The New York Times endorses Hillary Clinton for the Democratic presidential nomination

Washington: Republican Donald Trump and Democrat Hillary Clinton have narrow leads over their respective opponents in Iowa, the crucial state which formally kicks off the American presidential elections with the beginning of the primaries on Monday.

However, the final polls before the crucial Iowa caucus, released by the prestigious Des Moines Register newspaper in association with Bloomberg reveal a different story for the two front runners Trump and Clinton.

While Trump has overtaken Senator Ted Cruz from Texas in this latest Iowa poll, Clinton has a slim edge over Senator Bernie Sanders.

“Donald Trump has muscled ahead in Iowa, regaining his lead on the brink of the first votes being cast in the 2016 presidential race,” the Des Moines Register said. Trump has support of 28 per cent, while Cruz follows him with 23 per cent. In a previous poll released on January 13, Trump (22 per cent) had trailed Cruz (25 per cent).

“Trump is leading with both the inner core of the caucus universe and the fringe - that’s what any candidate would want,” said veteran Iowa pollster J. Ann Selzer, who conducted the survey. On the other hand, the poll revealed that Clinton’s lead over Sanders is very slim.

NYT endorses Hillary

The New York Times on Saturday endorsed Hillary Clinton for the Democratic presidential nomination and Ohio Governor John Kasich for that of the Republicans.

The liberal newspaper’s picks come just two days before voters in Iowa cast ballots in the first nominating contest of the 2016 presidential election season.

The Times editorial board opted for a front-runner and a moderate underdog in endorsing Clinton for the Democrats and Kasich for the Republicans.

“Voters have the chance to choose one of the most broadly and deeply qualified presidential candidates in modern history,” the newspaper said of Clinton, a former secretary of state, senator from New York and First Lady.