As predicted (on this blog) the first of two spoilers is now in the race. Ralph Nader has tossed his pinhead shaped hat into the ring, thus potentially hurting the Democrats, and helping McCain. There is no question that Nader pulls more voters from the ranks of liberals, and this has to be very very bad news for the “Yes We Can” hope brigade of Barack Obama.

Don’t get me wrong, I do respect Nader, for some of his work, and some of his ideological strength. But, you have to admit, as a Presidential candidate, the man is nothing more than a quirky spoiler, just attractive enough for some of the freaks on the left to pull them like moths to flame, fluttering to a political death.

Nader is ‘credited’ by some on the left for having spoiled the 2000 election for Gore much the same way Perot ruined Bush and created the Clinton years. I would beg to differ, as Perot was a much more viable candidate, as evidenced by his 19% of the electorate. But even so, Nader has just enough “star” power to get significant enough numbers to cause SERIOUS concern on the left.

In 2000, for example, Gore lost Florida by around 2000 votes (on election night). This was pared down to 537 votes, although we will never know for sure due to the fact that this is the number we wound up with after sifting through hanging chads, election officials interpreting “voter intent”, and several court dates. Either way, Nader won 97,421 votes in Florida alone.

Spoiler? You bet.

Nader’s ability to negatively effect Democrats this time around will undoubtedly be more watered down. However, even in 2004, Nader garnered 32,971 votes. Bush won there against Kerry by around half a million votes, but still, in close contests across the Country, Nader could still play a role in a Democrat failure to win the White House.

This political climate is quite a bit different than 2000 and 2004, and even more importantly the candidates are quite a bit different. McCain runs more from the center-right, and Obama is radically left, running a Kennedy like Cindarella story campaign fueling the emotionally charged (and emotionally dependent) left into a frenzy that is about the topple the Clinton machine. And who would have predicted that a year ago?

McCain supporters, be happy. You just gained a leg up on the left.

Without question, there is a lot of back room political arm twisting going on across this Country as of today and Nader’s announcement. I bet there are quite a few on the left who are cursing Nader.

But don’t hold your breath. I suspect Ron Paul will be joining the campaign as an Independent well, and he just might be the “anti” Nader, giving us on the right our own reason for having the same sinking stomach feeling the left is feeling right now with Nader.

Until then, let’s get out our checkbooks and give Ralphie a nice, big, Obama-busting boost…

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