MADSION, Wis. -- Both Republicans and Democrats believe this election could be so close that they are actively helping -- and hindering -- the independent candidate Ralph Nader, News 3 reported.

One television ad running on three cable channel stations in the Madison area says, "Something strange is happening in American politics. George Bush's right-wing Republicans are now helping Ralph Nader.

"Strange, isn't it?" the ad asks. "Who knows -- maybe Republicans and Nader know something we don't."

The spot was funded by the National Progress Fund and produced by TheNaderFactor.com, groups spearheaded by Democrats.

"It's an odd situation where it's the Republicans that want him to do as well as possible," because it may take votes away from Democrats, said University of Wisconsin political science professor Ken Mayer. "And the Democrats who are worried about it," are running ads that say a vote for Nader is a vote for Bush.

Politics is a contact sport, Mayer said. And a few thousand votes in the right spots can mean the win or loss of an election.

Bill Linville, Nader's Wisconsin campaign coordinator, isn't happy about the ads, or about other Democratic tactics, such as challenging signatures on Nader's Wisconsin ballot application.

"I think they should live up to their name," he said of the Democrats. "They're using anti-democratic methods throughout the country."

In some states, Republicans are collecting signatures to help Nader get on the ballot. Not in Wisconsin, where 2,000 signatures are needed by Sept. 7, Linville said.

"We won't take their signatures," he said. "It's just progressives and people that agree with Nader on the issues that are collecting signatures in Wisconsin."

The National Progress is spending $30,000 on this campaign and hopes to raise another $30,000. The organization walks a delicate line with the ads, Mayer said.

"Trying to keep Nader off the ballot does kind of get a little bit hot under the collar," he said.

In the meantime, the Democrats are campaigning hard in Wisconsin. Presidential nominee John Kerry visits the state Wednesday, with a "Front Porch Tour" of Green Bay. His running mate, John Edwards, was in Racine, Oshkosh and La Crosse Monday.