Some pundits have already declared it a two-person race among the Democratic presidential candidates—one featuring senators Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama. But according to a recent CNN poll, a different script has emerged. The poll—released December 11, 2007—finds that, among the Democratic contenders, Senator John Edwards is strongest in beating any one of the GOP candidates in the primary election—and by more significant margins than both Clinton and Obama achieved.

Edwards beats Rudy Giuliani (53% to 44%), Mitt Romney (59% to 37%), John McCain (52% to 44%) and Mike Huckabee (60% to 35%). Click here to read the poll.

The poll’s findings come at a critical time for Edwards, who is in a tight three-way race with Clinton and Obama for Iowa. With the caucuses less than three weeks away, Edwards has continually cited the poll in speeches to Iowans as he travels throughout the state on his “Main Street Express.” Like a skilled trial attorney, he is highlighting the news in his closing argument as the jury—the Iowa caucusgoers—deliberate over who is best suited to lead the country.

“The empirical data points out, I’m the Democrat who beats every single Republican in national testing,” Edwards said Sunday on ABC News’ “This Week with George Stephanopoulos.” “I’m the strongest candidate in the general election.”

The former North Carolina senator has also softened his tone, focusing his energy on conveying his core message and avoiding attacks against Clinton and Obama.

Mrs. Edwards expresses a similar attitude. While on route to an event in Iowa on Saturday, the Edwards’ bus stopped by a local campaign office in Waterloo, where Mrs. Edwards greeted volunteers and made phone calls to rally support. The campaign office is coincidentally next door to one belonging to Barack Obama. Upon leaving the building, Mrs. Edwards approached dozens of Obama supporters gathered in the parking lot and thanked them for their hard work. “We’re on the same team,” she said. “Look me in the eye and shake my hand.”

But her “esprit de corps” was not extended to the GOP field. At an event in Dubuque, Iowa, Mrs. Edwards said, “Republicans should scare us in a lot of ways,” and singled out former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee, calling his views on evolution and inner-city violence “nutty.”