My friend Ed from MA would vote for her over Brown, in a heartbeat. He's disappointed with Brown. clo
August 18, 2011, 2:45 pm
Warren Files to Test the Senate Waters
By SARAH WHEATON
Elizabeth Warren formed an exploratory committee on Thursday morning as she continues to consider a run for the Senate in Massachusetts, and her camp maintains that she is still doing just that: exploring. But given their gleeful reaction to this news, Bay State and some national Democrats seem primed for a painful letdown if Ms. Warren, a Harvard Law professor, ultimately decides against challenging Senator Scott Brown.
Ms. Warren gained national (and polarizing) attention for masterminding the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau in the wake of the financial crisis. This week, she has been traveling around Massachusetts on a “listening tour” to gauge support for a candidacy.
“She wants to continue this conversation, and the exploratory committee will assist her in doing so,” said Kyle Sullivan, a former aide to Gov. Deval Patrick who is now advising Ms. Warren.
The committee’s Web site is set up to register supporters and take their donations.
Promises of a post-Labor Day decision have not changed. But for some Democrats, the exploratory filing amounts to a fait accompli:
“It’s pretty much a formality at this point; she’s basically in,” wrote charley-on-the-mta, a co-founder of Blue Mass Group. The liberal blog hosted Ms. Warren’s introductory essay last week, in which she outlined her working-class upbringing (in Oklahoma, not mentioned) and her drive to fight for the middle class.
The post, titled “Coming Home,” marked her return to Cambridge after setting up the consumer advocacy agency in Washington. Democratic activists clamored for President Obama to nominate to lead it. But he did not; she faced certain stone-walling in the Senate, the body she is now considering joining.
Massachusetts Democrats have been eager to far a strong candidate to challenge Mr. Brown, the moderate Republican who won the seat long held by Senator Edward M. Kennedy – the seven other candidates in the race for the Democratic nod have failed to inspire much passion.
So far, Ms. Warren’s appearances before friendly audiences have drawn rave reviews, and she is popular with national Democratic base.
“The EMILY’s List community has been telling me loud and clear that they want Elizabeth Warren in the race to beat Scott Brown,” said Stephanie Schriock, the president of the group, which backs Democratic women who support abortion rights, in a statement. “Today, they got a little bit closer to getting their wish. I’m thrilled that Elizabeth is pursuing this next endeavor with the thoughtfulness and respect that’s been such a hallmark of her career.”
And some are backing up the words with money. The Progressive Change Campaign Committee, a group that has criticized Mr. Obama from the left, has raised $100,000 for its effort to draft Ms. Warren.
Nonetheless, the professor has never run for political office, and Mr. Brown has already raised more than $10 million for his re-election effort.
NYTimes.com
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