COLUMBUS - Howard Dean is the early favorite of Ohio Democrats with a 12-point lead over his closest challenger, according to The Columbus Dispatch's first poll of the 2004 presidential campaign.
The former Vermont governor was at 29 percent, with retired Gen. Wesley Clark at 17 percent and Rep. Dick Gephardt of Missouri at 16 percent, according to the poll. Rep. Dennis Kucinich from Ohio and U.S. Sen. Joe Lieberman of Connecticut were the only other candidates in double digits, at 11 percent.
Sen. John Kerry of Massachusetts was at 7 percent, Sen. John Edwards of North Carolina at 5 percent and former ambassador Carol Moseley Braun and Al Sharpton had less than 1 percent each.
Dean also leads the Democratic field heading into next week's Iowa caucus followed by the New Hampshire primary.
Ohio Democrats aren't optimistic about the chances of any candidate beating President Bush, unopposed for the GOP nomination. Seven of 10 respondents said the chances of Bush winning a second term is at least somewhat likely.
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