Is this the start of a comeback swing for the one-time presumptive nominee? After weeks of bad press and deflating poll numbers, Hillary Clinton won the endorsement of the most influential newspaper in the Hawkeye State, the Des Moines Register.

The paper’s editors say that while they endorsed John Edwards in 2004, he’s no longer the same positive candidate he was back then. And while they believe Barack Obama may be more inspiring, they say Hillary is best prepared to lead the country from day one — writing that “every stage of her life has prepared her for the presidency.” That’s the same argument Clinton has been making in Iowa for months.

The Register’s support follows on the heels of another big Iowa endorsement, long-time congressman Leonard Boswell — and comes just before her 5-day “Every County Counts” helicopter (er, “Hill-a-Copter”) tour in Iowa.

Spokesman Mo Elleithee says “we’re extremely pleased. Between the Register endorsement, Congressman Boswell’s endorsement and her strong debate performance, we feel great going into our 99-county blitz and the final few weeks.” One Clinton staffer said the campaign was genuinely excited, and said the news had come as a surprise to at least some in the Clinton camp — though Clinton herself held several formal and informal meetings with key employees in the last few weeks to try to sew up the nod.

Obama’s campaign has done its best to dismiss the endorsement, pointing out that no Democrat endorsed by the Register has gone on to win the caucuses. But Edwards came close in 2004; he’s credited the endorsement with kicking off the Iowa surge that propelled him to second place — and, some critics argue, would have pushed him to the front of the pack had the caucuses been held just a few days later.

UPDATE: Major Garrett says this may be big news, but it wasn’t the biggest of the day.