who have never voted before,” Nader added.
At a press conference in Cleveland today, Nader also denied that Democratic Rep. John Conyers of Michigan had asked him to leave the presidential race, contrary to a published report. Nader said Conyers had asked if he would consider meeting with Gore, an offer Nader says he declined.
Democratic Ticket Raps Ralph
Asked today about the effect Nader is having on his candidacy, Gore said, “I don’t like the argument that a vote for Nader is a vote forBush. It may be true, but my argument that I much prefer is I want toconvince all of the voters to support me with enthusiasm.”
Speaking on ABC’s Good Morning America today, the vice president added, “I’m speaking directly to those who might support him or to those who might support George Bush, and I’m asking them to support the approach that I am recommending … I’m not going to ask people to vote against somebody.”
Later today Gore did implore voters not to vote for Nader, telling tens ofthousands in the Green Party enclave of Madison, Wis., that a votefor Nader plays into the hands of corporate forces backingRepublican George W. Bush.
“If the big oil companies and the chemical manufacturers andthe other big polluters were able to communicate a message to thisstate, they would say vote for George Bush or, in any case, votefor Ralph Nader,” Gore bellowed. “They would say whatever you do,don’t vote for Al Gore!”
