"At a VERY liberal university and he thinks Nader will. The hard core lefties are going to break ranks with Kery and vote their agenda rather than vote with discipline. This will cost Kerry precious votes. "

At least Nader has shown some backbone. With people like Micheal Moore & Bill Maur on bended knees pleading with him to get out of the race, he didn't flinch. And he kindly told them he was going to continue, thank you for stabing him numerous times in the back. And Nader is no political dummy. Think how much he would kicking himself if he had decided to back out of this race. After years in the wilderness, this race will be probably the best shot he would have ever got. All the planet are lining up- it's a chance of a Century. I still think there is a possiblity that Nader could get more votes than Kerry. Right now of course it doesn't look that way, but in political time, there is a lot which can happen between now and Nov. Kerry could do what who one has ever done- completely implode.
Some conspiracy types think Kerry could do so badly that some other dem will need to replace him [like Mrs Clinton]. But think about it, why would Mrs Clinton step into this mess so late in the game- it could damage her future shot. But Nader is already in, and he has been consistently against war. As a viable Independent it's possible Nader could even take from Republican libertarian/isolationist vote or simply get more people turning out to vote.
Now, if Nader was smart, he would dare to imagine what he would actually do if elected President. How would he function with a Republican Congress. He is not going to get to push through a national Health bill, so why bother even running on it. Anything he could get done will be on the conservative side. So he should act like he is a real possiblity and shade his campaign towards the conservative/libertarian side of things- it's not like he needs to curry favor with the radical Left.
And if he doesn't do what all politicans do as they get near election time- go towards the center, the silly twit can waste this chance that Kerry has given him on a silver plate.