Kerry’s main challengers are Edwards and Clark

JOHN EDWARDS and Wesley Clark are offering the main challenges to John Kerry’s dominance in the states that hold presidential contests tomorrow.

In South Carolina, where Kerry faces his toughest battle with rival Edwards, jobs and the economy were the top issues. Three-fourths said foreign trade has decreased jobs in the area, according to the CBS poll. Four-fifths of South Carolina voters said it did not matter if a candidate was from the South, and three-fourths said it didn’t matter if a candidate served in the military. When all voters in that Republican-leaning state were asked whether they would support President Bush or the Democratic candidate, they were evenly divided.

More than a fifth of voters in Arizona, Missouri and South Carolina say they remain undecided, suggesting a volatility that could still affect the races.

Edwards gets strong backing from South Carolina whites who say they’ll vote in the state’s primary, and he gets a boost from those concerned about the economic costs of foreign trade to their state, according to polls. The sizeable black vote in the state is split among several candidates. Clark is giving Kerry a strong challenge in Oklahoma, based largely on the retired general’s support among men and from voters in more rural areas. Kerry leads in Arizona, but Clark is within striking distance.

Kerry has a strong lead in Missouri with broad-based support He also leads in North Dakota.