OpEd: Why Isn't Elizabeth Warren Running Again?

[RiverLover]

Going to have to SNIP a LOT here...

Warren fans still out there, its a good read.

OpEd: Why Isn't Elizabeth Warren Running Again?
by Jason Johnson
7/19/2015

....SNIP....Plus I'm sure Hillary pulled some sort of Jedi Mind Trick on Warren when they met privately last December, just to make sure the Massachusetts Senator didn't get any funny ideas about an insurgent campaign. However, when you actually get the chance to see Senator Warren in action, and you consider the paucity of talent and enthusiasm elicited by the current Democratic field, it really makes you wonder why she's choosing to sit this one out.



This hypothetical political scenario is due to seeing Senator Elizabeth Warren lay out an articulate, passionate, witty and ultimately memorable speech at the Netroots Nation convention in Phoenix Arizona. Netroots (think 'grassroots' plus 'internet') is a conference for progressive activists and online activists to meet up, network, share ideas and get inspired to do the often thankless job of community activism.

....SNIP....

It was, if anything a reverse of the old "silent majority" argument. While for years Republicans claimed that there was a vast silent majority that agreed with conservative principles but were just to busy being good Americans to vocalize their beliefs Warren argues that the majority are articulating a much more progressive opinion of policy but Congress just won't listen. It's an argument that has legs when you consider four red states voted to raise the minimum wage, and privately many Republicans are happy the Supreme Court didn't do away with Obamacare.



....SNIP....

Unfortunately as Senator Warren left the stage that fleeting moment was gone. The Progressive audience has to go back to convincing themselves that Bernie Sanders has a chance if they want liberal issues to be addressed.

Senator Warren will join the pantheon of great 'coulda, shoulda' run candidates like Governor Cuomo in 1992 or Colin Powell in 2000. Maybe she realizes that she can only be that candid with the Netroots audience. Maybe she just wants to stay in the Senate. Or maybe Hillary Clinton's mind games are that good. Regardless of the reason, America seems to be missing out on a special kind of message this election season, one that only the packed room at Netroots Nation got to experience.

http://www.nbcnews.com/news/nbcblk/oped-why-isnt-elizabeth-warren-running-again-n394741

Here's the speech inspiring the musings above~

The full transcript of her speech can be found here.

Its incredibly sad, to me, that there isn't going to be a President Elizabeth Warren for our country. So in many respects, I agree with this article & feel grateful, for it shows there are others out there who also feel this tremendous lost opportunity....

But we are truly lucky to have Bernie!! Very much so!!!

[eridani]

1. In retrospect, I think it was very clear that she really dislikes the process of campaigning n/t

[RiverLover]

3. She helped raise a huge amt of $$$ campaigning for other Dems in congressional races 2014.

And she raised an astounding 39 mil for her own first run for senate, dwarfing Scott Brown in the money race....

I think she loves campaigning & fundraising. She definitely loves giving speeches.

[PoliticAverse]

2. Maybe she just really likes her current job. Being an "outsider" has advantages. n/t

[RiverLover]

4. Maybe so.

I do wish I could be that fly on the wall & find out for certain what the real reason is...

[merrily]

5. I see this more as a sideways shot at Sanders than as a piece supporting Warren.

Call me cynical.