This time, too, the trial will be in Baton Rouge, farther from Mr Edwards' traditional black base.

ECONOMIST: Louisiana politics

But according to the exit polls, Edwards and Kerry virtually split the black vote in that state -- both drawing roughly double the minority support of the Rev.

CNN: Exit polls: Economy a chief concern

Mr Kerry narrowly lost them to Mr Edwards in South Carolina, took half the black vote in Missouri and went on to win 61% of black votes in Virginia.

ECONOMIST: John Kerry gets ever closer to the nomination