Daily Kos: Tom Hicks

To Amy Klobuchar: More Grit, Less Kumbaya

Tom Hicks

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Tuesday September 03, 2019 · 5:43 AM PDT

2019/09/03 · 05:43

Democratic Senator Amy Klobuchar Announces Presidential Run

To Amy Klobuchar: More Grit, Less Kumbaya

More than any other Democratic presidential candidate Senator Amy Klobuchar has demonstrated that she has what it takes to defeat Donald Trump, unify Americans across the political spectrum, and successfully govern this country. She is without question my top selection. Her policy positions are progressive but not out of the mainstream and she would bring to the ticket a geographic advantage that would solidify support in a critical region of the country that runs from Pennsylvania to Ohio, Michigan, Wisconsin, and Minnesota.

So why do only 2% of Democratic voters pick her as their candidate? I believe it is because she has not been aggressive enough in her speeches and debate answers to successfully differentiate her practical progressive policies from the other top tier candidates. I am not suggesting that she attack the other candidates by name or take cheap shots as was done by others in the first debate. Her approach thus far to take it to Trump and not fellow Democrats reflects her statesman-like demeanor and has appropriately received praise from the political media. Unfortunately, a continuation of this strategy may not be enough to vault her into the top tier.

Many of the far-left policy proposals being floated by other candidates will not sustain public support under the withering criticism expected during a general election and it is time for her to call them out more directly for what they are, promises that will not be kept. It is time for her to re-emphasize the strategy that won her re-election in 2018 and won back the U.S. House for the Democrats, a strategy of bread and butter issues aimed at helping working class families: improved healthcare; lower prescription drugs; improved economic growth; more and better paying jobs; targeted education investment; improved infrastructure; common sense gun control reform; and global carbon reduction policy. She needs to remind us that the Democrats didn’t flip dozens of House Republican seats in 2018 by promising to take people’s tax money and pay off the college debt of families that make more money than they do; or to provide free college to families that can afford to pay for it; or to provide free healthcare to anyone who illegally crosses our border; or to force families off their employer or union sponsored health insurance and into a Medicare plan.

Senator Klobuchar should implement a more balanced messaging strategy that, in addition to targeting Trump and emphasizing the sensibleness of her more moderate plans to improve the lives of America’s families, also criticizes the far-left policies where those policies risk alienating the independents, moderates and suburban women voters that Democrats will need to win in the general election. Her tone needs to resurrect that grit she spoke of during her declaration speech earlier this year in the snow. In the next debate I hope she will take off the gloves and go on the offensive, while keeping the punches above the belt.

Tom Hicks is a resident of Montpelier, VA, a USNA graduate, former nuclear submarine officer, engineering consultant and a former Democratic Candidate for Congress in Virginia’s 1st Congressional District. Follow him on Twitter @tomhicksva1

Looking to 2020 and Senator Amy Klobuchar

Tom Hicks

Community (This content is not subject to review by Daily Kos staff prior to publication.)

Friday November 23, 2018 · 7:47 AM PST

2018/11/23 · 07:47

Now that the Blue Wave has come ashore for this election cycle and ushered in new leadership in the House of Representatives, it is time that we Democrats start our search for the new national leader who can carry our party to victory in the 2020 presidential race. Many names have been discussed as potential presidential candidates. To sort through them, I have undertaken an examination of records, reviewing accomplishments and speeches, to identify the one candidate who stands above the others, can unify the party and the nation, and deserves our early support as the Democratic Party presidential nominee. My choice is Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar.

Senator Klobuchar is a former county prosecutor, a leader, and a problem solver who is well known for working with colleagues across the aisle. Her policy positions are progressive but not out of the mainstream, able to appeal to the farmers, workers, small business owners and professionals. Furthermore, Senator Klobuchar would bring to the ticket a geographic advantage that would solidify support in a critical region of the country that runs from Pennsylvania to Ohio, Michigan, Wisconsin, and Minnesota. Looking deeper, my rational for this choice is explained in terms of these fundamental qualities I believe need to be embodied in our next president:

Honor and civility: The current administration’s continued disregard for the truth, the rule of law, and any sense of civility have undermined the credibility of the Office of the President. We expect that our next president will re-establish the integrity of the office, follow the nation’s laws and respect the opinions of others. That person will need to be authentic, speak the truth, and convey presidential stature. Senator Klobuchar has demonstrated both honor and civility in her conduct as a prosecutor and U.S Senator through her forthrightness, judicious statements amid political grandstanding, and her willingness to work with those of opposing political affiliation.

Problem Solver: By 2020, our many festering problems will have worsened such as the ever-growing budget deficit, diminished access to and the rising cost of health care, a possible recession, challenges from external adversaries, and eroding alliances. Our next president will need to be a problem solver, someone who approaches problems rationally and not emotionally or ideologically; someone with experience working across the aisle; a leader who puts country before party. Senator Klobuchar has demonstrated her rational approach to problem solving as evidenced by the 30 bills that became law for which she was the primary sponsor, addressing issues such as health care for veterans, human trafficking, and women in entrepreneurial programs. She has also not been hesitant to work with Republican colleagues to solve problems through bipartisan legislation in areas such as farm issues, broadband infrastructure, the reauthorization of parts of the Patriot Act (USA Freedom Act), and counter aggression measures against the governments of Iran, Russia, and North Korea.

Leader/Stateswoman: Our next president will face significant challenges overseas as historic alliances have become strained and adversaries challenge the U.S. for geopolitical advantage. We want the next president to fill the leadership vacuum that has been created by the current administration by re-asserting the U.S. as the leader of the free-world while broadly conveying our country’s ideals of human rights, democracy, security, tolerance, and acceptance, and pursuing policies that support these ideals. Senator Klobuchar’s leadership is evidenced by her expressed views that the U.S. needs to exercise global leadership not isolationism, and by her belief that diplomacy plays a critical role in both economic growth and as a compliment to a strong military. Her 2016 trip to the Baltics and Ukraine with Senators McCain and Graham demonstrated her strong commitment to support those regions against Russian aggression. She has also been a leader supporting the international climate change agreement, a global food security strategy, comprehensive immigration reform, and the strengthening of alliances within NATO.

Senator Klobuchar’s 24-point margin of victory in the 2018 Minnesota senate race, winning normally deep-red districts, is evidence of her popularity in both suburban and rural America. Her candidacy for president can be a unifying force for the Democratic party and the nation.

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