Political Briefs IOWA PAPER ENDORSES RUBIO, CLINTON

des moines, iowa » U.S. Senator Marco Rubio and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton received potential boosts to their presidential bids in Iowa by winning the endorsements of the DesMoines Register, the dominant newspaper in the state where the Feb. 1 caucuses will start the 2016 nomination voting.

“Rubio has the potential to chart a new direction for the party, and perhaps the nation, with his message of restoring the American dream,” Iowa’s largest newspaper said in an endorsement of Florida Republican published on its website Saturday evening. “We endorse him because he represents his party’s best hope.”

On the Democratic side, the newspaper’s editorial said this of Clinton: “No other candidate can match the depth or breadth of her knowledge and experience.”

The editorial noted Clinton’s top rival, U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont, and the emotional appeal he’s generated in the party: “In the final analysis, Iowa Democrats will have to choose between the lofty idealism of Bernie Sanders and the down-to-earth pragmatism of Hillary Clinton. For some, this will be a choice of whether to vote with their hearts or their heads.” B sioux center, iowa » Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump says his supporters are so loyal they would stick with him even if he shot somebody.

The comment came as Trump contrasted himself with rivals such as Ted Cruz, his most serious challenger in the state, with just nine days to go before the Iowa caucuses.

“I could stand in the middle of Fifth Avenue and shoot somebody, and I wouldn’t lose any voters, OK?” Trump told an enthusiastic audience at a Christian school, Dordt College. “It’s like incredible.”

In addition to criticizing his rivals, Trump went after conservative radio host Glenn Beck, who will be appearing at two rallies with Cruz. He bashed Beck as a “loser” and “sad sack” and said Sarah Palin’s endorsement is more important than if Beck had backed him.