NADER, THE SHILL

Unless Republican businessmen, an oil executive and a former GOP speechwriter have suddenly developed a conscience about consumer safety, the environment and the purity of politics, why would one suppose they contributed to Ralph Nader's campaign?

The Dallas Morning News writes:

Nearly 10 percent of the Nader contributors who have given him at least $250 each have a history of supporting the Republican president, national GOP candidates or the party, according to computer-assisted review of financial records by The Dallas Morning News.

Among the new crop of Nader donors: actor and former Nixon speechwriter Ben Stein, Florida frozen-food magnate Jeno Paulucci and Pennsylvania oil company executive Terrence Jacobs. All have strong ties to the GOP.

Democrats have warned that Mr. Nader's entry in the race could help Mr. Bush by drawing votes from John Kerry. Some analysts say Mr. Nader's third-party candidacy four years ago siphoned off Democratic voters and cost Vice President Al Gore the White House.

Perhaps the real lesson they're learning from Iraq is the old Arab saying, "The enemy of my enemy is my friend."