01:00 AM EDT on Sunday, October 31, 2004

PROVIDENCE -- Independent presidential candidate Ralph Nader made a 10-minute visit to the city yesterday to rally support for his campaign.

He was greeted by a handful of protesters, including members of the Green Party, who believe Nader may help President Bush win reelection.

Nader is on the ballot in 35 states, including Rhode Island. He's a certified write-in candidate in 13 states. He is not on the ballot in Oklahoma and is protesting being thrown off the ballot in Ohio and Hawaii.

"We are the underdog candidacy in this campaign," Nader said, "but what we represent are the voices and hopes and rights of tens of millions of underdogs in America, who are pushed around, defrauded, denied health care, underpaid, harmed, ignored and disrespected as they go about doing the daily work of the country."

Nader spoke at AS220 in Providence before a group of about 25 people.

He acknowledged that he may never win the election, but said he believes voting for him will send a message to the people in power.

- Cathleen F. Crowley