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After eight years of disastrous Bush-Republican policies, America is reeling. Still at war, moving into a deep recession, saddled with crushing debt, Americans face the most important election for president in generations.
In this environment, the most important thing Democrats and progressives can do is to unite in support of our common goal: Reversing the damage done by George Bush and the Republicans. In this environment, the worst thing we can do is to fight each other. But that is exactly the threat presented by the recently announced candidacy of Ralph Nader.
Nader’s candidacy has a special meaning to me – because his new running mate, former San Francisco Board of Supervisors’ President, Matt Gonzalez, was my opponent in 2003 when I first ran for mayor.
As a matter of history, Democrats know that Ralph Nader is potentially strong enough to push some swing states into the Republican column. As a matter of personal experience, I know that Matt Gonzalez will help Nader help the Republicans.
Simply put, for the sake of America’s future, the Nader-Gonzalez ticket must be considered and challenged as the very real threat it is.
If I had to make an educated guess, I would bet that Matt Gonzalez’s name ID outside of San Francisco is somewhere south of zero. But the fact is, Matt Gonzalez is a dynamic and accomplished politician who will bring both a charming charisma and a steely discipline to the Nader effort.
When Matt ran for Mayor, he was able to attract both the enthusiasm of young voters and the money of many developers who didn’t like my stands on their projects. He jumped into the race late, even though both a strong gay candidate and a progressive woman were already running credible campaigns – and he beat them.
Matt is a smart, tough and ruthless campaigner who will help make the Nader ticket just effective enough to be dangerous. I respect my fellow San Franciscan as an opponent. I respect him as a thinker. And I like and respect him as a person.
But what Matt Gonzalez and Ralph Nader are doing to our nation is beyond divisive – it is dangerous. Every progressive and Democrat needs to recognize that in the Nader-Gonzalez candidacy, we gain nothing but have everything to lose.
Eight years ago, Ralph Nader launched a symbolic campaign based on the notion, as he so famously argued, that "There is no difference between Al Gore and George Bush." Enough voters agreed with him to cost Gore the election.
The consequences of Nader’s candidacy are felt every day that Bush’s terrible Iraq War drags on. They are felt every time another family loses their home to foreclosure. And they are felt every time another American gets sick because he or she couldn’t afford even basic health care.
Today, as in 2000, there IS a difference. And this difference has only grown as the Republicans continue their rush to the far right while the Democratic party has grown bolder and more progressive – thanks largely to the strength of the netroots.
That’s why there can be no greater imperative for Democrats and progressives than uniting behind the party’s nominee. Now is the time for us to take a stand against the irresponsible and dangerous threat of the Nader-Gonzalez campaign. Now is the time to work together so we can win back the White House. Now is the time for a united front so that we may begin, finally, to reverse the incredible damage done to our country and our world by eight years of George Bush and Republican leadership.
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