The latest poll shows Kerry, in his new guise as front-runner, attempting to consolidate in Arizona and Missouri - where he appears to be the big beneficiary from Gephardt's withdrawal - and running strongly in South Carolina, John Edwards' make-or-break state.

Last night's debate in Greenville had Kerry clarifying his earlier statement about 'not needing the South to win' a national election. In purely mathematical terms, as Kerry was speaking, that may be true. But next Tuesday's primaries offer the candidates a chance to explore - at least in a limited way - national viability.

Al Sharpton again rejected Terry McAuliffe's call for anyone who hasn't won a primary by next week to withdraw, while all of the candidates attacked the president on Iraq and the economy.

The president himself, meanwhile, visited New Hampshire just to remind folks who he was, after stopping off in Connecticut for a $1m fundraiser.