The presidential race is started to come into focus ahead of next week's Super Tuesday primaries.

Democrat John Edwards, whose anti-corporate message never resonated with most voters, is dropping out of the race after failing to win the primary in his native South Carolina, according to media reports. Rudy Giuliani, who fell from presumptive front-runner to also-ran, also is expected to bow out and endorse rival John McCain.

Odds are that Edwards will endorse rival Barack Obama, adding to the growing list of backers which include Democratic stalwart Sen. Edward Kennedy. The Illinois senator is far from having the race locked up.

Hillary Clinton remains a political force. Last week, a Los Angeles Times/Bloomberg News poll found that she is preferred by 42% of likely Democratic voters to Obama's 33%. Support for the Illinois senator, however, rose from 21% in December. Many voters appear reluctant to allow the creation of a Clinton political dynasty, particularly in light of some of former President Bill Clinton's recent ill-advised remarks about Obama.

Even so, it would be a huge mistake to write off either Clinton. She likely will do well in some Super Tuesday states such as California which will set the stage for an entertaining party convention in Denver this summer. Media reports indicate that Clinton will fight to get the delegates from Florida seated. Last night's primary, which McCain won for the Republicans, was meaningless for the Democrats since the party stripped the state of its delegates after it broke the rules by moving the date of its contest.

McCain appears set to snap away the nomination from Mitt Romney. He is far more likable than the former Massachusetts governor, who at times comes across like a power-hungry middle school vice principal on the campaign trail. Mike Huckabee, who hasn't won a race since Iowa, will siphon off the cultural conservatives from Romney, further helping McCain.

Predictions for now: Democratic ticket: Obama-Bill Richardson; Republicans: McCain-Huckabee.

What's your prediction?