A much bigger deal than the Palin endorsement is Branstad’s open attack on Cruz today. Branstad is the longest serving governor in the history of United States, so I have to assume he is quite popular governor there.
Not only because he's a very popular governor, but because governors in each state have their own extended political apparatuses in every county...in essence, controlling an army of experienced workers in every local area who know how to get the vote out.
Branstad's move today was priceless in helping to get the voters out of their digs and into the caucus halls.
Leni