Table of Contents

LETTERS 11

NOTEBOOK

Plotting terrorism from a Pakistani prison; why Tony Blair is in trouble; the Salvation Army's mixed blessing; cell phones as guns; gay couples barred from an Atlanta golf club 23

MILESTONES: Farewell to Ann Miller and Helmut Newton 29

IN THE ARENA: Joe Klein contrasts the stark lyricism of the young John Kerry with the stiff style of the self-conscious speechmaker who wants to be President today 31

NATION

Shopping for a President In the post-Iowa shake-up, voters must choose from among Kerry's steadiness, Edwards' sunniness, Clark's uniform and Dean's heat. A little of each is good, but the Dems get only one 32

WOOING BLACKS: Are Democrats changing how they court African-American voters? 40

WORLD

The Man Who Would Be Kingmaker Iraq's future government may hinge on one ayatullah. Can the U.S. win his trust? 54

COVER

The Pharmaceutical Fix TIME's Donald L. Barlett and James B. Steele ask why Americans pay so much for prescription drugs--and find greedy pillmakers and pandering politicians to blame 42

VET RX: The Department of Veterans Affairs negotiates drug bargains. Why can't Medicare? 50

SOCIETY

Higher Learning Christian colleges are booming--and redefining faith-based education 58

Cats vs. Pats Sideline superheroes John Fox and Bill Belichick prepare for a Super Bowl showdown 63

ARTS

Nouveau Retro VH1 is Gen X nostalgia central 64

FASHION: Couture struts from Paris to Oscar's red carpet 68

APPRECIATION: Thank you and adieu to Captain Kangaroo 70

YOUR TIME

TECHNOLOGY: Spam becomes spim; Movie Karaoke; Beatles redux 77

HEALTH: Alzheimer's hope; lower-fat Atkins; antidepressants for kids 78

LIFESTYLE: Dinner's got game; better cell service?; wearing stingrays 81

PEOPLE: Farrah '04; court clothes; Ben and Jen finis; a tauter PM 83

ESSAY: Andrew Sullivan on President Bush as national nanny 84

COVER: Photo-Illustration for TIME by Arthur Hochstein