Klobuchar says she "will do better" after reports of ill-treatment of her staff

Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Amy KlobucharAmy Jean KlobucharSanders asked if he would ask Clinton's advice: "I do not think so" Sanders: "It's a bit strange" to run for "half of the caucus" Senate Dems Sanders, Biden at top of the dem. In New Hampshire (D-Minn.) Promises to "do better" following reports that she allegedly ill-treated members of staff over the years.

"I am incredibly proud of the work done by our staff and I would not be here without extraordinary staff," Klobuchar said in a statement released Friday in the Star Tribune.

"I know I can be tough, I know I can push people too hard, and I know I can do better – and I will do it," she added.

Former employees of the Klobuchar congressional office described unsatisfactory treatment in reports recently reported by BuzzFeed News and The New York Times.

The Star Tribune reported that four former Klobuchar staff members also described workplace behavior beyond what they considered acceptable.

"You would wake up with a string of four, five, six, seven, eight emails growing in anger, with everyone copied," said a former staff member at the newspaper. "It was, it's the worst thing I've ever seen. Naïve. Stupid. Horrible. It was just that vitriol. You did not realize it every day, but it was enough for my stomach to contract each morning the second I woke up. "

Another former employee who worked for Klobuchar's Senate campaign in 2006 and then headed his office in Minnesota said he recalled the senator angrily and threw a pen despite frustration, while pointing out that his former boss could also be charming.

"All that has been said about Amy's work is true," said Zach Rodvold, who is now working for another congressman, at the Star Tribune. "I just do not see it as a disqualifying element to run for the presidency."

Klobuchar referred to reports of mistreatment of staff after he started running for the White House last month, acknowledging that it "can be tough" and "can push people".

"I expect a lot from me, I have high expectations for people who work for me, but I have high expectations for this country," she told reporters after a rally in Minneapolis.

"In the end, there are so many beautiful stories from our staff that have been following me for years," she said.