Amy Klobuchar 2020 presidential campaign

Klobuchar was described by The New York Times in 2008 and The New Yorker in 2016 and by the Star Tribune in 2012 as one of the women most likely to become the first female President of the United States.{{cite news | url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/18/weekinreview/18zernike.html | title=She Just Might Be President Someday | last=Zernike | first=Kate | date=May 18, 2008 | work=The New York Times | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170406175652/http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/18/weekinreview/18zernike.html | archive-date=April 6, 2017 | url-status=live | df=mdy-all }}{{cite magazine | url=http://www.newyorker.com/news/amy-davidson/thirteen-women-who-should-think-about-running-for-president-in-2020 | title=Thirteen Women Who Should Think About Running for President in 2020 | date=December 12, 2016 | magazine=The New Yorker | access-date=February 23, 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170224190336/http://www.newyorker.com/news/amy-davidson/thirteen-women-who-should-think-about-running-for-president-in-2020 | archive-date=February 24, 2017 | url-status=live | df=mdy-all }}{{cite news |last1=Stassen-Berger |first1=Rachel E. |title=Klobuchar easily wins second term: Popular Democrat's name already surfacing in 2016 presidential hints. |publisher=Star Tribune |date=November 7, 2012}}

In January 2019, Klobuchar was reported to be seriously considering entering the Democratic Party primaries for the 2020 United States presidential election.{{cite news|url=https://minnesota.cbslocal.com/2019/01/13/amy-klobuchar-2020-presidential-bid-minnesota-politics/|title=Talking Points: Sen. Amy Klobuchar Mulling Presidential Bid|date=January 13, 2019|language=en|access-date=January 16, 2019|agency=WCCO-TV|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190117013317/https://minnesota.cbslocal.com/2019/01/13/amy-klobuchar-2020-presidential-bid-minnesota-politics/|archive-date=January 17, 2019|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://www.startribune.com/sen-amy-klobuchar-to-decide-soon-on-presidential-bid/503804122/|title=Sen. Amy Klobuchar to decide soon on presidential bid|website=Minneapolis Star Tribune|access-date=January 16, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190115103952/http://www.startribune.com/sen-amy-klobuchar-to-decide-soon-on-presidential-bid/503804122/|archive-date=January 15, 2019|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://www.startribune.com/iowa-democrats-weigh-sen-amy-klobuchar-s-presidential-ambitions/505147262/|title=Iowa Democrats weigh Sen. Amy Klobuchar's presidential ambitions|website=Minneapolis Star Tribune|access-date=February 1, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190201002525/http://www.startribune.com/iowa-democrats-weigh-sen-amy-klobuchar-s-presidential-ambitions/505147262/|archive-date=February 1, 2019|url-status=live}} Klobuchar placed fourth among Democratic potential candidates in a December 2018 poll of Iowa voters.{{cite web|url=https://politi.co/2BoWJ6a|title=Poll: Klobuchar rising in Iowa|last=Korecki|first=Natasha|website=Politico|date=December 17, 2018 |language=en|access-date=February 1, 2019}}

On February 5, 2019, Klobuchar announced she would make a "major announcement" on February 10 about a presidential bid.{{cite web |url=https://kstp.com/news/senator-amy-klobuchar-to-make-major-announcement-at-boom-island-park-on-sunday/5235309/?cat=1 |title=Sen. Amy Klobuchar to make major announcement at Boom Island Park on Sunday |publisher=KSTP.com |access-date=February 10, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190212012020/https://kstp.com/news/senator-amy-klobuchar-to-make-major-announcement-at-boom-island-park-on-sunday/5235309/?cat=1 |archive-date=February 12, 2019 |url-status=live |date=February 5, 2019 }} That day, the Iowa Democratic Party announced that Klobuchar would be giving the keynote address at a banquet in Ankeny, Iowa, on February 21.{{cite web|url=https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/elections/presidential/caucus/2019/02/05/senator-amy-klobuchar-returning-iowa-speak-ankeny-event-iowa-presidential-cacuses/2781365002/ |title=Senator Amy Klobuchar returning to Iowa to speak at central Iowa event |publisher=Desmoinesregister.com |date=February 5, 2019 |access-date=February 10, 2019}} The Washington Post{{'}}s national columnist Jennifer Rubin wrote that Klobuchar would be a moderate candidate with significant rural policy experience, and would be well positioned in Iowa (which borders Klobuchar's home state of Minnesota). Rubin also wrote that Klobuchar could make an excellent vice-presidential candidate.{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2019/02/06/klobuchar-gets-ready-take-plunge/|title=What Amy Klobuchar has going for her, if she takes the plunge|last=Rubin|first=Jennifer|date=February 6, 2019|newspaper=The Washington Post|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190210111510/https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2019/02/06/klobuchar-gets-ready-take-plunge/|archive-date=February 10, 2019|url-status=live|access-date=February 10, 2019}}

Klobuchar's allegedly harsh treatment of her Senate staff received some media coverage before her announcement.{{Cite web|url=https://www.aol.com/article/news/2019/02/06/sen-amy-klobuchars-abuse-of-staff-scared-off-candidates-to-manage-her-presidential-bid/23663450/|title=Report: Sen. Amy Klobuchar's abuse of staff scared off potential 2020 campaign managers|website=AOL.com|date=February 7, 2019 |access-date=February 11, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190212070543/https://www.aol.com/article/news/2019/02/06/sen-amy-klobuchars-abuse-of-staff-scared-off-candidates-to-manage-her-presidential-bid/23663450/|archive-date=February 12, 2019|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/mollyhensleyclancy/amy-klobuchar-staff-2020-election|title=Staffers, Documents Show Amy Klobuchar's Wrath Toward Her Aides|website=BuzzFeed News|date=February 8, 2019 |access-date=February 11, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190211172359/https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/mollyhensleyclancy/amy-klobuchar-staff-2020-election|archive-date=February 11, 2019|url-status=live}} In February 2019, Buzzfeed News, citing anonymous sources, reported that Klobuchar's congressional office was "controlled by fear, anger, and shame".{{cite web |url=https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/mollyhensleyclancy/amy-klobuchar-staff-2020-election |title=Staffers, Documents Show Amy Klobuchar's Wrath Toward Her Aides |publisher=Buzzfeednews.com |date=February 8, 2019 |access-date=February 19, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190218143147/https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/mollyhensleyclancy/amy-klobuchar-staff-2020-election |archive-date=February 18, 2019 |url-status=live }} Interviews with former staffers indicated that Klobuchar frequently abused and humiliated her employees, with as much staff time spent on managing her rage as on official business. In particular, Klobuchar received national attention for an alleged incident in which she berated a staffer for neglecting to bring a fork onto an airplane so that Klobuchar could eat a salad; Klobuchar reportedly ate the salad, used a comb as a utensil, and ordered her staffer to clean the comb afterwards.{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2019/02/amy-klobuchar-comb-fork-salad|title=Salad Fiend Amy Klobuchar Once Berated an Aide for Forgetting a Fork|first=Tina|last=Nguyen|magazine=Vanity Fair|date=February 22, 2019 }}{{Cite web|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2020-election/klobuchar-ate-her-salad-comb-report-says-n974746|title=Klobuchar ate her salad with a comb, report says|website=NBC News|date=February 22, 2019 }}{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/02/22/us/politics/amy-klobuchar-staff.html|title=How Amy Klobuchar Treats Her Staff|first1=Matt|last1=Flegenheimer|first2=Sydney|last2=Ember|work=The New York Times |date=February 22, 2019|via=NYTimes.com}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.businessinsider.com/amy-klobuchar-ate-salad-with-a-comb-berated-aide-for-not-bringing-fork-2019-2|title=Democratic presidential candidate Amy Klobuchar reportedly ate a salad with a comb after berating an aide for not bringing her a fork|first=Joe|last=Perticone|website=Business Insider}}{{Cite web|url=https://politi.co/2GWts7Q|title='How did everyone like the salad?': Klobuchar riffs on staff controversies at Gridiron dinner|first=Christian|last=Vasquez|website=POLITICO|date=March 2, 2019 }}{{Cite journal|url=https://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/2019/0618/A-fighter-or-a-peacemaker-Amy-Klobuchar-is-trying-to-be-both|title=A fighter or a peacemaker? Amy Klobuchar is trying to be both.|date=June 18, 2019|journal=Christian Science Monitor}} However, over 60 of Klobuchar's current and former staffers co-signed an open letter disputing these accounts.{{Cite web|url=https://medium.com/@erick.garcia.luna/open-letter-to-the-editors-e65482976de7|title=Open Letter to The Editors|access-date=June 25, 2019|date=February 28, 2019}} Klobuchar later confirmed that she had eaten a salad with a comb and acknowledged that she can be a tough boss, but described the incident as a "mom thing".{{Cite web|url=https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/klobuchar-admits-eating-a-salad-with-a-comb-and-agrees-she-can-be-too-tough-on-staff/ar-BBUzHbu|title=Klobuchar admits eating a salad with a comb, and agrees she can be 'too tough' on staff|website=www.msn.com}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/video/politics/sen-amy-klobuchar-salad-comb-incident-was-a-mom-thing/2019/03/09/084d33a2-7a9a-4e7d-a3af-722486a1707d_video.html|title=Sen. Amy Klobuchar: Salad comb incident was a 'mom thing'|newspaper=Washington Post}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.foxnews.com/politics/klobuchar-says-eating-salad-with-comb-was-a-mom-thing|title=Presidential candidate Klobuchar says eating salad with a comb was 'a mom thing'|first=Adam|last=Shaw|date=March 9, 2019|website=Fox News}}

File:Amy Klobuchar (46330784464) (a).jpgKlobuchar held a campaign announcement rally at Boom Island Park in Minneapolis on February 10, 2019.{{cite web|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/amy-klobuchar-2020-live-stream-rally-to-kick-off-presidential-campaign-minneapolis-minnesota-live-stream-2019-02-10/|title=Amy Klobuchar 2020: Democratic senator holds rally to kick off presidential campaign in Minneapolis, Minnesota — live stream, live updates|last=Montoya|first=Camilo|date=February 10, 2019|work=CBS News|access-date=February 10, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190210210707/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/amy-klobuchar-2020-live-stream-rally-to-kick-off-presidential-campaign-minneapolis-minnesota-live-stream-2019-02-10/|archive-date=February 10, 2019|url-status=live}}

Within 48 hours of her announcement, the Klobuchar campaign raised over $1 million, with more than 95% coming from donors who gave less than $100. Klobuchar said during her announcement that she would not take money from Super PACs.{{Cite web|url=http://www.startribune.com/sen-amy-klobuchar-s-presidential-bid-faces-fundraising-challenge/505913272/|title=Sen. Amy Klobuchar's presidential bid faces fundraising challenge|website=Star Tribune|access-date=February 20, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190217142240/http://www.startribune.com/sen-amy-klobuchar-s-presidential-bid-faces-fundraising-challenge/505913272/|archive-date=February 17, 2019|url-status=live}}

In the week following her announcement, Klobuchar campaigned in South Carolina, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa and New Hampshire.

Rachel Maddow, who has covered Klobuchar for years, had a long interview with her on February 11. George Stephanopoulos also interviewed her on Good Morning America. CNN hosted a town hall event with Klobuchar in New Hampshire on February 18.{{cite web|url=http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/1902/18/se.01.html|title=Town Hall with Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN)|website=CNN|access-date=February 24, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190225044851/http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/1902/18/se.01.html|archive-date=February 25, 2019|url-status=live}}

On August 2, 2019, Klobuchar's campaign announced that she had qualified for the September Democratic presidential debates by achieving the 2% polling threshold and gaining 130,000 unique donors.{{Cite web|url=https://www.npr.org/2019/08/02/747624160/klobuchar-says-shes-qualified-for-september-democratic-debate|title=Klobuchar Qualifies For September Democratic Debate, Campaign Announces|last=Taylor|first=Jessica|date=August 2, 2019|website=NPR|language=en-US|access-date=August 2, 2019}}

Klobuchar's campaign announced a fundraising haul of $4.8 million for the third quarter of 2019. Her campaign passed the threshold of 165,000 individual donors required for participation in the November Democratic presidential debate,{{Cite news|url=http://www.startribune.com/sen-amy-klobuchar-raised-4-8-million-in-third-quarter/562475062/|title=Sen. Amy Klobuchar raised $4.8 million in third quarter|last=Keen|first=Judy|date=October 7, 2019|work=Star Tribune|access-date=October 8, 2019}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.politico.com/news/2019/10/07/klobuchar-48-million-third-quarter-038228|title=Amy Klobuchar raises $4.8 million in third quarter|last=Sterns|first=Maggie|date=October 7, 2019|work=Politico|access-date=October 8, 2019}} and the 3% polling threshold to participate in the November debates on October 24, 2019.{{Cite news|url=https://www.mprnews.org/story/2019/10/24/klobuchars-polling-uptick-lands-her-spot-in-next-debate|title=Klobuchar's polling uptick lands her spot in next debate|last=Bakst|first=Brian|date=October 24, 2019|work=MPR News|access-date=October 27, 2019}} She also qualified to participate in the December debate,{{Cite web|url=http://www.startribune.com/sen-amy-klobuchar-earns-slot-in-december-debate/564576772/|title=Polling uptick pushes Sen. Amy Klobuchar into December debate|website=Star Tribune}} where her performance led her campaign to raise more than a million dollars in the day following the debate.{{Cite news|url=https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/475566-klobuchar-raises-800000-in-online-donations-since-debate|title=Klobuchar raises more than $1M in online donations since debate|last=Axelrod|first=Tal|date=December 20, 2019|work=The Hill|access-date=December 20, 2019}}

In January 2020, an Associated Press investigation revealed new evidence and various inconsistencies in Klobuchar's handling of the case of Myon Burrell, an African-American teenager who was sentenced to life in prison over the murder of 11-year-old Tyesha Edwards in 2002.{{Cite web|url=http://www.startribune.com/in-klobuchar-s-past-questions-about-a-teen-jailed-for-life/567352562/|title=Amy Klobuchar helped jail teen for life, but case was flawed|website=Star Tribune|access-date=January 30, 2020}} Upon this revelation, civil and racial rights groups including the Minneapolis NAACP, Black Lives Matter Twin Cities and other groups and affiliated and unaffiliated activists called on Klobuchar to suspend her presidential campaign.{{Cite web|url=https://www.democracynow.org/2020/1/30/headlines/racial_justice_groups_call_on_klobuchar_to_suspend_campaign|title=Racial Justice Groups Call on Klobuchar to Suspend Campaign|website=Democracy Now!|language=en|access-date=January 30, 2020}}{{cite web |title=Klobuchar Called On To Suspend Campaign As Questions Swirl Around Myon Burrell Case |url=https://minnesota.cbslocal.com/2020/01/29/klobuchar-called-to-withdraw-from-presidential-race-as-questions-swirl-around-myon-burrell-case/ |date=January 29, 2020}} Klobuchar faced sustained scrutiny about this issue, facing these lingering questions at the subsequent New Hampshire and Nevada debates.{{cite news |last1=Corasaniti |first1=Nick |title=How Amy Klobuchar Suddenly Became a Rival Worth Attacking |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/02/20/us/politics/amy-klobuchar-debate.html |work=The New York Times |date=February 20, 2020}}{{cite news |last1=McDowell |first1=Robin |last2=AP |first2=Robin McDowell |last3=Rezendes |first3=Michael |title=Klobuchar faces tough questioning in case of juvenile lifer |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/klobuchar-faces-tough-questioning-in-case-of-juvenile-lifer/2020/02/11/4408aaec-4d10-11ea-967b-e074d302c7d4_story.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200212025111/https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/klobuchar-faces-tough-questioning-in-case-of-juvenile-lifer/2020/02/11/4408aaec-4d10-11ea-967b-e074d302c7d4_story.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=February 12, 2020 |access-date=February 24, 2020 |newspaper=The Washington Post|date=February 11, 2020 |language=en}} Burrel's sentence was later commuted to 20 years by the Minnesota Board of Pardons in December 2020, with his last two years being held with supervised release rather than prison.{{cite news|url=https://www.fox9.com/news/myon-burrell-to-be-released-from-prison-board-of-pardons-approves-20-year-commutation|title=Myon Burrell to be released from prison, Board of Pardons approves 20-year commutation|publisher=Fox 9 News|date=December 15, 2020|access-date=December 15, 2020}}

File:New_Hampshire_Democratic_presidential_primary_election_results_by_town,_2020_(Amy_Klobuchar).svg (towns won by Klobuchar pictured).]]

In the 2020 Iowa Democratic caucuses, Klobuchar received 12% of the vote and earned one pledged delegate.

Klobuchar's popularity and polling numbers surged in the week between the Iowa caucuses and the 2020 New Hampshire Democratic primary, rising dramatically after the February 7, 2020, Democratic Party presidential debate.{{cite news |last1=Wootson Jr. |first1=Cleve R. |title=Klobuchar tries to turn a debate moment into momentum in New Hampshire |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/klobuchar-tries-to-turn-a-debate-moment-into-momentum-in-new-hampshire/2020/02/09/0dfa84a2-4a86-11ea-bdbf-1dfb23249293_story.html |access-date=February 10, 2020 |newspaper=The Washington Post}}{{cite news |last1=McGrane |first1=Victoria |title=Klobuchar Surges in New Hampshire; Shaking Up Race |url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/2020/02/10/nation/klobuchar-boosted-by-debate-big-fund-raising-haul-looks-beat-expectations-tuesday/ |access-date=February 10, 2020 |work=The Boston Globe |date=February 10, 2010}}{{cite news |title=Exclusive NH Tracking Poll: Sanders First, Buttigieg Second, A Surging Klobuchar Third In Final NH Tracking |url=https://boston.cbslocal.com/video/4440207-exclusive-nh-tracking-poll-sanders-first-buttigieg-second-a-surging-klobuchar-third-in-final-nh-tracking/ |access-date=February 10, 2020 |publisher=WBV - CBS Boston |date=February 9, 2020}} In the 48 hours following the debate, her campaign received $3 million in donations and she began polling in third place, ahead of Elizabeth Warren and Joe Biden.{{cite news |last1=Hensley-Clancy |first1=Molly |title=Amy Klobuchar's New Hampshire Surge Might Really Be Happening |url=https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/mollyhensleyclancy/amy-klobuchar-new-hampshire-primary-poll-2020 |access-date=February 10, 2020 |publisher=BuzzFeed |date=February 10, 2020}}{{cite news |last1=Walker |first1=James |title=Amy Klobuchar Surges Into Third Place in New Hampshire After Democratic Primary Debate: Polls |url=https://www.newsweek.com/amy-klobuchar-third-place-new-hampshire-poll-surge-abc-news-debate-1486472 |access-date=February 10, 2020 |publisher=Newsweek |date=February 10, 2020}}{{cite news |last1=Siders |first1=David |title=Klobuchar roars into contention on eve of primary |url=https://www.politico.com/news/2020/02/10/klobuchar-surges-primary-eve-new-hampshire-113561 |access-date=February 11, 2020 |publisher=Politico |date=February 10, 2020}}

In the New Hampshire Primary, Klobuchar led the midnight vote in the three tiny townships of Dixville Notch, Millsfield, and Hart's Location.{{cite news |last1=de Silva |first1=Chantal |title=Klobuchar Leads New Hampshire Midnight Vote |url=https://www.newsweek.com/klobuchar-surges-ahead-new-hampshire-primary-mike-bloomberg-sees-support-1486655 |access-date=February 11, 2020 |publisher=Newsweek |date=February 11, 2020}} Her surge carried her to a surprising third-place finish, ahead of previous front-runners Warren and Biden.{{cite news |last1=Corasaniti |first1=Nick |title=How Amy Klobuchar Pulled Off the Big Surprise of the New Hampshire Primary |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/02/12/us/politics/amy-klobuchar-new-hampshire.html |access-date=February 12, 2020 |work=The New York Times|date=February 12, 2020}} She received six pledged delegates.{{cite news |title=Live Results: New Hampshire Primary |url=https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/02/11/us/elections/results-new-hampshire-primary.html |access-date=February 11, 2020 |work=The New York Times |date=February 11, 2020 |url-access=subscription |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200211052802/https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/02/11/us/elections/results-new-hampshire-primary.html |archive-date=February 11, 2020 |url-status=live }} In both Iowa and New Hampshire, Klobuchar's vote total was higher than polls had projected.{{cite news |last1=Wilkie |first1=Christina |title=Amy Klobuchar's campaign gets a boost as Biden and Warren fizzle in New Hampshire |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2020/02/11/new-hampshire-primary-amy-klobuchar-tops-joe-biden-and-elizabeth-warren.html |access-date=February 12, 2020 |publisher=CNBC |date=February 11, 2009}}{{cite news |last1=Lim |first1=Naomi |title=Klobuchar steps over Biden and Warren for delegates in New Hampshire |url=https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/klobuchar-steps-over-biden-and-warren-for-delegates-in-new-hampshire |access-date=February 12, 2020 |publisher=Washington Examiner |date=February 11, 2011}} The Spectator described Klobuchar as "replacing Warren as the leading woman in the race and Biden as the moderate centrist."{{cite news |last1=Gray |first1=Freddy |title=Freddy Gray Liberalism Politics US Politics Bernie wins New Hampshire, just — and Klobuchar replaces Warren as the race's leading lady |url=https://spectator.us/bernie-wins-new-hampshire-klobuchar-replaces-warren-races-leading-lady/ |access-date=February 12, 2020 |publisher=The Spectator |date=February 11, 2020}}

Klobuchar said in the New Hampshire debate, “If you have trouble stretching your paycheck to pay for that rent, I know you, and I will fight for you.” This was described as one of the most memorable deliveries of the debate, and a turning point in Klobuchar's campaign.{{cite news |last1=Corasaniti |first1=Nick |title=How Amy Klobuchar Pulled Off the Big Surprise of the New Hampshire Primary |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/02/12/us/politics/amy-klobuchar-new-hampshire.html |access-date=February 13, 2020 |work=The New York Times|date=February 12, 2020}}

In some outlets, her sudden popularity and third-place finish became a headline story{{cite news|last1=Byler|first1=David|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2020/02/12/yes-amy-klobuchars-new-hampshire-surge-really-was-big-deal/|title=Just how big was Klobuchar's surge?|date=February 12, 2012|access-date=February 12, 2020|newspaper=The Washington Post}} about "Klomentum"{{cite news|last1=Walker|first1=James|url=https://www.newsweek.com/amy-klobuchar-supporters-klomentum-new-hampshire-primary-third-place-biden-warren-1486925|title=Amy Klobuchar Has #Klomentum Say Supporters After Senator Beats Biden and Warren in New Hampshire|date=February 12, 2020|access-date=February 12, 2020|publisher=Newsweek}}{{cite news|last1=Green|first1=Lloyd|url=https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/feb/12/klobuchar-deserves-her-klomentum-shes-been-unfairly-overlooked|title=Klobuchar deserves her 'Klomentum'. She's been unfairly overlooked|date=February 12, 2020|access-date=February 13, 2020|work=The Guardian}}{{cite news|last1=Hesse|first1=Monica|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/you-like-amy-klobuchar-now-remember-that-when-your-inner-sexist-starts-doubting-her/2020/02/12/2ff97cb8-4db3-11ea-b721-9f4cdc90bc1c_story.html|title=You like Amy Klobuchar now? Remember that when your inner sexist starts doubting her.|date=February 13, 2020|access-date=February 13, 2020|newspaper=The Washington Post}} or "Klobucharge".{{Cite web|url=https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/politics-podcast-sanders-won-the-new-hampshire-vote-so-how-did-klobucharge-win-the-narrative/|title=Politics Podcast: Sanders Won The New Hampshire Vote. So How Did 'Klobucharge' Win The Narrative?|author1=Galen Druke|author2=Clare Malone|date=February 12, 2020|website=FiveThirtyEight|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200212220715/https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/politics-podcast-sanders-won-the-new-hampshire-vote-so-how-did-klobucharge-win-the-narrative/|archive-date=February 12, 2020|access-date=February 13, 2020|author3=Nate Silver|author4=Geoffrey Skelley}}

Klobuchar headed for Nevada where her staff was on the ground and she hoped voters will maintain momentum.{{cite news |last1=Abdelsayed |first1=Amy |title=Amy Klobuchar to visit Las Vegas this week |url=https://www.ktnv.com/news/amy-klobuchar-to-visit-las-vegas-this-week |access-date=February 12, 2020 |publisher=KTNV - ABC13 |date=February 12, 2020}} She had staff working in Nevada since November, and opened a Nevada field office the first weekend in January.{{cite news |last1=Girnus |first1=April Corbin |title=Klobuchar makes moderately late push in Nevada |url=https://www.nevadacurrent.com/2020/01/06/klobuchar-makes-moderately-late-push-in-nevada/ |access-date=February 12, 2020 |publisher=Nevada Current |date=January 6, 2020}}{{cite news |title=Amy Klobuchar Makes First Hires in Nevada |url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/news/politics-and-government/nevada/amy-klobuchar-makes-first-hires-in-nevada-1899025/ |access-date=February 12, 2020 |agency=AP |publisher=Review Journal |date=November 22, 2019}} Politico described the "hostile" media interviews she began to face as "a sign of her arrival as a serious contender."{{cite news |last1=Siders |first1=David |title=Klobuchar gets a grilling |url=https://www.politico.com/news/2020/02/14/amy-klobuchar-2020-election-115124 |access-date=February 14, 2020 |publisher=Politico |date=February 14, 2020}}{{cite news |last1=Dan |first1=Merica |last2=Wright |first2=Jasmine |title=Have momentum, will travel: Klobuchar looks to keep surge going in Nevada |url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/02/16/politics/amy-klobuchar-nevada/index.html |access-date=February 17, 2020 |publisher=CNN |date=February 16, 2020}} Eventually, Klobuchar finished sixth in the Nevada caucuses, with 9.6% of the first alignment vote, 7.3% of the final alignment vote and 4.2% of the county convention delegates.

Klobuchar then turned her focus to South Carolina,{{cite news |title=Klobuchar Shares Plan To Surge In Nevada, South Carolina After New Hampshire |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KrznvHZXS0g |access-date=February 12, 2020 |publisher=NBC |date=February 10, 2020}} where Emerson College Polling director Spencer Kimball predicted that she would be popular with voters "looking for a candidate with experience."{{cite news |last1=Walker |first1=James |title=Amy Klobuchar's Rise in Polls, Appeal to Older Voters Is Eating Away at Biden and Buttigieg Support: Pollster |url=https://www.newsweek.com/klobucher-polls-biden-buttigieg-new-hampshire-nevada-1486687 |access-date=February 12, 2020 |publisher=Newsweek |date=February 11, 2020}} She had campaign staff in South Carolina since May 2019.{{cite news |last1=Lovegrove |first1=Jamie |title=Amy Klobuchar, Bernie Sanders hire SC staff as 2020 campaign activity ramps up |url=https://www.postandcourier.com/politics/amy-klobuchar-bernie-sanders-hire-sc-staff-as-campaign-activity/article_4cd5f076-82f4-11e9-ae71-cfa69ef893db.html |access-date=February 12, 2020 |publisher=The Post and Courier |date=May 30, 2019}} During her first campaign trip to South Carolina in February 2019, Klobuchar spoke in Greenville and Columbia, before crossing the Georgia border to have lunch with Roselynn and Jimmy Carter at their home.{{cite news |last1=Schechter |first1=Maayan |title=Remember Jimmy Carter? 2020 hopeful hints to SC voters that she can win as underdog |url=https://www.thestate.com/news/politics-government/article226623694.html#storylink=cpy |access-date=February 12, 2020 |publisher=The State |date=February 23, 2019}} Klobuchar finished sixth in the South Carolina primary, with 3.1% of the vote and 0 delegates.{{cite news |title=South Carolina Results|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2020-primary-elections/south-carolina-results|access-date=March 1, 2020 |publisher=NBC |date=March 1, 2020}}

{{clear}}

After a poor showing in the South Carolina primary, the Klobuchar campaign weighed the decision whether to drop out before Super Tuesday. Initial polling showed Klobuchar having a double-digit lead in Minnesota; campaign strategists believed that Klobuchar winning Minnesota would have helped Joe Biden by denying Bernie Sanders delegates.{{cite web |url=http://www.startribune.com/klobuchar-struggled-with-decision-to-exit-race/568500012/ |title=An inside look at how Amy Klobuchar decided to exit the 2020 race |author1=Van Oot, Tory |author2=Biersbach, Briana |author3=Condon, Patrick |work=Star Tribune |date=March 5, 2020 |access-date=March 5, 2020}} On March 2, the day before Super Tuesday, Klobuchar announced that she was suspending her campaign. Klobuchar canceled a scheduled campaign rally in Denver, Colorado and flew down to Dallas, Texas to announce her endorsement of Joe Biden.

In an analysis of why the campaign did not gain momentum, FiveThirtyEight cited Klobuchar's inability to attract non-white voters and a failure to stand out amongst a competitive field of moderate candidates, namely Joe Biden and Pete Buttigieg.{{cite web |url=https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/amy-klobuchar-looked-great-on-paper-what-went-wrong/ |title=Amy Klobuchar Looked Great on Paper. What Went Wrong? |author=Bacon Jr., Perry |work=FiveThirtyEight |date=March 2, 2020 |access-date=March 5, 2020}} MinnPost noted that Klobuchar spent a large amount of resources in Iowa, which left the campaign low on funds to compete in the February primaries that followed.{{cite web |url=https://www.minnpost.com/national/2020/03/how-amy-klobuchars-campaign-for-president-went-wrong/ |title=How Amy Klobuchar's campaign for president went wrong |date=February 5, 2020 |access-date=February 5, 2020}}

{{main|Political positions of Amy Klobuchar}}

File:Senator Amy Klobuchar Eau Claire, Wisconsin, February 16, 2019 07 (1).jpg

Klobuchar pitched herself as moderate and pragmatic, willing to tell voters no when she believes a specific proposal is not in the best interests of the nation.{{Cite web|url=https://politi.co/2GylJgk|title=Klobuchar opts for pragmatic approach in town hall|last=Schneider|first=Elena|website=Politico|date=February 18, 2019 |language=en|access-date=February 19, 2019}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.cnn.com/2019/02/18/politics/klobuchar-pragmatic-approach/index.html|title=Amy Klobuchar's novel pitch for the Democratic nomination: Pragmatism|first=Jeff|last=Zeleny|website=CNN|date=February 19, 2019 |access-date=February 19, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190219054706/https://www.cnn.com/2019/02/18/politics/klobuchar-pragmatic-approach/index.html|archive-date=February 19, 2019|url-status=live}}

As a U.S. Senator, Klobuchar has made increasing insurance programs for farmers impacted by severe weather and market fluctuations a priority. Her agriculture concerns have made her interested in trade as well.{{Cite web|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2019/02/10/amy-klobuchar-top-2020-election-democratic-primary-policies.html|title=Amy Klobuchar top 2020 election Democratic primary policies|last=Pramuk|first=Jacob|date=February 10, 2019|website=www.cnbc.com|access-date=February 11, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190211002921/https://www.cnbc.com/2019/02/10/amy-klobuchar-top-2020-election-democratic-primary-policies.html|archive-date=February 11, 2019|url-status=live}}

Klobuchar advocated reform of EPA rules concerning biofuel credits for the Renewable Fuel Standard. She proposed reevaluating loopholes for oil refineries that forgo ethanol additives, claiming that such waivers disadvantage corn farmers.{{Cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-election-klobuchar-idUSKCN1SY1KE|title=Democratic presidential hopeful Klobuchar proposes revamping EPA ethanol rules|last1=Pamuk|first1=Humeyra|date=May 28, 2019|work=Reuters|access-date=June 3, 2019|last2=Gibson|first2=Ginger|language=en}}

On August 7, 2019, Klobuchar released a plan focused on increasing rural job growth. Key policies centered on federal subsidies for crop insurance, disaster aid, resource conservation, and broadband Internet access. Klobuchar also proposed expanding anti-poverty programs for rural Americans.{{Cite web|url=https://politi.co/2OGoXDc|title=How Amy Klobuchar would handle farm, rural policy|last=Evich|first=Helena Bottemiller|website=Politico|date=August 7, 2019 |language=en-US|access-date=August 11, 2019}}{{Cite web|url=https://medium.com/@AmyforAmerica/senator-klobuchars-plan-from-the-heartland-strengthening-our-agricultural-and-rural-communities-405cb6b3234d|title=Senator Klobuchar's Plan from the Heartland: Strengthening our Agricultural and Rural Communities|date=August 9, 2019|website=Medium|publisher=Amy for America|language=en|access-date=August 11, 2019}}

Klobuchar said during the CNN Town Hall that while she likes the idea of a Green New Deal, it was not realistic. She said it was aspirational to believe all the proposals could be enacted in 10 years and acknowledged that along the way to becoming law, compromises would need to happen.

Klobuchar said that during her first 100 days in office, she would reinstate the Clean Power Plan and gas mileage standards and propose legislation to invest in green jobs and infrastructure. She also said that on her first day, the U.S. would rejoin the Paris Climate Change Agreement.{{Cite web|url=https://www.axios.com/2020-presidential-election-amy-klobuchar-cc59fd3e-89fd-4eed-870e-95374728baad.html|title=Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar enters the 2020 presidential race|website=Axios|date=February 10, 2019 |language=en|access-date=February 10, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190211002146/https://www.axios.com/2020-presidential-election-amy-klobuchar-cc59fd3e-89fd-4eed-870e-95374728baad.html|archive-date=February 11, 2019|url-status=live}}

In 2018, Klobuchar introduced a bill with Senator John Kennedy (R-LA) with the goal, among other things, of increasing the clarity of online terms of service and requiring more transparency regarding what data companies gather and share. Because of her early focus on consumer safety issues, the New York Times nicknamed her "The Senator of Small Things", to which Klobuchar responded that she does not "view these as small things".

Klobuchar began her career as a prosecutor. Her reputation for having been a "tough on crime" prosecutor who took part in the "war on drugs" is viewed by some as setback.{{Cite web|url=https://theweek.com/articles/823084/amy-klobuchars-toughoncrime-history-come-back-haunt|title=Will Amy Klobuchar's tough-on-crime history come back to haunt her?|last=Mathis|first=Joel|date=February 11, 2019|publisher=The Week|access-date=February 13, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190213051226/https://theweek.com/articles/823084/amy-klobuchars-toughoncrime-history-come-back-haunt|archive-date=February 13, 2019|url-status=live}}

After the 2019 El Paso shooting, she published an anti-hate crime proposal. The plan entails directing federal law enforcement against white supremacists and expanding protections for targeted communities.{{Cite web|url=https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2019/8/8/20791801/amy-klobuchar-hate-crimes-platform-2020-primary|title=Amy Klobuchar releases plan to fight hate crimes in wake of El Paso shooting|last=Lockhart|first=P. R.|date=August 8, 2019|website=Vox|access-date=August 11, 2019}}{{Cite web|url=https://medium.com/@AmyforAmerica/turning-ideas-into-action-senator-klobuchar-on-combating-hate-b2cc6a985aed|title=Senator Klobuchar on Combating Hate and Domestic Terrorism|date=August 8, 2019|website=Medium|publisher=Amy for America|language=en-US|access-date=August 11, 2019}}

Klobuchar does not support free, four-year college for all, saying that while she wished she could make it happen, it was not realistic. Instead, she proposed allowing students to more easily refinance their student loans, making community colleges free, and extending Pell Grants to a wider group of recipients.

File:Amy Klobuchar (48017200133).jpg State Convention in June 2019.]]

In her announcement speech, Klobuchar said she supported an amendment to the U.S. Constitution to overturn the Supreme Court's decision in Citizens United v. FEC. She also advocated restoring the Voting Rights Act and automatic voter registration for every 18 year old U.S. citizen.

Following Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. elections, she introduced legislation in 2017 in the Senate to bring more online communications under the oversight of election law, with the goal of increasing the transparency of online election advertising. It would also require social media companies to maintain more information on advertisement buyers and who they target. The bill was endorsed by both Facebook and Twitter but failed in the Senate.

While Klobuchar has pushed for reductions in healthcare costs, she has not called for an overhaul of the entire system like other 2020 candidates. She has not supported the Medicare-for All plan proposed by 2016 candidate and 2020 candidate Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT). She does, however, support a path to universal healthcare, believing a good first step would be a public option, allowing Americans to opt-in to government-run health insurance instead of finding private plans. During the CNN Town Hall, Klobuchar stated that Medicare-for-All "could be a possibility in the future", but she was looking for solutions "that will work now". She said her priorities would be expanding Medicare and Medicaid, improving the ACA, and creating a public option.

During her time in the Senate, Klobuchar has repeatedly pushed for ways to lower the costs of prescription drugs. She has introduced legislation encouraging the development of cheaper, generic versions of name-brand drugs. She has also supported allowing Medicare to directly negotiate the prices of drugs with pharmaceutical companies.

On May 3, 2019, Klobuchar released a $100 billion proposal to combat addiction and the opioid crisis. The plan specified funding and services for prevention, treatment and recovery; the funding would be generated from a per-milligram tax on opioids and a "master settlement" with opioid manufacturers.{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/05/03/us/politics/klobuchar-addiction-plan.html|title=Amy Klobuchar Proposes $100 Billion for Addiction and Mental Health|last=Astor|first=Maggie|date=May 3, 2019|work=The New York Times|access-date=June 3, 2019|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331}}

On July 12, 2019, Klobuchar announced a proposal for improving senior healthcare. The plan detailed research for chronic diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, an expansion of retirement savings and pensions, investments in long-term care, and a new senior fraud prevention office. Funding would come from closing tax loopholes for inherited wealth.{{Cite web|url=https://politi.co/2LgNvAb|title=How Amy Klobuchar would improve care for seniors|last=Dugyala|first=Rishika|website=Politico|date=July 12, 2019 |language=en|access-date=July 13, 2019}}{{Cite web|url=https://medium.com/@AmyforAmerica/senator-klobuchars-plan-for-seniors-efce83143761|title=Senator Klobuchar's Plan for Seniors|last=Amy for America|date=July 12, 2019|website=Medium|language=en|access-date=July 13, 2019}}

Klobuchar voted for the 2013 Senate immigration reform bill{{cite news | url=https://votesmart.org/bill/16819/44567/65092/border-security-economic-opportunity-and-immigration-modernization-act | title=S 744 - Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act - National Key Vote | work=Vote Smart | access-date=February 10, 2020}} and still supports comprehensive immigration reform.{{cite news | url=https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/01/31/us/politics/amy-klobuchar-campaign-speech.html | title=Amy Klobuchar | work=The New York Times | date=January 30, 2020 | access-date=February 10, 2020 | first=Lisa | last=Lerer}}

In a March 28, 2019 post on Medium, Klobuchar announced her infrastructure plan. She described it as her "top budget priority" and said she would focus on getting it passed during her first year in office. Her focus will be:

1. Repairing and replacing old roads, bridges, and highways, including stabilizing the Highway Trust Fund.
2. Providing flood protection and updating and modernizing American airports, seaports, and inland waterways.
3. Expanding public transportation and updating existing rail infrastructure.
4. Rebuilding public schools and overhauling the U.S.'s housing policy.
5. Providing internet connection to every U.S. home by 2022.
6. Building climate-friendly and green infrastructure.
7. Investing more in drinking and wastewater systems in the U.S. to provide clean water.{{Cite web|url=https://medium.com/@AmyforAmerica/amys-plan-to-build-america-s-infrastructure-671b08a10751|title=Amy's Plan to Build America's Infrastructure|last=America|first=Amy for|date=March 28, 2019|website=Medium|access-date=April 15, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190413083545/https://medium.com/@AmyforAmerica/amys-plan-to-build-america-s-infrastructure-671b08a10751|archive-date=April 13, 2019|url-status=live}}

In all, Klobuchar says her plan will cost $1 trillion to the U.S. government. To pay for this investment, her plan includes raising federal investment in infrastructure; assisting state and local governments in getting donations from private companies/individuals; issuing "Move America", "Build America", and clean energy bonds to local and state governments for funding; ensuring infrastructure-designated revenue collected is used for their intended purpose; and instituting corporate tax reforms to bring in additional revenue, including making the corporate tax rate 25%, closing loop holes, and increasing tax enforcement efforts.

Klobuchar has cited her concern with the growing national debt as one of her main reasons for opposing proposals such as Medicare-for-All and free college. She said during a CNN Town Hall that she does not "want to leave that on the shoulders" of the next generation and specifically called out the Trump Administration for allowing the national debt to grow.

During her announcement speech, Klobuchar pushed for strengthening the U.S.'s cyber security and guaranteeing net neutrality nationwide. She also said that by 2022, every U.S. household should be connected to the internet.

Klobuchar has urged President Trump to quickly renegotiate trade deals and end Chinese tariffs that hurt the agriculture industry in the U.S. She supported Trump's steel and aluminum tariffs.

{{main|List of Amy Klobuchar 2020 presidential campaign endorsements}}

{{reflist}}

• {{Official website|amyklobuchar.com}}

{{2020 United States presidential election}}

Klobuchar

Category:2020 in women's history

Category:Amy Klobuchar