In sharp contrast to Republican John McCain and Democrat Barack Obama, Nader is running an insurgent campaign for President as an independent to challenge the corporate stranglehold over U.S. society.

The best way to gain the maximum concessions from the political establishment is to build the strongest challenge to them. A strong vote for Nader could bring real pressure to bear on whichever corporate candidate is elected to deliver concessions or else risk a further erosion of their base to left-wing political challengers.

It is entirely understandable why the vast majority of African Americans are enthused by his candidacy and why many people see the election as a referendum on racism. But as socialists, we must state clearly that electing Obama will not fundamentally alter the position of the black working class and poor, a position which is in fact deteriorating.

Given how the corporate media presents elections as one big personality contest, and corrupt politicians lie and cheat to get ahead, it’s not surprising that many working-class people have become fed up with elections.

Workers and young people need a party of our own – one that doesn’t accept a penny from corporations and fights for what the vast majority of ordinary people need: An immediate end to the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, universal healthcare, an end to discrimination, living-wage jobs, and a good quality of life.

Justice interviewed Cindy Sheehan, the "peace mom" whose son was killed in Iraq and who is now running as an independent anti-war, pro-worker challenger to Democratic Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi.

Bumper stickers on thousands of cars throughout the northeastern U.S. simply read “1.20.09 — Bush’s last day.” The sigh of relief on that day will be audible from the highest peaks of the mountains of New Hampshire to the lowest valleys in the southwest. Crooked smirk Cheney, who couldn’t tell a baby quail from a business tycoon, will be exiting the halls of power too.

Barack Obama has tapped into this anger and the widespread desire for change, presenting himself as a challenger to the Washington establishment. Obama’s campaign has politicized millions of workers, youth, and African-Americans who are understandably excited by the prospect of electing the first black president. But will he bring the change he promises?

In 2008, we need to build a challenge to the candidates and the agenda of the two corporate parties – the Democrats and Republicans. We see the Nader-Gonzalez independent presidential campaign as the strongest campaign, with the ability to reach the widest audience. Justice and Socialist Alternative are supporting this campaign in the 2008 presidential race. Where Nader is not able to get on the ballot, we are supporting the campaign of Cynthia McKinney who is likely to be nominated by the Green Party.

Obama has aroused enormous expectations. But, despite the radical imagery and rhetorical posturing, Obama remains a centrist, corporate-sponsored Democrat.

After the final state primaries, Barack Obama has effectively secured the Democratic nomination for the presidential election in November. His grand themes have been optimism and change. He has promised to "create a new kind of politics", to "transform this country", and "create a kingdom right here on earth". Will Obama deliver on the massive expectations he has aroused?

In many states, tens of thousands of signatures need to be collected in a matter of weeks. In Texas, 75,000 are needed in 75 days, and only signatures from registered voters who did not vote in the primary count. Each state creates their own unique barriers, and most have been designed to prevent working people from gaining an electoral voice.

It’s easy to get sick of the empty rhetoric and media circus that surrounds the ongoing horse-race between the main big business candidates. But in the 2008 elections, the independent campaign of prominent anti-war activist Cindy Sheehan stands out.

The Republicans have traditionally been the preferred party of big business, but in moments of political crisis corporate America has frequently turned to the Democrats to pull them through. With the Republicans imploding under the impact of Bush’s toxically unpopular policies, the more farsighted capitalist strategists are looking to the Democrats to channel public outrage safely into the ballot box.