The US Supreme Court will probably provide a clue on March 21, as to whether it is interested in Nader’s Texas appeal. Chances are the Court will either reject Nader’s appeal that day, or will ask Texas to submit a brief. One issue is whether a state can force an independent presidential candidate to collect substantially more signatures than are needed for either an entire new party, or an independent candidate for other statewide office. The other issue is whether a state can force an independent presidential candidate to submit a petition two weeks before a new party petition is due. This is a very strong case.