That points to the importance of the rival campaigns' efforts to get their supporters to the caucuses, where votes are cast in hours-long evening meetings that only a fraction of Iowans traditionally attend.
In both New Hampshire and Iowa, Clinton's claim to governing experience has translated into clear advantages in voters' assessment of her leadership. She is seen -- by wide margins over her rivals -- to be the candidate best equipped for the presidency in general and, in particular, to protect national security and fight terrorism, handle the economy and healthcare, and manage the Iraq war.
Fully 79% of Iowa Democrats say she is prepared to be president; only 43% say Obama is.
But in Obama, voters cite other advantages: In both states, more Democrats see him as the most honest, as well as the best candidate to produce new ideas, bring change to Washington and speak his mind rather than tell voters what they want to hear.
Among Republicans in Iowa, where evangelical conservatives are particularly influential, Huckabee has jumped from the back of the pack despite Romney's heavy spending.
Huckabee, campaigning with an openly religious message, is appealing to conservatives who are not enamored of candidates such as McCain, who has diverged from the GOP party line on tax cuts, campaign finance reform and other issues.
"I am a religious man myself, so that is something that appeals to me," said Chuck Taylor, a retired truck driver in New Sharon, Iowa. "Some of the other candidates don't coincide with my values."
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Huckabee gains
Among Iowa Republicans, the poll found that Huckabee dominates Romney and the rest of the field not only among born-again Christians and regular churchgoers but also among women and the disaffected. He was supported by 46% of women surveyed, and 44% of voters who say the country is headed in the wrong direction.
Huckabee argues that the Republican Party needs to acknowledge the pocketbook anxieties of middle-class voters.
The GOP contest in Iowa is essentially a two-man race: Huckabee's 37% and Romney's 23% outdistance McCain and former Sen. Fred Thompson of Tennessee, both with 11%; and former New York Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani, Rep. Ron Paul of Texas and Rep. Duncan Hunter of Alpine, Calif., who all register in single digits.
The Republican pecking order is completely different in New Hampshire, where evangelical conservatives hold less sway. There, Huckabee barely registers, backed by only 9%, while Romney leads with 34%.
