Gephardt Holds Slim Lead in Iowa Poll
DES MOINES — With little more than five months left before Iowa’s first-in-the-nation precinct caucuses, Missouri’s Rep. Richard A. Gephardt holds a narrow lead over seven other contenders for the Democratic presidential nomination, a newspaper poll showed Sunday.
The Des Moines Register’s Iowa Poll surveyed 316 registered Democrats age 18 and over and determined that 18% would vote for Gephardt if the election were held this week. All respondents said they plan to attend the Feb. 8 caucuses.
Massachusetts Gov. Michael S. Dukakis and Sen. Paul Simon of Illinois followed closely behind with 14% and 13%, the survey indicated.
Eighteen percent of all respondents said they have not decided whom they will support.
Sen. Joseph R. Biden Jr. of Delaware and civil rights leader Jesse Jackson each generated 10% support. Former Arizona Gov. Bruce Babbitt garnered 9%, Rep. Patricia Schroeder of Colorado, not an official candidate, 6%, and Sen. Albert Gore Jr. of Tennessee, 2%.
The poll marks the first of the 1988 presidential race that questioned only those who said they definitely or probably will attend their precinct caucuses.
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