Amy Klobuchar spared no criticism for her Democratic opponents during Friday’s primary debate.
The Minnesota Democrat’s presidential campaign has made some progress as of late — in Iowa, she lagged behind former Vice President Joe Biden by a mere 3% — and it’s clear she’s trying to make the most of it. Still, Klobuchar doesn’t have the political momentum necessary to win New Hampshire, and her strong performance during Friday’s debate could be an attempt to make up for lost ground.
Regardless, Friday was a good night for Klobuchar. She successfully sold herself as the Democratic Party’s ideal centrist pick, focusing on Pete Buttigieg’s lack of experience and youth.
“We have a newcomer in the White House, and look where it got us,” Klobuchar said. “But what you said, Pete, as you were campaigning through Iowa as three of us were jurors in the impeachment hearing, you said it was exhausting to watch and that you wanted to turn the channel and watch cartoons. It is easy to go after Washington, because that’s the popular thing to do. It is much harder to lead and much harder to take those difficult positions.”
Klobuchar has sold herself as the pragmatist with a history of winning elections in the politically divided Midwest, but now, she is trying to prove that she’s a fighter — someone who can go toe-to-toe with President Trump if given the chance. “I have a record for fighting for people,” Klobuchar said during her closing statement. “If you’re tired of the political noise … you have a home with me.”
Impeachment certainly hurt her campaign: She was unable to campaign physically in Iowa due to the Senate trial. With her lackluster funding, being present in Iowa was more important for her than almost any other candidate. Friday’s debate was her chance to make up for lost time.
It also helps that her Democratic rivals treat her like a candidate who wants to be a threat rather than a realistic alternative. None of the candidates onstage singled Klobuchar out during Friday’s debate, no matter how many times she specifically mentioned their names. In theory, Klobuchar could win supporters from the Biden, Buttigieg, and Warren camps. Yet, few of them seem to care.
Klobuchar has already made a name for herself as a progressive realist. Now, all she needs is proof that she can get the job done. Friday’s debate was a step in the right direction for her, but will it be enough?
