todd's naive politics, part ii - ralphie

By Todd Stadler · Monday, July 30, 2001 11:58pm

An open letter to the Oregon Democratic Party:

"Ralph who? I don't know that man. I thought he died," Jim Edmunson, Oregon Democratic Party chairman said when Nader's name came up. ... Edmunson said he had mixed feelings about [the upcoming Nader rally]. "Anything that reminds people of the last election is a good thing," he said. "The other feeling is that Nader's continued presence may only result in George Bush's second term in office." (From the July 26, 2001 edition of the Oregonian)

My, still a bit cross about the election, then? Poor babies.

If Nader is dead, then he seems to have taken Gore with him. And a good chunk of the Democratic Party. I mean, not only did you lose the presidency, but the only reason you're in control in the Senate is because a Republican defected - a sure sign that neither party is inspiring many people these days.

And perhaps it should be mentioned that while there were many dubious circumstances surrounding the election (as there likely always are when such high offices are at stake; let's not be naive), the Democratic Party has missed the big picture - big time!

When you fail to get the vice president of a popular two-term president elected in a period of economic prosperity, his only major opponent being a man you would have us believe is a simpering, inexperienced goob controlled by evil corporations, you have collosally screwed up!

That election should have been sealed from the get-go! Gore should have won by more than five percent even with a large number of votes going to Nader. How you failed to do that has me baffled.

But rather than accept responsibility for your own failure, you have chosen to play sore loser in a legally dubious manner. Poor babies - have some more donations.

While I am often sympathetic to many Democratic ideas, I refuse to vote for a party that has shown time and again that its adherence to issues is secondary to its being in power. Until you find yourselves able to get over the election results and ready to actually lead, I will continue to vote for third party candidates who ruin your fun.

Whether they're dead or not.

Disgustedly,
Todd Stadler