Kirsten’s Standout Debate Performance Impresses Iowa Caucus-Goers
In the last debate, Kirsten Gillibrand made the case for her ability to take on the “impossible” and beat President Trump, gave dynamic answers on issues ranging from health care to white privilege, and portrayed why she’s the best candidate to stand up for women and families.
Iowa was on Kirsten’s mind during the debate. Her guests in Detroit were Bill and Kyle Stumpf, disability activists from Dubuque. The Telegraph-Herald wrote about Bill and Kyle’s invitation:
“Bill said Gillibrand impressed him during those couple of hours earlier this month seated at a small table at L.May Eatery in Dubuque, especially with how closely she personally took notes and asked questions.
“The thing that stood out to me from the get-go is that she was the only candidate who said she planned to put a person with a disability on her cabinet,” Bill said. “She didn’t specify who that might be, but that impressed me a great deal.”
A couple of weeks later, Bill got a call from her campaign staff asking if he and Kyle would like seats at the second round of debates.
“That’s not the kind of thing you turn down,” Bill said.”
Kirsten was also the only candidate on stage to discuss the very real impact of climate change on Iowa families and her plan to address it. Kirsten shared the story of meeting Fran and Jason Parr of Pacific Junction, who are rebuilding their lives after historic flooding hit last April:
“The greatest threat to humanity is global climate change. I visited a family in Iowa who — water spewed into her home, Fran Parr, it tossed her refrigerator upend, all the furniture was broken, all the dishes were broken, and mud was everywhere. That is the impact of severe weather right now on families’ lives. And so the truth is, we need a robust solution. When John F. Kennedy said I want to put a man on the moon in the next 10 years, not because it’s easy, but because it’s hard, he knew it was going to be a measure of our innovation, our success, our ability to galvanize worldwide competition.”
Here’s what Iowa press and caucus-goers are saying about Kirsten’s debate performance:
Iowa City tunes into second July presidential debate night
Daily Iowan
“On the second floor of the Airliner, 15 attendees munched on food while craning their necks to watch the debate on three TVs mounted on the walls. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand supporters cheered and snapped their fingers when she made points and discussed different chants shouted from the crowd throughout the debate. Iowa City resident Mary Hoefer has a few candidates she likes, including Gillibrand, Warren, and Booker.”
“She knows what the problems are, and she knows how to fix them.”
— Kay Luckett, Le Mars
“I really appreciated how much Sen. Gillibrand focused on women and families. Her talking about domestic violence, the value of women’s contributions, access to childcare and early education makes me excited to hear more from her.”
— Tiffany Welch, 39, Clive
“Senator Gillibrand impressed me in her performance tonight because of her appearance of strength and courage to show her ability to potentially be the one to take on President Trump next November.”
— Seth Dickinson, 20, Truro
“She is literally on fire tonight, my heart is palpitating.”
— Cole Goos, 22, Gladbrook
“I like the fact that her answers were concise. I really liked her take on women’s pay and equality, and working women. What I liked about it was she’s been there, she knows what’s required. Women need equal pay. I really liked her remarks on daycare and childcare because that’s a big problem.”
— Joyce Kooker, 75, Winterset
“She’s sharp. She made her points in a credible way. She’s very smart.”
— Mike Laas, 66, Bettendorf
“Unlike other candidates who bash on each other, she used her time to focus on what she actually wants to get done”
— Olivia Duehr, 17, Sherrill
“Kirsten said ‘Women are on fire’ at the last debate. This debate she was on fire fighting for everyone. I loved her answers on white privilege, on calling for justice for Eric Garner, and her answer on Medicare for All was personal and relatable in a way that broke down what can be a daily struggle for people.”
— Kyla Paterson, 23, Iowa City
