As the two dozen Democrats aspiring to the US presidency struggle for attention, a new survey in the first state to vote in 2020 shows five of them, led by former vice president Joe Biden, emerging with early leads. The CNN/Des Moines Register/Mediacom poll of Iowa voters comes a full eight months before they convene in caucuses to pick a favorite, but it carries weight since Iowa’s early voting status helps shape voter impressions nationwide. Virtually tied with Sanders are Senator Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts (15 percent) and South Bend, Indiana Mayor Pete Buttigieg (14 percent).
