If elected, he could not run the country. Well, obviously that isn't going to happen. Like any minority candidate he isn'r running to win, but for other reasons, good or bad, such as trying to focus attention on particular issues, organising people, ego-tripping...

On balance, it doesn't seem too good an idea. It's true enough that, where people make a minimal effort to understand the system of voting, and use it intelligently, there is no reason at all why his candidature should help Bush. However that is probably too much to expect of most people at this time.

Still, unless Nader decides to pull out at some stage (which seems quite possible), the only sensible thing for you lot is to try to use the voting system intelligently, so that votes for Nader are registered in places where they can't do any harm, rather than get all hot under the collar about it.

As for feeling safe and out of it here in England, 'fraid not. The Blair administration is wrecking the planet, and the relationship that exists between Bush and Blair is profoundly destructive. I'm also aware of the damage it is doing to people over there. Like most people around the planet I'm terrified that the voters over there are going to allow it to survive.