Obama nets big Iowa Dem

Barack Obama continues to turn up the pressure in Iowa, announcing the endorsement today of Gordon R. Fischer, a lawyer in Des Moines and a well-connected former chairman of the state Democratic Party. Fischer's endorsement comes on the heels of Obama's two new TV ads in Iowa.

Fischer told reporters in a conference call this morning that after weighing the campaigns of all the major Democratic candidates, he believed Obama was the most electable, the candidate best-equipped to change the country, and the one with the most inspired policies.

"I am absolutely convinced that Senator Obama is the true change agent who can get elected and has the right policies at this time to move our country forward," Fischer said.

Fischer, a long-time activist in the Democratic Party, reiterated what Obama's campaign -- which has 31 offices across the state and a formidable base of grass-roots support there -- has long believed: that Iowa will be won on the ground. "I think ultimately, my value is, frankly, knowing a lot of people and being able to hopefully bring some of those people along."

Obama's campaign manager, David Plouffe, added, "We marry that grass-roots enthusiasm with leaders who have their own relationships ... We think that's a pretty potent combination."

Obama, meanwhile, will beginning running his 60-second ad "Believe" in New Hampshire tomorrow, the first time he will be on air in the Granite State. Watch the ad here.