Vote 08: Surprising changes in Calif. poll

LOS ANGELES (KABC) Three weeks before the California primary and the Republican field has been turned upside down. The Iowa and New Hampshire results are apparently having a major impact.

On the Democratic side, Hillary Clinton still has a comfortable lead, but it's narrowed. The exclusive poll by Survey U.S.A. has Clinton beating Barack Obama 50 percent to 35 percent. That means Clinton has gained a point in one month. However, Obama is up five points in the poll.

John Edwards has dropped four points to finish a poor third at 10 percent.

The Republican race is where the news is with former Mayor Rudy Giuliani losing a 20 point lead to now finish second behind Arizona Senator John McCain. McCain was the surprise winner in New Hampshire and has jumped in polls across the country.

Iowa caucus winner Mike Huckabee comes in third in the poll of likely voters. He's followed by Mitt Romney, Fred Thompson, and Ron Paul.

A spokesman for Giuliani says their strategy has always been to finish strong in Florida leading into Feb. 5.

Hillary Clinton's California campaign manager Ace Smith tells Eyewitness News that the campaign is tremendously happy with the poll numbers. Smith says they show Clinton with rock solid support in California.

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