While Democratic officials at this week's convention in Boston have tried to go positive and talk up Sen. John Kerry instead of bashing President Bush, they aren't pulling punches when it comes to independent presidential candidate Ralph Nader. "He should just go away. Damn him," said a senior party official. Nader tried to get a ticket to the convention but was turned down by the party and Kerry campaign, even though he argued that his campaign was targeting Republican voters in a bid to cut into President Bush's margin over Kerry. "I'm not buying it," said party boss Terry McAuliffe. At meetings with delegates and other officials, McAuliffe ripped into Nader when asked about the impact of the third party. "Nader knows he can't be president," McAuliffe said. Party officials hope one result of the convention is to woo Nader voters focused on the war and energy. To do that, Kerry plans to expand his call for greater energy independence and conservation, party officials said today.
–Paul Bedard, U.S. News

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