It shouldn't come as a surprise that consumer advocate Ralph Nader has decided to once again make a feeble attempt at the presidency during November's general election. The Green Party candidate ran in 1992, 1996, 2000 and 2004, each time taking a tiny fraction of the vote.

But these seemingly ego-driven campaigns can have dire consequences in close elections.

In the 2000 election, with the razor-thin margin between Al Gore and George W. Bush, Nader pulled in 2.7 percent of the vote, likely from Democrats. That, some say, essentially cost Gore the presidency.

Nader knows he has no chance of winning. In fact, his small constituency seems to be eroding. In 2004 he captured 0.03 percent of the vote.

Of course, he has the right to run for the White House. Voters, too, have the right, if not the responsibility, to question the legitimacy of his candidacy and credentials.

It is presumptuous, at best, for Nader to think he has the credentials to serve as president. And, at worst, it's a thinly veiled egotistical push to garner attention at a time when Americans should be solidly focused on selecting the strongest candidate to lead the country through these challenging times.

Nader, who turns 74 this week, would do well to remember his positive role in pushing for consumer rights and safety. In the 1960s and '70s he was instrumental in working with Congress to pass laws to improve vehicle safety standards, food and safety inspection standards, the Clean Air Act and pushing the Food and Drug Administration to do more.

That's where Nader's work is most needed.

He should abandon his vanity campaign and instead continue his far more constructive campaign for consumer rights.