Klobuchar scrambles to turn her magic moment into something more

[brooklynite]

Washington Post

Amy Klobuchar is scrambling to hire for basic jobs that other campaigns filled months ago, including “Nevada operations director.” She had no campaign bus in Nevada, so staffers had to drive the one in New Hampshire 2,700 miles to get there. She lacked expertise on the Nevada caucuses, so her Iowa specialist has been put on the task.

In a sense, the senator is living the dream of the underdog candidate: Klobuchar (D-Minn.) transformed an electric debate moment into an unexpected third place finish in New Hampshire, catapulting her overnight into the top tier of Democratic candidates.

But as she seeks to turn that magic moment into something more, the question is whether it’s too late and the challenge too big. “We’re putting the airplane together as we’re flying it,” said one adviser, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because the person was not authorized to speak publicly.

The problems are not just logistical. Fourteen states will vote on Super Tuesday, March 3, when one-third of all delegates are selected, and as that date approaches, it is not clear whether Klobuchar has the resources or the networks to compete.

She struggles especially to connect with African American voters, and black activists say she has made little effort. The campaign in recent days had to ask a former Democratic official for a list of black churches in South Carolina, which votes a week after Saturday’s Nevada caucuses.

[customerserviceguy]

1. This next debate

is absolutely crucial for her. The NH debate propelled her into third place there, and she needs at least second place in Nevada to be viable. Also, she seems to have no presence in SC right now, I haven't seen a single bumper sticker, yard sign, billboard or TV ad for her here as of yet.

With only a week between NV and SC, and having to use a couple of days of that week to drag her campaign clear across the country to be up and running here will be a Herculean task.

[squirecam]

11. Amy has two debates

between now and South Carolina to make her case. The debate, and how it is perceived, will matter.

If Biden does well tomorrow, and places a close second in NV, and wins SC, then I think he goes on to do well on Super Tuesday. Amy will eventually drop out. In that case, I hope Amy is Biden’s VP.

If he does poorly tomorrow, collapses in NV and SC and loses them, and Amy does well in NV (but Bloomberg wins SC), then she is positioning to be the unity candidate between those that will never support Sanders and those who will never support Bloomberg.

[customerserviceguy]

16. That's true

but she still needs the "rising star" label to attach to her campaign going into SC and Super Tuesday. A second place, or even very close third place in NV will help that narrative.

Bloomberg is not on the ballot in SC, and I strongly doubt that he'll get enough write-in votes to matter. The fact that he chose to skip this state probably will factor in the minds of many voters here.

But I agree, NV and especially SC are make-or-break for Joe Biden. He's quite lucky that Bloomie is not on the ballot here, I've already heard NY-NJ transplants say some fond things about the former mayor.

[ancianita]

2. "Magic moment"? What male candidate would be described this way. It's hard work, smart messaging

and campaigning that got her to this moment. Not magic.

She's an underdog, so now she's described as "struggling with AA voters," but NO mention is made that not one of the other candidates "connects" with AA voters, either.

Her campaign HAS to ask for lists, because no one takes her outreach seriously. Or seriously reaches out to her. Why is that.

[apcalc]

8. Hard worker, smart, competent...

[ancianita]

10. Then keep fighting against this bullshit language. Don't let her be misrepresented by media hype or

posts here that pay no attention to the women candidates' electability.

People are paying no attention to Klobuchar's or Warren's electability.

We have to make them see that they ARE electable. THEY can beat the shit out of Trump because they're smarter, cleaner and have better track records of governance than he's ever even imagined.

Our fight has to be for the 52%. When they can be convinced they can win, the Democrats will win.

[apcalc]

14. +1

[MoonlitKnight]

3. Amy Klobuchar is a hard worker

I will give her that. So is Warren, but I am impressed with Amy’s effort.

[apcalc]

7. +1

[MineralMan]

4. I hope Amy Klobuchar makes herself the only realistic choice for the VP nomination.

I think she'd be ideal for that role, and would have enough time in four years to built up cred to run again in 2024.

If one of the old men win in 2020, we'll need a candidate with White House experience in 2024.

She'd be just fine.

[apcalc]

6. +1

[apcalc]

5. I have her as my choice

Because she is rated most effective Dem Senator, has legislative experience and isn’t
too old .

I cannot see Sanders at 78 ( esp with a recent heart attack for gawd sakes), Biden, or Bloomberg , serving 8 yrs.
They are too old now.

I quite like Warren , but my neighbors for the most part see her as too far left, lump her with Sanders as a no go.

Pete needs more experience imo.

[Frasier Balzov]

12. Pete is ready for VP right now.

Amy-Pete 2020

[judeling]

9. HaHaHa

She didn't have enough Busses. What the heck is that. LOL this is a pure Amy set up. She snapped up Beto's Nevada people shortly after he dropped out. Moving staff from Iowa to Nevada is normal. And the anonymous “We’re putting the airplane together as we’re flying it,” has been said on air by her campaign manager.

In point of fact she has staff in all of the Super Tuesday states. Just not huge ones.

[Garrett78]

13. The Iowa fiasco threw her a lifeline.

5th in a state that borders her own got overshadowed by the chaos. She smartly claimed success and got to NH pronto. She wasn't seen as a threat to anyone, so she easily stayed above the fray in the debate.

But both she and Buttigieg are doomed if they don't somehow drastically increase their support among POC. They, as underdogs always must do, put most all their resources in IA and NH--hoping to build enough momentum to keep going. But in a crowded field with near-zero POC support, it's hard to see a path.

Steyer isn't the only one who is likely done after South Carolina.

[BusyBeingBest]

15. I'm rooting for a good showing for her in NV, even if her organization there

is a little scattershot, it appears.