Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) finally addressed rumors that she may seek the Democratic Party’s nomination in the 2020 presidential election after garnering national attention during Justice Brett Kavanaugh’s nomination process.
Analysts have been eyeing Klobuchar as a potential candidate ever since her October grilling of Kavanaugh, whom she asked in a memorable exchange if he’d ever blacked out after a night of drinking.
During a Sunday appearance on ABC’s “This Week,” host George Stephanopoulos asked Klobuchar if she’d made a decision on the “2020 race for president.”
“Well, people are talking to me about this. I think in part because I’ve worked really hard to go not just where it’s comfortable but where it’s uncomfortable, and did well in a number of those places that Donald Trump won,” said Klobuchar, who won reelection in a landslide victory over Republican Jim Newberger.
“And I also am someone that, for those that are exhausted with politics, likes to get things done. But right now, I am just still thinking about this, talking to people. I’m sorry to say, I have no announcement for you on your show,” she added, joking that her husband found out about her first run for the Senate over the radio.
Democratic donors would like to see Klobuchar run, but some insiders told The Star Tribune that the senator is still enjoying her midterm victory.
“Many people have approached Amy about running for president but right now she is still thanking people who helped her lead a major winning ticket in Minnesota. Her support in rural counties and ability to get things done are the reasons most often mentioned to me,” adviser Justin Buoen said.
Former Vice President Walter Mondale, who had also served as a U.S. senator from Minnesota, said that he encouraged Klobuchar to challenge President Donald Trump in 2020.
“She got that engine that Humphrey had. They never get tired—they just go and go and go,” Mondale told The Star Tribune.
But some outside of Minnesota think Klobuchar hasn’t yet built a strong enough national profile to mount a successful presidential campaign.
“Klobuchar is disadvantaged because she does not already have a national profile, and may be too moderate to excite a Democratic based,” said Jennifer Victor, a professor of political-science at George Mason University.
“Klobuchar doesn’t have a ‘tiger’ reputation,” she told The Star Tribune. “Rather she has built her career in policy chops and pragmatism. This may not be a big draw in 2020.”
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Anthony Gockowski is managing editor of The Minnesota Sun. Follow Anthony on Twitter. Email tips to [email protected]
