Bernie Sanders Takes Slim Lead In Iowa Poll But It's A Tight 4-Way Race

Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) has taken a narrow lead in Iowa over three other polling leaders from the Democratic slate, suggesting a cluttered finish in the Hawkeye state on Feb. 3.

Sanders leads the field with 20 percent, followed by Elizabeth Warren at 17 percent, Pete Buttigieg at 16 percent and Joe Biden at 15 percent, according to the Des Moines Register/CNN poll released Friday. The poll is considered the most authoritative in Iowa, which will hold the first of the caucuses on Feb. 3.

Sanders had polled third in the same poll in November, but his rise is not out of the blue. According to RealClearPolitics average of polls, Sanders is polling on top, narrowly ahead of Buttigieg. The South Bend mayor was top of the pack in November's Des Moines Register/CNN poll but has lost ground since.

Still, Sanders' lead in the latest poll is within its 3.7 percent margin of error, indicating the race is still wide open in Iowa.

Four in 10, or 40 percent, caucusgoers in the state now say they have made up their mind on the candidate they will support. But the 45 percent who could still change their minds, and the 13 percent who are yet to pick a favorite candidate add to the uncertainty.

Many moderate Democrats who are worried by Sanders' rise in Iowa, New Hampshire and California, can still take comfort that 55 percent of the likely caucusgoers in Iowa want to see a winner with a strong chance to beat President Donald Trump, over one who shares their positions on major issues (40 percent).

The moderate Democrats fear that Sanders will fare disastrously against Trump. Some of that concern is also likely linked to Sanders' policies, including increasing taxes on the wealthiest Americans and instituting Medicare For All.