Nader bestows blessing on Edwards

Democrat presidential hopeful John Edwards may consider an endorsement by Ralph Nader a mixed blessing – but as he awaits today's Iowa caucus result, he's got one nonetheless. Many Democrat voters still blame Nader for handing the 2000 election to George W Bush. The veteran environmental and humanitarian campaigner – now 73 – has run for president four times, as a Democrat, a Green and an independent. And it was as candidate for the Green Party in the 2000 election that he was blamed for splitting Al Gore's vote, and ultimately ensuring his defeat. In the process he earned the Greens an unprecedented 2.74 per cent of the popular vote.

Nader's endorsement for Edwards was made very much at the expense of Hillary Clinton. Asked what he thought of her candidacy, he described her like this: "Flatters, panders, coasting, front-runner, looking for a coronation." His most scathing criticism has been to call her a "corporate Democrat", and it's clear he sees Edwards at the antidote, saying that he "has the most progressive message across a broad spectrum of corporate power damaging the interests of workers… I have seen in years". In light of this, it is perhaps surprising that Edwards represents hedge funds as a lawyer.

Nader has yet to decide whether he will stand himself in the race for the White House. He has hinted in the past that his decision will depend on whether Hillary Clinton secures the Democratic party nomination. Some Greens are campaigning to draft Nader as their candidate. (Continued below)

Meanwhile, Hillary Clinton joined in last night's celebrations of the return to TV of David Letterman, following an individual deal with striking script writers. In a video message from Iowa, Clinton said: "Dave has been off the air for eight long weeks because of the writers' strike. Tonight he's back. Oh well, all good things come to an end." The Late Show host's comeback was most notable, however, for Letterman's decision to spend his two months off air growing a substantial salt-and-pepper beard.