Eugene Robinson: Warren says she isn’t running for president-At this rate, however, she may have to.

[kpete]

Elizabeth Warren makes a powerful case

.................

The Massachusetts Democrat has become the brightest ideological and rhetorical light in a party whose prospects are dimmed by — to use a word Jimmy Carter never uttered — malaise. Her weekend swing through Colorado, Minnesota and Iowa to rally the faithful displayed something no other potential contender for the 2016 presidential nomination, including Hillary Clinton, seems able to present: a message.



She’s not running for president apparently because everyone assumes the nomination is Clinton’s. But everyone was making that same assumption eight years ago, and we know what happened. If the choice is between inspiration and inevitability, Warren may be forced to change her plans.

.................

Warren was making her second visit to the state in two months because Udall’s reelection race against Republican Cory Gardner is what Dan Rather used to call “tight as a tick.” If Democrats are to keep their majority in the Senate, the party’s base must break with form and turn out in large numbers for a midterm election. Voters won’t do this unless somebody gives them a reason.

Warren may be that somebody. Her grand theme is economic inequality and her critique, both populist and progressive, includes a searing indictment of Wall Street. Liberals eat it up.



MORE:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/eugene-robinson-elizabeth-warren-makes-the-case-on-income-inequality/2014/10/20/ba54c68e-588a-11e4-8264-deed989ae9a2_story.html

[Tatiana]

1. She has national appeal. If we put her on a national ticket, she will pick up red states.

She'd make states like Oklahoma, Kentucky, Georgia, and Florida extremely competitive.

It couldn't hurt to set up an exploratory committee...

[BeyondGeography]

2. Oklahoma?

Maybe we could win our first county there in a while.

I hope she runs because she is the most inspirational alternative and the Party will be sleepwalking into 2016 without a good primary fight, but I think she would face pretty much the same electoral map as anyone else.

[Tatiana]

5. Yes. She is from Oklahoma.

My husband's family lives there and they have a surprisingly favorable opinion of her (have never voted Dem ever).

I think she brings a bit more to the table with her populism than HRC does.

[BeyondGeography]

6. I know, but as the R-defined ultra-liberal/socialist Senator from MA that would count for little

The rest of your list is realistic.

[Le Taz Hot]

3. We'll never have a better opportunity

to draft her to run for the presidency. Warren has the potential to be one of those transformative presidents who guide us through dark times. She MUST run.

[davidpdx]

4. Now don't say that Eugene

you might make the Clintonite's heads explode.

[kysrsoze]

7. Cue "The Inevitables." I'm sure they'll show up soon to try and squash this notion about primaries