In the early stages of the contest to see who will emerge with the Democratic presidential nomination in 2016, U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., has garnered little notice. But that could be about to change as Klobuchar becomes the first potential candidate for her partys nomination to head to Iowa, home of the first caucus.
Last week, the North Iowa Area Democrats announced Klobuchar will be keynoting an event at the Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake (if the name is familiar, the Surf Ballroom was where Buddy Holly, Ritchie Vallens and the Big Bopper played their last concert before a fatal plane crash) on Aug. 16.
Senator Klobuchar has been a strong advocate for middle class families, job creation, and bringing fiscal responsibility to Washington, the Iowa Democratic Party trumpeted when it announced she would be heading out to the Hawkeye State.
But Klobuchar will have to share a bit of the spotlight with a much more prominent Democratic leader who could also have her eye on the White House in 2016.
A highlight of the evenings festivities will be the presentation of the Annual Beacon Award to Secretary Hillary Clinton, the Iowa Democrats announced when they revealed Klobuchar will be speaking in Clear Lake. The Annual Beacon Award is presented to a current or former elected Democrat who has embodied the principles of the Democratic Party and has accomplished significant Democratic ideals.
With Clinton an overwhelming favorite for the Democratic nomination if she chooses to run, Klobuchars 2016 hopes in large part depend on the former Secretary of State staying out of the fray. Klobuchar could carve out more of a niche if Vice President Joe Biden is the favorite for the Democratic nod than if Clinton is the front-runner.
This is not Klobuchars first time reaching out to Iowa Democrats. When the Democrats met in Charlotte last year to nominate Barack Obama for a second term, Klobuchar went out of her way to meet and address the Iowa delegation.
While she might not be as well-known as some of the other Democratic hopefuls, Klobuchar does have some impressive credentials. The daughter of a noted sportswriter, Klobuchar went to Yale where she did her thesis on the politics surrounding the creation of the Metrodome in Minneapolis. After studying law at the University of Chicago, Klobuchar returned home to Minneapolis to practice. In 1998, she was elected county attorney of Hennepin County which includes Minneapolis.
In 2006, Klobuchar moved to the national stage. While Minnesota leans Democratic, Republicans can do well there as the likes of Tim Pawlenty, Michele Bachmann and Norm Coleman have shown. But while her Senate colleague Al Franken won one of the closest elections in Senate history back in 2008, Klobuchar won and kept her seat in landslides. In 2006, she faced a major Republican opponent in Congressman Mark Kennedy for the open Senate seat and beat him 58 percent to 38 percent. In 2012, Klobuchar did even better, destroying state Rep. Kurt Bills, 65 percent to 31 percent.
During her political career, Klobuchar has been able to grab the middle while still appealing to liberals. Its telling that she has highlighted her crime-fighting credentials while still showcasing her social liberalism. Certainly that balance has helped her to overwhelming victories in Minnesota. In the unlikely event that both Clinton and Biden stay out of the contest, Klobuchar is well-poised to emerge as a major contender in Iowa and a victory there could propel her to the nomination. If a male candidate like Biden, Andrew Cuomo, Martin OMalley or Cory Booker gets the nomination, expect Klobuchar to be on the short list for vice president.
Minnesota has had more than its share of failed presidential candidates in recent years -- Hubert Humphrey, Walter Mondale (who Klobuchar served as a legal adviser), Eugene McCarthy, Pawlenty and Bachmann. If she runs against Clinton, Klobuchar will almost certainly join that list. But if Clinton stays out, Klobuchar could be a dark horse worth keeping an eye on.
Reach Kevin Derby at kderby@sunshinestatenews.com or at 904-521-372.
