But with just three days before Tuesday's primary, John Edwards and John Kerry seem to have been the most successful at luring fence-sitters to their sides.

A new Zogby poll of 600 voters showed Edwards capturing 25 percent of the vote and Kerry 24 percent.

In third place, at 22 percent, was good old Undecided. The other five candidates were languishing in single-digit territory.

The poll, done earlier this week, suggests that Edwards may have a shot at winning his first state primary.

It also reflects an impressive comeback for Kerry. Two months ago, tracking polls had him at just 4 percent.

On the campaign trail Friday, Kerry seemed energized by his recent victories in Iowa and New Hampshire, and a recent round of endorsements by U.S. Rep. Jim Clyburn, Sen. Fritz Hollings and other South Carolina Democratic heavyweights.

At a town hall-style forum at the University of South Carolina, Kerry appeared more relaxed and confident than in the past, grinning and embracing a group of Vietnam veterans.

Kerry focused on veteran's issues, a theme that could resonate in a state with the highest percentage of veterans in the country. A highly decorated Vietnam veteran himself, Kerry attacked the Bush administration for proposing cuts to soldiers' benefits and for overstretching the military. "The first definition of patriotism is keeping faith with those who wore the uniform of their country."

Later, six of the seven candidates attended another forum at Township Auditorium in Columbia. When event organizers announced that Joe Lieberman declined the invitation, some in the audience booed. A panel of citizens asked questions related to events in their lives.

Elaine Johnson of Orangeburg, whose son was killed in Iraq when his helicopter was shot down last fall, asked Edwards what he would do to help students get jobs when they graduate from high school and don't want to go to college. She said her son, Darius, tried college, but found it wasn't for him and joined the military because he couldn't find a job.

Edwards said he supports raising the minimum wage, changing America's trade policies and fixing the tax codes so companies don't go overseas and still reap tax breaks. "We are so focused on free trade that there is no fair trade."

Edwards was also asked about two million-dollar homes he owns, a question that raised a few eyebrows in the packed auditorium.

Edwards was born in Seneca, the son of a textile mill worker. He later amassed a personal fortune of as much as $40 million during his 20-year career as a trial lawyer who won an estimated $150 million in judgments for individuals suing large corporations and insurance companies.

"The life that I have lived is the dream that is shut off for so many Americans every day," he responded. "I grew up the way you grew up.... And I will never forget where I came from, and you can take that to the bank."

During the forum, retired Gen. Wesley Clark vowed to cut poverty rates and make sure health care is available to everyone. "This is the wealthiest country in the world," he said. "There is plenty of money to take care of everyone."

As national front-runner, Kerry also assumed the mantle of human pin cushion, with his rivals making stabs at his voting record as Massachusetts senator.

Clark, in a bid for black support, accused Kerry of less than whole-hearted support for affirmative action designed to give minorities a leg up in hiring, education and federal contracts.

Former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean accused Kerry of being a Washington do-nothing.

Kerry sought to position himself above the fray, later telling CNN that he had consistently backed affirmative action. "I have always voted for it, I have always supported it, I've never ever been different."

Many of those interviewed after the forum said Dean appeared subdued. "I think Dean was the weak sister of the bunch. He looked depressed," said Hilton Head Island resident Bill Walker, who drove to Columbia for the rally. "He also talked so much about Vermont that I think he is running for the wrong office."

The Rev. Al Sharpton and Ohio Rep. Dennis Kucinich also barnstormed the state.

At a rally at Benedict College, Sharpton urged students not to compromise when casting their primary votes.

"They got you running around talking about who's gonna win," he said. "If you agree with me on the issues, you ought to be helping me win."

Even if he doesn't win, Sharpton said, coming to the convention with delegates will help him put issues important to his supporters on the table.

Democrats have not been paying enough heed to their concerns, he said.

The speech drew an enthusiastic reaction from the crowd at the historically black college. Joscelyn Uzuri-Jones, who brought her daughter to the event, called Sharpton "profound."

"To be honest, I really don't like politics," she said. "But to have an African-American running for president, it just makes me feel better."

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