I find the media’s state of concern over the Democratic field for MA-SEN to be a little overstated.
John Walsh, the chairman of the Massachusetts Democratic Party, appeared to drop his prior position of favoring a broad primary field leavened with frisky interaction among a bevy of local candidates; instead, in an interview with the Globe’s Joan Vennochi, he encouraged Elizabeth Warren to enter the race, appearing to adopt the steamroller, juggernaut approach to the nomination.
Let’s be clear: Walsh did no such thing. Here’s the quote to Vennochi (Jul. 14, before she withdrew her candidacy for CFPB):
“Elizabeth Warren is still in the running for the consumer protection job. I hope she gets that job,’’ said Massachusetts Democratic Party chairman John Walsh. But if it doesn’t come through, “I would love it if she were interested in joining the race. I would talk to her and encourage her in a heartbeat,’’ said Walsh, officially embracing the buzz that began with Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and Senator Patty Murray of Washington, who also chairs the Democratic Senatorial Campaign.
John can speak for himself, but that’s not “steamrolling” anyone. I’ve never heard him ever be in favor of a clean path to the nomination for any candidate, for any race. In fact, I’ve heard him say, in essence, let a thousand flowers bloom.
I absolutely agree — Elizabeth Warren would be a welcome addition to the Senate race. And she’d have to earn the nomination, just like anyone else. There will be a lot of local issues, local relationships, down-home constituent stuff that she’ll have to learn and be conversant with. A lot of the current crop of candidates are probably deeper with those issues than she is. She’ll have to hold forth on a number of issues which are not in her wheelhouse at all – which is when the really fun gaffes happen.
She’s smart, well-spoken, passionate, and generally awesome. So are some of the other candidates. Let’s hash it out publicly, give everyone their moment and their chance, and have fun with this.
bidd50 says
to mention the names of the other current candidates.
This from The Hill today:
“Democrats have long hoped that Warren would run against Brown.”
Really? It also mentioned that she actually plans to come to Mass. this weekend.
Clearly your an E Warren supporter, which is fine. Just say it. But for a lot of people, this whole thing just doesn’t feel right. John Walsh said what he said and I see no misinterpretation. It seems like he’s part of one big old steamroller to me.
Charley on the MTA says
will appear here tomorrow, btw. I think we’re giving everyone a fair shake.
Don’t try to read my mind.
tpsmyth01 says
My sense is national Democrats are pushing for this far more than local Democrats. Some of it is because from what I have heard and read between the lines Harry Reid and much of Senate Democratic caucus absolutely loathes Brown after the way he held them up on financial reform. In fact in a recent Washington Post article today a unnamed national democratic strategist is quoted as saying the national democrats intend to attack Brown’s ties to local MA financial institutions such as Fidelity.
The one problem is see with this is much of MA State democratic party ala DiLeo, Menino etc is in pretty tight with those same financial firms. Which is a going to create a problem for a candidate such as Warren trying to attack those firm while at the same time garnering support from state power brokers such as DiLeo and Menino.
thinkliberally says
On one hand, with former frontrunner Setti putting up a surprisingly disappointing fundraising haul, “been there done that” Khazei now taking the presumptive frontrunner mantle, and a whole lot of virtual unknowns behind the two of them, other options are certainly welcome.
OTOH, this idea of Beltway insiders (not from MA) handpicking our knight in shining armor (also, not exactly from MA) kind of gets under my skin. What has she ever run for? What do we know about her as a candidate? What does she believe, other than consumer protection? Does she relate to people? Is she willing to shake hands outside Fenway Park? What kind of campaign does she want to run? Does she want to be senator? If so, why do we need all kinds of sites to “draft” her for this?
michaelhoran says
Agree with ThinkLiberally. Yes, it’s a run for national office, with implications for the nation; but I can’t help be disturbed by the big plug on DailyKos (per Chris Bowers) boasting that “we have 20k names on our draft Warren petition.” It’s OUR decision–or should be; alas, what may well be make-or-break is the amount of dollars-outside-the-commonwealth that a potential candidate can milk.
I’m a Massie supporter through-and-through–the guy is my idea of what a Senator should look like, sound like, and stand for; but I’m very sympathetic to all the serious candidates who jumped in at the start–if Ms Warren had really wanted the Senate seat, she might have informed the President a few months ago and set about building her base the way the others have. Unfortunately, this gives the appearance of shopping for office: Consumer Affairs didn’t work out, but, oh, look, there’s a Senate seat open…should she win the nomination, I’ll certainly be supporting her, and with no small degree of enthusiasm, but I would have been more impressed had she made winning this seat her priority.
The tone and tenor of coverage and responses to the current field has been disappointing.There’s still a pretty long stretch until November 2012, but both the media and far too many Democratss have already decided that the current field is simply unelectable, never mind what talent each brings. As a former ranking Green Party member–mea culpa–I have sense of “deja vu all over again”; candidates being judged, not on their merits and the possibility of their really catching fire if given a shot, but simply on their cash-on-hand and whatever the polls show about their electability–even this far out.
I hope Messrs. Massie & S. Warren, Rep. Conroy, and even Ms. DeFranco hang tough for a while. They’re all smart, decent, and capable, and all can help serve to highight Senator Brown’s real record and real sympathies ( a highlight of Bob Massie’s suggested tripartite pledge). Could be that it’s Ms. Warren who should be biding her time until Sen. Kerry moves into the State Dept seat?
stomv says
There’s no magical date by which a senate candidate ought declare. Massie wasn’t the first in the race either. Ms. Warren was interested in working to help the American people, so she applied for a job to do just that. She didn’t get it — and not as a result of a lack of talent and vision on her part. So, she’s looking for another job.
Isn’t this what we all do when we’re looking for employment? For a community service activity? For a mate?
michaelhoran says
I know. And I’m not judging her–if she’s willing to endure the firestorm on the Hill she just did and jump back into what’s going to be a grueling race here in MA, I really don’t hold it against her. And, sure, every candidate has to go though some soul-searching, and more than decides to run having been to some extent “talked into it.” Simply would have been more impressed had she shown that her first and foremost interest was in repping the citizens of MA. But, agreed, were I her, andwatching the way this conformation business went down, I’d probably be having dinner with Charlie Schumer too.
deepthinker says
Elizabeth Warren is going to have to answer some very tough questions if she runs. First, how is she going to run as someone who can work with Congress and bring the parties together when she was unable to convince the members of Congress to want to work with her? The perception that she was treated unfairly during hearings is not necessarily correct. How was she treated unfairly? Which questions should not have been presented to her? Second, although she will raise enormous amounts of money from supporters all across the country, she will also raise enormous amounts of money to oppose her. Wouldn’t she be a lightening rod, drawing Massachusetts into a partisan battle that has nothing to do with our interests? Last, while she is rightfully tremendously admired (and certainly by me) for all her knowledge, experience, dedication, and values, how does she plan to reach out to Scott Brown’s base and get them to want to support her? Just wondering.