Liberal Wonks, or at Least Elizabeth Warren, Have a Plan for That The surprising power of evidence-

[applegrove]

Liberal Wonks, or at Least Elizabeth Warren, Have a Plan for That

The surprising power of evidence-based progressivism.

By Paul Krugman at the NYTimes

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/06/13/opinion/elizabeth-warren.html

"SNIP......

But the political strategy powering her comeback is interesting. And I think many observers are missing a key reason her strategy seems to be working — namely, that her agenda is radical in content and implications, but well grounded in evidence and serious scholarship.

Normally, would-be presidential nominees campaign on some combination of personal narrative and soaring rhetoric promoting broad themes: “I’m a war hero/symbol of the American dream/longtime challenger of the Establishment, and as president I’ll bring us together/drain the swamp/fight the power.”

Warren, by contrast, has been rolling out substantive, detailed policy proposals — many, many substantive, detailed policy proposals. Traditional punditry says that this should be a turnoff, that voters’ eyes will just glaze over at the proliferation of white papers.

But Warren has managed to turn relentless wonkery into a defining aspect of her political persona. Supporters show up at her rallies wearing T-shirts that proclaim “Warren has a plan for that!” And she is, by all accounts, managing to make earnest policy discussion a way to connect with her audiences.


......SNIP"

[marylandblue]

1. Warren is that rare combination of wonkery with communication skills.

[applegrove]

3. And that combination makes her appear stable. The type of person you might

want to hang onto during a crisis.

[JI7]

2. it would be interesting to see a debate between Warren and Biden only