According to the most recent Rasmussen poll, Hillary Clinton maintains her lead in the Democratic race with support in the mid-30s, Obama is stable in second with support remaining in the mid-20s, and Edwards holds onto third with support in the mid-teens:

As the candidates wrapped up the first quarter fund-raising period, stability is the key finding of recent polls. Clinton's support has ranged from 33% to 38% over the past six weeks. With but one exception, Obama's support has stayed in the 23% to 26% range for seven weeks. Edwards has enjoyed support from 15% to 17% of voters for four of the past five weeks. New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson has carved out a position atop the second tier of candidates, but currently attracts only 4% support (his totals have ranged from 3% to 5% over the past three weeks).

Read the full report HERE.

These are national figures, of course. The race, having seemingly stabilized, will likely remain within the ranges cited at least until a debate or two is held. So far, Democrats have been canceling debates right and left, in contrast to the 2004 cycle when they held a record number of such events with a record number of participants. There is some method to that, since debates will pressure Hillary and Obama to take direct positions they would rather avoid, and Obama and Edwards to sharpen their criticism of Clinton to eat into her lead - which the Party would like to avoid, in the name of unity behind the eventual winner.

The race can also be turned upside down by results, which don't necessarily correlate to the "national averages." Edwards was a surprise second in Iowa in 2004 and never left the state, so he has a top-notch organization there. Hillary is also very strong, with much of the "Democratic establishment" behind her. In NH, Hillary has a slight lead over Obama with Edwards third, and the same order currently prevails in SC, although Edwards won the state in 2004. These first few states will set the media cycles by their verdicts.

An Edwards win in Iowa would need to be followed up by either a stronger-than-expected showing in NH or one in SC, or both. Obama also needs to strike early, although he could ride a third-second-second in IA-NH-SC and hope to become the "not Hillary" candidate, but that might come too late if she shows strength in the early going. Donors will bet against frontrunners early in the season but once they start winning primaries, all bets are off. Challengers find money extremely hard to come by in those circumstances, which tends to cement the frontrunner's advantage.

For Obama and Edwards, their main opponent isn't necessarily Hillary Clinton herself, but rather the danger she could create an "aura of invincibility" early in the process.