Amy Klobuchar for president? She'll say Sunday. Why she should -- and shouldn't.

[saidsimplesimon]

https://www.twincities.com/2019/02/05/why-amy-klobuchar-should-run-for-president-and-why-she-shouldnt/

By DAVE ORRICK | [e-mail] | Pioneer Press

PUBLISHED: February 5, 2019 at 5:09 pm | UPDATED: February 7, 2019

Amy Klobuchar for president? She’ll say Sunday. Why she should — and shouldn’t.

Klobuchar dropped the big hint Tuesday night following President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address, when she told MSNBC that she’ll make the announcement on Boom Island — “as in, drop the mic,” she said — in Minneapolis.
….snip
WHY SHE SHOULD
SHE’S A MODERATE DEM
Not too left, not too center; just right for Democrats looking for a contrast to President Donald Trump — but leery about all those further-left candidates. Those most-progressive candidates — think: Kamala Harris, Bernie Sanders, Kirsten Gillibrand, Cory Booker — are making left-field crowded, some think, leaving a gap in left-center for Klobuchar. Code word for this: “electability.”
SHE KEPT HER COOL WITH KAVANAUGH
Whatever you think about the Senate’s confirmation hearings of U.S. Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh, Klobuchar got her 15 minutes of fame during it. Closer to five minutes, actually, but that works better for YouTube. For many Americans, this defined her — in a good way: polite but unflinching. Any doubts of the reach of that moment? Just open Google and start typing “Klobuchar and”; there’s only one place the crowd wants you to go.
…..snip
WHY SHE SHOULDN’T
SHE’S ‘JUST ANOTHER FACE’?
It’s one thing to have a moment during a Senate hearing, but it’s entirely another to bring thousands to their feet with soaring oratory (Barack Obama) or cathartic populism (Trump). Can the senator next door rally the masses?
…snip
SHE’S FROM MINNESOTA
No Minnesotan ever becomes president.

https://www.quora.com/Do-you-think-Amy-Klobuchar-should-run-for-president

Do you think Amy Klobuchar should run for president?

Marsha Jackson, Retired Substitute Teacher
Answered Nov 25 2018 · Author has 570 answers and 18.5k answer views
I’m a Republican, but I was very impressed with Sen Klobuchar’s performance in the Kavanaugh hearings. She was one of the few Democratic Senators to study Judge Kavanaugh’s rulings on the DC Circuit and had relevant questions. The rest, for the most part, we’re either running for President or trying to be interviewed by CNN. I would seriously consider Sen Klobuchar.

[exboyfil]

1. She has my vote at the caucus

And probably my two daughters.

[saidsimplesimon]

3. I've only a superficial

knowledge of her past or her voting record. I have seen her on Maddow's show and she is an impressive off the cuff speaker, comes across as genuine, and is very likeable. She will be on my short list if she runs.

[MineralMan]

11. No MN Presidential caucuses in 2020. They were replaced with

primary elections in 2017.

[exboyfil]

12. I am in Iowa

I think we still have ours.

[MineralMan]

14. Ah, OK. Iowa likes her, too, I think.

[Garrett78]

2. I will be surprised if she gains much traction. The same with Gillibrand.

And I won't be surprised if Warren suspends her exploratory committee.

[saidsimplesimon]

5. We shall see, if she runs

I agree on Gillibrand, and Gabbard they should suspend. It's just my opinion.

As for Senator Warren, she has an economic message and she understands the world of big money. I am giving her a close look, we'll see.

[Garrett78]

8. She's obviously running. You don't hold an event to announce you aren't running.

[doompatrol39]

4. "She's a moderate Dem"

I think they put that one in the wrong column.

[saidsimplesimon]

7. I would put her squarely in the center.

She has an excellent chance of winning a general election. imo

I am willing to make a few compromises from my left leaning views for the win. I voted for President Obama twice and he was firmly in the center with an understanding that the President served the interests of both liberals and conservatives. I am ready for "Mo no drama".

[doompatrol39]

10. What issues is she toward the center on?

What makes her "moderate". I legit know nothing about here other than the rumors that have been circulating as of late about her managerial style (which ultimately doesn't mean anything to me if it's not abusive in any way).

[saidsimplesimon]

15. I started with her voting record.

available at the .gov site and from just an internet search for news articles and other web material.

https://www.loc.gov/item/lcwaE0001768/

[MoonRiver]

6. She's my choice in the primary.

But I think she's a lot more left than center. Can't wait to hear her speak on Sunday!

[saidsimplesimon]

9. Maybe the Senator

will find networks knocking at her door for the 1st after the announcement interview. May the best woman win, we will have at least 3 excellent choices if she decides to take the plunge.

[MineralMan]

13. I've met her several times. Most people have no idea who she is.

She will have her opportunity to make herself known, and she is very, very good at that.

Fair warning: You're going to like her. Everyone likes Amy. She is honest, straightforward, and quite disarming as a person.

I don't know if that's enough to be taken seriously as a Presidential candidate, but she will be Amy Klobuchar. And that's not a bad thing at all.

Keep an eye on her. She is very, very good at being a popular politician. You'll see...

I like her. I wish her every success. I just don't know if she'll be able to carry that personality into national office. She's the ultimate Minnestotan, though, you betcha!

[exboyfil]

16. On paper she looks great

Qualified. Right geographic location.

Even if she can't make it to President this time, she has to be a strong candidate for VP.

Being a former Republican I am definitely a moderate. My big thing is how to we pay for the things that we have already committed to paying for. Next how do we spend our money in the best fashion. Finally how do we have a fairer tax code that better taxes wealth

[MineralMan]

17. She's not really a moderate. However, she appears to be one.

As President, she would be able to move in the direction she would like to, I'm sure.

If you talk to her in person, she'll demonstrate who she is. She's smart, progressive, and hard not to like. That makes her a powerful negotiator.

[Awsi Dooger]

18. She was much the best with Kavanaugh

It wasn't portrayed or acknowledged that way here, but in terms effectiveness and also appealing to swing voters it was unquestionably true. I emphasized it here immediately. I have hosted enough debate watching parties to understand how it would play to that type. The quote from the retired substitute teacher at the end of the OP is a perfect description.

Others had a predetermined set of questions and acted as if they were on stage. Klobuchar was the only one who was persistently relaxed and likable and flexible. Everything she asked or said was based on Kavanaugh's response. None of the others had that capability, which is remarkably valuable in a debate setting and a long campaign. I liked some of Harris' questioning but she really butchered it when she saved the question about whether Kavanaugh watched Dr. Ford's morning testimony until the final seconds, with no room to follow up on his response. To me that demonstrated a prosecutor type but not a special prosecutor type. I would be very nervous with that type as nominee, especially easily tagged as ultra liberal from California.

I have no idea if Klobuchar can gain enough traction in 2020. Seemingly from the Gillum and Abrams examples we want someone from the more liberal wing. That's obviously ideal, but only if they can get over the line. IMO, the ideal nominee is someone who actually is liberal and would govern as a liberal, but comes across as more moderate and wouldn't easily be rejected by regionalism or the socialism fear that is certain to be a 2020 GOP theme.

Plus likability. I'll never set likability in the second slot against an incumbent. It is absolutely paramount. Ignore that at our own peril. Keep in mind that Trump remains at 40% approval no matter what he says or does, and the electorate reality is at least 3-4% above that. Trump would be 43-44% approval in the exit poll if the election were held today. He is more popular among voters than overall Americans. Now bump that 40% up to 44% or thereabouts by election day 2020. That is not a given but I would say it is very, very possible. Incumbents tend to gain benefit of a doubt at the end of the first term. Now that 44% becomes 47-48% in the exit poll, and we've got huge problems if our nominee is not charismatic and likable.

As always, ignore today. Think big picture and long term. Amy Klobuchar fares much better along those lines. She is my top pick if Beto does not run.

[saidsimplesimon]

19. Thank you for the excellent comments.

Plus likability. I'll never set likability in the second slot against an incumbent. It is absolutely paramount. Ignore than at our own peril. Keep in mind that Trump remains at 40% approval no matter what he says or does, and the electorate reality is at least 3-4% above that. Trump would be 43-44% approval in the exit poll if the election were held today. He is more popular among voters than overall Americans. Now bump that 40% up to 44% or thereabouts by election day 2020. That is not a given but I would say it is very, very possible. Incumbents tend to gain benefit of a doubt at the end of the first term. Now that 44% becomes 47-48% in the exit poll, and we've got huge problems if our nominee is not charismatic and likable.

[shanti]

20. Meh...

Not feeling her for Pres.

[saidsimplesimon]

21. I have not decided.

Senators Kamala Harris and Elizabeth Warren are also on my list.