Naderites rally in Denver

Ralph Nader, consumer advocate turned independent candidate for president, plans his big event this evening in Denver in conjunction with the Democratic National Convention.

His supporters will gather at the University of Denver's Magness Arena to press for Nader to be included in the three fall presidential debates. The rally will feature actor-activist Sean Penn and Cindy Sheehan, the antiwar leader who is now running against House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

Nader, who plans a similar event at the Republican convention next week in St. Paul, is on the outside looking in for the debates because he has not risen high enough -- 15 percent, the commission running the debates requires.

"The bottom line is this," Nader's campaign told supporters today. "The conventions are supposed to be about democracy. But in fact, they're two big corporate parties. Talk about corporate crime and corporate power, and you are drummed out of the building. Talk the happy corporate talk, and they invite you in for a drink."