Crashing the Party

by Ralph Nader

Book Overview

In his scathing, honest account of the 2000 presidential race, Nader takes aim at those who have spoiled American democracy. Crashing the Party goes deep inside Nader's campaign and reveals: -- What it takes to run against a two-party juggernaut-- How old liberal friends turned against him-- Why the Green Party looks better than ever to progressive Democrats-- Why Bush and Gore were afraid to let him in on their debates-- How public interest has been...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0312284330
• ISBN13: 9780312284336
• Release Date: January 2002
• Publisher: Thomas Dunne Books
• Length: 352 Pages
• Weight: 1.05 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.4" x 6.4" x 9.6"

Customer Reviews

Take Back America

One is probably not surprised that large corporations and big money are running our country as Ralph Nader documents in his book "Crashing the Party". The Democrats and the Republicans both receive large financial contributions from the corporations thereby ensuring corporations that they have access to the White House regardless of which party wins the election. To appease these corporations and to ensure a continual flow of campaign money both parties support legislation favorable to the corporations. Nader points out the Democrats have "morphed" into the Republican Party resulting in very little differences between the two parties.When third party candidates run for office the giant media conglomerates do not provide national news coverage if the candidates no not have a respectable showing in the polls. If the candidates are not getting coverage their polls don't have a chance to improve. To increase their standing in the polls, third party candidates need exposure. The best way for them to get exposure is to be included in the debates.The Commission on Presidential Debates now controls the debates. The Commission is comprised of the former National Democratic Committee Chairman and the former National Republican Committee Chairman and their appointees. The Commission rules on all decisions regarding the debates including which candidates to include, what questions to ask and who will monitor the discussion. The Commission requires a candidate to be registered and on the ballot in enough states to theoretically be able to obtain the required number of electoral votes necessary to become President to be included in the debates. Congress (Democrats and Republicans) has passed legislation requiring candidates to have a 15% rating in the polls to be included in the debates. For a candidate to be included on the states ballot the states impose their own requirements ranging from obtaining a certain number of signatures to meeting their fee requirements, for example in North Carolina it requires 51,324 signatures and $4,000.How can we brake the cycle and take back our country? The two existing parties will only pay attention if third party candidates begin to make some encroachment on their votes at all levels of politics. A third party candidate may not win the election, but the average and below average American lost the 2000 election anyway, regardless of the Gore/Bush results. Nader is building a long-term reform movement and as the strength of that party grows the Democrats and the Republicans will be forced to change or they will continue to decay as a political party.Are third party candidates (Nader) qualified? Nader's years of experience as a citizens advocate for consumers results in his being extremely knowledgeable beyond the depth of most candidates in a wide range of topics. Throughout his book "Crashing the Party" he constantly shows an understanding of situations and an in depth comprehension of details. Nader also adequate

"Must Read" Indictment of Both Major Parties

I was among those who thought Ralph Nader was a "spoiler" and deprived Al Gore of the election. After reading this book, I now realize that Nader is correct-the major premise of his book is that both the Democratic and Republican parties have become so corrupt and so removed from citizen interests as to be identically disqualified from putting forward viable candidates for the future. He puts forth a vision for a new democracy in which the citizens take back the power and demand that third party candidates be allowed to join the Presidential debates and be heard by America.Some will accuse Nader of name-dropping and self-aggrandizing in this book, but that is an unfair charge. He has dedicated 40 years of his life to a quest for fairness in American life. As I went through the book and reflected on his very early efforts on everything from women's rights to product safety to the environment I could not help thinking that the breadth and substance of his accomplishments make the Democratic and Republican candidates look like Johnny-come-latelys who are also bluffing snake oil salesmen. This guy is "the real deal."I recommend that two books be read prior to reading this one: Halstead & Lind's "The Radical Center: The Future of American Politics" and Ray & Anderson's "The Cultural Creatives: How 50 Million People are Changing the World". Two other books could add useful underpinnings to the points Nader makes that I summarize below: Lewis' "LOSERS: The Road to Everyplace but the White House" which immortalizes citizen-businessman Morry Taylor (the "Grizz"); and Williamson's "IMAGINE: What America Could be in the 21st Century." A few points about Nader's book that I hope will dispel all the negative reviews and demonstrate that this is required reading:1) This is the only book that addresses the totality of the challenges and threats to America in a sensible balanced way, without platitudes and upon a foundation of fact.2) This is the only book representing the new political paradigm in which the citizen-voters take back the power by wiping out the ability of corporations to buy politicians.3) This is the only book that thoughtfully and convincingly demonstrates that the Democrats have morphed into shadow Republicans, and both parties have completely lost their ethical and popular foundation.4) This is the only book that bluntly confronts the fact that we get the government we deserve--democracy is hard work and demands citizen time and thought.5) Among the useful details that should outrage and mobilize citizens, and all according to Nader: a) the Commission on Presidential Debates is a fraud perpetrated upon the public--it is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Democratic and Republic parties created explicitly to displace the more honest League of Women Voters and to bar third party candidates from being visible to America in the crucial Presidential debates. b) there is an incestuous relationship between the media, the polls

A great response to the "spoiler" critics

In this thoughful, entertaining and highly readable book, Ralph Nader discusses his Green Party bid for the Presidency. The author very effectively answers the many critics who accused him of playing a "spoiler" role in the 2000 election. With over 100 million non-voters in the U.S., Nader believes that there is ample opportunity for a third party to take root and grow. By aligning with the Green Party, Nader's vision is to nurture a movement that has not "surrendered" its values to corporate interests. Nader is a grown-up who writes with insight and intelligence. He understands that some of his liberal friends were ultimately unwilling to support his campaign because of longstanding ties with the Democratic Party (and the attendant fear of tilting the election to George W. Bush). But Nader's counter argument sticks: a healthy democracy demands a citizenry that is willing to vote its conscience. He drives the point home by highlighting the fact that the Democrats have become increasingly pro-business and almost indistinguishable from the Republicans in recent years (Nader also included a section in the appendix on this subject), meaning that many progressive ideas have been stuck on the shelves for far too long. Nader compelling argues that the American people deserve better.On the other hand, the personal pain is writ fairly large when Nader recalls how certain so-called friends -- many of whom collaborated with Nader on projects in the past -- actually went so far as to misrepresent his ideas in order to harm his campaign and get Al Gore elected. One would think that such behavior is uncalled for under any circumstances, but to knowingly slander a man who has arguably done more for the American people over the past 40 years than any other single person, and for whom principles mean a great deal, is disgraceful. I applaud Nader for using this book to set the record straight. Yet despite what was obviously a very physically, financially and emotionally draining experience (Nader's futile attempts to get on the Presidential debates must have been very challenging), Nader emerges as a class act. He is proud of what the campaign was able to achieve, and he encourages others to participate in the democractic process too."Crashing the Party" is recommended reading for anyone with a keen interest in Ralph Nader, the Green Party or the 2000 election.

MUST READ

Everyone needs to read this book! Ralph Nader describes the corruption of our political system and describes in great detail what really happened in the Presidential Campaign of 2000--it is chilling to find out how the media blacked out newsworthy information about Nader's campaign. It doesn't matter whether you are a Democrat, Republican, Green , or other---the information contained in this book transcends party lines--it is information that is vital to our democracy.Nader attracted crowds of 10,000 plus at his super rallies in Boston, Portland, New York, Washington, DC, etc. He attracted more people than Gore or Bush at their stump speeches---10,000 people is an amazing number for a third party candidate. The media had a responsibility to cover these rallies! Nader was also illegally barred from viewing the debates in Boston. He had a ticket to attend the viewing room, and he was illegally escorted out by police sent by the Debate Commission. He has filed a lawsuit against the Commission on Presidential Debates (CPD). The CPD tried to have the case thrown out, but the judge felt that something was terribly amiss--the case is still pending.Shouldn't the media be telling us that a lawsuit has been filed against the Debate Commission??!! The League of Women Voters (the former sponsors of the debates) withdrew their sponsorship from the debates when the CPD stepped in, saying that the debates were a fraud and that they didn't want to be part of the hoodwinking of the american public.What's left of our Democracy is slowly dying. It is up to us as citizens, regardless of political party affiliation, to get involved and take back our government.This book is very disturbing, but what is more disturbing is the fact that the majority of Americans don't even know what is happening---corruption thrives in the dark--- everyone must read this book!As Nader said , "If you don't turn on to politics, politics will turn on you."

The First Step to Rekindling the American Dream

This book should be mandatory reading for all present and soon to be voters. Any Republican or Democrat who reads this book and isn't enlightened must have tunnel-vision.Mr. Nader tells it like it was during his presidential campaign. The insurmountable hurdles placed in his path and his efforts to open the doors of democracy. I was shocked to learn that the key presidential debate (which he wasn't permitted to participate in) is controlled by the two major parties, by a private corporation no less. The book is a must read for anyone who takes the american political system to heart.