“If you look on the map it’s very small,” admits Rowlands, but points out that it is ideally positioned for a national festival “slap bang in the middle of Wales”. As Rowlands says: “If you only ever go to Aberystwyth once it should undoubtedly be to experience the Welsh International Film Festival.”

LIESE SPENCER
The Welsh International Film Festival runs from today until 19 Nov in Aberystwyth (01970 623232). Robert Dole War-hero, long-term member of Congress, now Senate Majority leader, aged 72. Formerly known as a bad-tempered pragmatist, Senator Dole is making his third run for the White House, repackaged as a sweet-tempered right-winger

39 per cent
“I haven’t thought what I’ll do.. if I get elected at my age, you know I’m not going anywhere It’s not an agenda. I’m just going to serve my country.”Good, but could blow upPhil Gramm.

Democratic turn-coat, economics professor, Texan Senator, aged 53. A fiscal conservative, Senator Gramm has learned to recite the dogma of the religious right. But his unprepossessing looks and thick southern drawl have undermined his well-heeled campaign.19 per cent”I have the most reliable friend you can have in American politics and that is ready money.”PoorLamar Alexander. Former Tennessee Governor and Bush Education Secretary, aged 55.

Running as an outsider, who would return power to the states. To attract attention, Mr Alexander has been walking across New Hampshire but his costly campaign remains equally pedestrian.8 per cent”Let’s go far with Lamar.”PoorPat Buchanan. Former Nixon and Agnew speech-writer, ultra-conservative columnist, aged 56. Anti-gay, anti-abortion, anti-government, anti-free- trade, Buchanan makes the others look centrist.

Loud-mouth darling of the religious right, but short of credibility and funds.19 per cent”Our Western heritage is going to be handed down to future generations and not dumped into some landfill called multiculturalism.”InconceivableRichard Lugar Indiana Senator, foreign affairs expert, aged 63. Respected but too nice, too lugubrious and too moderate to succeed in this race. Why is he bothering?9 per cent”I believe I bring more to the table than the other candidates.”NoneArlen Specter. Lawyer, Pennsylvania Senator, former staffer on Warren Commission (which investigated JFK assassination), aged 65.