See also:  Solving the Democrats' Obama Problem,  Will Scandal Drive Obama Off the 2012 Ticket?

A recent Washington Times's article by Seth McLaughlin, asserts that the left wing of the Democratic party, led by the irrelevant Ralph Nader, are planning to field candidates against Obama in the Democratic primary. Their goal is to ensure Obama stands for liberal policies and argues the liberal agenda! Cue the rambunctious cheer of Conservatives and Republicans!  

The worst scenario for Republicans and those wanting to defeat Obama in 2012, is a Democrat candidate who is popular, not attached to far left extremism, and has experience in high level government; namely Hilary Clinton. Recent polls by Bloomberg show that Hillary has maintained a high approval rating during her tenure as Secretary of State. Over the last two years she has wisely distanced herself from the extreme policies and legislative agenda of Obama; thus removing the strongest Republican argument for 2012: Obama's record. Furthermore, the current Republican field is only garnering affection from the base and independents because of an overwhelming national disdain for the current President. Absent that disdain, Hillary Clinton is a viable and politically dangerous adversary for Republicans. 

That being said: there is a stark absence of reports regarding Hillary setting up a campaign staff, raising money, mobilizing infrastructure, or taking any of the actions needed to make a bid for the White House. The longer she waits the less likely Republicans will face this outcome; enter Ralph Nader and the far left. 

In their quest for ideological purity in the White House, the two time Presidential loser Ralph Nader and the liberal base, are promising to put up a field of candidates who will advocate liberal policies; the very policies that turned America away from Obama. Their goal is to force him to come left and engage the American people from the liberal perspective. Essentially, they will be competing with the President for the base of the Democratic party, without which the President cannot be nominated. Given Obama's dismal approval numbers, it is not inconceivable that an articulate and passionate liberal could sway the far left base of the Democratic primary away from Obama; leading to a knock down liberal fist fight over who can move further left.

In the end, Obama will receive the nomination but at a great cost. Moderates and independents will be turned off by the extreme views of the liberal base, Republicans and Conservatives will still be invigorated to vote, and Obama will have spent needless sums of money defending himself from his own party. Finally, a knock-down-drag-out primary for Obama will provide plenty of material for campaign ads showing Obama defending the worst of his policies, i.e.: Obamacare. 

For Obama, garnering the full support of the Democrat base is vital to receive the nomination; but moving left to receive that nod is political suicide. Go Ralph Nader!