'I just don't think we are the face of the establishment': Klobuchar dismisses criticism of Biden recommendations – POLITICO, Politico

Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar pushed back Tuesday against suggestions by Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders ’supporters that senior members of the Democratic establishment are lining up to thwart his ascendant presidential bid.

The remarks from Klobuchar came after she withdrew from the White House race Monday and joined two other former Democratic presidential candidates – former South Bend, Ind., Mayor Pete Buttigieg and former Texas Rep. Beto O’Rourke – in endorsing former Vice President Joe Biden’s campaign.

“You know, I think, first of all, what was cool about last night is you have Mayor Pete and you have Beto O’Rourke, who electrified Texas in his Senate race, and myself,” Klobuchar told “CBS This Morning.”

“And I just don’t think we are the face of the establishment,” she continued. “I think we’re fresh faces in our party.”

Klobuchar insisted that while she is “friends with Bernie,” noting that they entered the Senate together in 2007, “I don’t think we should have a socialist heading up” the Democratic ticket in November.

“I think we have to have someone, as one prominent Democrat said, who is actually listening to where the American people are. That prominent Democrat was Barack Obama, ”Klobuchar said, referencing comments the former president made to a group of liberal in in November.

Klobuchar also denied that Biden promised her a post in his potential administration in exchange for her support, and said there was no discussion of any such role. But when pressed on whether she would like to become Biden’s running mate should he capture the nomination, Klobuchar did not rule out the possibility.

“I just ended my own campaign, and I am more than happy to go back to Minnesota today to thank our incredible staff and the people of my state, and that’s my plan. I’ve got a day job. I love the Senate. And I’m also going to be helping Joe Biden, ”Kobuchar said.

“I never look at hypotheticals,” she added. “There’s been a lot going on here.”