In Defying the Odds, we discuss the early stages of the 2016 campaign, when many candidates were unknowns. In our forthcoming update, we bring the story through the 2018 midterm. We are now in the early stages of the 2020 race.
"I am not for free four-year college for all, no," she said. "And I wish -- if I was a magic genie and could give that to everyone and we could afford it, I would," she said.
Realizing her answer might not be popular among some of the college students in the crowd -- many of whom are likely burdened with debt of their own -- she explained why:
"I've got to tell the truth. We have this mounting debt that the Trump administration keeps getting worse and worse. I also don't want to leave that on the shoulders of all these we've got to do a balance. Some of it is major tax reform in terms of reversing some of the things this administration has done. Some of it making sure that students are getting degrees and being led to jobs where we actually have jobs."
Klobuchar invoking the national debt is a significant break with numerous top Democrats, who often dismiss the debt in face of pressing issues like climate change, health care and education.
She said she wants to find a mix of incentives for students, and talked about expanding Pell grants for students and refinancing student loans as some examples.
