IT’S OFFICIAL: Nader’s running. Best observation: “Whatever the effect of Nader’s campaign on the 2004 election, if it invigorates efforts to improve ballot access for third parties, it will be a plus for the nation.”

UPDATE: Dave Winer is happy:

By trying to hold back Nader (good luck) maybe you’re preventing exactly the kind of transformation we need. I think Nader is a patriot. Give him a medal. And think instead of being part of the herd.

Oliver Willis and Jeff Jarvis are, um, less enthusiastic.

ANOTHER UPDATE: Prof. Bainbridge disagrees with the ballot-access point. And Robert Tagorda thinks that a Nader candidacy might help the Democrats.