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SALT LAKE CITY — Hours before ending her presidential campaign, Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar rallied her supporters in downtown Salt Lake City with a Monday morning appearance.
During the event, Klobuchar pushed back against individuals who claimed her campaign would not survive its announcement, the summer, or make it to the debates, saying, “Boy, did I make it to the debate stage!”
Klobuchar also took shots at President Donald Trump, stating, “The heart of America is actually bigger than the heart of the guy in the White House.” She said Trump lessens that heart, and Utahns want decency in government. She also stated that she appreciates Sen. Mitt Romney’s impeachment vote, which was greeted with audience cheers.
On the topic of the presidential race, Klobuchar said, “It’s not just about how you win a campaign; it’s about how you govern.”
When Klobuchar discussed her Senate record, which includes the passing of over 100 bills, she was greeted with rousing applause. She warmly recalled her collaborations with former Utah Sen. Orrin Hatch, which included them being voted the two senators least likely to be involved with a scandal. She joked that they were “the least likely to be involved with a scandal with each other.”
Her speech was a highlight reel of highs and lows, steeped in humor as she recounted being on a box during the televised debates due to her short stature and her eyebrow-raising presidential campaign announcement amid a snowstorm.
Klobuchar concluded by saying, “We want a president for all of America, not just part of America.” To those facing rising healthcare costs, climate change, debt and other difficulties, she said, “I know you, and I will fight for you. That’s what a president should do.”
It’s not just about how you win a campaign, it’s about how you govern.
–Amy Klobuchar
Attendees ranged in ages and came from across the political spectrum.
Democrat Stan Johnson said that Klobuchar’s campaign was the “most sensible” and capable of bringing the country together and working across the aisle to get things done.
“She’s a really good person,” Johnson added, stating that even if she didn’t win the nomination, he hopes she “helps whoever it takes to keep Trump from re-election.”
Young Democrat Lexi Ionilo called Klobuchar’s campaign an “inspiration,” saying she had followed the candidate since 2016, though she couldn’t vote in the election.
Zac, a lifelong Republican who changed his affiliation to vote for Klobuchar, stated that Klobuchar is the sort of candidate who energizes the more progressive base of Democrats while building a coalition of independent and moderate Republicans.
As someone who studies climate change, Zac also said, “I love her policies of ‘we want to do something big like the Green New Deal, and we want to create a carbon-neutral country.’ But she understands there are steps we have to take before we can do that, and there people’s jobs and livelihoods that we need to protect before we just immediately change our entire infrastructure over to green energy.”
The Associated Press reported Monday that Klobuchar's campaign struggled with fundraising, as she raised half of the money of her rivals, former South Bend (Indiana) Mayor Pete Buttigieg and Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders. The lack of funding contributed to a shortage of ground operations in key states.
However, despite its difficulties, Klobuchar enjoyed bright moments in the presidential debates as she spotlighted political sexism and rallied midwestern moderates.
She plans to endorse moderate former-rival former Vice President Joe Biden at his rally in Dallas on Monday night, the Associated Press reported.
