The Green Party nominated a Texan named David Cobb as its presidential candidate this afternoon. This is a huge setback for Ralph Nader, who could have had automatic ballot access in 22 states if he had simply won the party's nomination. The Reform Party already has endorsed Nader, which likely gets him on the ballot in seven states.

While the on-goings of the Green Party and the Reform Party normally have little national relavence, today's developments command attention because of their ramifications for the Republican Party and the Democratic Party. As a result of the Green Party's decision, Ralph Nader will find it a lot harder to get his name placed on ballots. John Kerry is smiling somewhere.