(Columbia-AP) Nov. 27, 2003 - A new South Carolina Democratic presidential primary poll shows North Carolina Senator John Edwards leading the race with the Reverend Al Sharpton not far behind.

The Feldman Group Incorporated's poll of 400 likely voters in the February 3rd primary showed Edwards with 17 percent and Sharpton with 12 percent. Twenty-two percent of those polled were undecided.

Feldman Group President Diane Feldman says 49 percent of poll respondents were black. Democrats in the Palmetto State expect blacks to account for about half of the primary voters.

Feldman says Sharpton, who is black, led among black voters. Edwards, who is white, was second with that group.

Sharpton has focused on South Carolina and will spend Thanksgiving at a Charleston shelter. He says he thinks it's going to surprise people when he comes out strong in the primary.

posted 9:45am by Chris Rees