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Political affiliation:
Independent |
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Born: Feb. 27, 1934
Winsted, CT. |
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Personal:
Single. Congregationalist. |
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Occupation:
Attorney. Founder of numerous
consumer groups. |
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Education:
Graduated from Princeton in
1955 and Harvard Law School in 1958. |
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Major political experience:
Has run for president twice. |
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Ralph Nader
SNAPSHOT
Ralph Nader joined the presidential campaign on
February 22, 2004. H acknowledges that it will be difficult to get his name
on the ballot in all 50 states in his independent bid for the presidency. Nader,
whom Democrats blame for costing Democrat Al Gore the election in 2000, lacks
major party support or resources for his candidacy that has riled the Democratic
Party. Unlikely to get the Green Party nomination, he faces an uphill battle
to get on the ballot, which requires money and signatures. Nader rejects the
spoiler label as a "contemptuous" term used
by those who want to deny voters a choice. Declaring Washington a "corporate-occupied territory," he accuses both Democrats and
Republicans of being dominated by corporate lobbyists who care little about
the needs of ordinary Americans.
Howard Dean's last stand?
Supporters packed a Superior, Wisc., school auditorium to hear former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean's pitch to the Badger state's most northern Democrats. Dean is focused almost exclusively on next week's Wisconsin primary. He hopes to pull off an upset win that might revitalize his struggling campaign. But Dean lost key endorsements, including from a veteran northern Wisconsin congressman.
(02/10/2004)
The race for president
A look at the key issues and leading candidates in the presidential campaign. Presidential contests in
Virginia and Tennessee are on Tuesday, and Democratic hopefuls are campaigning hard. Trying to steal some of the spotlight from Democrats seeking his job, President Bush is highlighting upswings in the U.S. economy.
( 02/09/2004)
Who is John Kerry?
John Kerry's victories in five more states makes him the clear front-runner for the Democratic nomination for president. Who is John Kerry? Where has he been? What has he done? What does he stand for?
( 02/04/2004)
Lieberman abandons race for Democratic presidential nomination
As strains of Frank Sinatra's "My Way"
played, Sen. Joe Lieberman ended a presidential bid that he ran on
his own terms but that never found a foothold with the voters.
(02/04/2004)
First look at what the South and West thinks of Democrats
Presidential candidate John Edwards expects a bump from his primary victory in South Carolina, where the economy appears to be voters' chief concern. John Kerry won big in western states. A look at the fortunes of all the Democratic candidates after the latest primaries and caucuses.
( 02/04/2004)
Kerry wins in five states
Armed with a multistate win that cemented his
front-runner status, John Kerry is pausing briefly before plunging
into the next round of tests as a national presidential candidate.
His campaign, Kerry said, is "on the move."
(02/04/2004)
Kerry campaigns in North Dakota
Democratic presidential hopeful John Kerry campaigned in Fargo on Sunday, two days before the state's caucus. The Massachusetts senator said he was going to watch the Superbowl in Fargo and defeat President George W. Bush in November.
(02/01/2004)
MPR Poll: November presidential contest might be close in Minnesota
Minnesota voters say if the presidential election were held today, Democratic Sen. John Kerry of Massachusetts would have the best chance to beat George W. Bush in the state.
A new Mason-Dixon poll sponsored by Minnesota Public Radio and the St. Paul Pioneer Press sheds light on voter opinions on President Bush, the Democratic candidates for president, and the war on terrorism.
(01/30/2004)
Democratic presidential contenders meet in debate
Democratic presidential contenders
agreed in campaign debate Thursday night that they can and must
compete successfully against President Bush this fall in the South,
a region that has been hard to crack for many of the party's past
contenders for the White House.
(01/29/2004)
Kerry rolls over N.H. rivals, taking mantle of front-runner as contest goes national
The opening acts behind them, Democrats transformed their
presidential campaign into a national battle Wednesday with John
Kerry, fresh from his New Hampshire win, ready to open an
advertising blitz in all seven states that vote next and his rivals
scrambling to stay competitive.
(01/28/2004)
The next primaries, just around the corner
With the New Hampshire primary over, Gary and his guests take a look ahead to the next series of primaries on Tuesday, Feb. 3.
( 01/28/2004)
Spouses on the campaign trail
As the campaign progresses, Democratic candidates' wives are receiving more attention from the media. As in years past, one observer says, first ladies and the women who hope to succeed them are expected to drop careers to be hostesses.
( 01/28/2004)
New Hampshire primary
A preview of Tuesday's New Hampshire presidential primary. The candidates are making the most of Monday, in the final day before the primary. Among the Democrats, John Kerry and Howard Dean are leading the pack in some polls. But polls also show eight to 15 percent of likely voters are undecided -- and many others could change their minds.
( 01/26/2004)
The benefits of negative ads
Vanderbilt University professor John Geer has analyzed presidential campaign ads for many years--he says they are not only effective, but improve the quality of information available to voters. His new book is Attacking Democracy: A Defense of Negativity in Presidential Campaigns, 1960-2000. Geer is in town to speak at the University of Minnesota's Hubert H. Humphrey Institute.
( 01/23/2004)
State of the Union
An analysis of President Bush's State of the Union address.
( 01/21/2004)