Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar is among ten Democratic hopefuls squaring off tonight (8-10pm CT) in Miami for the first presidential debate, with ten more contenders on stage tomorrow night. Hamline University political analyst David Schultz says Klobuchar — who’s at one- to two-percent in national polls — “has to hit the proverbial home run and have a breakout moment” tonight. “What happens after Wednesday night — Thursday night for lots of candidates — those who don’t do well, the ability to raise money starts to go down dramatically,” he says.
Schultz notes Klobuchar will be fighting for face time with nine other candidates tonight — plus she won’t have a chance to spar with Democratic frontrunners Joe Biden and Bernie Sanders, who are up against eight other Democrats tomorrow night.
Schultz contends Klobuchar will have to distinguish herself from 19 other candidates participating in the debate over two nights, and he says simply coming out against President Trump will not be enough.