NADER ON PRESIDENTIAL CRUSADE.

Byline: Rick Orlov Daily News Staff Writer

Ralph Nader has been on a crusade of one sort or another for 30 years: from twisting corporate arms on behalf of consumers to establishing a national network of public interest organizations.

Now he's taking on big-time politics.

For the first time, Nader is on the California ballot, running as the Green Party's choice for president. His name also will appear on ballots in Maine and New Mexico.

His only other foray into politics was a 1992 cameo as an independent presidential candidate in New Hampshire.

Eschewing the trappings of traditional campaigns, Nader said he'll run without commercials, stumping and contributions. He doesn't expect to be living in the White House next year, either.

So why run?

The leader of "Nader's Raiders" - who as a Princeton undergrad questioned the use of the pesticide DDT, then as a Harvard law student questioned the safety of the Chevrolet Corvair, and domestic cars generally - says he wants to make a point, and perhaps start another movement.

"The purpose of being on the ballot is not just if you get votes," Nader said in an interview last week. "I think the goal is . . . to build a progressive movement for the future."

He said with the strong showing of Ross Perot's third party in 1992 he's become convinced a small party candidate will succeed by the early 21st century.

Nader said he picked the Green Party, with its 80,000 registered voters in California, because of its concern with the environment and belief that corporations abuse their power in America.

He also intends to be in the state to campaign against three initiatives on the state ballot: Proposition 200 to create a no-fault auto insurance system; Proposition 201, which would require losers in civil suits to pay all reasonable costs; and Proposition 202, to limit some payments to attorneys. Harvey Rosenfield, who is organizing the campaign against the measures, said Nader's involvement is crucial.

"He means so much that the insurance companies are personally attacking him on radio (ads)," Rosenfield said. "People know him and know he's not motivated by political gain."

But Bill Zimmerman, who heads the campaigns for the initiatives, predicted that Nader's presidential campaign will hurt his reputation as an apolitical public interest figure.

"When Ralph steps out of his . . . consumerism and acts like a politician, it hurts his credibility," Zimmerman said.

Party leaders aren't worried at all about Nader the presidential candidate.

Bob Mulholland, campaign strategist for the state Democratic Party, said he thinks Nader will have absolutely no impact on the outcome of the race.

Republican Party Chairman John Herrington said, "I hope he stays in the race. If we could find 19 million suckers to vote for him, I'd love it."

Nevertheless, Nader's candidacy has given a boost to the Green Party, said Mike Feinstein, a Los Angeles County organizer.

"At a time when the country is undergoing a potential realignment, it gives us an opportunity to expose our ideas to a mainstream audience," Feinstein said.

CAPTION(S):

PHOTO

Ralph Nader Green Party's candidate