Klobuchar Jabs ‘Free College’ Warren: ‘I Do Get Concerned on Paying for College for Rich Kids’

Monica Sanchez | June 26, 2019
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A deep divide between 2020 hopefuls Sen. Amy Klobuchar and Sen. Elizabeth Warren was on full display at the first Democratic primary debate Wednesday night. 

The first 2020 Democratic primary debate hosted by NBC News took place Wednesday in Miami, Fla.

Democratic hopefuls Massachusetts Sen. Warren and Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders have promised to cancel student debt and make college free, among other proposals.

Minnesota Sen. Klobuchar was asked whether she believes her fellow contenders are misleading voters with their promises, to which she replied, “I do get concerned on paying for college for rich kids.”

“You called programs like free college something you might do if you were, quote, ‘a magic genie.’ To be blunt, are the government programs and benefits that some of your rivals are offering giving your voters … a false sense of what’s actually achievable?” asked co-moderator Savannah Guthrie of the “Today” show. 

“I do get concerned on paying for college for rich kids,” said Klobuchar.

She proposed making community college free and expanding federal Pell Grant availability to make college more affordable for those who need the assistance.

Klobuchar added that her proposal also includes ways to make it easier for students to pay off their student loans, saying, “If billionaires can pay off their yachts, students can pay off their student loans.”

She did make sure to criticize President Donald Trump for allegedly only looking out for the “top percentile.”

Klobuchar was criticized prior to the debate for not being so liberal.

Night one of the primary debates featured 10 contenders including Klobuchar, New York Mayor Bill de Blasio, Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren, and Washington Governor Jay Inslee.

The second primary debate takes place Thursday. The second day’s lineup also features 10 candidates including Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, former Vice President Joe Biden, California Senator Kamala Harris, and New York Senator Kirsten Gillibrand.

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