In a profile of Klobuchar for TIME, author Abby Vesoulis cites her rising popularity and consistent message of pragmatism over “pipe dreams.” Reflecting on the challenges she’s had in garnering national attention and popularity, Klobuchar suggests gender may matter: “Compared to those people on that debate stage, I look short. I always knew that it’s a big deal in politics—how you look and your hair and everything. But this is a whole different level.”