Iowa’s First Lady Picks Edwards

ABC News’ Raelyn Johnson Reports:  Former Sen. John Edwards has received the endorsement of Iowa’s first lady, Mari Culver.

Culver acknowledged that while she felt the Democratic Party had the best field of candidates, she could only throw her support behind one.  A man from the audience shouted his approval, saying, "You got the right one."

"I believe John Edwards can win.  Not just the caucuses but the general election, too," Culver told a room full of supporters gathered in downtown Des Moines. 

"He’s ready. He’s been battle tested.  He’s been through this before having been on a national ticket.  I think these experiences give him a real advantage," she said of the North Carolina Democrat.

Her husband, Gov. Chet Culver, has said that he will not endorse a candidate, but Mari Culver said she is ready to roll up her sleeves and convince voters to caucus for Edwards. 

Prior to the event, she and Edwards visited a local homeless shelter.  Neither Edwards nor Culver would say whether she will be featured in an upcoming campaign ads.

Saying he is proud to have Culver’s support, Edwards told the audience, "She’s going to help me win the Iowa caucuses."

Monday’s announcement comes as Edwards was shut out of a nod from the Des Moines Register.  The paper endorsed Edwards in 2004, but named Clinton for its 2008 pick for the Democratic nominee.

In 2004, then-first lady Christie Vilsack threw her support behind Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., who was able to use the endorsement to help build momentum.  Kerry ultimately landed a first place finish in the Iowa caucuses and went on to take the Democratic nomination.  Having been first lady for five years, Vilsack was very popular in Iowa politics.  In contrast, Culver has only been on the scene for a year.

Throngs of steelworkers were on hand for the endorsement.  Their union endorsed Edwards earlier this year, and they greeted the former senator Monday, chanting, "Iowa is Edwards country."