Kerry

I hope the announcement of John Edwards as Kerry's running mate in the forthcoming US Presidential election will boost the fortunes of the Kerry campaign. From a UK perspective Kerry's campaign has appeared so far to be lacklustre, and lacking in colour, light and vision.

Sometimes I worry that Kerry is almost "too good" for the job...There's a sense in which his grasp of politics, his deep understanding of issues, and his natural intellect and sense of caution might just get in his way, and impede him from the direct contact he needs to make with some of the voters. I don't know anymore what the word or phrase is to describe what's missing - could it be "the personal touch", or could it be "charisma".

I don't know...Kerry is clearly a man of integrity, depth, intellect with an understanding of America's place in America itself, and the world. But these qualities may not be enough to take a whole nation in to his trust at the ballot box, or even to win over the posse of floating voters, on whom (so we are told) the outcome of the Presidential vote actually depends.

From here, we can but watch and wait, and hope...In America, Democrats and waverers can do a little bit more of course!