Hot Off the Press

It’s official:

Iowa Democratic Sen. Tom Harkin will endorse presidential front-runner Howard Dean on Friday, political sources said, giving the former Vermont governor a huge boost 10 days before the Iowa caucuses.

An announcement is scheduled for 3 p.m. CST at Dean’s Iowa headquarters, sources said, ending weeks of speculation and public agonizing about what the four-term senator would do.

The endorsement gives Dean access to Harkin’s strong state organization and the seal of approval from Iowa’s most respected Democratic voice, further cementing his credentials with party heavyweights in Washington and Iowa.

(Hat tip to Steven Taylor.)