Nader Calls On Garamendi to Explain Policies

Consumer advocate Ralph Nader suggested Friday that John Garamendi, the Democratic nominee for insurance commissioner, is overconfident of victory over Republican Wes Bannister and ought to more fully explain to voters what policies he would follow. Otherwise, he said, voters may react unfavorably.

Nader, accused by Garamendi Thursday of stating “outrageous” conditions for his support during an earlier meeting between the two, told Garamendi in a letter that he had “mistakenly interpreted” what Nader told him. Nader said he never intended to endorse Garamendi, or anyone in the race, no matter what positions Garamendi adopted.

“Rather than treat (my) demand for your positions on issues as an unfriendly gesture, you should view it as an opportunity to explain to the voters how you will lead,” Nader declared.

Unless Garamendi becomes more explicit in his commitments, the voters are likely to grow suspicious of him, Nader wrote.

“The citizens of California of every party have the right to expect that you would end your ‘rose garden strategy’ of refusing to campaign,” Nader wrote. “Our already embattled democracy cannot afford would-be public servants the luxury of evading their responsibilities by avoiding details and specific positions on issues upon which they might preside as an elected official.”

Garamendi, however, responded that Nader is badly mistaken in saying he has not taken explicit positions. “A few weeks ago I made a speech at Town Hall in Los Angeles in which I laid out in great specificity my position on a large number of issues,” he said.

Recent polls have shown Garamendi leading Bannister by 2 to 1.

Nader, a sponsor of Proposition 103, has disagreed with Bannister on many points, but has called him a more honest campaigner than Garamendi.