Editorial: World looks on in hope at Kerry run

American political party conventions sometimes seem a world away from reality. No candidates clamour for selection, no policies are up for debate and decision. Indeed, there was barely a hint of friction at this week's Democratic gathering in Boston. Quite simply, this was four days devoted to the coronation of John Kerry, the party's White House hopeful.

Nonetheless, these proceedings were far from irrelevant. They could never be that, such is the potential importance of the presidential challenger and such is the global domination of the United States in matters political, economic, cultural and military.

Should Mr Kerry defeat President George W. Bush, that will not change. America will remain the sole superpower, with all that implies.

Under a Bush Administration, the potential downside of that implication has become an increasing source of international discontent. Anti-Americanism reached new heights with the sidelining of the United Nations over Iraq. If the international community could vote on November 2, Mr Kerry would romp home on the back of his pledge to rebuild foreign alliances.

As it is, he and Mr Bush are locked in a neck-and-neck race. The Republican President came to Washington promising a compassionate conservatism that would unite Americans. What he achieved is polarisation.

That process has unified the Democrats behind Mr Kerry and cemented in those who believe Mr Bush's tough stand on homeland security has made the US safer. The election will, thus, be decided by swinging voters, a group that includes perhaps 10 per cent of the electorate.

Mr Kerry's task is to connect with these voters. Crucially, a recent poll suggested a third of Americans felt they still did not know enough about him, or his policies.

Therein lay the significance of the convention. It offered the chance to introduce Mr Kerry to a wider audience and to get Americans thinking more about him as a leader. This was the opportunity for him to stamp his mark.

Bill Clinton seized his chance in 1992, entering the convention almost tied with President George Bush and emerging with a 20-point lead. Mr Kerry will not repeat that; he lacks Mr Clinton's charisma and powers of communication, and there are far fewer undecided voters this time around.

Mr Kerry had, however, the chance to steal a march. For that to happen, he needed to portray himself positively, rather than berate the President. Equally, given the thrust of Republican criticism of his record in the Senate, he had to show he was prepared to act decisively, especially to make Americans safer. By and large, Mr Kerry hit the right notes. He would, he said, "never hesitate to use force when it is required". And, in a reference to international links, he proclaimed the US "needed to be looked up to and not just feared".

Mr Kerry has more challenging assignments ahead. The televised debates with Mr Bush will be pivotal to his chances. He will be willed on by the international community. Yet it would be naive to expect too much of him. He also told the convention: "I will never give any nation or international institution a veto over our national security."

In other words, American hegemony is not about to wither under his leadership. It may just be a trifle more benign.