Minnesota Senator Speaks on Energy, Economy

First-term U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) hit the hot button issues of the day—the environment, the election, and the economy—on Sunday afternoon at Alfred Lerner Hall.

During her tenure in the Senate and as a member of the Committee on Environment and Public Works, Klobuchar has pushed for policy solutions to the country’s energy crisis. She has called on the government to reduce American dependence on foreign energy and to conserve fuel through increased production of domestic oil and American products, and through investment in wind, nuclear, solar, and geothermal power.

Klobuchar discussed the country’s economic climate, describing it as “the biggest economic crisis since the Great Depression.” She asserted that the crisis stems from “too much greed and too little fear of the consequences of some of these deals,” referring to trade deals and loans she views as irresponsible.

Klobuchar also discussed the 2008 presidential elections. She emphasized that the race is “not about gender” but “about agenda.” She said vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin “doesn’t add a new dimension to the race.”

In explaining her support for Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.), the Democratic presidential candidate, Klobuchar contrasted Obama’s and President George W. Bush’s “moral leadership.”

“After Sept. 11, the President had the whole world behind him,” she said. “The country was unified. He could have told us to do anything.” Klobuchar criticized President Bush for squandering the opportunity to foster national unity and purpose, citing his suggestion that Americans “go shopping” to help the economy.

“This election is another chance at that unification,” she said. The senator expressed her excitement about Obama’s candidacy, saying that he gets people involved, leading people to “push an issue and get something done.”

Sara Jacobs, event coordinator for Columbia Political Union and CC ’11, invited Klobuchar to speak. She said she thought the event was enjoyable to students “from both sides of the aisle. Democrats got to hear from one of their own and Republicans got to ask questions.”

Jacobs expressed her excitement at having Klobuchar in particular on campus, as she felt the Minnesotan would bring a more youthful take on the Senate.

“There’s a lot of pre-election excitement on campus. We’re trying to channel some of that energy into these sorts of high profile events,” Jacobs said. “She is newer and younger and has a different perspective on how the Senate relates to us,” he said of Klobuchar.

David Berke, CC ’12, said he wouldn’t miss an opportunity to get an up-close opportunity.

“Whenever someone with the stature of a U.S. senator comes to campus, it is worth attending,” he said. “This is part of why I came to Columbia.”

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