GUEST, I tried to answer you earlier, but the cat was down, or seemed to be.

Leftists in our government? Ted Kennedy. Dennis Kucinich. Bernie Sanders. Jesse Jackson Jr. My own representative, Chakha Fattah. They're there if you look for them. Of course, it's all relative, and these guys aren't socialists (except Bernie), but by many people's standards they're on the left.

As to the Old Boy Network question, Nader has a network of people all over the country, lawyers principally, but also academics, some congresspeople and progressive thinking intellectuals, who comprise a support group very similar to the traditional "old boy network."   If he needs a speaking engagement or a job for his nephew, I'm sure he has no trouble arranging it. His daughter became a very successful academic, and this I think is no coincidence. I'm not saying she isn't good, just that having RN be your dad can't hurt you in academia.

As for Nader working so successfully with Congress in the past, something big has changed since then. Have you forgotten 2000? Washington Democrats hate him for running, and Washington Republicans hate him on principle. Congress would have a VERY uncomfortable relationship with President Ralph, believe me.

Finally, GUEST, Nader has "accomplished more genuine change for the better than all the politicians presently serving in our nation's capital combined." Come on! Some of these people worked on Civil Rights, on Medicare, on social programs of all kinds, created the endowments for the Arts and Humanities, etc, etc. I agree that Kerry hasn't led on that many issues, which is one reason I originally supported a different candidate, but it doesn't help your case to aggrandize Ralph Nader in such an overblown manner.

Nader has done some great things, and may do more. I predict that being president is not one of them.