Elizabeth Warren defends support for Ben Carson's HUD secretary confirmation

[SecularMotion]

Source: MassLive

The Massachusetts Democrat, who grilled Carson throughout his confirmation hearing before the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs earlier this month, said although she still has "serious, deep, profound concerns" about Carson's lack of experience, she's hopeful he'll make good on a series of commitments.

Stressing that Senate Democrats need to "turn up the heat" on a lot of Trump's other cabinet picks -- particularly Education Secretary nominee Betsy DeVos -- Warren added that she will won't hesitate to speak out against Carson if he fails to keep his promises.

"Dr. Carson's answers weren't perfect. But at his hearing, he committed to track and report on conflicts of interest at the agency. In his written responses to me, he made good, detailed promises on everything from protecting anti-homelessness programs to enforcing fair housing laws. Promises that - if they're honored - would help a lot of working families," she wrote in a Wednesday Facebook post.

"Can we count on Dr. Carson to keep those promises? I don't know," the senator continued. "People are right to be skeptical; I am. But a man who makes written promises gives us a toehold on accountability ... If Dr. Carson doesn't follow through on his commitments, I will be the very first person he hears from - loudly and clearly and frequently."

Read more: http://www.masslive.com/politics/index.ssf/2017/01/elizabeth_warren_defends_suppo.html

[Cryptoad]

1. I now have,,,

"serious, deep, profound concerns" abt Warren.
Obstuct, Obstruct, Obstruct, anything less is losing.

[brush]

8. Careful. I just got a hide for criticizing Feinstein for saying she was leaning towards Sessions...

for AG.

What's with the caving, always the caving?

[JackRiddler]

25. Welcome back to the Bush years, except...

collaborating with something even worse (as if that could have been conceived!).

[LiberalLovinLug]

12. there's a danger in just obstructing every appointment en mass

Or spending too much time on Carson. She is picking her battles. There are many many more important positions and more extremist people he is appointing we have to focus on. Carson is unlikely to stay awake long enough to do much damage at least in the immediate sense.

[Cryptoad]

16. Its not abt Ben Carson

If we dont give the GOP the very same dosage of Obstruction they gave Obama for the last 8yrs, we are backing up. no matter who or what it is....!

[TexasBushwhacker]

20. The obstruction of the GOP is why Congress' approval rating is so low.

They lost seats in the House and the Senate. If we just play a vindictive obstruction game just for the sake of being equivalent assholes, we could end up losing the small gains we made.

[Cryptoad]

22. Well,,,,,

Rating or not,,,,,, GOP won full control......
If we dont obstruct we will continue to win battles while losing the war

[TexasBushwhacker]

23. I think our best bet is to choose our battles carefully

We have the opportunity to be "the sensible ones". With Trump's low approval rating, I think that could be to our benefit.

[pangaia]

30. "If we just play a vindictive obstruction game just for the sake of being equivalent assholes, .."

it is not being at all vindictive. That is what they do. We would be doing it because it is the right thing to do. Ben Carson is a fucking moron.

Same with 'being equivalent assholes.." ...THEY are the assholes,,,

[Solomon]

42. Excellent point.

Well made. Thank you. I'm sick to death of false equivalencies.

[JackRiddler]

28. "Obstruction" is a thoroughly misleading term.

She could have voted against. That is not obstruction.

She had that choice regardless of obstruction or non-obstruction in the actual procedural path. No matter what otherwise, she was given a choice: Yes or no?

And personal cliches about Carson don't cut it as excuses. He doesn't need to stay awake! He hires staff, they write directives, he signs them. Public housing privatized and defunded, more draconian rules imposed on its residents, etc. Get real, please.

[HoneyBadger]

31. Carson is unlikely to stay awake long enough to do much damage at least in the immediate sense.

OMG 😅

[hollowdweller]

2. I think giving him what he wants will bring him down.

[Jose Garcia]

3. Perhaps. But how many poor people who rely of HUD will suffer as a result?

[yeoman6987]

4. We're all going to suffer. Did you hear the entire state department resigned?

We're fucked!!!!!

[pangaia]

32. we are not ALL going to suffer. That's just it.

[yeoman6987]

37. You don't think if we get nuked we're not all screwed?

Yes we will be. Even if one goes to western United States, the aftershock will be horrible for every state.

[jodymarie aimee]

10. all 73 of the tenants in my elderly/disabled bldg

that's who.

[mahannah]

5. "She's hopeful"?

[bucolic_frolic]

7. She read the Mass polls this week on the 2018 Senate Race

She's ok on Ben Carson. He's among the better educated and saner
of the bunch, if he can stick to his knitting

[pnwmom]

9. Yes, and she should. It's sadly funny to see DUers turn on Elizabeth.

I said all along that this would have happened if she had somehow won the nomination, and I was right. Some people only loved her as a foil for Hillary.

[Generator]

11. I'm usually burn them at the stake

But I want to give her the benefit of the doubt. I don't understand why her poll numbers are low in MA. What is happening to America? She is the best of the best. I'm gonna watch her next move on Trump minions though.

[pnwmom]

15. MA is not as solidly liberal as people think -- they have a Rethug Governor

and they also elected Romney.

[Skittles]

13. LOLOL

she is such a PEACH

[elmac]

14. Don't think its a smart move

to normalize any of tRumps idiots can be seen as "giving in". I bet her constituents are giving her hell.

[Kashkakat v.2.0]

17. Come on, its not "obstructing" when the majority can do whatever the heck they want regardless

of how the Dems vote. Think of it as a quiet, stoic "refusal to normalize."

That's what Im gonna tell my blue senator and my blue rep. jeez what are people afraid of by just saying "no"??? That the repubs will think poorly of them and call them names like sore loser? Puh lease.

If ever a time cried out for strong leadership, just standing like a rock in the face of impending facism.... now is that time. Really its kind of golden opportunity.

Jeez lady - put your Rosa Parks hat on or something. Jimmy Stewart as Mr. Smith would work too.

[SharonClark]

26. Agree 100%

Voting for an addlepated, incompetent, and unqualified Carson will not help her one iota in the general election. It will hurt many people who need a functioning government.

[JackRiddler]

29. It's just a vote, right?

"Obstruction" relates to procedural blocks.

The vote is going to happen regardless.

The vote gives her one binary choice: Yes or no?

She made the wrong choice here.

[elmac]

18. And we must remember

that the fascists blocked every one of Obama's nominees. The Dems had to fight tooth & nail plus change the rules when they had majority just to get the nominees appointed. Why should the Dems be helping theses fascist pigs. BIG MISTAKE!

[Eyeball_Kid]

19. If Warren's concerns are "serious, deep, and profound",

then what are Carson's extraordinary talents and skills that outweigh these concerns?

Oh. He made vague promises. Warren has a "toe-hold" on accountability???

Sounds like Warren is making excuses for not going to the mat on Carson's confirmation.

[Bayard]

21. Aww, come on Liz!

By the time he's in there, it will be too late. You can voice your concerns all you want then, and get diddly squat.

Obstruction is one of the only weapons we have right now.

[Quackers]

33. Did you forget what website you're on? nt

[MindPilot]

34. There has got to be a lot of powder that is still dry from the Bush years.

Millions of people in the streets all over the world protesting the Iraq war, but most of the Dems just went along with the Rs. Even when the Dems had a majority, they still refused to oppose the rethugs.

Call or write to your Dem rep and the only response you'll get is more pleading for money.

Now they just sit around looking at each other hunting for a scapegoat for their loss.

[TomCADem]

27. Expect Russia Today "Progressives" to Say EW Sold Out...

...because that is what they do.

[MindPilot]

35. Well she kind of did.

Warren is now a Trump appeaser. At some point the party that tossed progressives and liberals out is going to have to own this.

Dems cave. It's what they do.

But if you want to save 15% on car insurance...

[TomCADem]

38. Yup, if She's The Nominee, Expect Lock Her Up Chants...

...from the "left" at the DNC. Hey, maybe Susan Sarandon will say she would be worse than Trump.

[Blue Idaho]

36. I dream of a day when the Democratic Party

Votes in the interest of the poor, the sick, and the elderly instead of going along to get along. These votes should be based on the principles of the party and the values we hold dear. In that view - "no" votes are not a waste of time but instead an important signal that Democrats will stand up for their principles and give a voice to the voiceless.

I don't give one flying fuck about Senatorial collegiality.

[Bradical79]

39. My feelings are mixed

On one hand he's not qualified for the position at all.

On the other, he is already garaunteed to be confirmed because of the math. At least she traded her vote for getting him to put a lot of the right answers in writing. That may be useful down the road.

[sarcasmo]

40. Carson confirmed means 100% will be confirmed.

[old guy]

41. IMO it is a mistake but my opinion counts for nothing.

I voted for HRC and that turned out to be for nothing so I'm 2 for 2. The more we lose the easier it will get and I'm a Dem living in Wi. so I know what it means to lose consistently.