Why is Senator Klobuchar so popular?

[Generic Brad]

I confess, I really have not paid a lot of attention to her career. And while I understand she will handily win reelection, I am wondering why. She has been a reliable Democratic vote in the senate these past six years. But that does not explain to me why she is popular.

What has she done that makes everyone in the state look on her with so much respect?

Please educate me, because I want to know.

[Bjorn Against]

1. She has refused to take a stand on pretty much everything

Klobuchar is popular because she is extremely careful not to offend anyone. She does everything she can to avoid taking a stand on controversial issues and instead focuses on issues like pool drains and airport baggage checks.

I personally am not a fan, I really wish we could get someone in her seat who actually has a spine.

[DarthDem]

3. Oof. Utterly untrue.

Her legislative accomplishments are pretty impressive for a relative rookie. She gets a lot done for her constituents. She doesn't care much about national headlines, which may have led to your way-off-base views.

[Bjorn Against]

5. Can you honestly say Klobuchar has been willing to take bold stances on anything?

It has been a huge struggle for those of us here in Minnesota to even get her to take a position on big issues like a public health care option, she has also been extremely wishy washy on the wars.

[Randomthought]

7. Like breakfasting with the blue dogs

She is Republican lite. A great speaker but not a liberal. She has lots of name recognition going for her so it would be hard to get a primary challenge going but I would love to see a true liberal take her on. I'm voting third party this election.

[dflprincess]

10. I'm with Bjorn and Randomthought

and she has the rudest staff I've ever encountered - going back to when she first started running for the Senate in 2006. If you're not calling to tell them how marvelous Amykins is they're not interested in hearing from you.

She was shoved down our throats by the DNC, DSCC and DLC. The state party violated its own rules by pushing her even before the caucuses and even though there was another candidate running (Ford Bell, who was a far better choice IMHO). The party organization is not suppose to push anyone until there is a formal endorsement.

This is one race I may just skip on November 6.

[question everything]

14. Robot scans letters

My problem has been, I once submitted a suggestion via e-mail. Did not need any help, only a suggestion.

The reply that I received had nothing to do with what I wrote. A computer, or a staff member glimpsed at the note - a short one, really - and categorized it according to one key word.

Yes, I wrote again. Saying that just acknowledging receipt of the note would have been better than a useless reply.

And then I remember, when we first moved here, was not even a constituent yet, and Wellstone did reply to an e-mail.

Still, she is the best that we can have. And I think that she did spearheaded the requirement that when drug manufacturers know there will shortage of drugs, especially cancer drugs, they should alert the FDA (I think) so that alternative supplies, like Canada, can be approved.

[DarthDem]

2. From Outside the State . . . .

She's absolutely brilliant and manages to convey complex ideas in a very simple way, much like Elizabeth Warren. Extraordinarily personable and likeable. Well-known to the voters in MN from her time in state office.

[kickysnana]

8. I threw up a little when you compared her to Elizabeth Warren..

more like Diane Feinstein.

She was a respected prosecutor, I voted for her in her first primary but then she came out as a hawk. My impression from interaction is that she takes complex ideas and totally glosses over them, and only does what is easy to do and only if it is good for herself.

I also agree she is Republican light so she appeals to Independents and Democrats who are information light where too much of Minnesota is yet this year. Rose colored glasses are standard uniform here. Thorny problems will not be seen or heard because surely we took care of all that already and nobody likes whiners.

[DarthDem]

13. Hmm

DiFi is, unfortunately, one of my two senators. I'll definitely defer to folks like you inside the state, and I certainly prefer Al Franken, but DiFi is so utterly useless it's amazing. Hard for me to compare Klobuchar to Feinstein's awesome stature in that regard.

Warren is assuredly more liberal than Klobuchar, but I see a lot of similarities in their communication styles.

[mkultra321]

6. Strong Minnesota roots

Sen. Klobuchar is the daughter of a well respected former Twin Cities news columnist and also has family roots in the mining region of the Iron Range. She gets strong support from both the Cities and the Range.

I heard her speak for the first time this year at Keith Ellison's Labor Day BBQ and was impressed at her ability to relate to the crowd. She spoke about her mother, a teacher (and Union member), and her dedication to her students. People were tearing up all over the place. The only speaker that topped her that day was Van Jones and, really, how you gonna compete with that?

Sen. Klobuchar is pragmatic, not overly idealistic. She keeps her head down, her nose to the grindstone, and her focus on her home state. Lots of Minnesotans just kinda like that.

[geardaddy]

9. I think she's more popular in outstate MN.

Frankly, I think Al has done more to earn his pay.

[IVoteDFL]

11. I got a nice email from her this morning...

It said she's donating $10,000 to MN United and encouraged her supporters to donate $5 or more if they could to defeat the marriage amendment.

I don't know too much about her otherwise, but the issue is important to me so I think she's earned my vote.

[Odin2005]

12. For folks my age (late 20s), she reminds us of our moms!

And we Millennials love our moms!