Today’s (2.1.08) Gallup Poll report notes that Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama “are as close as they have been since the polling program started at the beginning of 2008. 44% of Democratic voters nationwide support Clinton, while 41% support Obama, which is within the poll’s three-point margin of error. The data suggest that Obama has gained slightly more — at least initially — from John Edwards‘ departure from the race. In the final tracking data including Edwards in all three days’ interviewing (Jan. 27-29 data), Clinton had 42%, Obama 36%, and Edwards 12%. Since then, Clinton’s support has increased two points vs. Obama’s five. Tomorrow’s release will be the first pure post-Edwards three-day rolling average.”