Atkins: Scrappy Warren passes on compromising position

[PoliticAverse]

WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren’s swift rise from little-known Harvard law professor to left-wing superhero is due in part to the fact that she knows her strengths, and she’s savvy about choosing her battles carefully and waging them with sharp, effective weapons.

That’s precisely why she’s wisely taking a pass on the Senate minority leader post.

As soon as U.S. Sen. Harry Reid of Nevada announced his decision to retire when his term ends next year, progressive groups began salivating at the idea of Warren replacing him as the Senate’s top-ranked Democrat. The Progressive Change Campaign Committee quickly issued a statement praising Warren as someone who “can think big, wage tough fights against powerful interests, and win key votes in the Senate.”

Through her office, Warren, who has repeatedly denied plans to run for president, also shot down the idea of succeeding Reid in the top post. Reid and U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, the minority whip from Illinois, both threw their support behind U.S. Sen. Chuck Schumer, giving the New York lawmaker a big boost if not an open road to the post in 2017.

Read the rest at: http://www.bostonherald.com/news_opinion/columnists/kimberly_atkins/2015/03/atkins_scrappy_warren_passes_on_compromising

[PoliticAverse]

1. National Journal: Elizabeth Warren Is Not Interested in Running for Democratic Leader

March 27, 2015 Sen. Elizabeth Warren has already taken herself out of the running to succeed Harry Reid as minority leader, despite an early push from progressives.

Warren's office told National Journal the first-term Massachusetts lawmaker will not run for the position to succeed Reid, who announced he would not run for reelection in 2016.

Read the rest at: http://www.nationaljournal.com/congress/sorry-progressives-elizabeth-warren-is-not-interested-running-for-democratic-leader-20150327

[Demeter]

2. At some point, Elizabeth is going to have to stop hiding her candle under a bushel

This false humility is not going to do her or the country any good.

She's holding out for VP, I'll betcha....a place from which to build a knowledge base and a power base....if not, I give up.

[Erich Bloodaxe BSN]

3. It's just too soon.

While she certainly embodies everything I'd want to see in a majority or minority leader, she just doesn't have the 'cred' built up inside the Senate to win a leadership fight, so she's avoiding damaging her brand by fighting a losing battle here. I don't think that counts as 'false humility', so much as a strategic choice.

[mother earth]

4. I think so too, whomever the dem nominee for prez is, they'd be stupid beyond belief to not go

after EW...too stupid for words, which is more than likely why this stance on HR's position.

[RiverLover]

5. I'm sorry, your post isn't making sense to me. Maybe I need more coffee!

Could you clarify?

[mother earth]

8. I was responding to (Demeter's) EW perhaps holding out for VP position, which may be why she is not

interested in running for prez or in Harry's position. Hope this clarifies.

Whomever becomes the democratic nom. for president would likely go after Warren as a running mate, seems extremely likely.

Of course, I'd be happy for her to run as pres. too.

[PoliticAverse]

9. Warren is much more effective in the Senate than she would be as VP. n/t

[mother earth]

10. I think wherever she chooses to work she will be far more effective than those who have gone before

her. She is a true champion and rep. of the people, which is why she is loved.

[MannyGoldstein]

6. It would interfere with her Presidential run. nt

[whathehell]

7. She is the only poltiician on the scene today who honestly gives me hope..

Yes, there are a few other good progressives out there, but none seem quite

as fierce and ready to take on the Banks and other miserable oligarchs.

Had she not come along, I think I would have given up

on US politics completely.