Is Elizabeth Warren Already Eyeing 2016 White House Bid?
Credit: AP
Only a few months into her first U.S. Senate term, Elizabeth Warren is reportedly mustering a growing wave of support among progressives as a potential shoe-in for the White House in 2016.
The Boston Herald notes that her stance against the Obama administration's proposal to potentially cut Social Security benefits has catalyzed liberal support for the senator.
"If Elizabeth Warren ran, millions of people would obviously support her candidacy enthusiastically," said Adam Green, co-founder of the Progressive Change Campaign Committee.
Green, who helped draft Warren for higher office in the first place, said the senate freshman has already garnered measurable support from liberals for her push-backs on proposed entitlement cuts.
"If Hillary Clinton or others don't firmly oppose these cuts, they open up a huge amount of political space for an insurgent to run and win," Green said.
T. Neil Sroka, communications director for Democracy for America, said his progressive group would back Warren as a 2016 presidential candidate.
"Number one, any Democrat that's open to cuts to Medicaid, Medicare or Social Security is not a good candidate," he said, adding that Warren "has proven herself in a short time and there is little doubt that in 2016 we're going to need a leader who is a fighter in that election."
While Warren herself has not indicated whether or not she would seek a White House bid, the Herald notes that roughly 4,000 Warren supporters have already launched an "Elizabeth Warren for President 2016" Facebook page. Likewise, "Warren for President" t-shirts are also reportedly on sale.
If Warren does consider throwing her hat in the ring, the vetting process would likely explore in greater depth, the alleged Native American roots that helped garner Warren a spot on Harvard University's faculty, as well as other controversial remarks made by the staunch progressive.
Another point to note is the political firestorm that would likely ensue over challenging Hillary Clinton (if she herself runs in 2016). Warren may not be fearful, however, as she sharply criticized the former Secretary of State for allegedly favoring "big banks" and selling out the middle class.
In the wake of the Boston Marathon bombing, constituents will also likely be watching to see how Warren deals with the crisis.
During a press conference covering the investigation into the terror attack, Warren heaped effusive praise on President Obama, stating:
"The President of the United States has pledged his full support in all efforts to keep the city safe and to find the person who did this and bring them to justice. We did not have to reach out to the president. The president reached out to us."
Below is video featuring Warren's remarks courtesy of CNSNews:
