It’s easy to like Rep. Tulsi Gabbard. Her calm delivery and non-elitist persona is a sharp contrast to her fellow 2020 candidates, especially when on the debate stage. While others like Sen. Bernie Sanders and Beto O’Rourke loudly compete for who can be the most extreme, she presents herself as a moderate alternative.

Gabbard is less well-known than other, decidedly controversial Democrats. Throughout the campaign, her abysmal poll numbers have hovered around the 2% mark. But while she is not a legitimate election threat, she has gained the admiration of a portion of voters on the right. Her recent tussle with Hillary Clinton, where she defended herself against the claim of being a “Russian asset,” only increased Gabbard’s popularity. Republicans, eternally frustrated with Hillary, are eager to defend her. Many Democrats, aware that Clinton’s comments in no way help their 2020 chances, have done the same.