In the past, I have supported Nader’s efforts in trying to rally more support for third parties. I think that third party politics are important and necessary for the political future of our country, and I did not blame Nader for the defeat of Al Gore in the 2000 presidential election. However, it was not right or necessary for Nader call Obama a possible “Uncle Tom.”

Nader has also accused Obama of trying to “talk white.” First of all, Obama was raised by his white mother. Secondly, the phrase ‘talking white’ implies that white people culturally own a certain manner of speaking that a person of color cannot use unless they are attempting to be white. Not only is this racist, it’s also illogical. For example, if a black man speaks in a certain manner, he is speaking like a black person because he is a black person.

I agree that Obama ran on a fairly moderate platform. I hope that most liberals will not blindly support all his policies simply because he is a Democrat, but Nader’s attacks on Obama are bigoted and will not help create a useful dialogue.