DES MOINES (AP) - Democrat Dennis Kucinich is asking his supporters to make rival Barack Obama their second choice if he doesn't meet a cutoff point for voting in Iowa's caucuses.

Kucinich, who has trailed at the bottom of polls among Democratic presidential hopefuls, seemed to concede a loss in the caucuses, saying his recommendation is for ``Iowa only,'' and that he wants to be the first choice of voters in next week's New Hampshire primary.

Obama's campaign also issued a statement Tuesday, thanking Kucinich for his recommendation.

In the statement, Obama says he and Kucinich both believe fundamental change is needed.

He says he and Kucinich have fought for some of the same priorities, including an end to the war in Iraq, reforming Washington and improving life for America's working families.

In 2004, Kucinich and John Edwards agreed to encourage their supporters to back each other if they weren't viable. The pact was credited for increasing the vote for Edwards, who scored a surprising second place finish.