Klobuchar Follows on Debate Momentum at Courts Forum
Amy Klobuchar speaks to the audience at the 2020 Our Rights Our Courts Forum in Concord. Photo by Jishnu Nair
Update: Following her strong debate showing, Amy Klobuchar leapfrogged Elizabeth Warren and Joe Biden to finish 3rd in New Hampshire, behind Pete Buttigieg and Bernie Sanders
Amy Klobuchar followed a strong showing at Friday night’s Democratic debate with an appearance at the 2020 Our Rights Our Courts Forum at the New Hampshire Technical Institute in Concord.
The forum is co-sponsored by the Demand Justice Initiative, the Center for Reproductive Rights, and NARAL Pro-Choice America. The event featured all of the Democratic candidates currently in the race, barring (EXCEPT FOR) former Vice President Joseph Biden.
“We need people from all over the country, with different backgrounds, as judges,” Klobuchar said. “That’s not what this president has done.”
Klobuchar relied extensively on her experience to answer questions posed by MSNBC’s moderator Stephanie Ruhle. She opened with a reminder of her experience on Brett Kavanaugh’s 2018 confirmation hearing, where she called for an FBI investigation into the allegations posed against Kavanaugh.
The Minnesota senator also re-emphasized her position as a party and country unifier. When Ruhle posed a question relating to immigrants and welfare, Klobuchar said that a president who can “win in a big way” would help tackle problems with immigration.
The Huffington Post’s Jennifer Bendery asked how Klobuchar would deal with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell when nominating judges to their posts. Klobuchar said that she would immediately work with the American Bar Association on nominations, and that she would make reforms to the confirmation process for judges at all levels.
“I will not concede that Mitch McConnell will be Senate Majority Leader,” Klobuchar said. She also wished his opponent Amy McGrath luck in the Kentucky Senate race, saying that “Two Amys are better than one.”
Not everyone at the event had their questions answered. Brian Collins, from Canterbury, was training for the Boston Marathon with his son Emmett outside of the venue.
“We’ve been doing laps, and coming back whenever we see the doors open for the candidates to come out,” said Collins.
Emmett suffers from a speech disability that makes enunciating difficult, and he and his father hoped to hear from the departing candidates about their disability policies. They had gotten a warm reception from businessman Tom Steyer, but Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders departed without an answer.
“We really like [Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth] Warren’s policy,” said Brian. “But there are issues with reforming too much too fast, or moving things too gradually. Ideally, I’d like to see a Cabinet position to help disabled individuals.”
Klobuchar has repeatedly criticized an immediate overhaul of the healthcare system offered by Sanders and other candidates, and instead proposed an opt-in public option as an alternative for private healthcare. After Klobuchar exited the building, Brian attempted to get a response, but wasn’t able to catch the senator.
Following the eighth debate, Klobuchar’s campaign announced that they had raised a further $2 million. The senator will continue campaigning in New Hampshire ahead of Tuesday’s primary election.