Democrat presidential candidate Joe Biden drew another leadership card in the Iowa House of Representatives, thus procuring a full house in his endorsement hand.

This morning, House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy of Des Moines endorsed Biden on the steps of the Iowa State Capitol. Last week, the Democrat from Delaware was endorsed by Assistant Majority Leader John Whitaker, D-Hillsboro.

As Congress prepares for a battle in Washington, D.C., over what to do about the war in Iraq, Iowa’s House leaders have lined up behind Biden and his plan for Iraq, which was the primary reason for both leaders endorsing Biden. “Iraq is by far the single most important issue facing America today and Joe Biden has the most credible plan to get us out without causing further chaos,” McCarthy said in a press release. “His plan, coupled with his unmatched foreign policy experience, make Joe Biden the best choice to lead America out of the crisis in Iraq.”

Last week, Whitaker, whose son was recently deployed to Iraq, also cited Biden’s foreign-policy experience and plan for Iraq. “Joe Biden is the only Democratic candidate for president who understands the impact of this war on the families of those soldiers serving our country,” Whitaker said. “Joe Biden has fought to get our troops Mine Resistant Vehicles which have the capability of saving the lives of thousands of soldiers, and his Veteran’s Plan offers our troops everything from improved healthcare and better handling of disability claims to job placement and educational services.”McCarthy, a local Polk County prosecutor, was first elected to the House in 2003. He became Democratic majority leader in January after having played a key role in engineering the Democratic takeover of the Iowa House last year.

“Representative McCarthy’s proven leadership and recent success in winning back control of the Iowa House brings a powerful dimension to our campaign,” said Danny O’Brien, national political director for Biden’s campaign. “Kevin’s endorsement – and that of his colleagues – speaks volumes of the confidence Iowa’s elected officials have in Joe Biden’s unique ability to lead our country during these challenging times at home and abroad.”

“It is an honor to have Kevin join our Iowa team,” Biden said in a press release. “Having watched Kevin lead the fight in taking back control of the House last year, I saw early on his leadership skills and drive to restore a Democratic agenda in Iowa. I look forward to Kevin campaigning with me as I work to win the Iowa caucus.”

With McCarthy’s endorsement, Biden extended his second-place status in the Iowa Lawmaker Endorsement War among Democratic candidates. While Biden’s eight endorsements still trail New York Sen. Hillary Clinton’s 16 endorsements, he leads Illinois Sen. Barack Obama by three. Whether or not these endorsements register any political value, we’ll have to wait until January, when the candidates attempt to cash them in for votes at the Iowa Caucuses.