Nader leaves '08 door open, slams Hillary Clinton

WASHINGTON, Feb 4 (Reuters) Former presidential candidate Ralph Nader today left the door open for another possible White House bid in 2008 and criticised Democratic front-runner Hillary Clinton as ''a panderer and a flatterer.'' Asked on CNN's Late Edition news programme if he would run in 2008, the lawyer and consumer activist said, ''It's really too early to say. ... I'll consider it later in the year.'' Mr Nader said he did not plan to vote for Ms Clinton, a Democratic senator from New York and former first lady.

''I don't think she has the fortitude. Actually she's really a panderer and a flatterer. As she goes around the country, you'll see more of that,'' Mr Nader said.

On whether he would be encouraged to run if Ms Clinton gets the Democratic nomination, Mr Nader said, ''It would make it more important that that be the case.'' Democratic candidates he likes include former Alaska Sen.

Mike Gravel and Ohio Rep. Dennis Kucinich, he said.

Mr Nader ran for president as an independent in 2004 and as the Green Party candidate in 2000, when some Democrats said he siphoned away votes from former Democratic Vice President Al Gore, helping Republican George W Bush to win.

REUTERS SRS BST0058