Media cautious on Kerry success

Kerry's victory showed he was not a "one-state fluke"

The US media has hailed Senator John Kerry as the firmly established front-runner for the Democratic nomination after his convincing win in the New Hampshire primary.

But the television and newspaper commentators also acknowledged that the race for the nomination was far from over, with three other candidates still very much in contention.

Howard Dean, who came second, was also praised for his improved showing after a poor third in the Iowa caucus.

But one paper asked whether the Democrats actually had a credible candidate for the White House.

'Formidable candidate'

The Washington Post paid tribute to Mr Kerry's remarkable comeback since the beginning of the month, when New Hampshire polls barely put him in double figures.

If John Kerry stumbles, Senator John Edwards and former General Wesley Clark will be waiting New York Times

"It demonstrated that Mr Kerry's win [in Iowa] last week was not a one-state fluke but reflected his ability to re-organise his campaign, re-invigorate himself as a candidate and win a second look from voters," it said.

The New York Times describes the Massachusetts senator as a "formidable candidate, with the most all-round experience and a compelling personal story".

But it says Mr Kerry is not so certain of victory that his opponents should give up.

"He generally seems wooden on the campaign trail, and it's important to see how voters take to him in the South and West, and in minority communities," it added.

"If he stumbles, Senator John Edwards and former General Wesley Clark will be waiting."

'Gritty comeback'

Some papers also take note of Howard Dean's performance.

"The grittiness of his comeback fight after the disaster in Iowa was impressive," the New York Times said. "Dr Dean also seems to be learning from his mistakes, and improving."

Kerry has failed to provide clue one as to how he'd fight America's enemies in this new era New York Post

USA Today, meanwhile, pointed out that the primary had merely returned the candidates to their original positions in the contest - of Mr Kerry as establishment front-runner and Mr Dean as insurgent challenger.

It also noted that Mr Dean is in a similar position to Bill Clinton in 1992. The former president dubbed himself the "comeback kid" that year after getting 25% in New Hampshire.

One-horse race?

But the Washington Post said Mr Dean had still to establish himself with a win.

John Kerry, unless he makes some grievous error, is on his way to the Democratic nomination tonight MSNBC's Pat Buchanan

"Even the comeback kid has to come back and win somewhere," it said.

"The longer he goes without posting a win, the harder it will be for him to claim to be a viable national candidate."

The same applied to Senator Edwards and Mr Clark, the paper said, with each candidate needing to win at least one of next Tuesday's seven states to stay in the race.

CNN pundit Carlos Watson agreed that the other candidates would have their work cut out to compete against Mr Kerry.

"It won't be enough for Edwards to simply win his home state South Carolina. He needs to win more if he wants to halt this Kerry freight train," he said.

But MSNBC's Pat Buchanan said it could now be a one-horse race, saying that Howard Dean could not win the nomination and that John Edwards was "in deep trouble".

"John Kerry, unless he makes some grievous error, is on his way to the Democratic nomination tonight."

'Not a clue'

The Washington Post pointed out Democrats were showing a strong determination to unseat President Bush, with polls suggesting electability as a second only to integrity in their voting priorities.

But the New York Post said that in fact Mr Kerry was "not all that much closer to the political centre" than Mr Dean.

Which raises the question, the paper says: "Are Democrats truly interested in winning the White House this year?"

"The November election will turn on national security. And Kerry - his more-than-honourable Vietnam service notwithstanding - has failed to provide clue one as to how he'd fight America's enemies in this new era."

"That's because he hasn't got a clue."