Intellectual Property Law

Consumer rights' champion Ralph Nader announced on Meet the Press Sunday morning that he's running for president as a third party candidate.

The 72-year-old Nader criticized the leading contenders from both parties as too close to corporate interests.

In a blog post, Atlantic writer James Fallows called Nader's latest announcement a farce because it suggests a detachment from political reality.

"I will always like and respect Ralph Nader and will always admire the wonderful things he has done," wrote Fallows. "But I wish to God that he had not made this decision, or will reverse it soon."

Rumors about Nader's widely-anticipated announcement have been on the street for a while now, and a site against Ralph Nader from his 2004 bid has been resurrected. John Pierce, the director of the group, had the following statement posted:

We?re saddened but not surprised by Ralph Nader?s announcement.  The important point, however, is this:  only one person can make Nader relevant in 2008.  Hillary Clinton. 

If Barack Obama is the Democratic nominee, Nader will be even more invisible and irrelevant than he was in 2004. 

The ultimate irony of the situation is this:  both the Republicans and Ralph Nader are desperately rooting for Hillary Clinton as their best hope for 2008. 

We hope, and expect, that both will be disappointed.

And earlier this month, "anonymous," posted this YouTube video. Its central sentiment is summed up thusly: "Ralph, Ralph, Ralph, if you run this time, you can stick those seat-belts where the minimum wage don't shine."

No word yet from the members of this "Nader Supporters for Obama" group on what they're going to do next -- although one blogger has posted a note against Nader's decision to run.