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Political Science Prof Weighs In On Klobuchar Sen. Race

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- U.S Senator Amy Klobuchar is being challenged by Republican Kurt Bills.

But Larry Jacobs, political science professor at the University of Minnesota Humphrey School of Public Affairs, says if there were a poll taken today, most people wouldn't be able to name her opponent.

"It's like this stealth campaign," Jacobs said.

Jacobs said if you listen to Klobuchar, she rarely mentions she's running for re-election, and she never mentions his name.

"She's just completely ignoring the guy," he said.

WCCO's Susie Jones Interviews Jacobs

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Jacobs said Presidents sometimes who are running for office and doing well, pursue what they call a Rose Garden strategy.

"Where they say 'we are working so hard here we don't have time to campaign," he said.

It's not good news for Republicans wanting to take the seat, he said. Klobuchar is a very popular politician.

Jacobs said it has a lot to do with the amount of time she spends in the state.

"She also has a great sense of humor, and just breaks through with crowds, with this down home friendly feeling," he said.

Jacobs said she has done a lot of work for businesses.

"Companies that she has helped are not going to be contributing to a Republican, who looks like he is going to lose," he said.

Jacobs thinks Klobuchar has her sights set on 2016, probably not as a candidate, but perhaps as vice president.

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