Dean stages recovery to close gap on Kerry

DEMOCRATIC presidential contender John Kerry holds a shrinking three-point lead over Howard Dean on the eve of the New Hampshire primary, according to the latest poll.

Mr Dean shaved four points off Mr Kerry’s advantage in the latest three-day tracking poll by Reuters/MSNBC/Zogby, as supporters who wavered after his dismal third-place Iowa finish and screaming concession speech appeared to be returning to the fold.

Mr Kerry led Mr Dean 31% to 28% in the new poll, with John Edwards jumping three points to narrowly trail Wesley Clark for third place, 13% to 12%. Connecticut Senator. Joseph Lieberman remained static at 9%.