And because you acted to stimulate our economy with tax relief, this economy is strong and growing stronger.” Democrats were quick to take issue, noting that 2.3 million jobs have been lost during his presidency, that deficits are soaring and casualties are climbing in Iraq. His campaign caught fire with grassroots volunteers and internet contributions which swelled his war chest to $40m.In his words: “We will not quit now or ever.”JOHN KERRYPatrician four-term senator from Massachusetts whose campaign was boosted by a surprise win in Iowa. At that time, Mr Dean and Mr Gephardt were locked in battle, directing negative television adverts at each other. On 1 May last year, Mr Bush may have dressed up as a Navy pilot, but Mr Kerry was a naval hero for real..
After all the talk of an angry electorate ready to back a man whose message encapsulated that frustration and rage, the voters of Iowa opted for experience rather than a radical change. Even then, some saw Mr Kerry as a future candidate for national office.But the process has taken longer than anticipated. Such restrictions are normally reserved for terrorists or very violent defendants. Ms Stewart is special, however, simply because, in America at least, she is terribly famous.Few defendants in history have gone such lengths to get ready for trial. Her lawyers over recent months have hired all manner of experts, including psychologists, to assess what kind of jury would be most likely to sympathise with the star.There is even a website, , dedicated to detailing her side of the story. Observers believe Ms Stewart has been spending up to $400,000 a month getting herself prepared. Whether her labours will pay off is anyone’s guess.What is extraordinary about the case – and this is what Ms Stewart’s lawyers will attempt to underline – is that by selling the shares just in time, she saved herself only $51,000, which is a minuscule sum beside her accumulated personal wealth, believed to be more than half a billion dollars.Why would she risk all for such a puny sum? It may be several more days before testimony begins because jury selection promises to be so difficult.The difficulty is obvious: how to find jurors who are not familiar with Ms Stewart, with her reputation and with media coverage of the case.
A similar trial by fire almost certainly awaits Messrs Kerry and Edwards. How they deal with the experience will say much about their ability to challenge President Bush in the general election, where Republican “opposition research” – better described as systematic character assassination – will be at its most ruthless.And finally, what of the former Nato commander Wesley Clark, the sleek and laser-focused general who is becoming a more effective candidate by the week? Having skipped Iowa, General Clark has used the interlude to buttress his position in New Hampshire where – until Mr Kerry’s stunning triumph on Monday – he was running a threatening second to Mr Dean.As the smoke of the Iowa battle clears, I venture two assertions First, old orthodoxies are re-asserting themselves. More likely however, the Massachusetts senator Kerry will next week build on his victory in Iowa, and reclaim his natural New Engand territory.And what of John Edwards, who is starting to look like the re-incarnation of Bill Clinton he was advertised to be when he entered the race 18 months ago? A performance in New Hampshire to match his second place in Iowa will leave him well-placed when the election caravan rolls towards his native south in early February. As with Mr Kerry, favourable headlines will win him a second look from voters. And, it must be said, a piercing second look from the media.It was the media’s scrutiny of a frontrunner, so clumsily handled by Mr Dean, that contributed to his reverse in Iowa.
