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Affiliation | Independent |
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1995-01-01 |
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Name | Ralph Nader |
Address | 53 Hillside Avenue Winsted, Connecticut 06098, United States |
Email | None |
Website | [Link] |
Born |
February 27, 1934
(90 years)
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Contributor | Barack O-blame-a |
Last Modifed | E Pluribus Unum May 12, 2023 01:06am |
Tags |
Arab - Single - Military Reserve - Christian - Asexual - Disputed -
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Info | Ralph Nader is a consumer advocate, lawyer, author, and has been named by Time Magazine as one of the 100 Most Influential Americans in the Twentieth Century.
For over four decades Ralph Nader has exposed problems and organized millions of citizens into more than 100 public interest groups to advocate for solutions.
His efforts have helped to create a framework of laws, regulatory agencies, and federal standards that have improved the quality of life for two generations of Americans.
His groups were instrumental in enacting the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Consumer Product Safety Commission, and the Safe Drinking Water Act.
In the past decade, Nader has dedicated himself to putting people back in charge of America’s democracy, launching three major presidential campaigns.
Because of Ralph Nader we drive safer cars, eat healthier food, breathe better air, drink cleaner water, and work in safer environments.
The Early Years
Ralph Nader was born in Winsted, Connecticut on February 27, 1934, to Rose and Nathra Nader, immigrants from Lebanon.
Ralph's family owned and operated the Highland Arms, a restaurant and gathering place for members of their small community.
Nader and his three siblings grew up in an environment where current events and politics were discussed both around the dinner table and with customers at the family restaurant.
There, it was said, for a nickel you would get a cup of coffee and ten minutes of politics.
Taught to value social justice, Nader learned from a young age to be an active participant in the American democratic system.
To avoid a repeat of three disastrous floods in the town's main street, Nader's mother once famously pressed then Senator Prescott Bush during a public gathering to pledge to build a dry dam by not letting go of his handshake until he had promised to build the dam.
As Nader's father would often say, "If you do not use your rights, you will lose your rights."
When Nader was ten, his father asked him: "Well, Ralph, what did you learn in school today? Did you learn how to believe or did you learn how to think?"
In 1955 Ralph Nader received an AB magna cum laude from the Woodrow Wilson School of International Affairs Princeton University, with a major in East Asian studies, which afforded him the opportunity to study Chinese and Russian.
In 1958, he received an LLB with distinction from Harvard Law School.
After a six-month spell in the Army in 1959, Ralph traveled through Latin America, Africa, and Europe, where he gained first hand witness of the time's great social struggles and interviewed world leaders as a freelance journalist.
He began practicing law in Hartford, Connecticut in 1959 and from 1961-63 he lectured on history and government at the University of Hartford.
Consumer Advocate
Nader's career as a public advocate started at the age of 31 with an article titled "The Safe Car You Can't Buy," which along with his subsequent book, Unsafe at Any Speed, documented safety defects in U.S. cars and criticized the automobile industry's safety practices, specifically targeting the Corvair.
Helped by testimony from the CEO of General Motors that the company had hired a private detective to investigate Nader's private life, the book became a best seller.
Nader subsequently sued GM for invasion of privacy and received $425,000 in an out-of-court settlement. He invested and used the money as a de facto philanthropic fund for his projects aimed at strengthening civil society.
Nader's research on auto safety and his lobbying in Washington helped push Congress to pass the 1966 National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act.
He also lobbied for the 1967 Wholesome Meat Act, which called for federal inspections of beef and poultry and imposed standards on slaughterhouses, the 1967 Freedom of Information Act and the 1970 Clean Air Act.
In 1969, he helped found the Center for Study of Responsive Law (CSRL), a non-profit organization staffed mostly by college, graduate and law students. Those students became known as "Nader's Raiders" and studied and issued reports on a variety of consumer issues.
In his career as consumer advocate he founded many organizations including the Public Interest Research Group (PIRG), the Center for Auto Safety, Public Citizen, Clean Water Action Project, the Disability Rights Center, the Pension Rights Center, the Project for Corporate Responsibility and The Multinational Monitor (a unique monthly magazine that keeps tabs on corporate behavior internationally).
Presidential Candidate
In the 1980's, with the election of President Reagan, powerful corporate interests gathered momentum and became increasingly assertive in the pursuit of their narrow interests, throwing up roadblocks to Nader's efforts to advance the well-being of the American people.
With the two major parties dialing for the same dollars, their differences dwindled on most major issues (single-payer healthcare, living wage, replacing fossil fuels and nuclear with many practical variants of solar power, and a foreign policy that wages peace instead of war).
After working for 40 years on behalf of the health, safety, and economic well being of the American people, Nader took stock of the situation: "I don't like citizen groups being shut out by both parties in this city -- corporate occupied territory -- not having a chance to improve their country."
Never one to be stymied, Nader responded to the declining influence of civil society over elected representatives by entering the electoral arena himself, and is now on his third major presidential campaign aimed at reinvigorating America's democracy, in the best traditions of the suffragettes, labor party, and abolitionists of the 19th and early 20th century.
When asked in 2004 if he was worried about his legacy being tarnished from the hurly burly of presidential politics, Nader responded: "Who cares about my legacy? My legacy is established. They're not going to tear seatbelts out of cars. I look to the future. That's the important thing."
In an era when politicians sell us rhetoric and then sell out our principles, Nader stands out as one politician that can be counted on to never sell out.
There can be no daily democracy without daily citizenship toward 'a new birth of freedom.' —Ralph Nader
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End Date |
Type |
Title |
Contributor |
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Date |
Category |
Headline |
Article |
Contributor |
Jun 24, 2013 04:30pm |
News |
Ralph Nader outlines 2016 plan
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Article |
Pennsylvanian |
Sep 26, 2012 02:00pm |
Statement |
Ralph Nader: President Obama’s a ‘war criminal’
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Article |
Craverguy |
Sep 19, 2011 03:00pm |
News |
Ralph Nader praises Sarah Palin
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Article |
RBH |
Mar 21, 2011 08:00pm |
General |
Nader: Impeach Obama for 'war crimes'
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Article |
COSDem |
Apr 05, 2010 12:00pm |
Commentary |
How the Corporations Broke Ralph Nader and America, Too
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Article |
Craverguy |
Dec 19, 2009 05:00pm |
News |
Nader: Pres. Obama 'flunked' first year
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Article |
Scott³ |
Oct 26, 2009 12:00pm |
Op-Ed by Candidate |
Rhetoric and Reality
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Article |
Craverguy |
Oct 20, 2009 12:00am |
Speech |
Ralph Nader still swinging at corporate America
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Article |
Craverguy |
Oct 13, 2009 03:45pm |
Interview |
Nader: Federal Reserve "Doesn't Even Know How To Spell Consumer Protection" (VIDEO)
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Article |
Craverguy |
Oct 13, 2009 12:00pm |
Op-Ed by Candidate |
CBO Report on Medical Malpractice Flawed
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Article |
Craverguy |
Sep 28, 2009 12:00pm |
Op-Ed by Candidate |
Time for Citizens to Convene
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Article |
Craverguy |
Sep 24, 2009 03:00pm |
Review |
This way to the future
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Article |
Craverguy |
Sep 21, 2009 11:00am |
Profile |
Novel Approach: Ralph Nader Turns to Fiction
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Article |
Craverguy |
Sep 04, 2009 12:00pm |
Op-Ed by Candidate |
Words Matter
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Article |
Craverguy |
Aug 28, 2009 06:00pm |
News |
Nader goes hollywood
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Article |
Craverguy |
Aug 20, 2009 04:20pm |
Statement |
Nader asks McGuinty to suspend construction of controversial dump
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Article |
Craverguy |
Aug 14, 2009 12:00am |
Op-Ed by Candidate |
"Now Make Me Do It"
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Article |
Craverguy |
Aug 03, 2009 12:00pm |
Op-Ed by Candidate |
Purloining the People's Property
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Article |
Craverguy |
Jul 02, 2009 12:00am |
Op-Ed by Candidate |
Ignoring Propethic Predictors
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Article |
Craverguy |
Apr 21, 2009 12:00pm |
Op-Ed by Candidate |
Bailout Indignation: How About a Test of Your Injustice Barometer?
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Article |
Craverguy |
Apr 10, 2009 12:00pm |
Op-Ed by Candidate |
CPAs MIA
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Article |
Craverguy |
Apr 03, 2009 12:00pm |
Op-Ed by Candidate |
The Ones Who Got It Right
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Article |
Craverguy |
Mar 27, 2009 12:00pm |
Op-Ed by Candidate |
Paying for the Deficit
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Article |
Craverguy |
Mar 20, 2009 12:00pm |
Op-Ed by Candidate |
What Can Bush Teach Us?
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Article |
Craverguy |
Dec 02, 2008 10:50pm |
Op-Ed by Candidate |
We Need a Global Carbon Tax
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Article |
Craverguy |
Nov 05, 2008 12:35pm |
General |
Nader Criticized for 'Uncle Tom' Reference During Obama Discussion
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Article |
Ashley |
Nov 03, 2008 01:00pm |
Commentary |
Hedges: Only Nader Is Right on the Issues
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Article |
Craverguy |
Oct 28, 2008 09:35pm |
Interview |
Ralph Nader: Why Small Business Owners Are the True Capitalists
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Article |
Craverguy |
Oct 28, 2008 11:00am |
Op-Ed by Candidate |
Two Bills That Would Change America
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Article |
Craverguy |
Oct 02, 2008 11:00pm |
Op-Ed by Candidate |
Soulmates in Deregulation
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Article |
Craverguy |
Sep 26, 2008 09:00pm |
Humor |
The Obama Girl & Ralph Nader Show
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Not Available |
Craverguy |
Sep 26, 2008 01:50am |
Commentary |
Considering the Third Option
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Article |
Craverguy |
Sep 25, 2008 09:20pm |
Interview |
Onion A.V. Club Interviews Ralph Nader
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Article |
Craverguy |
Sep 17, 2008 02:00pm |
General |
Rocky [Anderson]'s parrot campaigns with Nader
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Article |
particleman |
Jun 25, 2008 03:45pm |
Interview |
Nader: Obama 'talking white'
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Article |
RP |
Jun 20, 2008 11:00am |
Analysis |
Running For President and Against the Past: Ralph Nader
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Article |
Thomas Walker |
Jun 09, 2008 11:00am |
Analysis |
Nader runs a different race
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Article |
Thomas Walker |
May 14, 2008 07:35am |
News |
Nader calls U.S. "corporate fascism"
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Article |
Craverguy |
Mar 02, 2008 05:00am |
General |
Ralph Nader loves John McCain
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Article |
kal |
Feb 28, 2008 11:00am |
Speculative |
Nader to Pick Gonzalez as Running Mate
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Article |
Thomas Walker |
Feb 28, 2008 03:00am |
Opinion |
Nader/Gravel 2008
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Article |
Bob |
Feb 25, 2008 06:30pm |
General |
Bloomberg Says Nader Has Right To Run
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Article |
kal |
Feb 24, 2008 09:00am |
Announcement |
Ralph Nader announces third-party run for president
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Article |
DFWDem |
Jun 22, 2007 12:00am |
News |
Nader Weighs Another Run for President
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Article |
ArmyDem |
Feb 04, 2007 09:00pm |
News |
Nader leaves '08 door open, slams Hillary
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Article |
WesternDem |
Sep 21, 2006 12:05pm |
News |
Nader drops in on Albany; blasts Clinton
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Article |
Thomas Walker |
Aug 28, 2005 10:05pm |
General |
Nader Wants Feds to Issue Ford Advisory
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Article |
Thomas Walker |
Jun 17, 2005 12:00am |
Statement |
Nader's very unpleasant N-gagement
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Article |
None Entered |
May 31, 2005 12:00pm |
News |
The 'I' word
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Article |
... |
Nov 07, 2004 12:00am |
General |
Nader Is Left With Fewer Votes, and Friends, After '04 Race
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Article |
COSDem |
Sep 13, 2004 12:00am |
Analysis |
Kerry's Nader trap
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Article |
BILLYW |
Sep 04, 2004 12:00am |
General |
Nader Makes Utah Ballot
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Article |
Monsieur |
Sep 03, 2004 12:00am |
News |
Michigan Court Rules; Nader Will Be On Ballot
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Article |
Gerald Farinas |
Aug 31, 2004 12:00am |
News |
Nader Gets on November Ballot in Florida for the Reform Party
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Article |
Gerald Farinas |
Aug 13, 2004 12:00am |
News |
Democrats See Nader As a Menace on Margins
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Article |
Gerald Farinas |
Jul 31, 2004 12:00am |
News |
Nader office shuts down as workers seek pay
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Not Available |
PaGuy |
Jul 29, 2004 12:00am |
General |
Nader raids gay votes
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Article |
COSDem |
Jul 27, 2004 12:30pm |
General |
Nader to Crash Dems' Party?
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Article |
Ashley |
Jul 23, 2004 12:00am |
Editorial |
Nader's campaign is based on dishonesty
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Article |
Gerald Farinas |
Jul 17, 2004 12:00am |
Analysis |
Radio Ad Attacks Nader Over GOP Support
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Article |
Chase McFadden |
Jun 26, 2004 12:00am |
News |
Nader Distinguishes Platform and Vows to Stay in the Race
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Article |
Chase McFadden |
Jun 21, 2004 12:00am |
News |
Nader's running mate?
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Article |
None Entered |
Jun 21, 2004 12:00am |
News |
Nader selects Green Party activist as running mate
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Article |
Tony82 |
Jun 18, 2004 12:00am |
Analysis |
Nader and the Green Party's Presidential Choice for 2004
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Article |
Guy |
Jun 07, 2004 12:00am |
Interview |
Ralph Nader: Conservatively Speaking
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Article |
FreedomDemocrat |
May 17, 2004 12:00am |
News |
Nader Says Kerry Getting Free Advice
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Article |
Gerald Farinas |
May 12, 2004 12:00am |
News |
Nader Wins Endorsement From Reform Party
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Article |
particleman |
May 11, 2004 12:00am |
News |
Ralph Nader Sues to Get on Texas Ballot
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Article |
Gerald Farinas |
Apr 28, 2004 12:00am |
Press Release |
Democracy Failing in Texas
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Article |
Guy |
Apr 21, 2004 12:00am |
News |
Nader Campaign Qualifies for Federal Matching Funds
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Article |
Gerald Farinas |
Apr 18, 2004 12:00am |
News |
Nader Says Kerry Will Be Better if Nudged
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Article |
Gerald Farinas |
Apr 16, 2004 12:00am |
News |
Nader Wants Filmmaker Moore to Come Home
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Article |
Gerald Farinas |
Apr 13, 2004 12:00am |
News |
Ralph Nader, Libertarians tell youths to brace for draft
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Article |
Gerald Farinas |
Apr 13, 2004 12:00am |
News |
Nader claims best record on gay rights issues
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Article |
Gerald Farinas |
Apr 06, 2004 12:00am |
News |
Eclectic crowd hears Nader rail at parties
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Article |
Gerald Farinas |
Apr 06, 2004 12:00am |
News |
Nader Calls for Bush to Be Impeached
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Article |
Gerald Farinas |
Apr 02, 2004 12:00am |
News |
Liberal leaders urge Nader to abandon bid
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Article |
Gerald Farinas |
Apr 02, 2004 12:00am |
News |
Nader a threat to Kerry, polls say Democrats fear independent
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Article |
Gerald Farinas |
Apr 02, 2004 12:00am |
Editorial |
Spinning Nader in Ohio
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Article |
Gerald Farinas |
Apr 01, 2004 12:00am |
News |
Nader Releases Letter to Americans
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Article |
Gerald Farinas |
Apr 01, 2004 12:00am |
News |
Nader believes his campaign can help Kerry
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Article |
Gerald Farinas |
Mar 30, 2004 12:00am |
News |
Nader Advises Kerry to Loosen Up
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Article |
Gerald Farinas |
Mar 30, 2004 12:00am |
News |
Nader clings to lonely quest
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Article |
Gerald Farinas |
Mar 29, 2004 12:00am |
News |
Quirky election law helps Nader get on Oregon ballot
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Article |
Gerald Farinas |
Mar 28, 2004 12:00am |
News |
Nader says US needs standard for third-party ballot access
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Article |
Gerald Farinas |
Mar 28, 2004 12:00am |
News |
Nader rips GOP, Democrats
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Article |
Gerald Farinas |
Mar 28, 2004 12:00am |
News |
Nader to meet with Kerry to help drive Bush from White House
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Article |
Gerald Farinas |
Feb 25, 2004 12:00am |
News |
Nader Visits UT-Austin, TexasDemocrat06 Attends Speech
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Not Available |
Texas Democrat 06 |
Feb 24, 2004 12:00am |
News |
Nader defies Democrat criticism
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Article |
Gerald Farinas |
Feb 22, 2004 12:00am |
Advertisement |
Ralph Nader Announces Run for Presidency
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Article |
The Oncoming Storm |
Feb 20, 2004 12:00am |
News |
Nader to enter presidential race
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Article |
PragCon 3.0 |
Feb 15, 2004 12:00am |
News |
Campaign Notebook: Nader candidacy expected
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Article |
The Oncoming Storm |
Jan 28, 2004 12:00am |
News |
E-Mail From Nader 2004 Presidential Exploratory Committee
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Not Available |
FreedomDemocrat |
Dec 02, 2003 12:00am |
News |
Nader raises money for potential campaign
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Article |
Eddie |
Aug 12, 2003 12:00am |
Amusing |
Ralph Nader Gets Pie In Face At SF Event
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Article |
FreedomDemocrat |
Jun 30, 2003 12:00am |
News |
Nader considering another try at White House in 2004
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Article |
None Entered |
Jun 19, 2003 12:00am |
General |
Liberal pariah Ralph Nader flirts with new White House run
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Article |
COSDem |
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