Sen Clinton kicked off her “Every County Counts” tour in Council Bluffs, IA by announcing the long-expected endorsement of former NE Senator Bob Kerrey — who said she understands change is needed, but more importantly has the skills and discipline to make it happen.

But it was another endorsement that has Iowans buzzing. Hillary said she was “honored” by the support of the Des Moines Register, and said that with the influential paper, the former Senator, and recent congressional endorser Leonard Boswell, the campaign is “energized” and has momentum going into the caucuses. She could use a bounce in the state right about now, after a tough couple of weeks.

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She spent much of this speech going through her biography. Gone are the references to Barack Obama, or to any of her rivals — except obliquely, when she talks about issues like Health Care, pointing out that her plan leaves no one out. “I am not running for president to put band aids on this problem, I am running for president to solve it,” she said. This tour is more of a reintroduction to Iowans — emphasizing her biography, her family, and her accomplishments as well as what she wants to do as president.

She’s now on the “Hill-A-Copter” flying to Dunlap, as your dutiful press corps travels behind on a rented campaign bus. She’ll continue to reach out not just to Iowans, but all Americans tomorrow morning; she’s doing all 6 network morning shows from Des Moines.

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