Are Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders headed for a collision?

[TexasTowelie]

by Dan Balz, The Washington Post


MANCHESTER, N.H. - Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., got a rousing reception from a ballroom filled with Democratic activists here Friday night, with multiple standing ovations and a lengthy photo line afterward. In a week when Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., joined the presidential race with a bang, it was the kind of reaction that pointed to the competition to come, here and elsewhere.

With the Democratic field already large and growing, handicapping the contest for the party's 2020 nomination remains a fool's errand. Most activists are eager to look but not yet ready to buy. But even at this early stage, it seems inevitable that Warren and Sanders will find themselves in direct competition as the campaign unfolds.

The two senators are fierce critics of what they call a rigged system, which they argue has hurt working and middle-class Americans. Both are scourges of big banks, big corporations and the billionaire class of political donors and influencers. As a result, they are seen - accurately or not - as having overlapping populist messages and therefore potentially overlapping constituencies.

They share something else in common likely to bring them into conflict. As next-door neighbors to the state with the nation's first presidential primary, they enjoy what historically has been a built-in advantage in New Hampshire. That means heightened expectations and the pressure to perform well here. Asked by reporters if she would win the primary here next year, Warren replied, "I'm sure going to try." She hasn't much choice.

Read more: https://www.sfgate.com/news/article/Are-Elizabeth-Warren-and-Bernie-Sanders-headed-13639497.php

[True Dough]

1. I'm surprised the linked article made no mention

of Warren insisting that all primary candidates should post their tax returns. I immediately thought she was taking aim at Bernie Sanders when she made that remark. She made 10 years of her returns public last year.

https://www.newsweek.com/elizabeth-warren-says-all-2020-presidential-candidates-should-release-tax-1331075

[MrsCoffee]

7. She said all presidential candidates, aiming directly at Trump...

If Bernie is caught in the crossfire...

[Cha]

23. Aim at any elected official who hasn't disclosed their finacial interests..

Link to tweet

[CentralMass]

2. I doubt it. I think this Dan Balz trying to stir the pot.

[Sherman A1]

3. More of The Horse Race

speculation and nothing more.

[betsuni]

4. Yes. Her early announcement was a shot across the bow.

She's smarter and has actual detailed policies, as did the last Democratic nominee for president.

[still_one]

5. One would assume the supporters Sanders and Warren have similar priorities, so to that degree I

think that Warren will take more votes away from Sanders than vice versa, though Sanders will still maintain a lead over her.

The problem I think they both have, is I think they are going to have problems in the Southern States, and why I believe they will have a difficult path to get the nomination

[crazytown]

6. No. Sanders and Warren have been friends for more than a decade.

Google it. Sanders is shooting for more than winning the nomination. He wants his legacy to be the greatest grassroots movement in American history which will transform the Democratic Party. In that task Warren is an an ally, not a rival.

Gotta give the guy points for chutzpah. Being president isn’t enough - the good Senator insists on being a transformative president.

[CrossingTheRubicon]

8. The points for chutzpah go to the guy who wants to "transform" a party he doesn't deign to join.

Elizabeth Warren is a fine Democrat with a deep command of policy.

She is also an explicit supporter of advanced capitalism and she aims her policies at cleaning up abuses and fraud that undermine a capitalist economy.

[crazytown]

13. I'm a big fan of Elizabeth Warren

I don’t think Sen Sanders or anyone else want’s to alienate her, for good reason.

[CrossingTheRubicon]

14. He already has. There is a reason he didn't get her endorsement in 2016 and there is a reason...

she's running in 2020.

Elizabeth Warren is not a Democratic Socialist.

[Cha]

22. Thank You, CTR! Veritas!

[peggysue2]

15. Yes!

Perfectly stated.

[Gothmog]

9. At least Sen. Warren has released her tax returns

Senator Warren has released her tax returns

Link to tweet

[Garrett78]

10. I don't think there can be much doubt that Warren makes it harder for Sanders in NH.

And everywhere really. They seem to appeal to the same constituency.

It's over for Sanders after NH, and it may be for Warren, as well.

[Cha]

17. How Elizabeth Warren Is Distancing Herself From Bernie Sanders

Link to tweet

[Garrett78]

18. Whether she's purposely distancing herself or not, she has to do so.

New Hampshire is pivotal for her, and she doesn't want to just split the Sanders vote, as that won't win the NH primary for her.

[Cha]

19. I would think she's savvy

enough to be doing it intentionally.. since it would only make good sense.

[Garrett78]

20. I think, though, that she's expressing her genuine positions.

I don't think she's ever been as much in line with Sanders as many seem to think. But the fact that many think they are 2 peas in a pod presents a problem for both.

[Cha]

21. Oh definitely. She always has

been more detail oriented.. and people who just go for sound bytes might think they're very similar.

[thesquanderer]

24. Maybe Warren and Sanders can afford to split the NH "left" vote...

...if the "moderates" split their vote a dozen ways.

[Garrett78]

25. If we still have a large field after Iowa, I think most will do poorly in New Hampshire.

I think we'll see 3-5 candidates take the vast majority of the New Hampshire vote. Sanders and Warren could be the top 2, but I doubt it. And if 1 or both don't finish in the top 2, especially if Iowa doesn't go their way, it'll be devastating.

Of course, much will depend on a variety of factors. Will Klobuchar or another underdog win Iowa and have momentum going into New Hampshire? Will Biden, a New Englander, run? Will Harris win Iowa and then steamroll everyone?

And there are 6 debates planned for 2019. No telling what impact those will have.

[Amimnoch]

11. Of the 2, I Hope she wins.

I like and am willing to support her if it comes down to it.

[Devil Child]

12. Lots of folks seem invested in nurturing "collision" between Sen. Warren and Sen. Sanders

[Cha]

16. How Elizabeth Warren Is Distancing Herself From Bernie Sanders

Link to tweet

[aeromanKC]

26. Both will drop out before the end

The real question is where will their supporters go. I say Harris will get the majority of them since she is more Progressive than Biden and her VP (Beto or Buttigieg??) will be much more progressive than one chosen by Biden.

[forklift]

27. It is inevitable

They have nearly identical platforms and policy positions.

I wouldn't mind if Senator Warren wins.