The Significance of the New Des Moines Register Poll That Has Obama and Huckabee Ahead

    This morning's latest numbers from the respected Des Moines Register poll, which voters in Iowa pay attention to:

    Obama: 28
    Clinton: 25
    Edwards: 23

    Huckabee 29
    Romney: 24
    Giuliani: 13

    The signficance:

    -- Romney is in trouble in Iowa. That isn't to say he can't come back but he's going to have to wage a fairly negative campaign to do it, which could hurt him in the long run. If this lead holds, Romney's campaign ends virtually as it begins.

    -- Obama has forged enough of a small lead in several polls in Iowa to be called the leader there now. What's happened is that both Edwards and Obama have gone after Clinton, with Obama being the principal beneficiary. At some point, Edwards has to make a move -- and start drawing distinctions between himself and Obama. What happens then will likely dictate the next shift in Iowa.