For 1st time, Iowa poll shows Clinton in lead

http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2007/10/08/for_1st_time_iowa_poll_shows_clinton_in_lead/

October 8, 2007

Hillary Clinton has taken the lead among Democratic presidential candidates in an Iowa poll, showing progress toward overcoming a big hurdle in the race.

Although the New York senator is leading in national surveys, Iowa has remained an elusive prize. She has been in a tight race with John Edwards and Barack Obama in the state that begins the primary campaign voting in three months.

Clinton has focused on boosting her appeal in Iowa, including two visits with her husband, the former president, by her side over the summer. The effort appears to have paid off, according to the poll of likely Iowa caucus-goers that was published in yesterday's Des Moines Register.

She was supported by 29 percent of the 399 respondents to the poll conducted Oct. 1-3, compared with 21 percent in May. Edwards's support fell from 29 percent - good enough for first place in May - to 23 percent. That is a statistical tie with Obama's 22 percent.