Elizabeth Warren Gave A POWERFUL Speech On The Senate Floor Today. Is She Setting Up An Endorsement?

[Segami]

Elizabeth Warren's words go lockstep with Bernie's positions and not Hillary's.......JMO...

Josh Smith ?@joshsmith

"Anyone who shrugs and claims that change is just too hard, has crawled into bed with the billionaires."

@SenWarren

From her speech:

“Thanks to the Supreme Court, our system of elections is riddled with corruption. Money floods our political system, money that lets a handful of billionaires shape who gets into Congress and may decide who sits in the White House,” Senator Warren said in her remarks. “Washington works just great for a handful of wealthy individuals and powerful corporations that manipulate the system to benefit themselves…But for everyone else, Washington’s not working so well. And if we don’t change that, this rigged political game will break our country.”

“A new presidential election is upon us. The first votes will be cast in Iowa in just 11 days. Anyone who shrugs and claims it is too hard has crawled into bed with the billionaires who want to run this country like some private club. All of us were sent here to do our best to make government work, not just for those at the top, but to make government work for all the people. It’s time we start acting like it,” Senator Warren said.


Read a PDF copy of Senator Warren’s remarks here.

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2016/01/22/1473299/-Elizabeth-Warren-gave-powerful-speech-on-the-Senate-floor-today-Is-she-setting-up-an-endorsement

[Segami]

1. This line does not walk lockstep with Hillary's positions...

"..Anyone who shrugs and claims that change is just too hard, has crawled into bed with the billionaires.."

Is this Warren line a shot across Hillary's campaign bow?........

[senz]

46. That's probably as close as she'll get to endorsing Bernie before the primary's over.

She's fairly safe dropping hints like that.

[questionseverything]

65. her words endorse bernie wether she says his name or not

[slipslidingaway]

2. Email this morning from the Sander's campaign ...

"Dear xxx

Very little will ever get done until we reform our broken and corrupt campaign finance system. I hear about it everyday. The economic and political systems in this country are stacked against ordinary Americans. The rich get richer and use their wealth to buy elections.

Today is the sixth-year anniversary of Citizens United, one of the most disastrous Supreme Court decisions in my lifetime. This decision hinges on the absurd notion that money is speech, that corporations are people, and that giving huge piles of undisclosed cash in support of politicians in exchange for influence does not constitute corruption.

In essence, this ruling handed millionaires and billionaires — who have already rigged our economy — unlimited influence in our elections. It gave billionaires like the Koch Brothers an even bigger opportunity to purchase the House, the Senate, even the White House.

Super PACs — a direct outgrowth of the Citizens United decision — are enabling the wealthiest people and the largest corporations in this country to spend unlimited amounts on elections.

We know, for example, that the Koch brothers, the second wealthiest family in America, want to use the Citizens United decision to buy politicians across the country. This election cycle alone, they have committed to spend at least $750 million on political activities — an outrageous sum that is corrupting our political process. And I can assure you, brothers and sisters, they won’t be spending that money with the interests of working families, women, and seniors in mind. That is simply unacceptable, and it’s time for the American people to rise up and reclaim our democracy...


...Let’s be honest and acknowledge what we are talking about. We are talking about a rapid movement in this country towards a political system in which a handful of very wealthy people and special interests will determine who gets elected or who does not get elected. That is not what this country is supposed to be about. That was not Abraham Lincoln’s vision of a government of the people, by the people, and for the people.

The need for real campaign finance reform is not a progressive issue. It is not a conservative issue. It is an American issue. It is an issue that should concern all Americans, regardless of their political point of view, who wish to preserve the essence of the longest standing democracy in the world — a government that represents all of the people and not a handful of powerful and wealthy special interests.

Our campaign is doing so well because we are telling the truth about the reality of American life today. We are talking about a reality in which most of the new wealth and income in this country are going to the top one percent while working families are struggling more than at any point since the Great Depression.

My vision for American democracy is a nation in which all people, regardless of their income, can participate in the political process, and can run for office without begging for contributions from the wealthy and the powerful. While other politicians will make you the same promise, I am the only candidate running for the Democratic nomination who does not have a super PAC. And I am the only one who is telling the truth about the corrupting influence of Wall Street bankers and the obscenely wealthy in our elections.

We have to create a political revolution where working Americans come together to say they have had ENOUGH of the billionaire class buying our elections to enrich themselves while everyone else gets poorer. More than ever, we need a president who has a firm commitment to the American people — and no one else."

[ViseGrip]

30. Is thsi the dual set up for her to endorse him? I hope so!

[slipslidingaway]

32. Coincidence? Probably, maybe ... but happy they are both speaking to the same issue :) nt

[in_cog_ni_to]

34. Whoa...This sounds like Bernie wrote it!

"We have to create a political revolution where working Americans come together to say they have had ENOUGH of the billionaire class buying our elections to enrich themselves while everyone else gets poorer. More than ever, we need a president who has a firm commitment to the American people — and no one else."

Man, having her endorsement BEFORE Iowa would be the best thing to happen ti Bernie campaign to date!

PEACE
LOVE
BERNIE

[slipslidingaway]

36. It was from the Sander's campaign, we'll just have to wait and see what happens :) nt

[Rosa Luxemburg]

3. i wish she would endorse Berns

[Jarqui]

4. I'm just going to copy that quote a third time for emphasis

“A new presidential election is upon us. ... Anyone who shrugs and claims it is too hard has crawled into bed with the billionaires who want to run this country like some private club. All of us were sent here to do our best to make government work, not just for those at the top, but to make government work for all the people. It’s time we start acting like it,” Senator Warren said.

How could she say that and endorse "pragmatic" Hillary?

If Elizabeth endorses Bernie, it would be like Ted Kennedy endorsing Barack. It would send shock waves through the media and public making folks sit up and realize what many here already know: Bernie is a legitimate candidate.

[Segami]

5. Thats my take on her words....

I can't imagine Warren taking such bold positions and then endorses Hillary.....it just doesn't make any sense whatsoever.....it really doesn't!

[DJ13]

8. If Elizabeth endorses Bernie, it would be like Ted Kennedy endorsing Barack.

Same Senate seat too.

Its like we're in a time loop.

[JonLeibowitz]

44. Not only same Senate Seat! Same Senate "Class"! Makes sense though, since she replaced Brown.

[Eric J in MN]

22. I'm still predicting that Elizabeth Warren waits until after the voters choose the nominee

... to endorse.

"Claims it is too hard" refers to those who oppose campaign finance reform by claiming it's too hard. Sanders and Clinton both support campaign finance reform.

[CoffeeCat]

6. Reid Anderson said it best

"This is Elizabeth Warren's shot across the bow before the kill shot."

Yes, she's going to endorse Bernie. Yes, that was a full-on slam of Clinton and her latest attacks against Bernie and his plans.

I don't know how Warren could have been more clear. She referenced the election and the first vote on Feb 1.

The question is, when? Most likely before Feb 1.

Breathtaking!!!!

[morningfog]

9. She could only make it clearer through the actual endorsement.

Like another MA senator's endorsement of a challenger to Hillary, this will be significant, a game changer.

[CoffeeCat]

15. Yes, I agree

This will be an 8.5 on the political Richter scale.

I think this is her way of letting Clinton and the Establishment know that she intends to endorse Bernie. After all, they've fired a few passive-aggressive messages to Elizabeth through the media.

There was an article out a few days ago about Elizabeth not endorsing yet. There was such pressure in that article for Elizabeth to endorse. So many mucky mucks like McCaskill and others putting the screws to Elizabeth, with direct quotes.

I think Elizabeth has been communicating with Bernie throughout the campaign. They're on the same page. It's only the establishment that is in the dark about what Elizabeth will do.

Until now! Clinton has been mocking and attacking Sanders in Iowa, saying that his ideas are great on paper, but they're nothing but fantasy. Clinton hit it hard in Indianola and Knoxvilke today--and she was ripping into him.

Clinton did exactly what Warren criticized in this video clip. Warren's "in bed" comment was a slam against Clinton. No doubt.

Game on!

[JonLeibowitz]

45. Bernie has a mega rally on January 26 in St. Paul, MN.

If he's going to announce an endorsement, that would be the place to do it.

What a place to send shockwaves through the nation.

[senz]

48. Clinton's mocking attacks on Sanders probably make Elizabeth sick.

For sure she's with Bernie, but I still don't think she's going to endorse before the primary's over.

[Jarqui]

50. Hillary's lying or deception about Sanders positions would also upset her

particularly when Hillary and Bill have made as much money off Wall Street as (nearly?) any politician in history.

Bankruptcy
(major issue for Elizabeth Warren between 1995-2005)
Hillary stuck Elizabeth in the back on the bankruptcy bill years ago - Senator Clinton selling out to Wall Street

Bernie voted against the bankruptcy bill
https://votesmart.org/candidate/key-votes/27110/bernie-sanders/84/finance-and-banking#.VqIOHJowhiw

Glass-Steagall
Jul 17th, 2015: Liberals Roar As Bernie Sanders Joins Elizabeth Warren On Bill To Reinstate Glass-Steagall
http://www.politicususa.com/2015/07/17/liberals-roar-bernie-sanders-joins-elizabeth-warren-bill-reinstate-glass-steagall.html

Oct 6, 2015: Clinton dismisses reinstating Glass-Steagall
http://www.cnn.com/2015/10/06/politics/hillary-clinton-glass-steagall-act-martin-omalley/

too-big-to-fail
Elizabeth Warren’s Challenge to Hillary Clinton
http://www.newyorker.com/news/john-cassidy/elizabeth-warrens-challenge-to-hillary-clinton

“Let’s get real. Dodd-Frank did not end too-big-to-fail,” she (Warren) noted, correctly. What was needed was to “end it once and for all.”

“How?” she asked. “By breaking up the big banks—just break them up.”

The Clinton Team Is Writing 'Too Big To Fail' Out Of The Financial Crisis
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/hillary-clinton-too-big-to-fail_us_569fd359e4b0875553c2a298

Bernie Sanders's plan to break up the banks, explained
http://www.vox.com/2016/1/21/10802660/bernie-sanders-bank-breakup


Warren and Clinton are not on the same page for major policies important to Warren.
Warren and Sanders are on the same page for major policies important to Warren.

[senz]

63. Great set of links, Jarqui.

If you want to, you could make an excellent OP from them.

A few weeks ago, I put up an OP in GD on Warren's national outlook: http://www.democraticunderground.com/10027492473 which includes a link you could add to your list.

Thanks so much for this valuable comment!

[glinda]

58. She and Bernie are committed to this Country in the same way and respect each other so

my gut tells me she has had enough of the attacks also on Bernie. Her joining him would put a lid on some of this as well as seal the deal. Strong strong team. No doubt about that. Serious workers.

[senz]

64. Really good point. Elizabeth could give Bernie a very valuable Senate validation.

It would take courage on her part, but she is a courageous woman. They would make a very strong team, indeed. They're each good at reaching people. So important.

[Segami]

13. I agree with you and truly hope

that this speech was a cryptic message directed at the Clinton camp as to who she will be endorsing.

[Eric J in MN]

24. She only mentioned the presidential election because

...of Super PAC corruption in the process.

Her speech was against Congress members who refuse to take up campaign finance reform; Hillary Clinton supports campaign finance reform, as does Bernie Sanders.

[Samantha]

25. My guess has always been a week before the vote in Iowa

Come to think of it, she would out of courtesy tell Hillary first before announcing publicly. That is just the diplomatic thing to do. Of course, Hillary would probably discern that if she heard this speech. But that just might be another reason Hillary and Bill have double-downed on scooping up endorsements. However, gathering 100 more would still not offset an endorsement by Senator Warren. And if she ran with Bernie as his chosen Vice Presidential candidate, that would be an unstoppable ticket. A female vice-presidential selection would, of course, be historical when Sanders wins....

Another thought: it sure would give Joe Biden a heck of lot of pause....

[CoffeeCat]

28. Read this article that came out

several days ago and tell me this wasn't one big message to Warren to endorse Clinton now.

This article is so egregious. These corpro-establishment Dems are middle-school bullies. McCaskill is the worst.

I think Warren didn't appreciate their pressure and their games. And I think Hillary's attacks on Bernie in Iowa the past couple of days were the last straw.

http://m.wxii12.com/politics/pressure-grows-on-warren-to-endorse-a-democrat/37400934

[onehandle]

7. Yeah. After Super Tuesday she'll endorse Hillary. nt

[morningfog]

10. Not likely. The race will just be picking up then.

[rhett o rick]

14. LOL. Yeah she isn't in favor of the corruption that she was talking about.

H. Clinton has amassed $50,000,000 in a short time a lot if not all from bankers and Wall Street. That's what we are fighting and apparently you are defending. The bankers stole $5 trillion from the 99% in 2008 and yet you want that culture to continue.

[Ken Burch]

21. Why? We already know HRC isn't going to get a blowout on Super Tuesday.

She is losing ground everywhere.

[Uncle Joe]

11. Kicked and recommended.

Thanks for the thread, Segami.

[slipslidingaway]

12. " ... anyone who shrugs and claims that change is just too hard, has crawled into bed with the ...

billionaires who want to run this country like some private club. All of us were sent here to do our best to make government work, to make it work not just for those at the top, but to make government work for ALL people and it is time we start acting like it."

[WillyT]

16. Huge, Huge, HUGE... K & R !!!

[Maynar]

17. Thank you Segami

That was an inspirational speech. Loved it.

[Eric J in MN]

18. The speech isn't about the presidential candidates.

Elizabeth Warren was criticizing members of Congress who don't try to pass campaign finance reform.

[retrowire]

40. ...

then why mention the presidential race at all?

she mentioned the race, then moved right into that damning sentence.

it's obvious that she's taking about the presidential race, not the Congress.

[Eric J in MN]

41. Elizabeth Warren was implying that some presidential candidates are affected

...by a corrupt campaign finance system, and Congress should act to prevent that from happening, again.

[kenn3d]

19. It’s time we start acting like it,” Senator Warren said.

This speech... could have been given (or written) by either Warren or Sanders interchangeably.

Elizabeth Warren might have been President, but she declined to run.
Bernie has taken up that awesome challenge, gathered up her supporters and magnified their mutual platform onto the national stage to an extent and with a power that I doubt she ever imagined would be possible for either of them.

I understand her reticence to endorse before the nomination is decided. That's a breath-taking political decision. But the lines are rapidly being drawn, and who is on the side of righteousness becomes increasingly clear. She obviously does endorse the very essence of Bernie's platform, and has visible contempt for much of what Hillary has done and stands for. If she doesn't endorse Bernie Sanders, or worse, endorses Hillary Clinton, she will be rightfully condemned forever after by the progressive base which so adores her, and be convicted of the very cowardice she rails against in this speech.

[lovemydog]

20. Thank you for sharing this Segami.

I applaud the people who elected Elizabeth Warren. We need a majority like her in the Senate.

[Mufaddal]

23. Well, she basically just gave part of his stump speech.

I mean, if you cut out her name and attributed the whole script to Bernie, would anyone doubt it came from him?

At this point my thinking is, the fact that she still hasn't made a public endorsement yet (particularly one for Clinton) is basically a statement in and of itself. Sometimes silence speaks volumes.

[global1]

26. Timing Is Everything And She Has To Make Her Endorsement When It Will Have The Most Impact....

I believe she'll endorse Bernie - but it really needs to be timed out and strategic as to when the endorsement comes. If Bernie takes both Iowa and New Hampshire and I understand he's doing well in Nevada - when is the next best time for her to endorse Bernie. That's when the endorsement will come.

[merrily]

27. Maybe she's following Obama's lead: no endorsement until the primary winner becomes obviousl

[Gene Debs]

33. What's the point of endorsing then? If you genuinely support a

candidate, wouldn't endorsing them earlier on give them extra momentum to actually win the nomination? And, by the same token, doesn't waiting to endorse the imminent winner just make you someone for whom winning trumps any principles you claim to have? That's Hillary Clinton's shtick.

[Eric J in MN]

42. The point would be to help the Democratic nominee win the general election. NT

NT

[merrily]

51. Exactly.

[Left Coast2020]

29. When you see Senator Warren do her first address at a Bernie rally

..You know that's what she will say. That is if she makes it a surprise announcement.

"And I am here today to announce my endorsement of Senator Bernie Sanders for President of the United States."

And I'll bet you a dollar to donuts Bernie's campaign donations will set a record after she makes the announcement.

I know it may sound weird, but I just thought of it as a probability.

[JonLeibowitz]

47. January 26 MEGA rally! You heard it here first! :)

[Old Codger]

31. Somewhat

Of a hint as to which way she is going, she may not want to make a public endorsement before Iowa and NH just to sort of cover herself. The endorsement would be humongous at this point, but just as effective if it came just before s primary that was maybe a lot closer than what seems to be happening now.. Personally I think Bernie has both Iowa and NH pretty much, he needs to keep hammering his points home and ignoring the outright lies and half truths from the opposition... Hi message is strong and to the point and addresses as best it can in the time frames allowed most of the problems we are facing as a nation and as a people, and stressing that he cannot do it alone and that it cannot be done in one year or 2 years, it will take time to get it going and completed and most likely not even in his second term... But someone like Warren as a VP to continue the fight into the future would be great...

[lobodons]

35. Warren will ENDORSE

The Democratic Nominee in the end!!

[Spitfire of ATJ]

37. "Anyone who shrugs and claims it is too hard has crawled into bed with the billionaires"

The Hillary campaign will now accuse her of being an establishment type who's not only racist but obviously a self hating woman.

[retrowire]

38. LOL

after hearing that she called Bernie establishment today, I think anything is possible.

[in_cog_ni_to]

39. If she doesn't endorse Bernie, I'd be shocked! One week before Iowa caucuses woul be nice!

Yes indeed! Bernie could have written that speech!

PEACE
LOVE
BERNIE

[senz]

43. Like Bernie, she speaks the truth. They see eye to eye on everything that matters.

It's impossible to imagine her endorsing Hillary after giving a speech like this, especially given Hillary's donors. However, it would be risky for her to endorse Bernie at this point. If Hillary were to prevail, then Elizabeth Warren would have a powerful, vindictive enemy forever, even if they did pretend to be buddy buddy for the media. It would be so bad for Warren's future.

Furthermore, Warren fans are already Bernie fans. Hillary doesn't even figure in. Progressives don't need a Warren endorsement to want to vote for Bernie.

I doubt she will endorse anyone before the primary.

[Oilwellian]

49. I'm sensing a Deja Vu

Kennedy endorsed Obama in late January and that was a game-changer for the 2008 Dem primary.

[Segami]

52. "It's deja vu all over again".....Yogi Berra

[Skwmom]

54. I always thought that was to save the party because the Clintons actions were so offensive. n/t

[LWolf]

53. That's as strong an endorsement

as anyone could give without actually officially endorsing.

I expect that we will see a lot more Warren support coming up.

And, of course, I hope she will be his VP.

[Skwmom]

55. Maybe, but I'm sure she realizes the damage being done to the Democratic Party.

And there are always future political ambitions to consider

[WI_DEM]

56. Why is she hesitating in endorsing Bernie? Obviously she is closer to him on the issues

it's not exactly a profile in courage for her to not endorse him and stay neutral.

[Cal33]

57. Among other things, she may be waiting for the best time to endorse Bernie. Timing

could be very important. I'm sure she has her reasons.

[glinda]

59. Because she is smart. I think she is watching

what is coming down and she is in a position of respect and power...does not want to burn bridges. She may have had enough by what she has now seen and may feel this election and our future can no longer be trifeled with. She moves when she can no longer keep silent.
I think she did not want to endorse because she wants to firmly stand behind the nominee but HRC may have crossed the line with attacks and untruths. Elizabeth has the integrity thing like Bernie. Integrity is a strong beast if you have it.

[Autumn]

60. I don't think she will come straight out with an endorsement.

But the contents of her speech sure seems like an endorsement of Bernie. That speech is Bernie.

[ChiciB1]

61. She's Talking Bernie's Talk... Sending HIS Message Out...

Loud and Clear. But, I don't think she'll endorse. She's basically staying SMART, keeping her gun powder close to her chest. Endorsing for her could upset an apple cart in many ways. Her PROGRESS in the Senate may get toppled should she endorse either one.

But her message is CLEAR! I personally think she has to walk a thin line, but is sending signals by speaking out this way.

[kennetha]

62. Campaign finance reform does not divide Clinton from Warren

Last edited Fri Jan 22, 2016, 03:05 PM - Edit history (1)

In fact, all the things that Warren proposes in this speech are part of Clinton's agenda.


http://www.nytimes.com/2015/09/09/us/politics/hillary-clinton-announces-campaign-finance-reform-plan.html

[George II]

66. Yes, she IS setting up for an endorsement. See:

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2016/1/14/1469782/-Reports-Elizabeth-Warren-Likely-to-Endorse-Clinton-Timeline-Unclear

Reports: Elizabeth Warren Likely to Endorse Clinton, Timeline Unclear