Democratic Primaries
Related: About this forumKlobuchar breaks from the populist pack
(CNN)Forget "Minnesota nice." In her CNN town hall on Monday night, Sen. Amy Klobuchar came across as "Minnesota smart." Taking questions from young people in New Hampshire, Klobuchar presented a command of the issues, a rapport with her audience, and a healthy sense of humor. In a different year, there would be no question that Klobuchar deserves to be taken seriously as a candidate for the Democratic presidential nomination. But this is a year with nearly 20 candidates competing for the nomination, and Klobuchar is not as flashy as rivals like Bernie Sanders or Kamala Harris. A March Quinnipiac University poll found her at 2% among Democrat and Democratic-leaning voters.
Monday was an opportunity for Klobuchar to make a case for herself, and she delivered a strong performance. One of Klobuchar's best moments came when she was asked how she would include rural communities in the climate change debate. This was not your usual climate change question, yet the senator was ready for it. "What do we see in front of us? This is what we see: floods all over Iowa, Nebraska, and Missouri," she said. Klobuchar went on to talk about wildfires in Colorado, California and Arizona.
She noted that someone from the heartland was uniquely positioned to address climate change -- which is often spoken of in terms of only coastal areas. "We need to do this ... It's my daughter and you guys who are going to be inheriting this earth and that's why we need you on the front lines." In the space of a few minutes, she combined the personal with the political and offered a fresh perspective on an important issue.
(snip)
It speaks to her intelligence that Klobuchar seemed ready to outline positions that lack easy appeal, like her opposition to Medicare for all. This bodes well for her in the upcoming debates, when she will be on stage along with candidates with a more populist approach. And while she spoke about wanting to allow more refinancing of student debt, she is not for free college or student loan forgiveness. This was no doubt a harder sell to young people -- Klobuchar may not have won over an audience of college students.
More..
https://www.cnn.com/2019/04/23/opinions/klobuchar-moment-cnn-town-hall-reyes/index.html
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
comradebillyboy
(10,119 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
mtnsnake
(22,236 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
leftofcool
(19,460 posts)She is one smart lady
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
Hortensis
(58,785 posts)which is only addressed down in the article. A good number of our better Democrats are trying to woo populist-leaners away from Sanders, or even Trump, by speaking to populist themes but showing listeners positive solutions that don't insist national barn is too rotten to save.
Klobuchar is a redoubtable legislator, effective even as a minority senator, an impressive achievement, and I don't doubt she'd be a similarly competent and productive president. Question will be what the electorate will really rally to, big-change iconoclastic solutions or a return to stability and sensible problem solving, such as moving to the next stage along the proven ACA pathway, which would include a public option and expansion of Medicaid -- or some variation. Hillary won the popular vote with a very large, ambitious slate of important but doable advances. Amy on healthcare:
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Awsi Dooger
(14,565 posts)Unfortunately our primary voters aren't great handicappers. We want the loud horse who kicks the stablehand, throws the jockey, refuses to enter the gate, and bites his opponent like Mike Tyson.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
thesquanderer
(11,955 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
question everything
(47,271 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
USALiberal
(10,877 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
MineralMan
(146,192 posts)She tends to explain things in rational ways. That's wonderful, except there are so many people who aren't smart enough to understand those explanations. They prefer slogans. Amy's not so good at slogans.
I love her. She's one of my Senators. I've met her. She can answer any question you put to her, logically and sensibly. It's impossible not to like her if you have met her. Sadly, slogans will decide who the nominee will be.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
BlueWI
(1,736 posts)Would be an excellent candidate, the best of the moderates by far, IMO. I hope she continues to get traction and recognition.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
ProfessorPlum
(11,252 posts)that has already been eating shit for years. Not sure what the appeal of saying we can't make healthcare better and less expensive is, when we actually can do that.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided