Clark Campaign Shields Him From Press

There's little question that the Clark camp feels burned by the early barrage of negative headlines and has changed strategy accordingly. When a press charter plane was rolled out for the first time, Clark -- unlike most of the candidates, who use the opportunity to schmooze with reporters -- flew on a different plane. A typical day on the trail includes only a brief "availability" for journalists, who might mar the daily message.

USA Today correspondent Jill Lawrence traveled with Clark to Iowa, Oklahoma and Arkansas but had to battle for two 15-minute sessions with the candidate for her front-page story. She considers herself fortunate.