“Character is on the ballot this time around. The American character is on the ballot. Not what Donald Trump is spewing out…that’s not who we are as a nation. Everyone in this country is entitled to be treated with respect and dignity. Every single, solitary person has to [be] in a position that, in fact, we treat them with decency. It’s about fundamental basic decency…We have to restore America’s soul…We lead the world when we lead by example, not by our power. We, in fact, have to regain the respect of the world in order to be able to change things.”

— Excerpt from now-President Joe Biden’s closing statement
Democratic Presidential Debate, January 14, 2020

Donald Trump thinks this is all about him. I think it’s about you…It is about your schools. It is about your lives and your future. So, if you want to do something about racial justice and immigration reform and climate change and gun safety, we need a candidate who is actually going to bring people with her. I have won every race, every place, every time. I have gotten the highest voter turnout in the country when I’ve led the ticket. I have passed more bills as the lead Democrat than anyone who’s in Congress that’s running for president.” 

— Excerpt from Senator Amy Klobuchar’s closing statement
Democratic Presidential Debate, January 14, 2020

In January 2020, three weeks before the pivotal Iowa caucuses, six Democratic presidential candidates met on the debate stage in Des Moines. Given one minute to leave voters with a final closing statement, most strove to draw a sharp contrast between themselves and their would-be opponent in the general election, now-former President Donald Trump. But how they did this varied considerably. Now-President Joe Biden used broad, abstract language that emphasized his view of the big-picture stakes, speaking of “restoring America’s soul” and “leading by example, not by power.” In contrast, Senator Amy Klobuchar used concrete language that focused on specific issues such as health care and schools, emphasizing her pragmatic record of winning elections and passing bills.