LOS ANGELES — Amy Klobuchar wants her debate performance to put her 2020 Democratic presidential rivals on notice, but they don’t seem to be listening.
The Minnesota senator, 59, was equal parts charming and disarming during the sixth primary debate, simultaneously showcasing her Midwestern wit and prosecutorial bite while facing six rivals onstage in Los Angeles Thursday night.
“When people know me, they vote for me, and they believe in me,” Klobuchar, 59, told reporters late Thursday.
The Yale University and University of Chicago Law School-educated former prosecutor commanded the most speaking time during the policy-heavy debate. Although she still flubbed a Bill Clinton catchphrase, she seemed to shake her nerves from Atlanta, using questions directed her way to push her center-left positions and her electability argument.
The mother-of-one from a purple state where she won the 42 counties that President Trump did in 2016 also demanded time and appeared above the fray by breaking up squabbles between her opponents. The most notable spat was between South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg, a competitor for the moderate candidate mantle, and Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren, with whom she’s gotten in scrapes before over Warren’s more liberal politics.
The smaller debate stage played to her advantage, Klobuchar admitted, with only seven hopefuls making the final cut for the last debate of the year.
“What’s been left out of this discussion, it’s not just who gives the best 30-second answers or gives the most flowery speeches. What should matter is who can win and who has the experience to get the job done,” Klobuchar said. “I am the one with a 100-day plan. I noticed Elizabeth was using that term a few times, but I’m the one that’s actually put forward a 100-day plan with 137 things that you can do without Congress.”
With a reputation for humor and for being a tough boss, Klobuchar added her approach to takedowns was evidence she could take the fight to Trump should she be anointed her party’s nominee. She cited her grilling of Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh last year as an example.
“I think it’s very important that you have … someone that can show grace under pressure. That’s why I brought up what happened in the Kavanaugh hearing. I basically had a Supreme Court nominee who went after me and asked me if I ever blacked out,” Klobuchar said. “I showed grace under pressure. I did that with that momentary thought, ‘I’m not going to bring down the Senate, I’m not going to act like this guy. I’m going to take the keys away from him, and do what’s right for the country, which is to show some poise when those things happen.’ And then, guess what happens? He apologizes.”
But others in the crowded field dismissed conjecture that Klobuchar presents a viable threat. She’s still averaging 3% in national polls, but she’s looking to capitalize on a recent surge in Iowa, where she’s hovering around 6%, according to RealClearPolitics data.
Kate Bedingfield, a spokeswoman for the Biden campaign, told the Washington Examiner her team wasn’t concerned about Klobuchar encroaching on former Vice President Joe Biden’s center-left lane as they jostle for voters, donors, and free media attention.
“He comes into the debates looking to make his mark, and that’s also true of our campaign strategy,” Bedingfield said. “Vice President Biden, again, has shown incredible resilience. He’s been under attack from the start. His numbers have only gotten better, stronger. I think people are responding to his message, and so I think we’re going to keep running our campaign regardless of what other candidates do, including Sen. Klobuchar.”
An aide from a rival camp, who declined to be named to speak freely, similarly downplayed speculation of a Klobuchar rise.
“I think she showed tonight why she’s not a real threat. Her attacks were desperate and provided no real vision for the future. Bad puns make for good play on Twitter. They don’t win votes in Iowa,” the aide said.
The ascendant contender, however, has already qualified for January’s debate in Des Moines ahead of Iowa’s Feb. 3 caucuses. She kicks off her third bus tour of the state on Friday and is slated to visit 27 counties before the Christmas holidays.
