New York, May 31, 2008 – EXCLUSIVE - Ralph Nader is still in the U.S. presidential race as an Independent candidate, and he campaigned on the East Coast this weekend.  We caught up with him on Saturday night at Cooper Union in New York City, where rock goddess Patti Smith made an unannounced appearance to support Nader.  Smith recited the words to her song People Have the Power, which she said is Nader’s favorite.  She later offered to autograph CDs that were for sale at the fundraiser. 

Nader spoke for over two hours(!) at the event before taking questions from the audience and auctioning off three special-edition reissued copies of his 1965 classic book, Unsafe at any Speed.  Two copies sold for $2,300 apiece, and when the price of the third dropped to $1,000, Smith jumped in and bought it herself. 

Nader’s supporters were generous with their time as well as their money - the event began at 7:30 P.M., and when we left shortly before 11:00 P.M., Nader was signing copies of his 2004 book, The Good Fight.