Liberals urge Nader to end presidential bid

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Prominent liberals are pleading with third-party candidate Ralph Nader to abandon his "quixotic and destructive" presidential bid, warning that his presence in the race could ensure the re-election of President Bush.
Fifteen progressive and liberal organizations, including Americans for Democratic Action and Council for a Livable World, sent a letter to Nader on Thursday praising his work as consumer advocate but arguing that he cost Democrat Al Gore the 2000 election.
Nader's percentage of support in Florida and New Hampshire, if it had gone to Gore, would have secured those states and the presidency for the Democrat.
Nader consistently has rejected these pleas and has disputed the suggestion that he cost Gore the election.
Speaking to about 400 students and supporters at Shenandoah University in Virginia on Friday, Nader did offer a bit of a concession, saying, "Al Gore slipped on about 18 banana peels, and maybe the Green Party was one of them."