George Will: Amy Klobuchar could be the Democrats' best bet in 2020

[question everything]

(snip)

Sen. Amy Klobuchar is the person perhaps best equipped to send the current president packing.

She is from a state contiguous with Iowa, whose caucuses might, or might not, be as big a deal in 2020 as they have been since Jimmy Carter’s 1976 success in them propelled him toward the presidency. (Early voting for California’s March 3 primary, in which probably 11 percent of delegates to the Democratic National Convention will be allocated, begins the day of Iowa’s caucuses, so some candidates might slight Iowa in order to court California.)

Minnesota also borders Wisconsin, one of the three Rust Belt states (the others are Michigan and Pennsylvania) that Donald Trump took that had voted Democratic in at least six consecutive presidential elections. She is from the Midwest, where Democrats need help in Michigan (Trump carried it by just 0.3 percent of the vote), Iowa (Trump by 9 percentage points), Ohio (Trump by 9 points).

(snip)

Her state has a significant farming population and agribusiness (e.g., Cargill, General Mills, Land O’Lakes, Hormel), so she has had practice speaking to populations and interests that Democrats need, and speaking against trade wars in which farmers quickly become collateral damage. She has become informed about what could be one of the most salient issues in 2020 — the high costs of prescription drugs. In the Almanac of American Politics’ most recent (2015) vote rankings, she was the 27th most liberal senator, liberal enough to soothe other liberals without annoying everyone else.

(snip)

Her special strength, however, is her temperament. Baseball, it has been said, is not a game you can play with your teeth clenched. That is also true of politics, another day-by-day game with a long season: It requires an emotional equipoise, a blend of relaxation and concentration, stamina leavened by cheerfulness. Klobuchar laughs easily and often. If the nation wants an angry president, it can pick from among the many seething Democratic aspirants, or can keep the one president it has. If, however, it would like someone to lead a fatigued nation in a long exhale, it can pick a Minnesotan, at last.


http://www.startribune.com/george-will-amy-klobuchar-could-be-the-democrats-best-bet-in-2020/505107432/

[apcalc]

1. I quite like her. Smart ,experienced , sensible and ...

“Likeable”

Just let em try that “not likeable” bullcrap on Amy....

[dem4decades]

2. I hate to say I agree with George Will, but I might.

[question everything]

3. She will get my vote before any of the other declared candidates

[dem4decades]

10. I didn't know much about her but she was awesome questioning Barr. There's a lot

to like there.

[question everything]

11. Also Kavanaugh when he was so belligerent

When she tried to give him an out that when he is too drunk he cannot remember and his response was: are you? And she calmly said: answer the question, please. He later apologized.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

6. If George Will says it, I highly doubt it.

[question everything]

12. And this will be sad. To let the other side - Will, Schmidt - to determine our preferences.

We pride ourselves on being able to think for ourselves, right?

[Funtatlaguy]

4. None of our aspirants are "seething"...screw you George.

[stopbush]

5. Is George Will still hanging around?

Has he been relevant since the 80s?

[lark]

7. Damn, hope this isn't the kiss of death for her.

I really like her, regardless of what the twit George Will says. I hope she runs and look forward to learning more about her views and proposed policy remedies.

[Cicada]

8. It's hard to imagine Klobuchar losing any election

In 2018 she outperformed the Hillary vote by more than any other Senator. I can’t think of any way Republicans could demonize her. They could swift boat Kerry, tie Obama to radical blacks. What can they say about Klobuchar? Nothing.

[Power 2 the People]

9. I love Amy but go fuck yourself George

In the Almanac of American Politics’ most recent (2015) vote rankings, she was the 27th most liberal senator, liberal enough to soothe other liberals without annoying everyone else.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

13. I'd take George Will's advice with a grain of salt.

He's a Never-Trumper but I don't think he actually wants a Democrat to win.

[dflprincess]

14. I would consider George Will's praise as the kiss of death.

I'll vote for her if she's the nominee but I'd prefer to see someone who actually takes positions on issues, not tap dances around answers. Perhaps someone who can actually inspire voters.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

15. I think she's improved somewhat lately - she seems to be doing a good job

on the Judiciary Committee - but she won't be my first choice. Being "nice" and from the Midwest gets you only so far.

[dflprincess]

16. SHe might make a good Attorney General.

That might be her real goal.

[geardaddy]

17. I like Amy enough, but fuck George Will n/t

Amy's not as liberal as I would like to see.

[a kennedy]

18. That's exactly why George said she could win the nomination......it's that she's

NOT LIBERAL, and more Center is what he thinks the Country wants.