December 17, 2007
Posted: December 17th, 2007 10:01 AM ET

WASHINGTON (CNN) - Sen. Barack Obama is set to get the backing of Iowa Rep. David Loebsack Monday, an endorsement that could give the Democratic presidential candidate a boost of momentum with less than three weeks until the state’s caucuses.

Loebsack is slated to make the announcement in Des Moines later Monday.

The endorsement - heavily courted by many of the presidential candidates - means the state's Democratic congressional delegation is now evenly split among the three major contenders. Rep. Bruce Braley announced earlier this month he was endorsing former Sen. John Edwards, while Rep. Leonard Boswell said last week he is supporting Sen. Hillary Clinton.

Meanwhile the Des Moines Register - the state's largest newspaper - endorsed Clinton over the weekend.

– CNN Ticker Producer Alexander Mooney

Filed under: Barack Obama • Hillary Clinton • Iowa


JD, Syracuse, NY   December 18th, 2007 3:07 pm ET

Why doesnt CNN's headline say that Hillary picks up big endorsement there too? I just wonder CNN's headlines at times.

Beth Chicago, IL - HILLARY '08   December 18th, 2007 12:02 pm ET

YAY HILLARY '08 :)

Wyatt Medford,Oregon   December 18th, 2007 12:57 am ET

When I look at the Democratic field of contenders I see a few problems. Clinton nice lady but too polorizing and who wants a Bush/Clinton/Bush/Clinton. Obama, nice man but he is (only) a one term senator and his lack of knowledge in foreign affairs and lack of a track record in passing legislation isn't giving me confidence in him or Edwards who basically has the same resume as Obama. Richardson, I don't think his what ever attitude about illegal aliens will help our country. Biden which I think is the Democrats best chance, with his resume and his vast knowledge of foreign affairs and his strong leadership in passing bi-partisan legislation is what the next president needs and what the American people want.

Charles Good Springfield, Illinois   December 17th, 2007 7:55 pm ET

I can hardly believe it! When Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton received the coveted endorsement of the Des Moines Register, you downplayed it. When she received the endorsement of a veteran Iowa congressman, you downplayed it. When Barack Obama received the endorsement of a freshman member of Congress, you said that it was a big endorsement that might well give him a major momentum boost going into the final leg of the campaign. The double standard and lack of objectivity is astonishing. I hope the voters of Iowa and the other early states will compare the experience and policy stances of the candidates with more objectivity. If they do that, Senator Clinton will win.

Micahel Guinn, Ventura, CA   December 17th, 2007 4:01 pm ET

Another positive step for the next President! And to Jay in Iowa- the Republicans want Hillary to be the nominee- it's obvious. They started campaigning against her with all their hatred months ago.
Barack is the one who CAN and WILL win!

Jimenez   December 17th, 2007 3:33 pm ET

Anyone but OBAMA. Get real this individual doesn't have a choice. 2nd best after Clinton. Biden.

cathy   December 17th, 2007 3:13 pm ET

Obama can tell the press when they can and cannot attend church?

Jay, Ames, Iowa   December 17th, 2007 3:12 pm ET

Most polls now show a very tight race between Obama and any republican candidate. In fact–if we were going by the polls we would nominate the Breck Girl–John Edwards. He handily beats all the republicans in the polls. Its Obama and Clinton who struggle. Obama is the beneficiary of extremely positive press. He is the candidate the republicans want. They will pound on his inexperience. He is more liberal then Clinton. Let me be clear–He can't win. He is the liberal media candidate and as long as he hurts Clitnon, conservative media pundits will praise him.

Bethany, St. Louis MO   December 17th, 2007 2:51 pm ET

GO OBAMA!

T-dog, Los Angeles CA   December 17th, 2007 2:46 pm ET

Augustine, you and other people who seem to support Obama are blind. If we use your logic then Oprah is discriminating against Clinton as well. Guess what, most people who pick one side you can say are discriminating because that's what picking does. Obama is brainwashing you people into supporting him, and it wil be really great if he wins the DNC's bid because he won't win the election.

Dimommo   December 17th, 2007 2:43 pm ET

Obama can handily beat any republican. In fact any democrat, except perhaps the Clinton couplet, will win easily.

People who think Obama can't win are hoping everyone is as bigoted and racist as they are.

The pundits do have this one right, the only democrat candidate who can get all the republicans motivated is Clinton.

Clinton has done basically everything the republicans could do in negative, smear campaigning. Obama is turning the negative attacks by Clinton into a strength. It further strengthens the argument for his electability.

Coach Haughton NH   December 17th, 2007 2:40 pm ET

He won't win the election. A vote for obama is a vote for the republican candidate. I'm not a clinton supporter but I am a realist. Republicans want Obama as the nominee–so they can maintian the whitehouse.

Posted By Jay, Ames, Iowa : December 17, 2007 1:52 pm

Speculation FTW!

Scott, Mountain View, CA   December 17th, 2007 2:30 pm ET

If you are a Dem, here's why Obama gives you the best shot at winning back the White House:

1) The ONLY thing right now that would energize the dis-spirited GOP base is Hillary on the ticket.

2) There are millions of independents and center-leaning Republicans who would consider a vote for Obama based in no small part on his consistent opposition of the debacle in Iraq.

Put those two together and you might have a winning strategy for taking back the White House.

Joseph - Hudson, OH   December 17th, 2007 2:22 pm ET

Yet all statistical and theoretical polls show that Obama beats out major Republican canididates in the general election and Clinton does not. To say that a vote for someone that can bring about real change is a vote for the republican party is both nieve and uninformed.

Angie, Tucson, AZ   December 17th, 2007 2:16 pm ET

Jay, I find your comment surprising. The Republicans have been touting Clinton as the appointed nominee... why? Because she is polarizing and will bring out the Republican base. I would argue that she will be the easy Democrat to beat. Obama brings people together and is even convincing some Republicans to switch party affiliations so that they can vote for him.

PS, KC, MO   December 17th, 2007 2:04 pm ET

I find it interesting that Loebsack, Braley and Boswell could be considered 'big endorsements'. Outside of their own districts, they're hardly known. None have been around long enough to build a reputation on capitol hill. Now, when Tom Harkin or Chuck Grassley speak, that will be a major endorsement.

Joan   December 17th, 2007 2:04 pm ET

John Edwards is the real change agent of this election, and he just received Iowa's first lady, Mari Culver's endorsement. John will shake things up, Barack is not a fighter, and we need one now, much like FDR and Truman. I like Barack but I want someone who will take on the special interest. CNN you should post this info on the "ticker". Thanks.

Jay, Ames, Iowa   December 17th, 2007 1:52 pm ET

He won't win the election. A vote for obama is a vote for the republican candidate. I'm not a clinton supporter but I am a realist. Republicans want Obama as the nominee–so they can maintian the whitehouse.

Troy   December 17th, 2007 1:36 pm ET

Having canvassed a little in New Hampshire, I can tell this endorsement is going to be a huge asset. While folks there are generally skeptical of politicians and therefore of endorsements, there is no shirking the particular influence here. People of New Hampshire are going to make an informed, responsible choice… and it’s going to be OBAMA!

cathy, nashua,nh   December 17th, 2007 1:28 pm ET

Al Gore quoted Einstein this weekend: ‘The world’s problems cannot be solved by the same consciousness that developed them.’ This is why Obama offers such hope: he is the new paradigm.

jon,bridgewater,ma   December 17th, 2007 1:27 pm ET

Obama has more grassroots supporters than any of the other DNC candidates combined! And NONE of that money comes from lobbying and special interest or political action committees. He is truly, financially, a man of the people.

robert,nyc,ny   December 17th, 2007 1:26 pm ET

Wow, is Obama gaining momentum, or what?
Everyone, let’s caucus and vote to make him:
President Barack Obama.

Imagine how at ease, and proud our country will be with such honesty, hope and integrity leading us.

Anthony,newheaven,ct   December 17th, 2007 1:25 pm ET

YES!
Obama’s momentum continues.
Progressives, moderates, independents, and yes, even some Conservatives are seeing the leadership attributes of Obama. His judgement, intellect, and honesty trump all the psuedo rhetoric about experience. Clinto stands for the past.
Obama is the future. A future in which America can once again be a proud nation.

sean jackson   December 17th, 2007 1:24 pm ET

Obama deserves this endorsement because he has run a heck of a campaign. Hillary cannot seem to get on message or to get a message that resonates with the public. Hillary does not seem like she is authentic or comfortable with herself, or she is afraid that the American public would not like her views if she truly expressed her true beliefs.

john   December 17th, 2007 1:24 pm ET

Great news for Obama campaign. Well, the experience question is far behind us. Only question remains — Whatever happened to politics of inevitability?

banko   December 17th, 2007 1:23 pm ET

Real people , real endorsement.

Go OBAMA 08

Augustine, Charlton, SC   December 17th, 2007 1:22 pm ET

CNN producer Alexander Mooney should be fired. This guy is Clinton's pocket.

A pro-Clinton ticker is always entirely pro-Clinton. An anti-Obama ticker is always entirely anti-Obama.

On the rare occassion that he produces a pro-Obama ticker, he ends it with a pro-Clinton line. This is mad raven discrimination and someone has to take this up.

ES, Urbandale, IA   December 17th, 2007 1:22 pm ET

I'm from Iowa and who the heck is Senator Loebsack? And as far as the DM Register – they are a joke here – they are a Democratic paper that is closed minded. Don't bank your predictions on that!

David, Dallas Tx   December 17th, 2007 1:10 pm ET

Who cares? I think candidates waste too much time going after endorsements.

There are some endorsements that bring votes: strong unions, Oprah, et cetera–I understand chasing those endorsements.

But one politician supports another? Some actor or singer supports so-and-so?

Who cares? I don't outsource my opinion.

jacob,baltimore,md   December 17th, 2007 1:07 pm ET

Good for him. If it were CNN, Obama would not be mentioned in this race. Shame to those debate moderators who tried to twist debates to suit their candidates!

FL For Change   December 17th, 2007 12:09 pm ET

Congratulations Obama! Hell congratulations and good luck anybody but Hillary Clinton. If she is the democratic candidate...I will surely vote Republican!!!!

Dan, TX   December 17th, 2007 11:50 am ET

Check out Obama's campaign web site.

Good fun.
http://www.barackobama.com/

John Bruster   December 17th, 2007 11:27 am ET

. Rep. Bruce Braley announced earlier this month he was endorsing Obama,

Correct this on CNN now. Braley endorsed Edwards. And the bigger announcement is that Culver supports Edwards too.

Quit being Obamafans.

Steve, Gambrills, MD   December 17th, 2007 11:14 am ET

You need to get your facts straight. Braley endorsed Edwards, not Obama.

Rosie, Crestiview, FL   December 17th, 2007 11:11 am ET

This is quoted from the DMR:

His decision means all three of Iowa's Democratic congressmen have endorsed a presidential candidate, and all have chosen a different one. Rep. Leonard Boswell has endorsed New York Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, while Rep. Bruce Braley has backed former Sen. John Edwards.

Anonymous   December 17th, 2007 11:04 am ET

Representative Bruce Braley endorsed John Edwards, not Barack Obama

Rosie, Crestiview, FL   December 17th, 2007 10:59 am ET

Obama does not have the backing of Rep Bruce Braley. Why is there nothing about the Iowa first lady endorsement of Edwards?

slinkymalinky   December 17th, 2007 10:52 am ET

We need someone to end the BUSH/CLINTON dynasty. Obama has the right stuff.

JR Columbus, OH   December 17th, 2007 10:47 am ET

Senator Obama seems to be running a strong serious campaign.

Iowa is not only a primary state, but it is also a crucial swing state in the general election. His breadth of support from people who know Iowa politics best shows Obama's viability as a candidate.

sal lincoln nebraska   December 17th, 2007 10:41 am ET

This is the worse presidential race ive ever seen, barack obama wont say anything about anyone and wont even make a coherant statement regarding anything...Hillary Clinton is a walking talking sign for corporate american...Corporations dont even pay there taxes and america is flat broke and we want lower tax cuts for corporations...The alternative on the democratic side is Barak Obama, what kind of choices are we being given here? And its literally impossible to run as an independent and still get on the ticket in all 50 states...What about Ron Paul not one single article on here about him zero he only raised 6 million in one day...So we have Hillary Clinton the corporate dictaror and Barak Obama who wont even stand up for himself or speak his mind...Then we have Ron Paul who dosnt take any donations from corporations and speaks his mind and the people support him and not a single word on CNN politcal news ticker..

AJ, IL   December 17th, 2007 10:41 am ET

Interesting....! Obama receives two of the three available Iowa Congresspeople endorsements and both New Hampshire Congresspeople (one is a woman)endorsements, while Hillary receives the Des Moines Register endorsement. A for-profit business supporting a Clinton is not very surprising! This is the same paper that endorsed Edwards back in 2004 and saw Kerry run away with Democratic nomination.

Daniel, NY   December 17th, 2007 10:38 am ET

Hillary got the endorsement of Rep. Boswell just two days ago, meaning that the three Dem Reps of the state are endorsing three different candidates! And Obama got bad news in New Hampshire, as McCain's major signs of life could be a direct blow to Obama's hope of getting independent voters to vote in the Democratic primary.

Mike B, Florida   December 17th, 2007 10:37 am ET

Last time I checked Braley endorsed Edwards.

And where is the reporting on the First lady of Iowa also set to endorse Edwards.

It seems to me CNN has something against Edwards, or a lack of good reporters.

Independent, NY   December 17th, 2007 10:32 am ET

With two of the three Congressmen from Iowa supporting Obama, who, according to Hilary Clintong and her husband, is a supposedly "inexperienced and naive" candidate, when will the old and entrenched backers of the democratic party wake up and save their party and America from the old dirty politics and divisive elements of democratic party? I will like to vote for a democrat, but if Hilary wins I will not vote for her.

Dom   December 17th, 2007 10:31 am ET

Just shows that Obama is the real deal.

No wonder Obama has more advisors from Bill clinton former administration advising him than does Hilary. Now that's what I call endorsement !

David, Reno, NV   December 17th, 2007 10:28 am ET

Still won't help.

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