4 reasons Klobuchar's dropout was perfectly timed


Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) has exited the 2020 race on her own terms.
Klobuchar's campaign confirmed she was dropping out from the race on Monday, just a day before voters go to the primary polls in 14 states on Super Tuesday. And while her departure comes less than a day after moderate rival former South Bend, Indiana Mayor Pete Buttigieg's, The New York Times' Jonathan Martin explains why Klobuchar's timing was actually ideal.
For starters, the fact that Klobuchar has never lost a race can largely remain intact, especially seeing as her home state of Minnesota will vote on Tuesday. Klobuchar then quickly pivoted to endorse former Vice President Joe Biden instead of presumably taking a chunk of the moderate vote on Super Tuesday, perhaps helping to secure a Cabinet spot or another favor from Biden if he's elected. She also put enough breathing room between Buttigieg's departure and her own to snag her own media bump. But she didn't take the time to consider her next alliance like Buttigieg did, ultimately beating him to the Biden endorsement and adding to her own centrist "team player" image, Martin notes.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Kathryn is a graduate of Syracuse University, with degrees in magazine journalism and information technology, along with hours to earn another degree after working at SU's independent paper The Daily Orange. She's currently recovering from a horse addiction while living in New York City, and likes to share her extremely dry sense of humor on Twitter.
-
Doom: The Dark Ages – an 'exhilarating' prequel
The Week Recommends Legendary shooter adds new combat options from timed parries to melee attacks and a 'particularly satisfying' shield charge
-
7 US cities to explore on a microtrip
The Week Recommends Not enough vacation days? No problem.
-
Sudoku medium: May 14, 2025
The Week's daily medium sudoku puzzle
-
Nobody seems surprised Wagner's Prigozhin died under suspicious circumstances
Speed Read
-
Western mountain climbers allegedly left Pakistani porter to die on K2
Speed Read
-
'Circular saw blades' divide controversial Rio Grande buoys installed by Texas governor
Speed Read
-
Los Angeles city workers stage 1-day walkout over labor conditions
Speed Read
-
Mega Millions jackpot climbs to an estimated $1.55 billion
Speed Read
-
Bangladesh dealing with worst dengue fever outbreak on record
Speed Read
-
Glacial outburst flooding in Juneau destroys homes
Speed Read
-
Scotland seeking 'monster hunters' to search for fabled Loch Ness creature
Speed Read