IN THE 2000 US presidential election, a rare opportunity was presented to progressive Americans to vote their conscience. It came in the candidacy of Ralph Nader, the long-time consumer advocate and anti-nuclear campaigner, responsible for, among other things, ensuring seat belts were installed in every car, thus saving millions of lives. Nader ran in 2000 as a third party candidate, representing the Green Party.

But when the Republican presidential nominee, George W Bush, won Florida by the narrowest of margins over his Democratic opponent, Al Gore, delivering him the presidency, Nader was blamed. Many in the Democratic Party still bear a grudge and won’t take his phone calls.

As it turned out, Bush collected more votes from registered Democrats in Florida than Nader’s entire tally in the state. If you were going to ask “what were you thinking” and assign blame, start with them.