Biden to blitz Iowa back roads by bus in 800-mile hunt for support

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Democratic presidential candidate and former vice president Joe Biden launched an eight-day, eight hundred mile blitz through the state of Iowa this weekend.

He's hoping a relentless schedule and personal touch can help him reclaim support among Democrats in the first state to hold a nominating contest.

Public opinion polls show Biden's one-time double-digit lead in Iowa has disappeared, and he is now fighting U.S. Senators Elizabeth Warren, Bernie Sanders, and a fast-rising Pete Buttigieg, the 37-year-old mayor of South Bend, Indiana.

The 77-year-old Biden still enjoys a comfortable lead in national polls.

On Sunday Democratic rival Senator Cory Booker, who's trailing at less than two percent support nationally, chalked Biden's lead up to his eight years in the Obama administration.

(SOUNDBITE) (English) U.S. DEMOCRATIC PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE CORY BOOKER, SAYING:

"Well, first of all, he's got the loyalty in voting right now because he's got 100 percent name recognition [inaudible] former Vice President. But you know this, that Barack Obama was behind Hillary Clinton amongst black voters until he won in Iowa. This race, most people have not made up their mind."

But federal campaign filings show Biden's campaign ended September with under $9 million in cash on hand, trailing Trump, Sanders, Warren, Buttigieg and Senator Kamala Harris.

(SOUNDBITE) (English) FORMER IOWA GOVERNOR TOM VILSACK, SAYING:

"I think it's important for our candidate to have progressive but realistic view and vision for the country."

Last week he notched a victory, winning the endorsement of a former Iowa governor.

(SOUNDBITE) (English) FORMER IOWA GOVERNOR TOM VILSACK, SAYING:

"One of things that I am absolutely, one thousand percent confident of, is that Joe Biden has the heart to be a good president."

Biden's post-Thanksgiving holiday bus tour, dubbed "No Malarky," will cover 18 counties and kicked off Saturday with an appearance alongside his wife, Jill, at his campaign's field office in Council Bluffs.