The first Washington Post poll of Iowa Democrats shows presidential candidates Barack Obama with 27 percent, and Hillary Rodham Clinton and John Edwards, with 26 percent each.  Doesn’t get much closer.  It’s a better score for Obama than other polls are showing — the Post’s caveat is heavier Obama support from younger voters who are less likely to caucus.  That Jan. 14 (or 7) caucus date, falling during winter break for college students, could be a factor.

Rest of field: Richardson with 11 percent, Biden and Kucinich with 2 percent, and Dodd, 1 percent.  Mike Gravel is tied with Monty Python’s Kevin Phillips Bong of the Slightly Silly Party with zero support.