350 attend speech by presidential candidate
Independent presidential candidate Ralph Nader called for President Bush's impeachment yesterday afternoon while speaking to more than 350 people crowded into the courtyard of the College of Law building.
"We have a president who plunged us into a war that was based on fabrications, lies and deceptions day after day," Nader said. "If that isn't an impeachable offense, it is hard to find what is."
Although the Nader campaign arrived 45 minutes late to the UA after attending a campaign event in Phoenix, the crowd, who was mainly composed of college-aged people, welcomed him with cheers and applause.
Nader took on the issue of corporate power for the first half of his speech, which he said was his central issue.
"Our government is supposed to represent the people," Nader said. "There is not much of a contest when the political system allows corporations to have freedom of speech. Are we going to have the sovereignty of corporations prevail over the sovereignty of people?"
Nader pointed out several examples of corporate influence on America. Because of the North American Free Trade Agreement, corporations outsource jobs, leaving many Americans jobless.
There is no national health care system, Nader said, because corporations do not allow it to be created. And since the Eisenhower administration, corporations have paid only 7.5 percent of the share of taxes, down from 34 percent, Nader said.
"Corporations are ripping apart democracy," Nader said.
Rachel Wilson, a first-year law student, activist and member of the Green Party, agrees with Nader's view of corporate influence.
"He brought home again that Democrats and Republicans are just corporate puppets," Wilson said.
Nader delivered his speech surrounded by people sitting cross-legged on the ground and leaning against a redbrick wall. Nestled in the cozy, palm tree-filled courtyard with the afternoon sun in their eyes, many students found what Nader said interesting.
Nader concluded his speech with a call for volunteers to help campaign, gather signatures and raise money. He said he does not take corporate money, only donations from individuals.
"If you want a government of, by and for the people, (the campaign) can only be supported by the American people," Nader said.
The campaign said it must gather 14,000 verified signatures in Arizona by June 9 to get Nader's name on the Arizona presidential ballot.
Many students were pessimistic that Nader could win the 2004 presidential race.
"The most interesting thing was that many people who came really think he can win the presidency," said Matt Van Horn, a pre-business sophomore. "I don't think he can win because of the two-party system."
Michael Conover, an information systems junior, was one of many students who came away with mixed feelings.
"I follow politics closely, and he seems like he has a lots of good ideas and lots of complaints. But his delivery is bad," Conover said. "He doesn't have the passion you would expect in a revolutionary."
The UA Young Democrats issued an official position, stating, "John Kerry and Ralph Nader share a lot of the same values. The hope is that people who support Nader will vote Kerry after Kerry earns their vote."
UA College Republicans President Pete Seat, one of the club members who attended the event, said he appreciated Nader's authenticity.
"Although I don't agree with his stances and policies; at the very least he sticks with what he believes. Nader doesn't flip-flop like John Kerry does on a daily basis," Seat said.
The event was scheduled to be held in Room 146, the largest room in the law building, but was emptied after it was filled to capacity with dozens of people standing at the doors.
Members of the UA Young Greens and Alliance for Peace and Justice in the Middle East scrambled to put together the event after receiving word Friday from Rodney Martin, Nader's Arizona state campaign organizer and UA alumnus, that Nader would be stopping by the UA.
Both clubs say they do not officially endorse Nader for president.