WASHINGTON - When Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry meets with independent rival Ralph Nader on Wednesday, Kerry isn't likely to ask him to leave the race. And it's even less likely that Nader will offer to bow out.

Kerry probably will point out that the two rivals share a goal ousting President Bush and contend that a joint effort is the best way to achieve it, aides to the Massachusetts senator said. Nader, a Winsted, Conn. native, told The Associated Press that he looks forward to discussing ''certain common policies'' with Kerry.

''I think that's for the good of our country and for the benefit of the American people that are being ignored or repudiated by the Bush regime,'' Nader said in an interview.

Independent presidential candidate Ralph Nader points as he speaks to supporters attending a signature-gathering event for the independent presidential candidate Monday, April 5, 2004, in Portland, Ore. Democrat John Kerry will meet Wednesday, May 19, 2004, with Nader, the longtime consumer advocate. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)

Still, Kerry aides hope Nader eventually comes around to Kerry's view if not after the meeting, then following what senior Democrats say will be a weeks-long campaign by party operatives to pressure Nader publicly and privately. That effort, being formulated by Democrats not aligned with the Kerry campaign, may include challenging Nader's efforts to get on state ballots, the Democrats said on condition of anonymity.

The national Reform Party endorsed Nader last week, a move that gives him access to the ballot in at least seven states, including the battlegrounds of Florida and Michigan.

Emerging as an issue between the two campaigns is the war in Iraq. Nader is seeking to rally anti-war sentiment.

''You can't have a discussion without talking about the war in Iraq,'' said Nader. He has been critical of Bush and Kerry for not outlining a plan to withdraw U.S. troops.

Kerry has been campaigning with former rival Howard Dean, who made opposition to the war central to his campaign. Dean has warned that a vote for Nader only helps Bush.

While Kerry voted to authorize the use of force in Iraq, he has been critical of Bush's prosecution of the war.

While Nader and Kerry camps have been seeking the meeting for some time, it developed quickly and top Kerry aides were meeting deep into the night Tuesday and early Wednesday to map their strategy, said officials speaking on condition of anonymity.

The relationship between the two camps is delicate, with some fearing heavy pressure to exit could stiffen Nader to stay in the race.

Kerry's advisers argue that the liberal Nader drains votes mainly from Democrats and could end up tipping the balance to Bush.

Many Democrats argue that Nader cost Al Gore the White House in 2000, draining just enough votes from Gore to give Bush the closest president election in history. Nader dismisses that suggestion, saying Gore was a poor candidate.

Kerry has said he plans to reach out to Nader backers.

''I respect him. I'm not going to attack him in any way,'' Kerry said last month. ''I'm just going to try to talk to his people and point out that we've got to beat George Bush. ... And I hope that by the end of this race I can make it unnecessary for people to feel they need to vote for someone else.''

Kerry's campaign also was releasing a campaign study on soaring gasoline prices, showing the average family is paying $593 more for gasoline since Bush took office, a total of $2,102 a year. Families with teens were hit harder, seeing their costs grow by $834 a year.

Gasoline price spikes have cost farmers $1.3 billion, airlines $7.5 billion and the trucking industry $6.3 billion, the study said. Those prices have soared by 43.5 percent in Michigan, and 38 percent in Pennsylvania, the study said, breaking the hikes down by states to offer ammunition in key battleground states.

On the Web

Kerry campaign http://www.johnkerry.com

Nader campaign http://www.votenader.com

© Copyright 2004 The Associated Press

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