It just wouldn't be a presidential election in the roaring '00s without Ralph Nader, would it? Nader ran in 2000 as the Green Party nominee and as an independent in 2004. He was blamed in some quarters for former Vice President Al Gore's narrow loss to George W. Bush in 2000, and so when he announced plans for 2004, he inspired howls of rage -- even outright pleading -- from liberals and Democrats. Now he's thinking of running again.

Nader and his supporters have formed an exploratory committee, are preparing to file papers with the Federal Election Committee and have launched a Web site. Nader has told various reporters that he will spend the next month gathering volunteers and staff and deciding whether or not to run. His decision will reportedly hinge on whether he feels he can raise $10 million and get enough free legal help to secure ballot access.