Klobuchar's Launch Sidetracked by Staff Horror Stories

[DonViejo]

February 10, 2019 at 8:01 am EST By Taegan Goddard

Politico: “The run-up to Klobuchar’s expected presidential campaign launch on Sunday has been sidetracked by former aides, speaking anonymously for fear of retribution, who described a toxic office environment including demeaning emails, thrown office supplies and requests for staff to perform personal chores for the senator. It’s a sharp departure from the public brand that Klobuchar has built to get to this moment: a pragmatic, aw-shucks Minnesotan who gets things done and wins her state by landslide margins.”

“Klobuchar defenders, including some former staffers, have gone on the record to push back against the reports, suggesting that the critique is grounded in sexism against a woman who demands excellence from her employees.”

“But Klobuchar’s campaign has not denied any of the specific allegations detailed in recent news stories, and Democrats in the critical first caucus state of Iowa — where Klobuchar hopes to make a splash in a crowded 2020 field — say the senator’s treatment of staff has the potential to sideswipe her campaign.”

###

https://politicalwire.com/2019/02/10/klobuchars-launch-sidetracked-by-staff-horror-stories/

[TreasonousBastard]

1. This stuff's been out for a while already, but...

it's damn difficult to know if it's Swiftboating or a real problem.

[nycbos]

2. MY friends from YDA have talked about this from awhile.

Especially those from Minnesota. It seems real.

[marble falls]

3. Harry Reid making a statement would be helpful.

[wishstar]

6. He has issued a statement through his spokesman that he does not remember this discussion:

"A spokesman for Reid said the retired senator prefers not to discuss private conversations he had with other senators. In this case, Reid also does not remember whether or not he had this discussion with Klobuchar, the spokesman said.

“Sen. Klobuchar is one of the most brilliant, hardest-working members of the Senate, and I was glad to serve alongside her,” said Reid. “She’s tireless when it comes to fighting for the people of Minnesota and the country, and that’s why she’s such a popular Senator back home and among her colleagues.”

https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/amy-klobuchar-mistreat-staff-harry-reid_us_5c5db1ece4b03afe8d674530

[marble falls]

7. This whole thing is going to get much worse and niether of them is going to get any sort of ...

justice. Just what we need when we're dealing with other huge issues.

[kcr]

35. That right there should put an end to this Huffbuzzpoo anonymous bullshit

But it won't.

[manor321]

4. This article is total bullshit.

I've rarely seen a worse article than this one. First Politico writes a hit-job with anonymous sources. THEN they follow up saying the launch is "sidetracked" without any evidence whatsoever that anything is sidetracked.

First they write a hit-job and then write a second article with people commenting on the hit job!

[2naSalit]

9. I'm beginning to think

that there is a nation-wide RF attempt going on here. Apparently Democrats are easily triggered into purity test mode and I think that aspect has been weaponized here.

How many key Democratic Party office holders/seekers are getting nailed right now? It's scatter shot and wide spread to keep us from being able to focus. And they want to remove anyone in their way.

I expect that the closer we get to nailing this cabal to the wall in the halls of justice, the worse this will get. We are going to hear every nasty thing about every politician who isn't a russian agent or accomplice. How we recognize and respond is up to us. Are going to eat ourselves alive while the coup continues and the perps laugh at us?

Just asking for a friend.

[dalton99a]

19. +1. This is a systematic and coordinated effort.

They are applying the purity test to every Democratic candidate

[MontanaMama]

30. Yes yes yes.

Eyes on the prize people. There will be lots of distractions and our job will be to remain focused. We will NOT have perfect candidates. We will NOT have an unflawed nominee. Purity tests will kill the cause of saving our country.

[Beartracks]

31. +1 "Democrats are easily triggered into purity mode and (this) has been weaponized."

[uponit7771]

18. +1, very leary of articles like this that make claims with NO back up information

[2naSalit]

22. I don't trust HuffinPuff...nt

[MineralMan]

5. Let me know when the accusers are willing to step forward

publicly. Let's see them and hear from them directly.

[2naSalit]

10. Exactly!

See post #9.

[MineralMan]

12. Yes. I'm open to hearing from those people who are making

these claims. But, they are "anonymous." I always question the validity of anonymous sources in any story. Let them come forward and show their faces.

[2naSalit]

14. Yes. Too many are

springing up all over which makes me very questioning and needing to know facts rather than innuendo. When you grow up as a minority in this country, you learn by having been wrongly accused as a regular occurrence. Facts matter.

[KY_EnviroGuy]

11. Assassination by fast-moving electrons...

MM, a lot of this recent shit-slinging reminds me of the old-timey telephone party-line gossip circles in small country towns.

They could soil a woman's good reputation in an afternoon.

Also makes me think of the 60s movie "Town Without Pity".

[MineralMan]

13. Yes. It's becoming more and more prevalent, too.

I wish we would all insist on direct accusations by people whose names we know.

I'm perfectly willing to her from her accusers, but not second or third hand.

[KY_EnviroGuy]

15. Agree, and some points...

1. Media outfits like Politico make their money from amplifying, or sensationalizing lines of gossip and there is little or no accountability for those actions. This media irresponsibility essentially results in public contempt prior to investigation (*).

2. Media editors word their articles carefully to avid lawsuits, yet the dialog always seems to weigh toward the "guilty" side rather than first presuming innocence and insisting on accountability from any accuser.

3. Right-wing media hacks pick up these stories and comments on blogs like DU and use them as fodder for their base on talk radio and social media.

(*) "There is a principle which is a bar against all information, which is proof against all arguments and which cannot fail to keep a man in everlasting ignorance - that principle is contempt prior to investigation."
- Herbert Spencer
1820-1903

[MineralMan]

16. Yes, on all points. I'm always surprised on DU to see people

jump on this kind of anonymous "information." We should be better than that, I think.

Let the accusers come forward. I will listen to them when they do, and then I will listen to Senator Klobuchar as well.

[USALiberal]

17. Let me know when Reid denys telling her to treat staff better. Nt

[MineralMan]

21. See this post:

https://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=11801817

Apparently, he has stated that he doesn't remember telling her any such thing. Then, he praised her work as a Senator.

Maybe you're not actually following this closely.

[USALiberal]

23. Here is the real statement.....

“A spokesman for Reid said the retired senator prefers not to discuss private conversations he had with other senators. In this case, Reid also does not remember whether or not he had this discussion with Klobuchar, the spokesman said.“

He is not saying he didn’t say it, just that he forgot if he did, an easy way out. I guarantee he would remember that conversion. Not a typical meeting with other members.

[brooklynite]

27. So you agree with Trump's claim that everything in the WH is working smoothly?

...since the only words to the contrary are from anonymous sources?

[MineralMan]

28. Not the same thing at all.

And not all of those have been anonymous, either. Besides, we can see Donald Trump in action for ourselves.

[watoos]

8. WTF, is this a scandal?

Let's say it's all true, let's say she had a staffer call for her and cancel her dentist appointment, and let's say she threw her pen against a wall. Whooppee fucking ding. If this is the dirt they have on Amy, I'm laughing.

Let's move on to important matters. Amy would make a great president or V.P.

[USALiberal]

20. Any person who fucking throws something at staff is a POS. Nt

[shanti]

25. From what I read

she didn't just throw a pen, she threw a binder, and it "accidentally" hit the staffer.

[IluvPitties]

29. Mistreating staff ain't a good quality.

One thing is demanding excellence, another thing is having anger management issues.

[mcar]

24. Until I see similar stories

about make candidates past and present, I consider this female shaming.

[Awsi Dooger]

26. We can spend all of our time on defense if we want you

Perfectly available. Just desperately respond to each and every charge immediately.

You'll have plenty of practice. The other side will be so delighted there will never be a break between waves.

Sadly we learned the wrong lesson in 2004. That was my argument at the time. It is hardly related to my support of Amy Klobuchar. Only a monumentally stupid campaign or politician thinks he/she has to refute or explain everything.

In particular it was hilarious when I read a different thread in which the OP wanted Klobuchar to address this prior to the formal announcement of her entry. Unbelievable.

Trump dishes out nicknames and lies because he understands how effective that is in keeping himself on offense. If he sat back and allowed others to attack his record while desperately responding to everything, there never would have been a cult following. He'd have become a laughingstock.

Nicknames and lies are Trump being himself. Amy Klobuchar will be herself during the media tour after the announcement. I know how that will play out.

[Sneederbunk]

32. Her time in the barrel. Who will be next?

[snowybirdie]

33. It's very disappointing

that DUers are posting this stuff. Over and over. Same story appearing multiple times for the last several days. Think about who wants to divide us and our candidates, folks!

[riverwalker]

34. Jackson-Lee voted "meanest" but hella Congresswoman

https://www.chron.com/news/politics/article/Washingtonian-gives-Rep-Sheila-Jackson-Lee-5812890.php

[riverwalker]

36. Stop it

Good grief people need to watch “Active Measures” again