Edwards leads in latest Iowa poll

Democrat John Edwards is banking on Iowa to boost his nomination hopes -- as it did four years ago -- and a new poll out today gives him more hope that he might just be on the right track.

The former US senator from North Carolina led among likely Iowa caucus-goers surveyed with 30 percent, compared to 22 percent for Senator Hillary Clinton of New York, 18 percent for Senator Barack Obama of Illinois, and 13 percent for New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson.

Edwards parlayed a second-place finish in Iowa in 2004 to national prominence, and a place on the ticket as John Kerry's running mate. This year, he is spending far more time and money in Iowa, the first caucus state, than in New Hampshire, the first primary state.

The poll released today was conducted on Aug. 2 and 3 of 509 past Democratic caucus attendees or those who say they are likely to attend the caucus. It has a margin of error of plus or minus 4.3 percentage points.

Peter D. Hart Research Associates, a respected Democratic polling firm, conducted the survey for the ONE Campaign, a nonpartisan group that is pushing presidential candidates to address global poverty.

Among other poll findings, 98 percent said America's standing in the world has suffered in recent years, and 91 percent said they were dissatisfied with the role the United States plays in the world.