Although he received only 3 percent of the national vote in the 2000 presidential election, Ralph Nader told Westminster College students, mostly members of his Green Party, to never give up the political fight.
Technically, Nader came to Salt Lake City, to Westminster and to Salt Lake Community College, to raise funds for the Green Party, which, as part of its platform, relies solely on citizen donations and will not accept money from corporations.
But his speech was a rallying cry for students to actively participate in civics, in hopes that will lead to better results for Green Party candidates in future elections.
"Cynics withdraw, but skeptics roar back," Nader said. "Don't waste time. You are not citizens in waiting."
Along with his call to arms, Nader narrated the party's platform and railed against Democrats and Republicans alike. Attacking their policies in areas as far-ranging as AIDS medication distribution to fund-raising to electricity deregulation, Nader seemed to touch a nerve with the young audience.
"The greatest contribution to the (2000 presidential) campaign came to Saturday Night Live," he said to a cheering auditorium. "Is your indignation level starting to bubble a little bit?"
Nader received 3 percent of the national vote in November's general election, which fell below the needed 5 percent to gain national campaign funding in the 2004 presidential race.
Although he did not mention a third presidential run in four years, Nader called upon audience members to get involved with their local political processes.
The Green Party is sponsoring an initiative that would put a "none of the above" option on ballots, to allow voters to voice their distaste with the candidates. If a "none of the above" candidate were to win that election, officials would be required to hold another election within 30 days with an entirely new field of candidates.
On the fund-raising note, Nader asked students to forgo their Friday night beers and fork over the cash to the Green Party, which "will use it more frugally than you could ever dream of," he said.
University of Utah Professor Emeritus J.D. Williams and U. law professor Ed Firmage spoke before Nader arrived, and both also stressed the importance of being involved in the political process.
"There are a jillion reasons to get involved in the political struggle," said Williams, who told students not to be discouraged politicians.
Nader echoed that sentiment: "Politics are for real people. The forces of trivialization will be on your back every day of your life, (but) think of what your legacy will be to future generations."
E-MAIL: kswinyard@desnews.com