Nader running to force major parties into 'shaping up or shipping out'

Video: Nader talks to the press about his views on the bailout plan.

Ralph Nader: Ralph Nader in Portland. Politicker photo.PORTLAND – Independent presidential candidate Ralph Nader hopes that the third time will be the charm, and Monday night he was in Portland to spread his message which strongly opposes major political parties and big corporations.

Nader first addressed the press before speaking to the crowd that half-filled the Unitarian Universalist Church on Congress Street. He offered a number of bitter comments about energy policy, the recent bailout, and this year’s general political climate. He scolded the first reporter to use the term “spoiler”.

“I will not tolerate political bigotry from the fourth estate. The premise of that is that we are second class citizens,” he said.

Nader is one of three third-party candidates running for president this year, along with Libertarian Bob Barr and Green Cynthia McKinney.

Nader said that given Maine’s reputation for electing Greens and independents, he believes he should do well in the state. He said he is opening an office in Portland.

He has proposed that Congress force the big oil companies to fork over $5 billion to help low income citizens deal with the energy crisis. “I have never seen a more cowardly, ineptitude, escapee attitude in Congress,” he said.

He also opposes the recent Wall Street bailout, which he said helps the corporations and doesn’t help the taxpayers.

Nader also wants to reform ballot access laws to provide for more choices. He called the current laws “Jim Crow” laws.

He also wants to reach out to the next generation of politicians. “I want to get the young generation into clean political organizing skills,” he said.

Nader says that he is running because the major party candidates have been influenced too greatly by corporations.

“My role in the election is to push and pull the two crooked major parties into shaping up or shipping out,” he said. “Also to put out our progressive agenda -- our positions are supported by the majority of Americans.”

He chastises the current political establishment for not letting him in the debates. “If you don’t get in the debates, you don’t reach tens of thousands of people,” he said.

“This law first bails out the speculators and the imprudent institutions,” he said. “It does not require criminal prosecution of Wall Street swindlers… these crooks jumped ship and sailed off in a golden lifeboat.”

Hands shot up when Nader asked how many thought the big corporations had too much control. The crowd laughed when Nader colorfully described the way the credit card industry has taken control of people’s money.

They roared when he said President Bush has “the most impeachable presidency in American history.”

After Nader’s prepared remarks, he stepped off the stage, and staffer Matthew Zawisky stepped on. He made an appeal for volunteers and money in the state.

He asked if any single person would stand up and make a $2,300 donation. There were no takers. He asked for $1,000, then $500, then $250. Nothing, nothing and nothing. Finally there were several takers at both the $100 and $50 levels.

After the fundraising drive, Nader answered audience questions for nearly an hour.