This time it's personal.

I've tried to stay in the "Ignore Nader" camp for the most part, but that's become a less tenable posture now that he's taken steps to get on the ballot here in Washington, and in our neighbor to the south. Here in the northwest our political structure is strongly influenced by our roots in progressive populism, leading to low barriers to entry for things like initiatives and referendums, and to ballot access for fringe candidacies.

Still, we do have rules, and in Oregon, at least, Nader seems to have overstepped them in his zeal for personal aggrandizement. Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics has filed an FEC complaint charging that the costs of phone banks operated by a right wing 'tax revolt' group, Citizens for a Sound Economy, amounted to illegal in-kind contributions by corporations prohibited by law from doing so, and that Bush volunteers used campaign phones to encourage their supporters to show up for Nader's nominating rally in Portland.

Nader, who claims to be the only candidate not beholden to corporate interests, dismisses the charges that it's improper for his campaign to benefit from illegal campaign activity by corporations. Because, after all, Ralph is special. The rules shouldn't, apparently, apply. He similarly waves away efforts in Arizona to insure that the signatures on his petitions were legally collected and are legally eligible. Any criticism of his efforts is met with attacks like the one he made during an appearance in Seattle this week.

"You're seeing the authoritarian tendencies of the Democratic Party and people who call themselves civil libertarians," said Nader, referring to attempts to keep him off the ballot in key states, as well as exhortations to leave the race for the good of what some call the "anybody but Bush" campaign.

No, Ralph, you're seeing the tendency of people who work within the rules to expect other people to work within the rules, as well. You don't like the rules? In the words of a great Democrat, if you can't stand the heat, stay out of the kitchen.

Nader's endorsement by the Reform Party, political home of stalwart progressives like Pat Buchanan, gets him ballot access in Florida, Michigan, Mississippi, Colorado, Kansas and Montana. Even if he ends up facing an FEC sanction for his illegal support, he'll probably (pending certification of the signatures) end up on the ballot in Oregon as well, and with only 1000 signatures required in Washington, that's pretty much a sure bet. Arizona is still in dispute, but it's likely that Nader will prevail. In fact, despite his moaning, many states have relatively easy access for someone with the noteriety and resources of Ralph Nader. When the going gets tough, he can turn to his Republican pals. As in Oregon and Arizona, Wisconsin Republicans are turning up in force to put him on their ballot.

One place he can't seem to get an assist is from the ranks of the progressive movement he claims to represent. From the national Green Party to the Mountain Party of West Virginia, he's been rebuffed by progressives.

Of course, his support isn't as retrograde as you might imagine. Shawn O'Hara, national Chair of the Reform Party, offers an encouraging note. He no longer supports the execution of doctors and nurses who perform abortions. I'm sure that makes Ralph feel better.

But Ralph doesn't make me feel better. About anything. Where it's possible, I still think he should be ignored. When necessary, he should be challenged and held to the letter of the ballot access laws.

Where he's on the ballot, though, responsible liberals and progressives, formally Democrats or not, are obliged to Take. Him. Down.