In two minds

摘要

A curious mixture of cockiness and angst grips Democrats as they contemplate the next presidential election season, which-dreadful to relate-is now under way. For their party is at once in a strikingly strong position, and has not looked so weak in years. Start with the party's strengths. Hillary Clinton, the former secretary of state, senator and first lady, announced that the first big rally of her campaign for the presidential nomination would take place on June 13th, on an island off Manhattan. The event is certain to be packed out. Mrs Clinton is not just very famous; she enjoys poll leads over every Republican thought to be running for the White House (a pack that looks like growing to 16 contenders).