PORTLAND, Ore. — Independent presidential candidate Ralph Nader argues that the nation’s two-party political system is bound to break up, and the final blow could come from a candidate with the money to bypass the Democratic and Republican parties — and the national media.
Who could be such a candidate?
Bill Gates, Nader told the Oregonian newspaper during a campaign stop in Oregon this week.
“There are so many billionaires now,” Nader said. “There will be one going in. I wouldn’t be surprised if Gates went in 2016. He will have seen that massive charity won’t do it. It takes public policy.”
Gates resigned from his full-time position at Microsoft this year to focus on his foundation. The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation is the largest charity of its kind.
While Nader predicts a Gates run eight years from now, it is Nader on this year’s ballot. He has run for president several times before, including a 2000 bid that some Democrats say tipped the results in President Bush’s favor.
Nader, not projected to draw nearly as much support this time around, is spending much of his latest bid attacking the $700 billion financial rescue package. He said the bill approved by Congress benefits those who made their fortunes on Wall Street but won’t change the nation’s economic situation.
Nader said the financial markets should be re-regulated and Wall Street figures responsible for the country’s financial crisis should be prosecuted. He said Democratic Sen. Barack Obama and Republican Sen. John McCain are similar candidates who both support corporate interests.
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