Impeachment trial takes senators off campaign trail
Many candidates focused on impending Iowa caucus
Many candidates focused on impending Iowa caucus
Many candidates focused on impending Iowa caucus
The Senate impeachment trial of President Donald Trump is throwing a wrench into the campaign plans of Democratic presidential hopefuls serving in the U.S. Senate.
It's an unprecedented predicament for candidates in the New Hampshire primary.
"It certainly is an unusual situation, but I certainly think it's one we'll overcome," said former New Hampshire Attorney General Joe Foster, a supporter of U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar.
Klobuchar's top supporters in New Hampshire were rallying Tuesday as their candidate and three others in the Senate, U.S. Sens. Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren and Michael Bennet, are effectively sidelined in Washington by the impeachment trial.
"We were all ready to do the usual things of knocking on doors and making phone calls and doing all of that," said state Rep. Lucy Webber, D-Walpole. "If we're called upon to do other things we think will reach more people, I think all of us feel we have to step up and do that."
While the campaigns of the senators work around the obstacle, most of the rest of the field is in Iowa. With two weeks left until the caucus, former Vice President Joe Biden, former South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg, former U.S. Rep. John Delaney, billionaire Tom Steyer and entrepreneur Andrew Yang are on the trail in the Hawkeye State.
Two major candidates are breaking from the pack in terms of location. Former Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick is in New York, and U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard is in New Hampshire, with the Granite State all to herself.
Gabbard said meeting people in person is key, with so many likely Democratic primary voters still making up their minds.
"You know, what I've found is most people here in New Hampshire and across the country still have not decided who they want to vote for," Gabbard said. "And there's no way to replicate being able to be in the room with someone, to stop by someone's shop, shake their hand and really talk person-to-person."
Campaigns that no longer have that ability could be at a disadvantage. Klobuchar's supporters said they're focused on connecting with interested voters.
"I have their names and telephone numbers right here, and when Amy's in town or when there's an event, my hope is to call them, and if I need to go and pick them up myself, I will," said Executive Councilor Deb Pignatelli.