Democrats battle for 3rd place

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CONCORD, N.H. -- The big battle in New Hampshire's Democratic primary today is for third place, because voters appear poised to give Massachusetts Sen. John Kerry and former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean a solid one-two showing.

Wesley Clark, Sen. John Edwards of North Carolina and Sen. Joe Lieberman of Connecticut are in a three-way statistical tie for third place in one of the latest polls for the nation's first binding primary.

Each of the three is hoping a strong showing here gives them momentum going into the seven primaries and caucuses on Feb. 3. Polls close in most locations at 7 p.m., and the weather -- a chilly but snow-free 10-degree day -- is not expected to affect turnout.

"The polls are encouraging," Mr. Lieberman said. "I've said I'm going to do better than expected here. My campaign is going to begin in New Hampshire, not end here."

The Zogby-MSNBC-Reuters tracking poll found Mr. Clark with 13 percent support, Mr. Edwards with 12 percent support and Mr. Lieberman with 9 percent support among the 600 likely primary voters surveyed from Friday through Sunday. The poll, which had a 4.1 percent margin of error, found Mr. Kerry with 31 percent support and Mr. Dean shooting up to 28 percent.

The University of New Hampshire-Fox News three-day tracking poll released yesterday evening showed Mr. Edwards with 13 percent, Mr. Clark with 11 percent and Mr. Lieberman with 7 percent support among the 461 likely primary voters surveyed.

Mr. Kerry, with 36 percent support, led Mr. Dean, who had 25 percent support, in the poll, which had a 4.6 percent margin of error.

Mr. Kerry, speaking to several hundred voters in the gymnasium at Conant High School in Jaffrey, wasn't taking any supporters for granted.