Thread by @daveweigel

Gillibrand, at final Iowa event of this trip, telling crowd about strategist who told her she couldn’t win in 2006. A favorite laugh line: When she asked what would happen if the incumbent R was indicted. “It depends on what he’s indicted for.”

For second time tells audience that she found support for “Medicare for All” in her old district, but again, defines it as a buy-in. (She is a cosponsor of Medicare for All bill.)

Gillibrand says her post-2016 listening tour revealed to her that Trump won by aping Dem messaging. “He said the system is rigged — that’s Liz Warren’s message. He said, no bad trade deals — that’s Bernie’s message.”

Biggest applause line so far: “I’m not taking corporate PAC money. I’m not taking federal lobbyist money. I don’t think people should have individual super PACs.” (Of course, the Dem nominee will be backed by Priorities USA and other existing super PACs.)

Gillibrand goes more explicitly against Trump than any other Dem in the race so far. “He is ripping apart the moral fabric of our country.”

(Pointless digression: If SNL doesn’t get Kristen Bell to play Gillibrand there’s something wrong with the universe.)

Gillibrand describes conversation w GOP voter worried about crime coming across border. “That is the division and hate that Donald Trump has created. Why are we a country that should be afraid of immigrants? We are founded by immigrants!”

“Her fear is being created by a president who doesn’t care about anyone by himself.” Policy idea here: Putting most immigration enforcement back in DOJ but giving more independence to immigration courts.

*anyone BUT himself

Gillibrand hands mic to activist who says she’ll have the most ethical campaign bc of harassment rules. “We need to have a presidential campaign that doesn’t have sexual misconduct on it.”

Discussing climate change, Gillibrand chokes back tears when describing a woman who was killed by flooding during Hurricane Sandy. “There’s not enough money in the world to make people whole from the damage of global climate change.”

“We will create an entire renewable economy, not because it’s easy but because it’s hard.”

Cheers go up when Gillibrand gets passed a beer. “Did you know that grapefruit was my favorite?” Back to climate change, she says put a price on carbon.

Second time on this trip for a fav Gillibrand line: “I worked with Ted Cruz on ending sexual harassment in Congress. I can work with anybody.”

Gillibrand talking about 9/11 first responders bill, which was the project that really put her in spotlight first time, and has a good ending — unanimous passage

“What is your position on automatic voter registration?”

“Love it!”

“And what is your position on nonpartisan registration commissions?”

“Loooove it!”

One of the biggest applause lines (in Iowa!): “Stacey Abrams would have won in Georgia if not for an effort to disenfranchise voters of color in that state.”