Terry Branstad: Joe Biden 'Is Dead Meat' In Iowa Come 2016

Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad, a Republican, predicted grim prospects Wednesday for potential Democratic presidential candidates in 2016.

Branstad told CNN that Vice President Joe Biden "is dead meat out here," suggesting President Barack Obama's right-hand man wouldn't fare well in the state's primary in 2016.

“Washington, D.C., is extremely unpopular,” he said. “Biden is so associated with this administration and all of its failures. He was unpopular before and he is even less popular now.”

Branstad seemed more optimistic about former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's chances in Iowa, but asserted her Washington ties could drag her down, too.

“[I]n terms of the electorate here, I think that Washington, D.C., is extremely unpopular, and she is associated with Washington, D.C., and served in [Obama’s] administration," he said.

The governor admitted he's "probably not the one to ask about a Democratic caucus," but said there's "potential and possibility" Democrats in the state could favor someone other than Clinton come 2016.

And who would that be, exactly? "Elizabeth Warren," his aide said.