Clinton Leads, Biden Surprisingly Strong in Legislative Endorsements

Joe Biden is in the second tier of national polls, but his strongest precinct in the country may be under the golden dome of Iowa’s Capitol. The Delaware senator has lined up endorsements from 10 of the 83 Democrats in the Iowa Legislature, trailing only Hillary Clinton and tied with Barack Obama.  However, just under half of the legislative Democrats are still keeping their preferences to themselves. 

Biden is actually leading on the House side of the dome with nine endorsements, while Clinton has the backing of nine state senators. Biden’s backers were scattered in 2004, 

Democratic legislators have thus far scattered their support more than they did four years ago.  Prior to the 2004 caucuses, 55 of the then 68 Democratic legislators endorsed before the 2004 caucuses.  Twenty-seven of them backed John Kerry.  That early legislative support was a bulwark for the eventual caucus winner and nominee.  Many legislators got behind Kerry early, even as he trailed Howard Dean in early polls.  Dean rolled up eight 2004 endorsements, and Richard Gephardt had nine. 

John Edwards had backing from six legislators in 2004. Four of those same legislators are backing Edwards again, while the two others have not publicly committed. Joe Lieberman, who didn’t even contest the Iowa caucuses, nevertheless had support from four legislators, including current majority leader Kevin McCarthy, who is backing Biden this year. A fifth Lieberman backer, Doug Struyk of Council Bluffs, left Lieberman late for Kerry.  Then he left Kerry for George W. Bush, bolting the Democratic Party entirely (much as Lieberman did last year).

A lone legislator, Ed Fallon, backed Dennis Kucinich in 2004. Fallon, of course, left the legislature in his bid for governor. He  is backing John Edwards this year. No other legislator has stepped forward to carry the Kucinich banner this year. Bill Richardson is also unendorsed under the dome thus far.

The firefighter connection has helped Chris Dodd win his one legislative endorsement so far, from firefighter and Sen. Jeff Danielson. 

The box score:

And, for those of you playing at home, the roll call: