Edwards, Romney on rise before caucuses

DES MOINES, Iowa – John Edwards has clawed his way into contention to win Iowa’s caucuses on Thursday in the first vote for the Democratic presidential nomination, gaining strength even as rivals Hillary Rodham Clinton and Barack Obama have lost ground, according to a new McClatchy-MSNBC poll.

At the same time, Mitt Romney has regained the lead among Iowa Republicans as Mike Huckabee has lost momentum and support, even among the evangelical Christians who had propelled him into the top spot just weeks ago.

Taken together, this first poll in Iowa since campaigning resumed after a Christmas break showed a dead-heat contest between the three leading Democratic candidates and a volatile clash between the top Republican rivals here.

“On the Democratic side, the race is about as close as it can get, but keep an eye on Edwards,” said Brad Coker of Mason-Dixon Polling & Research, which conducted the survey. “Edwards has really moved up since our last poll.”

The new survey, taken Dec. 26-28, came three weeks after the initial Dec. 3-6 poll.

Among Democrats:

“Former Sen. Edwards of North Carolina has the support of 24 percent;

“Sen. Clinton of New York has 23 percent;

“Sen. Obama of Illinois has 22 percent;

“Gov. Bill Richardson of New Mexico has 12 percent;

“Sen. Joe Biden of Delaware has 8 percent;

“Sen. Chris Dodd of Connecticut has 2 percent;

“Rep. Dennis Kucinich of Ohio has 1 percent.

“Undecided: 8 percent.

One in five Iowa Democrats say they could still change their minds. The poll’s margin of error was plus or minus five percentage points.

Among Republicans:

“Former Massachusetts Gov. Romney has 27 percent;

“Former Arkansas Gov. Huckabee has 23 percent;

“Former Tennessee Sen. Fred Thompson has 14 percent;

“Sen. John McCain of Arizona has 13 percent;

“Former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani has 5 percent;

“Rep. Ron Paul of Texas has 5 percent;

“Rep. Duncan Hunter of California has 1 percent.

“Undecided: 12 percent.