By Pamela Gentry, Senior Political Producer

Posted Jan. 2, 2007 – With just 24 hours before Iowans cast votes in the caucus, Democratic Senators Barack Obama (Ill.), Hillary Clinton (N.Y.) and John Edwards N.C.) find themselves battling in dead-heat for a win in
Iowa.

New television ads, online messages, and phone calls to voters along with non-stop campaigning across the state have been the main approaches to getting more caucus voters to the polls. 

Now, Obama may have another slight edge over his top rivals from another Democratic contender, Rep. Dennis Kucinich(D-Ohio).  Kucinich has told his supporters to back Obama if he doesn’t get the percentage of votes required to stay in the competition. 

Kucinich doesn’t have a great deal of support, but with the race in a statistical tie for first, any increase for a candidate regardless how slight, could determine a win.  The caucus rules allow voters a second choice if their first choice garners less than 15 percent.

Obama gained two points overnight and
Clinton lost two points giving them both 28 percent of the vote from would be caucus goers.  Edwards is a close second with 26 percent, none of the other Dems hit double digits.

The most recent poll by Zogby also shows the race tightening among the Republican candidates as well.  Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee’s is in the lead over former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney.  Huckabee has 28 percent, Romney 26 percent and Arizona Sen. John McCain and former Tennessee Sen. Fred Thompson are tied for third with 12 percent.

“Both races are getting tighter as the caucuses get closer,” pollster John Zogby said.

Tomorrow’s forecast shows  temps in single digits, but folks and Iowa are accustomed to cold weather, so it much of a factor in terms of turnout.