BILL'S NEMESIS: NADER?

By JEFFREY H. BIRNBAUM

IF YOU THINK BILL CLINTON'S ONLY obstacle to re-election is Bob Dole, think again. Judging by the volume of back-channel contacts, some Democrats are more concerned about, of all people, Ralph Nader. The sometimes loopily ascetic consumer crusader, who plans to run for the presidency as the candidate of the Green Party, told TIME he has been approached by several worried Democratic bigwigs, including members of Congress and their staff members. Reason: the latest Field Poll in California shows Nader drawing 6% of the vote, which in a tight race might deprive Clinton of a victory in that must-win state. Says Bill Press, the state's former Democratic Party chairman: "Historically, elections are won in California by three to five percentage points, so [Nader] could be the margin of difference. A vote for Nader is a vote for Bob Dole."

Nader laughs at the notion that he might bow out to help Clinton. He considers Clinton pro-corporate America, anti-consumer protection and as averse to campaign-finance reform as any Republican. Besides, Nader adds, "it's hard to be a spoiler in a system that is spoiled to its core." He's already in next week's California primary.

The White House is taking Nader seriously, even though he has not formally said he will run in November. When Jesse Jackson decided not to challenge Clinton in the primaries, most Clinton advisers thought they could move the President to the right with impunity. No longer. Says White House counselor Bill Curry: the Nader candidacy "is a bad thing."

Nader is more interested in spreading his message than winning. He is raising no money and intends to spend less than $5,000 from his own pocket, foreseeing a campaign of video- and audiocassettes. Still, Republicans are excited about his prospects. Says G.O.P. pollster Bill McInturff: "The Greens are my favorite little splinter party."

--By Jeffrey H. Birnbaum