What's Wrong with Ralph?

The original concept for Outrage.com began after the November 2000 election and Ralph Nader's megalomaniacal participation in it. I was sitting on the train with my friend MPG and described a web site where I could post my daily outrage concerning politics, commuting, the fashion industry and the general social condition -- not necessarily in that order. So it took me until November 2002 to realize I didn't need a web site - I needed a blog. And I abandoned the idea of providing a place for others to be outraged - it was really all about my outrage.

So Mr. Nader has once again thrown his hat in the ring. Glory be - for outrage's sake only. He is the most destructive force I can imagine for the Democratic party - and potential third parties as well. Not because of what he stands for - there are some issues I agree with him on. But Obama put it best:

"But I do think there is a sense now that if somebody is not hewing to the Ralph Nader agenda, then you must be lacking in some way."

There is no room for compromise with Nader. Only the young -- or very foolish -- think that's true and admirable. The trick is knowing when to compromise -- and by how much. And the Teamster's endorsement of Obama last week is just one more nail in the Hillary Clinton presidency coffin. From my experience on the Mondale and Dukakis campaigns, it's hard to stop Big Mo - whether you're on the upswing or the decline side of it.

I've been wondering - pretty much since Kevin's heart attack - if I had enough outrage left after his death to keep blogging. It's debatable - before he died I faithfully posted on an almost daily basis - sometime's multiple times a day. But after, I found myself going weeks at a time without posting. I'm not sure that will change - the only thing I am sure of is that I will volunteer for Obama. Don't know when I'll find the time, but I'll find it. So I guess I should be glad that Ralph's back - it's definitely inspired me to take action.