MSNBC - Transcript

Interview

MSNBC - Transcript

MS. O'DONNELL: Senator Amy Klobuchar is a Democrat from Minnesota, and is supporting Barack Obama for president. Senator, thanks so much for joining us.

SEN. KLOBUCHAR: Well, it's great to be on. I noticed all those Halloween analogies, Norah, but you're not wearing orange like me.

MS. O'DONNELL: (Laughs.) Well --

SEN. KLOBUCHAR: You're not ready for the eighth grade Halloween party like I am.

MS. O'DONNELL: That's -- that's right. I'm going to go home to hang out with the three little pigs later. But when we talk about what's going on on this final weekend -- can you believe it? -- before America votes on November 4th, we have news from the Obama campaign that they're going to spend money advertising in Arizona, Dakota -- North Dakota -- and Georgia.

Is that a good idea, or is it running up the score, overconfidence?

MS. O'DONNELL: No, I think it's a very good idea. From the very beginning, Barack Obama has talked about how there is no such thing as a difference between a blue state or a red state; how he wants to reach out to people all over this country. And as someone that's been in Washington now for about a year and a half, I'll tell you this: The more that we can get support from all over this country, a mandate from independent voters and moderate Republicans as well, going into this next session of Congress and with the new president, I think that would be great.

And so I'm very glad he's going into those states.

MS. O'DONNELL: And Senator, we see, of course, Al Gore campaigning in Florida today, the first time actually since his 2000 presidential campaign, of course that state that he lost by 537 votes. Let's see what he had to tell voters there.

FORMER VICE PRESIDENT AL GORE: (From videotape.) Vote early. Take people with you to the polls. Vote early.

Take it from me, elections matter. (laughter) Every vote matters.

MS. O'DONNELL: Senator, what do you think is the key to sending people like Clinton and Al Gore to a state like Florida? And does it play with those undecideds? I mean, I'm sort of struck that people are still undecided in this election, but according to our pollsters who I've spoken with, they tend to be white, they tend to be older women, and they tend to be lower-income women who are more like Hillary Clinton supporters in the primary.

SEN. KLOBUCHAR: You know, Bill Clinton and Al Gore are very much leaders across this country. People have a lot of respect for them. I think it makes a difference.

We've had both Hillary Clinton -- and Bill Clinton actually came in last night to Minnesota, and did a fantastic job making the case for Barack Obama for those people who still haven't decided. You know, you have people that are just so thrown this way and that from this economy. They can hardly think because they're worrying about if they're going to be able to afford their kids' college bills, if they're going to be able to fill up their tank with gas. And so it's been hard for some of these people to really focus on this election.

And I think hearing from people like Bill Clinton -- and they -- they remember well that times were much better when Bill Clinton and Al Gore were in. You look at what's happened the last eight years since they left office with a -- you know, they left us with a budget surplus, they left us with many more jobs, and I think it's important for people to be reassured that they are on top of this, that they are with Barack Obama every step of the way.

MS. O'DONNELL: Senator, as you know, taxes has been a key argument that John McCain has been making in these final weeks of the campaign, using Joe the Plumber as a way to make that argument. In the new New York Times/CBS poll -- which does show Barack Obama has an 11-point lead -- they did ask the question, who would raise taxes on people like you?

Fifty percent said that they believe Barack Obama; 44 percent, John McCain. Is John McCain's message with Joe the Plumber working?

SEN. KLOBUCHAR: I really don't think it is if you look at how well Senator Obama is doing across this country. You know, when you ask questions separately, sometimes you get strange answers, but we know the facts. And the American people are learning the facts, and that is that Barack Obama would reduce taxes on 95 percent of the people in this country; that John McCain's tax cuts would be targeted to the wealthy. They would be even more so than the Bush tax cuts. The average CEO would get $700,000 in additional tax cuts -- much less to the middle class than what Barack Obama's giving.

So while they can throw out their symbols and they can do all the negative advertising they want -- I heard someone say the other day they're tired of hearing about pit bulls because we're in the pits because of their bull.

MS. O'DONNELL: (Laughs.)

SEN. KLOBUCHAR: I think people have heard this. They've seen through this. They're not going to be spooked by these scare tactics, even though it's Halloween, and they're ready to vote for Barack Obama for change.

MS. O'DONNELL: Well, Senator, there's a -- there's a good line. It might be a good line they could use on "Saturday Night Live." You hear John McCain's going to be on "Saturday Night Live." Are you going to watch?

SEN. KLOBUCHAR: Well, I will. I have to see that. That'll be -- that'll be good to see.

MS. O'DONNELL: All right. Senator Amy Klobuchar.

SEN. KLOBUCHAR: But I'm telling you I don't think it's going to change the election for him. So. We are doing well.

MS. O'DONNELL: All right. Senator Amy Klobuchar, Democrat from Minnesota.

SEN. KLOBUCHAR: Thank you.

MS. O'DONNELL: Thanks so much for your time.

SEN. KLOBUCHAR: Thanks a lot, Norah. It was great to be on.

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