Election 2016: Hillary Clinton And Marco Rubio Receive Endorsements Ahead Of Iowa Caucus

With the Iowa caucuses only eight days away, local newspaper the Des Moines Register endorsed two candidates: Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton and Republican candidate Marco Rubio. The endorsements published Saturday come as candidates make more rally appearances in the hopes of capturing still undecided voters.

In their endorsement of Clinton, the editorial staff of the Des Moines Register described the presidency as “not an entry-level position” and underscored the immense challenges the next president will face including working with Congress on issues ranging from immigration to the deficit while internationally dealing with the Islamic State group and the growing challenges brought on by climate change.

“No other candidate can match the depth or breadth of her knowledge and experience,” the editorial said highlighting Clinton's experience both as first lady and Secretary of State. “She is not a perfect candidate, as evidenced the way she has handled the furor over her private email server.”

When describing Clinton’s chief opponent Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, the newspaper argued his own admission that his reforms would not be passed by Congress make him an unelectable candidate. The Register had also endorsed Clinton during her 2008 presidential run.

When surveying the large field of Republican contenders, the newspaper described the 2016 election as one for the GOP that will “define their party’s future.”

“Sen. Marco Rubio has the potential to chart a new direction for the party, and perhaps the nation, with his message of restoring the American dream,” the editorial said. “We endorse him because he represents his party’s best hope.”

Presidential candidate and businessman Donald Trump continues to lead the Republican pack with the support of 37 percent of voters surveyed in a CNN/ORC poll released Thursday. Rubio came in third place with 14 percent support. On the Democratic side Sanders came in first with 51 percent support followed by Clinton with 43 percent. The poll surveyed 2,002 people between Jan. 15 to 20, 2016 with a margin of error of two percentage points.

Both Rubio and Clinton met and spoke with the editorial board before the newspaper made its decisions.