Fifty years ago I supported my first presidential candidate: Sen. Gene McCarthy from Minnesota. McCarthy supported many progressive positions but he was best known for his fierce opposition to the Vietnam war. In Minnesota I again find a strong, viable and articulate candidate for president: Amy Klobuchar.
Sen. Klobuchar is a leader with character. She has taken bipartisan positions, understanding that compromise is the milk of the political process. Born and raised in the Midwest, she is collegial, not regal. In 2016, she sponsored and co-sponsored 27 bills that were signed into law, more than any other senator. In 2018, she introduced two bipartisan bills that were passed into law to combat the opioid crisis.
She understands the legislative process and has the rudimentary math skills to propose legislation that has a chance of becoming law.
She is in favor of retaining private insurance, while maintaining a public option that would bring down the costs of insurance and provide greater coverage to millions. She supports rejoining the Paris accords and favors carbon pricing to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050.
Aspirational policies can be achieved legislatively only through a combative give and take. This art has been lost. We need a president of moral courage and dignity – willing to take the first steps toward a renewal of the American spirit for all Americans. A president who can look at the myriad of issues and our growing diversity and have a voice of unification, not vilification. To me that is Amy Klobuchar.
STEVEN M. GORDON
Hopkinton