Dean, Nader to Debate

Howard Dean, the former Democratic presidential hopeful who attracted legions of liberal followers before his bid fizzled out, will debate independent presidential candidate Ralph Nader for 90 minutes on July 9 before a studio audience.

National Public Radio's weekly program "Justice Talking" is sponsoring the debate, and correspondent Margot Adler will moderate.

Dean has been urging his supporters not to back Nader but to stay within the Democratic fold and vote for Sen. John F. Kerry (D-Mass.).

"I am anxious to debate Ralph Nader in order to speak about why he wants to run for president," Dean said in a statement. "This is the most important election in my lifetime and a third-party candidate could make a difference -- this November and for years to come." Many Democrats blame Nader for Al Gore's 2000 defeat.

"This is an opportunity to discuss how to reinvigorate our democracy by providing voters with more choices and voices rather than our anemic two-party corporate duopoly," Nader said in a statement.