Podcast Summary: The Atlantic Interview – Amy Klobuchar

Podcast: The David Frum Show, The Atlantic
Episode Date: March 7, 2018
Host: Jeffrey Goldberg (Editor in chief, The Atlantic)
Guest: Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN)

Episode Overview

This episode features an in-depth interview with Senator Amy Klobuchar about navigating the political climate in the early Trump administration. The conversation covers gun reform debates, the Russia investigation, challenges with social media and democracy, Midwestern politics, and the Democratic Party’s future. Throughout, Klobuchar combines policy detail with a colloquial, often humorous, Minnesota sensibility.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Surviving in the Senate Minority & Legislative Priorities

• Being in the Minority: Klobuchar discusses the frustrations and strategies of being a Senate Democrat in the Trump era.
  • "Being in the minority in the Senate is not Amy Klobuchar’s idea of a good time." (00:27)
• Minnesota’s Focus: She emphasizes current issues in Minnesota, including major gun legislation and protecting Dreamers (undocumented immigrants brought to the U.S. as children).
  • "If you haven't noticed, we have major gun legislation. We have dreamers that we want to make sure aren't deported." (01:06)

2. Gun Control: A Moment of Opportunity?

• Trump’s Unpredictability on Gun Legislation:
  • Klobuchar shares surprise at President Trump's public advocacy (however fleeting) for “universal background checks,” describing the unique atmosphere in a White House meeting post-Parkland shooting.
  • Notable Quote:
    • "He was so emphatic about it...he said the words universal background check. He said he wanted a big comprehensive bill." – Klobuchar (03:08)
  • Trump’s willingness to criticize the NRA in front of Republican colleagues was "pretty clear... about 10 times." (04:06)
  • But, she expresses skepticism about Trump’s consistency:
    • "Do you get the same person Thursday that you got Tuesday?" (04:25)
• Youth Activism: Klobuchar sees hope in the mobilization of students and parents after Parkland.
  • "This movement is so much bigger than us...it has a feeling of being a movement that's bigger than any filibuster or anything some NRA funded congressman says in Washington." (07:55)
• Political Realities: She acknowledges the lobbying power of the NRA, but senses "it’s different this time" with youth-driven activism (07:55-08:00).

3. The Russia Investigation & Democracy at Risk

• Campaign Connections & Ongoing Investigations:
  • While careful not to draw legal conclusions, Klobuchar emphasizes significant connections between Trump campaign members and Russia, referencing the indictment of Paul Manafort, plea deals, and the details of the Mueller investigation.
    • “I never make, as a former prosecutor, bold statements...but I will say that people in his campaign were clearly involved with Russia.” (09:16)
• Systemic Threat:
  • The conversation shifts to the broader threat posed by Russian interference, with Klobuchar underscoring repeated bipartisan consensus from intelligence agencies.
    • "If we don’t do something about it, Russia is going to get bolder.” (10:11)
  • Her metaphor: "Fox guarding the hen house." (11:37)
• Legislative Action on Election Security:
  • Klobuchar references her bipartisan bill to strengthen election infrastructure, noting the small cost compared to other federal spending:
    • "3% of the cost of one aircraft carrier would greatly help our states to strengthen their election equipment." (13:55)

4. Social Media, Facebook, and Safeguarding Elections

• Failure of Tech Giants:
  • Klobuchar criticizes Facebook’s slow response to political ad transparency and foreign interference.
    • "If my radio station in Thief River Falls, Minnesota, can figure out how to do it, I think you can too." (17:16)
  • She promotes the Honest Ads Act, seeking greater transparency for online political and issue ads.
• Democracy and Social Media:
  • On whether democracy can survive the age of social media, she’s cautiously optimistic, noting both benefits and "a dark, dark side." (17:58)
• Partisan Hurdles to Reform:
  • Klobuchar laments that campaign finance and ad transparency efforts face resistance from some Republicans:
    • "A number of people on the other side want all this dark money spent on the Internet with no trace of it." (18:31)
  • When asked if she attributes ill motive to colleagues:
    • "Yeah. Yes." (18:46)

5. Understanding Trump’s Appeal in Minnesota

• Empathy for Disenchanted Voters:
  • Klobuchar recounts conversations with Minnesotans disillusioned by gridlock and lack of economic opportunity, explaining Trump’s message:
    • "When someone comes out there and says, ‘I’m going to shake things up...do something about your prescription drug prices...infrastructure’...that hasn’t happened, by the way...When people hear that, I don’t blame them." (19:29)
• Democratic Party’s Missed Opportunities:
  • She argues that Democrats "left the Midwest behind," comparing it to her husband once being left at a gas station:
    • "We cannot leave the Midwest behind at the gas station this time." (20:45)
  • She stresses the importance of engagement:
    • "I visit all 87 of our counties every single year. And I talk to Democrats, Republicans, Independents, gun owners, non-gun owners. And I think it’s really important to listen." (21:29)

6. Memorable Conclusion: The Taconite Tater Tot Hot Dish

• In a lighter moment, Klobuchar discusses her award-winning recipe – the Taconite Tater Tot Hot Dish, blending Minnesota culinary traditions and humor:
  • "It was declared by many people from southern Minnesota as too spicy because they are new...but northern Minnesota thought it was just fine." (22:11)
• The host closes with classic Midwest humor:
  • "Minnesota, where mayonnaise is a spice." (23:11)

Notable Quotes

• On Trump’s flip-flopping:

  • "Do you get the same person Thursday that you got Tuesday?" – Klobuchar (04:25)

• On Senate legislative reality:

  • "They need us to pass almost anything." – Klobuchar (01:28)

• On social media’s dangers:

  • "They created a product that has no alarms or locks on the doors, and then they act surprised that the burglar got in." – Klobuchar (17:53)

• On the 2016 election and the Midwest:

  • "We cannot leave the Midwest behind at the gas station this time." – Klobuchar (20:45)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Setting the stage, Trump-era challenges: 00:27–01:25
• Gun control, Parkland aftermath: 01:32–08:38
• Russia investigation, indictments and interference: 09:05–13:55
• Election security, social media, Facebook: 13:55–18:11
• Minnesota politics, Trump voters: 18:49–21:54
• Midwestern engagement, tater tot hot dish: 21:54–23:11

Tone Reflection

The exchange combines incisive political analysis with the guest’s signature Midwest warmth and wit. Klobuchar adopts a pragmatic, solutions-oriented stance but does not shy away from frustration—especially regarding Republican roadblocks, Trump’s lack of consistency, and the outsized influence of dark money. The host’s dry humor and gentle ribbing complement Klobuchar’s folksy, down-to-earth delivery.

Conclusion

Senator Amy Klobuchar in this episode offers a window into the hurdles and hopes of “surviving” in Trump’s Washington, especially for those in the minority. Her advocacy for gun reform, election security, and transparency in an era rife with challenges is tempered by an insistence on Midwestern values and listening to overlooked Americans—plus a dash of competitive tater tot hot dish pride.