I know that this may be a mix of "who?" vs. "who cares?", but hey, news is news. And after all, someone has to report the developments related to the non-Republi-Crats.
Daniel Nasaw, guardian.co.uk
Presidential candidate Ralph Nader chose a San Francisco politician as his pick for running mate this year as he selected Matt Gonzalez, former president of the San Francisco board of supervisors, who Nader says shares his vision of an America rid of corporate influence in politics.
"I found him to be unwavering in his principles and committed to his politics with clear eloquence and humane logic," Nader said. "I wanted someone who served in government and who knows what kind of challenges our cities face and who has a record of accomplishment in areas such as election reform, criminal justice, and the creation of the highest minimum wage in the country."
Nader, 74, is a consumer advocate credited with helping popularize automobile seatbelts and airbags and also for standing up for consumers against corporations, initially through his group Public Citizen. He was instrumental in the founding of government agencies that protect citizens from corporate environmental pollution and workers from unsafe working conditions.
Nader\'s entry into the race has provoked disdain from the Democrats he accuses of being too soft on corporate power.
Hillary Clinton said, "it\'s not good for anybody, especially our country."
Obama was more charitable, saying "Ralph Nader deserves enormous credit for the work he did as a consumer advocate. But his function as a perennial candidate is not putting food on the table of workers."
And while I\'m at it...
Bloomberg decides against presidential run
Ewen MacAskill, guardian.co.uk
New York mayor Michael Bloomberg opened a bidding war between presidential candidates for his support after finally opting against an independent run for the White House.
Making his announcement in the New York Times, the multi-billionaire dangled the prospect of his backing in return for policy pledges from the candidate that comes closest to his own views.
Bloomberg wrote: "I listened carefully to those who encouraged me to run, but I am not — and will not be — a candidate for president … I am hopeful that the current campaigns can rise to the challenge by offering truly independent leadership.
"The most productive role that I can serve is to push them forward, by using the means at my disposal to promote a real and honest debate."
Bloomberg added he would help the candidate prepared to buck party orthodoxy: "If a candidate takes an independent, nonpartisan approach — and embraces practical solutions that challenge party orthodoxy — I\'ll join others in helping that candidate win the White House."
Bloomberg, who was Democrat, then Republican, and is now an independent, was more likely to have stood if the candidates were polarizing figures, allowing him to appeal to independents.
But John McCain, who is close to winning the Republican nomination, has a strong appeal to independents, and so too does Barack Obama, who\'s still fighting Hillary Clinton for the Democratic nomination.
