September 12, 2019 - Klobuchar and Warren Cite Experiences as Mothers, Harris Calls for Reimagination of What Can Be

In presenting themselves to voters at the third Democratic presidential debate, both Klobuchar and Warren include distinct experiences as mothers among the things that have prepared them to be president. In closing remarks, Warren shares a story common to her stump speech about juggling work and caregiving as a young mother and confronting pregnancy discrimination in the workplace. Klobuchar talks about what got her into politics, fighting for longer hospital stays for new mothers after she navigated the experience of having a sick newborn. Harris also cites a message common to her campaign stump speech: “I was raised by a mother who said many things that were life lessons for me, including don’t you let anybody ever tell you who you are. You tell them who you are.” She adds of the importance of her presence and possibility of her success in the presidential race: “I see these little girls and boys, sometimes even brought by their fathers, and they bring them to me and I talk to them during these events, and they smile and they’re full of joy, and their fathers tell them, see, don’t you ever listen and let anybody ever tell you what you can or cannot be. You have to believe in what can be unburdened by what has been.”