How We Go

Nader Announces Bid for Presidency

WASHINGTON — Consumer advocate Ralph Nader announced Sunday he is running again for president, this time as an independent, and rejected claims that a longshot candidacy would merely siphon enough votes from the Democrats to ensure President Bush's re-election.

But Nader's decision was greeted with a chorus of condemnation from Democrats, longtime friends and former supporters who blame him for Al Gore's loss four years ago.

Democratic National Committee chairman Terry McAuliffe, who personally urged Nader not to run, called the decision "unfortunate."

"You know, he's had a whole distinguished career, fighting for working families, and I would hate to see part of his legacy being that he got us eight years of George Bush," McAuliffe said on CBS's "Face the Nation."

Gov. Bill Richardson of New Mexico minced no words. "It's a total act of ego," he said.

Sorry, but if the candidate looks like a loser, walks like a loser and talks like a loser; the candidate is Al Gore.