The Des Moines Register’s editorial board has endorsed U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren for president, arguing her ideas are needed at a moment “when the very fabric of American life is at stake.”

“She is a thinker, a policy wonk and a hard worker,” the board wrote in its endorsement. “She remembers her own family’s struggles to make ends meet and her own desperation as a working mother needing child care. She cares about people, and she will use her seemingly endless energy and passion to fight for them.”

Warren was taking selfies on the stage West Middle School in Muscatine when the news of the endorsement broke. After the last picture, a staffer pulled her aside to give her the news, prompting the senator to pump her arms in the air and do a short celebratory dance.

"I just heard, and I’m delighted," she told reporters afterward. "It really means a lot to me. I’m very happy."

The endorsement, which appeared online Saturday and will be in the Sunday paper, comes just days before Iowans go to caucus Feb. 3 and amid a still-unsettled field of Democratic candidates.

► Read the Register's editorial board's endorsement:Elizabeth Warren will push an unequal America in the right direction

The most recent Des Moines Register/CNN/Mediacom Iowa Poll showed that 60% of likely Democratic caucusgoers have not decided whom they will support on caucus night.

The editorial board appeared to understand the tough time Iowans have had deciding on a favorite.

"The outstanding caliber of Democratic candidates makes it difficult to choose just one," the board wrote.

"But ultimately Iowa caucusgoers need to do that," the board said, concluding, "... Warren in the 2020 Iowa Democratic caucuses as the best leader for these times."

The editorial board invited each of the candidates to meet at the Register’s offices for formal interviews. Nine current candidates accepted the invitation, as well as several who have since left the race. Two Republicans are challenging President Donald Trump, the presumptive nominee in his party. The Register is not endorsing a candidate in the Republican caucus. The news team is separate from the opinion staff and it did not play a role in making the endorsement.

The board wrote that Warren “is not the radical” some perceive her to be. Her ideas aren’t radical, the editorial said. “They are right.”

The board’s members wrote that they like Warren’s plans to target corruption, expand health care, tackle climate change and ensure government works for the people.

But the endorsement did not come without qualification; some of Warren’s ideas “go too far,” it said.

“Some of her ideas for ‘big, structural change’ go too far,” the editorial said. “This board could not endorse the wholesale overhaul of corporate governance or cumulative levels of taxation she proposes. While the board has long supported single-payer health insurance, it believes a gradual transition is the more realistic approach. But Warren is pushing in the right direction.”

The editorial praised Warren’s resilience and courage, saying she has “proven she is tough and fearless.”

“But toughness can also be perceived as divisive, as can rhetoric that vilifies the wealthy, lobbyists and corporations that employ millions of people,” the editorial said. “Relentless attack mode threatens to further fracture a country riven by party, income and racial divides. Unifying the country may not be possible, but to gain the support required to govern, she must show that her vision will lift people up rather than divide them.”

The Register's editorial board has endorsed candidates since the 1988 caucuses. In 2016, the board endorsed Democrat Hillary Clinton and Republican Marco Rubio.

► More:Why the Des Moines Register makes a presidential caucus endorsement and how the decision is reached

Iowa Caucus history: A complete guide, plus photos, of the first-in-the-nation Iowa caucuses

The Register's editorial board also shared its thoughts about some of the other candidates in the 2020 field:

Former Vice President Joe Biden: The board said Biden “far outdistances the field in knowledge of foreign policy and familiarity with world leaders” and has “unrivaled experience in knowing how to get legislation passed through Congress.” But the board said it had reservations because he lacked a bold agenda and, in particular, lacked expertise on income inequality issues.

The board said Biden “far outdistances the field in knowledge of foreign policy and familiarity with world leaders” and has “unrivaled experience in knowing how to get legislation passed through Congress.” But the board said it had reservations because he lacked a bold agenda and, in particular, lacked expertise on income inequality issues. Former South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg: The board described Buttigieg as “a gifted speaker who demonstrates an impressive command of policy nuances and offers refreshing, common-ground approaches” but said his “eight-year tenure of heading a city the size of Davenport” was not enough preparation to be president. The board added: “His relative lack of support among communities of color also raises questions about his ability to unite the country.”

The board described Buttigieg as “a gifted speaker who demonstrates an impressive command of policy nuances and offers refreshing, common-ground approaches” but said his “eight-year tenure of heading a city the size of Davenport” was not enough preparation to be president. The board added: “His relative lack of support among communities of color also raises questions about his ability to unite the country.” U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar: The board wrote that Klobuchar's candidacy was appealing because she has a “proven record of working across the aisle to get things done." But it questioned whether she would be bold enough in needed policies.

The board wrote that Klobuchar's candidacy was appealing because she has a “proven record of working across the aisle to get things done." But it questioned whether she would be bold enough in needed policies. U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders: While the board wrote that Sanders' campaigns for president have benefited the nation by bringing attention to the “rigged” economy, it expressed concern about his ability to build consensus and his routine opposition to trade agreements.

While the board wrote that Sanders' campaigns for president have benefited the nation by bringing attention to the “rigged” economy, it expressed concern about his ability to build consensus and his routine opposition to trade agreements. Businessman activist Tom Steyer: The board said it questioned whether “another billionaire businessman with no previous government experience (is) the best choice” after Trump.

The board said it questioned whether “another billionaire businessman with no previous government experience (is) the best choice” after Trump. Entrepreneur Andrew Yang: The board said Yang has brought attention to the peril of the coming technological transformation but said his lack of any government experience and the radical nature of his universal basic income plan were drawbacks.

The board said Yang has brought attention to the peril of the coming technological transformation but said his lack of any government experience and the radical nature of his universal basic income plan were drawbacks. The editorial board also listed U.S. Sens. Cory Booker of New Jersey and Kamala Harris of California as “two voices that are missed.” Both Democrats campaigned significantly in Iowa, including meeting with the editorial board, but have since dropped out of the race.

► More on the Register's editorial board's endorsement:What intrigued us and what gave us pause about the other Democrats

The board did not consider former Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick, former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg or U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard of Hawaii because they have not focused on campaigning in Iowa.

Helping you make your own decision:

Voter guide: Don’t have a lot of time? Find FAQs on the key issues and where the candidates stand and more to make your vote matter.

Don’t have a lot of time? Find FAQs on the key issues and where the candidates stand and more to make your vote matter. Candidates on the issues: Find out how the 2020 presidential candidates plan to tackle healthcare, climate change, gun violence and more.

Des Moines Register reporter Tyler Jett contributed to this report.

Brianne Pfannenstiel is the chief politics reporter for the Register. Reach her at bpfann@dmreg.com or 515-284-8244. Follow her on Twitter at @brianneDMR.

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