Clinton Advisers Say Edwards Is a Threat

2-WAY RACE? DO I HEAR 3?

Clinton Advisers Say Edwards Is a Threat

INDEPENDENCE, Iowa -- Advisers to Hillary Clinton have been pushing the notion that John Edwards poses a growing threat in the Iowa caucuses, suggesting their internal data show something of a mini-surge for the former senator from North Carolina. Barack Obama's advisers have countered that it makes for a convenient story line -- and is evidence that the Clinton campaign is threatened by a two-way race with Obama.

On Wednesday, Clinton took Edwards on over his signature issue, indicating that she may view the Edwards improvements as quite real. "People talk about poverty in this campaign," Clinton said during a crowded event here, noting that her husband's administration was an era of great progress on the issue. "Well, we lifted more people out of poverty during the 1990s than at any time in our history.

"We had policies that actually helped to create 22.7 million new jobs. The typical Iowan family saw an increase of $7,000 in their incomes during the '90s."

During an appearance in Portsmouth, N.H., on Wednesday, Edwards responded sharply. "There are 37 million people living in poverty in America. Alleviating poverty is the cause of my life," he said. "What I would ask Hillary Clinton and the other candidates to do is to join me for calling for an increase in the minimum wage to $9.50 an hour, and to put forth a comprehensive plan to eliminate poverty, which I have done."

Clinton is continuing a five-day blitz across Iowa, where a new Washington Post-ABC News poll shows her in a statistical tie with Obama, with Edwards close behind.

-- Anne E. Kornblut

'BUNKER MENTALITY'?

Attacking Huckabee, Romney Defends Bush

DAVENPORT, Iowa -- In his pursuit of ways to criticize Mike Huckabee, Mitt Romney has to say thank you to none other than Huckabee himself.