The progressive labelled Pocahontas
Who Elizabeth Warren. The Democratic senator from Massachusetts is the first to come out of the blocks for the 2020 presidential nomination. The progressive populist is a top-tier contender in a likely crowded field, probably vying for the same leftwing voters as Senator Bernie Sanders.
What Warren has announced the first stage of a bid, setting up an exploratory committee.
Background Warren has roots in Oklahoma and Texas and was a registered Republican until her 40s. She studied at George Washington University and the University of Houston. As a Harvard law professor she focused on bankruptcy law and consumer protection.
Politics After the 2007-2008 financial crisis she was drafted by then-Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid to help oversee Tarp, the US$700 billion ($1 trillion) bailout of the financial markets. She proposed the creation of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. She won a second six-year Senate term in November and has US$12.5 million in her Senate campaign account for a a presidential bid. Warren has had a seat on the Senate Armed Services Committee.
Advantages She’s a politician of depth with major plans. She has released a number of proposals including ideas for a bill opposing corruption, a bid to give workers a say on company boards, affordable housing investment, and drug manufacturing reform. She can explain complex issues in an effective way and is an energetic, enthusiastic speaker.
Disadvantages Electibility could be a problem. Polls show she lags in popularity. A USA Today poll showed that former Vice-President Joe Biden is the one to beat, at least at this stage. Of people polled, 53 per cent were “excited” to see him run for president and 24 per cent said he “shouldn’t run”. Warren’s numbers were 27 per cent and 33 per cent. President Donald Trump has hounded Warren, calling her Pocahontas over her claim of Native American ancestry. Warren’s attempt to put the issue to bed with a DNA test last year did not appear to go well and yesterday she avoided answering questions about whether taking the test was a good idea.