Breaking: Elizabeth Warren Gets Senate Democratic Leadership Spot - HuffPo

[WillyT]

Elizabeth Warren Gets Senate Democratic Leadership Spot
Amanda Terkel & Ryan Grim
Posted: 11/13/2014 10:51 am EST Updated: 6 minutes ago

<snip>

WASHINGTON -- Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) gained a leadership position in the Senate Democratic caucus Thursday, giving the prominent progressive senator a key role in shaping the party's policy priorities.

Warren's new role, which was created specifically for her, will be strategic policy adviser to the Democratic Policy and Communications Committee, helping to craft the party's policy positions and priorities. She will also serve as a liaison to progressive groups to ensure they have a voice in leadership meetings and discussions, according to a source familiar with the role.

A source close to Warren told The Huffington Post that the senator was interested in the position because she wanted to have a seat at the table in the leadership meetings in order to influence the agenda.

Sources told HuffPost that Warren had the strong support of Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.), who wanted her as part of his team. Warren's presence in the weekly leadership meetings and her role helping to shape the caucus' policies are significant for progressives.

Reid's support for Warren also underscores his desire to push progressive policies in the next Congress, a priority his office has confirmed.

"If the ballot measure results are any indication, actual progressive policies remain popular with voters in red and blue states. I believe you’ll see a Senate Democratic caucus fight on behalf of those policies and provide the votes if and when Republicans are ready to act," Faiz Shakir, a senior adviser to Reid, told HuffPost earlier this month.

<snip>

Link: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/11/13/elizabeth-warren-senate_n_6149454.html

[oldandhappy]

1. I hope this is good news.

We need her to continue to speak out -- clearly and forcefully. Go Senator Warren. Tell those old guys a few things. And tell them again. And again!!

[rhett o rick]

77. I agree. But I think she will always speak out. nm

[nc4bo]

93. I'm confident she will do just that......perhaps louder than ever.

We NEED people like Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders to drag this party, by its hair kicking and screaming, back to a Party FOR the People..........very much to the left of the new center.

[Le Taz Hot]

2. I'd like to be hopeful

but honestly, I'm pretty skeptical. This sounds more like a device to get her out of the way in 2016. It doesn't matter that she advocates for the poor and the middle class, she will be roundly ignored by the Vichy Dems currently in charge of the Democratic Party.

[LondonReign2]

9. Completely agree

'Hold your friends close, hold your enemies closer." Sounds like the corporatists are doing exactly that. Her suggestions will be minimized if not ignored.

[pampango]

28. If she is that easily controlled and manipulated by corporatists, I would rather find out now than

after the presidential election if she runs. I don't think she is as weak as is being implied, but we shall see.

[Erich Bloodaxe BSN]

78. Is it her they're trying to control, or us?

I'm dubious about the position being called 'leadership' when they made it out of thin air. If they wanted her in 'leadership', well, minority leader of the Senate would have worked fine. We'll have to see what comes of it, but I'm wondering if this is the 'bone' being thrown to placate the left and make us back off from trying to get her to run in 2016. Good things could come of it, if she actually does become a key player in rewriting economic and labour policy for Dems.

[Stellar]

106. When I read it, I felt they were trying to control both...

Senator Warren and us.

Warren's new role, which was created specifically for her, will be strategic policy adviser to the Democratic Policy and Communications Committee, helping to craft the party's policy positions and priorities. She will also serve as a liaison to progressive groups to ensure they have a voice in leadership meetings and discussions, according to a source familiar with the role

Keep the woman busy so she won't run against Hillary in 2016 and perhaps that will keep those damned liberals quite too.

[2banon]

109. My thinking too.. we shall observe closely... n/t

[2banon]

107. good point. indeed, something to watch closely.

[Nay]

10. "Get her out of the way" was the first reason that came to my mind as well.

But I really don't think she wants to run for president, so maybe this will backfire on the Vichy dems in the sense that they have given her another platform for her views. Let's hope so.

[midnight]

44. Yep..Me too… We shall soon see.

[Brigid]

100. "Vichy Dems"

I am sooo stealing that!

[2banon]

110. glad to see it catch on..

been sayin' that for over a decade..

[heaven05]

35. "Vichy Dems"

I love that.

[brooklynite]

51. Getting out of the way of a race she doesn't want to run?

[Nay]

117. The Vichy dems may not think she is serious about not running, or

they may be afraid we 99% will try to draft her.

[swilton]

55. keep your enemies close?

I share the skepticism - what better way to neutralize her.

[2banon]

111. and us...

[Bonhomme Richard]

75. I agree. I think it is a way to marginalize her while.....

appearing to be open to progressive (i.e. pro middle class) ideas. In addition they know she is popular so they can't totally dismiss her and so they will use her as much as they can without having to make any real changes.

[Zorra]

3. They'll put her in a basement janitor closet office when it becomes clear,

after using every possible ploy to sway her, that there is no way to corrupt her.

[ReRe]

48. "And the Republicans rigged it!" ~Elizabeth Warren n/t

[upaloopa]

4. I have to laugh

If and when repukes are ready to act on what? Increase Social Security benefits, Wall Street regulation, women's reproductive rights, student loan help, access to higher education? What?

[kentuck]

5. And Reid shores up his support to continue..

as Leadervof the Party.

[unblock]

6. so basically she's assistant to the regional manager?

[skippy66]

7. Right on!

Go Elizabeth

[Duval]

41. Yes, skipp66.

I think she'll be an asset. She'd also be a great VP to Bernie Sanders President. I'm finding it hard to understand some of the negative comments. Hey, we can't gain anything if we don't try.

[whathehell]

61. She is an asset, and I'm not getting all the sour cynicism either.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

8. Transparent Political PR to soothe the left.

[notrightatall]

11. "we've created you a "leadership" position, now go sit down and shut the fuck up."

[whathehell]

115. I think she's way too smart to accept a faux job. n/t

[fredamae]

12. A reason for Hope?

Or a means to "quiet her down"?

Me? I'm Hoping.

[jwirr]

19. So am I - she is one of us at least. A couple of days ago we on DU were yelling about needing new

leadership - my hope is she is the beginning. Now who do we want to push next?

I have one suggestion: Al Franken.

[fredamae]

27. I'm not too fussy

Franken/Merkley/Sherrod Brown/Whitehose/Klobuchar.....
House: Edwards/Grayson/Barbara Lee/?

[jwirr]

29. All of them sound good to me.

[WillyT]

32. Me Too !!!

[Plucketeer]

42. Truly Incredible to scroll thru the comments here.

Sure, there's positive replies (as this one's going to be). but the nay-sayers and the snide remarks! Why do you folks still hang out here??????? When I can no longer see the bright side of possibilities, I'll go eat worms. I am NOT a Rethug and I refuse to think to their advantage - EVER!

This fine woman has stepped up like MILLIONS of us armchair players have not and will not. What a breath of fresh air she is. In fact, every time she speaks there's a resultant breeze that blows the cover off some conservative scheme or crime. I (nor any of you experts) know just what this new position means or affords Senator Warren, but she's SO savvy and straight-talkin' that I don't think she'll "play along" for long before she tells her faithful that the deck is stacked. She's said straight out that "The game is rigged". How many others of her stature have talked like that?
Reid may be a seasoned strategist and an honest-to-gosh pugilist, but he's not infallible - and he's demonstrated that numerous times during his tenure as leader of the Senate. I have a feeling that if this appointment is some sorta strategic suppression, Ms. Warren is gonna see it for what it is an react accordingly.

No - the only thing that I worry about is her personal security. Wasn't too long ago we saw another straight-talking Rep get perforated with a hail of gunfire. It's really easy to envision some deluded one-man armory on a self-assigned mission for conservatism.

[Demeter]

46. Because we are REALISTS who care

Not addicted to the Hopium

[mythology]

53. So given that Warren is taking the position

The logical assumption is that you view her as either addicted to "hopium", or a useful idiot.

Personally, I think she's pretty darn smart and wouldn't take the position if she felt it was a sham.

[Demeter]

67. While you are welcome to express your opinion here, kindly keep yourself off mine

You aren't even close.

[Andy823]

57. Good post.

Sadly some here just love to rain on the parade. The negativity around here on post like this that are a GOOD thing seem to out way the positive, and that's just not right.

I agree with you, the women is smart and knows what she is doing. We should be happy, not negative. I for one am glad she got this position.

[sheshe2]

65. Thank you! Great post.

[Erich Bloodaxe BSN]

79. "Why do you folks still hang out here??????? "

Because I didn't realize eternal optimism was a requirement to do so?

Some of us are cynical after decades of watching politics unfold. That doesn't mean we wouldn't prefer to be pleasantly surprised for a change, just that we've seen enough politics and politicians to be cynical until actions follow words.

[Plucketeer]

83. I understand you

I really do. Every once in awhile, I catch myself oozing cynicism. We're all human, of course. But what I remind myself is that there was a time late in my dad's life that I wondered if I'd ever be a cynical about our government as he was. Now as I climb into MY years, I remind myself how ugly it was to see him bitching and blaming higher powers for things that didn't suit him. Don't get me wrong - I can bitch with the best of 'em. But I refuse to be all-consumed and look like this, day in and day out ->

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

89. Well said

[GoneFishin]

13. We have a "special" job for you on level F.

[antiquie]

15. Yep.

Beware invented positions.

[1StrongBlackMan]

14. Reading 9 of the first 10 comments ...

is exactly why I think this won't end well for Senator Warren. It seems that {ETA: SOME} "progressives" prefer their voices in the wilderness; rather than, at the table.

ETA: And why not ... when in the wilderness, theories of the power of the message can never be tested.

[Recursion]

16. Yup (nt)

[antiquie]

17. I'd like her at the grownup's table. ~ nt

[Erich Bloodaxe BSN]

80. At the head of it sounds good. nt

[SidDithers]

20. Nailed it...

Sid

[Voice for Peace]

22. thank you!

I found this news uplifting and promising. The responses
are so cynical and bleak. Even if they turn out to be right,
I'm not gonna go there. She's a shining energy with so
much sense and integrity. Not gonna be hidden away.

[Spazito]

24. I figured it would be that way before I even clicked on the thread...

was hoping I would be wrong, sadly I wasn't.

[Iliyah]

36. Ditto

Senator Warren. The negativity, I see the positive aspect to this. Even the corporate media won't be able to subdue the CRAZY that will be coming out of the GOP congress. It has already started.

[heaven05]

37. I truly hope

she proves to be a valuable addition of STRENGTH, INTEGRITY and ethical principle to a democratic leadership group that has been woefully weak for the last 30+ years. on edit: I have many more adjectives to describe our Party leadership....better part of discretion stopped that. Only to be used in private company.

[zipplewrath]

45. More of a case of "once burnt, twice shy"

When people were accused of over reacting to some of Obama's early "nonprogressive" actions early on, they were accused of being chicken littles. I said at the time that after being hit with a cattle prod for so long, you tend to flinch before actually being stung. You're gonna see a lot of that over this. Someone who was doing a good job of being vocal being moved to a position that can be known for silencing people.

That said, my entire strategy this election was to make donations to various candidates "through" her. Which meant either from a letter with her name on it, or through her campaign funds. I wanted her to have people who "owed" her. Unfortunately most of them didn't get elected. None the less I suspect leadership noticed her fundraising capacity and thought they better "buy in" to her brand, even if they simultaneously ignore the message.

[1StrongBlackMan]

59. Question ...

Which early non-progressive actions were you warned about early on were you warned about that burned you?

[zipplewrath]

91. You might want to restate

I think there is a typo in your question some where.

But some actions early on that fired up people were things like honoring Rick Warren, appointing Rahm, NOT appointing Dean to anything, keeping Gates, not issuing an executive order to stop the expulsion of gays, appointing Geithner, not making the bankers take hair cuts on their toxic assets, ensuring their bonuses.

People were told to be patient and that the good stuff was still to come, but I made the comment that after 8 years of Clinton's triangulation and DOMA, DADT, and NAFTA, people were a little sensitive to familiar patterns.

[Deny and Shred]

69. By taking this position she'd be a single lonely

voice at a very crowded table - still in the wilderness, an honest broker without even a puncher's chance to get them to adopt liberal policies. That is right where they want her - in the fold and ineffective.

After a miserable midterm, she's emerged as a rare Democrat with a legitimate message and legitimate following. They are inventing a position for her. Why? Its a public display. They could adopt her policies without the invented position, but they don't.

They want her at the table, not for her ideas, but for her pull. She has cred they want, hence the new position.

[1StrongBlackMan]

71. But to hear one DUer tell it ...

she was, single-handedly, and all by herself, to create the wildly successful Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.

I repeat ... reading so many of these responses, things will NOT end well for Elizabeth Warren.

When did Democrats/Liberals become so nihilistic that we/they can no longer support people we/they support?

[Erich Bloodaxe BSN]

81. Who has the power?

Why do you think that the tone of postings on DU will in any way shape whether or not 'this will end well' for Senator Warren?

I don't think it will in the least. Either cynical people will be proven right, wrong, or some mix thereof. But that will depend upon how Dems in DC treat her, not whether or not some of us here on DU don't trust the Party to treat her right.

We're cynical about our politicians because they give us reason to be. Because scientific studies show us that even Dem politicians vote more conservatively than the constituents in their district want them to; because they shy away from voting on populist measures that the American people are all in favour of. Because leadership puts off votes until it is too late in the name of 'political expediency', and fumbles and scores own goals.

We don't ask them to be saints, but it would be nice for them to actually represent their own districts and states even on 'hard' votes, rather than instinctively shuffle to the 'right' in their words and deeds. Or for 'leadership' to simply kill difficult votes or use 'voice votes', rather than putting both Dems and Repubs alike on record for everything they claim to believe.

[1StrongBlackMan]

101. Okay ...

I probably should have said, "this will not end well for Senator Warren per DU."

But that will depend upon how Dems in DC treat her, not whether or not some of us here on DU don't trust the Party to treat her right.

Or, what she does/doesn't, can/cannot, do once she is in a leadership position. I'm sure you have been in/real life experience(s) where a situation looked completely different on the "inside", i.e., in a position of both responsibility AND accountability, than from the "outside", i.e., maybe a personal commitment; but, no accountability because your words, thoughts, opinions were not put to the test.

Because scientific studies show us that even Dem politicians vote more conservatively than the constituents in their district want them to; because they shy away from voting on populist measures that the American people are all in favour of. Because leadership puts off votes until it is too late in the name of 'political expediency', and fumbles and scores own goals.

Yes ... I am familiar with the studies; but those studies, also, conclude that the reason for the right-ward shift, is not due to any malfeasance or ill-will, but rather, out of a desire to make the "safe" choice ... and by safe, the studies refer to the least disruptive choice. That is human nature ... when responsible for the whole of the group, people act conservatively.

[DCBob]

18. good. we need her voice.

[badtoworse]

21. "I'm the under assistant, west coast promotion man"

Where's my dime? I know I had a dime here somewhere.

[Vinca]

23. Why do I feel this is too little too late?

And only a ploy to appease the liberal base (especially the liberal donor base).

[JEB]

25. The policy on Keystone pipeline had better be

No Fucking Way.

[Central Scruitinizer]

50. Keystone

Will not have any tar sands bitumen to move since major players withdrew from building the infrastructure to produce the toxic sludge in Canada.

I heard it on NPR.

[KT2000]

26. If this is co-opting

she won't put up with it and will be loud about it.

[think]

30. Hope she makes it work.... /nt

[progressoid]

31. Big rec!

[Dawgs]

33. How will this affect her run for President?

Will she have the time to handle such a role?

[1StrongBlackMan]

40. I think it can go either way ...

with the spot, she will gain a national forum, i.e., name recognition out side of liberal/progressive/Democratic circles, that would be helpful/important, should she run.

On the other hand, her taking the position could have her sacrificed at the alter of liberal/progressive purity, when she supports a less than pure progressive agenda/message ... losing her the support of progressives.

[Erich Bloodaxe BSN]

84. You know what progressive "purity" is?

Nationalization of most major industry. Not just higher minimum incomes, but 'maximum incomes' through extremely high top marginal rates. Kicking the vultures out of commodities trading, and verifying that those buying commodities are going to USE them, not just run up the price for nice market gains. Ending private prisons. And end to coal and nuclear power, no more oil wells, no more gas fracking. Refusing to pay a dime of public funds toward private schools. Public housing, public cafeterias, public clinics. National single payer that covers everything - teeth, eyes, feet, whatever.

There's your 'purity'. And not getting that will not hurt Elizabeth Warren. Because for all the people who shout 'purity' to the Heavens, progressives never demand anywhere near purity. They just want honesty, integrity, and politicians who actually put the needs of the public before their own wealth and power. And they'll settle for far less than that.

There is no 'altar of liberal/progressive purity' other than in the minds of people who are being insulting to progressives.

[1StrongBlackMan]

103. That is one description of progressive "purity" ...

and progressive purity can be described as a willingness to toss out the ACA, because it's not single-payer ... Or, a willingness to "go over the fiscal cliff" because the wealthy didn't have their taxes raised ... enough ... Or, a willingness to risk a global financial crash in order to jail bank executives ... Or, a willingness to crash the democracy we have in order to prosecute a previous administration... Or, a willingness to ignore social/cultural disparities, in favor of ending income inequity (I hate the common; but inaccurate, "income inequality ... the two mean completely different things).

There is no 'altar of liberal/progressive purity' other than in the minds of people who are being insulting to progressives.

Okay, I was being dramatic ... I should have used the more common phrasing, "thrown under the bus because she didn't/doesn't get 100% of what her former fans, turned critics, want."

[2banon]

113. Well Said Sir! Spot fracking on!

[brooklynite]

52. She doesn't want to run...but keep dreaming

[Dawgs]

58. Not a dream..she's running.

Although, I'm not sure why you wouldn't want her to run. Any good reason?

[brooklynite]

62. I have no objection at all if she runs...

...although it might be complicated to explain why she's running against Clinton after encouraging her to run first.

That said, I take her at her word; she's been emphatic that she doesn't want to. Maybe it's because I've had up close time with her and you haven't.

[Dawgs]

63. "I've had up close time with her and you haven't."

Actually, I have. And, she's definitely running.

[sheshe2]

68. So, she confided this to you? You must be a very good friend of hers.

When was this? And did she tell others as well?

TIA

[Dawgs]

99. I didn't say she told me. n/t

[Martin Eden]

34. WOW -- the Democratic Party did something RIGHT!!!

(I mean LEFT)

[florida08]

38. If anyone believes you can put Elizabeth in a corner

You are mistaken. Yes it's a bone to liberals to pacify but the result will be so much more. If she feels she is being
marginalize she won't stay. She is not a dope.

[Iliyah]

39. Corporate media will try to hide her and at the same time trash her

Liberal/Progressives will shine in these next two years because of the absolute nutso that will be revealed 24/7 by the RWers (not by the corporate media) but by social media.

[longship]

43. Since when does a seat at the table equal a basement janitor closet?

Or, an attempt to control or shut Senator Warren up?

I am astounded how so many DUers, no doubt some trumpeting Warren for President, in spite of the fact that she has said so many times that she's not running -- I know. She has not said she won't run -- now claim that she is apparently so feckless that she'd let the Senate Democratic leaders use such a subterfuge of giving her a leadership position to silence her.

If I believed that, I would not support her even if she was going to run for president (which she is not).

Alas. I firmly remain an Elizabeth Warren cheerleader. I believe her when she says she is not running for president in 2016. And I believe that she is not so stupid as to allow the Senate Democratic leadership to relegate her to a basement janitor closet.

Many responses in this thread utterly suck.

[Demeter]

47. Since we've closely observed Harry Reid, lo, these many years

[Central Scruitinizer]

49. Policy advisor

It is about time she has "a seat at the table in the leadership meetings in order to influence the agenda".

For the last decade the party has been rudderless. President Obama's under the radar accomplishments remained so while Democratic leadership kept mum on the successes allowing the GOP to frame the debate.

Too bad Howard Dean's girly scream disqualifies him for additional leadership, too bad Weiner's well; weiner disqualifies him from fighting for us.

[ReRe]

54. K&R

What I am waiting for is a presser saying she accepts the position.

And I want to think that this is a position at Harry's side, where she will learn the ropes of running the Senate. I hope it's a stepping stone to to the Majority Leadership position in the future!

[hifiguy]

56. This is reason for some cautious optimism.

Especially if Reid wanted her at the table. She knows how to message better than anyone in the Senate but Bernie.

[TBF]

60. A new approach -

I guess they couldn't pepper spray her like they do to college students and people in parks. More civilized co-opting. Good luck Elizabeth - you are going to need it.

[HereSince1628]

64. In the old days THIS was recognizes as inviting a person into the tent so

that person would be on the inside pissing out rather than the outside pissing in.


This is better than a sharp stick in the eye, but advisor to a committee isn't leadership.


CHAIR of a committee is leadership.

[Kalidurga]

66. It's a start

[HereSince1628]

70. Of what?

[blue neen]

72. Very good.

Great news.

[Marie Marie]

73. She is perfect for this position.

I don't doubt her value in shaping policies - I love her! The big question is: Will the Dems listen and follow her lead? That is where my doubt lies but the more this woman speaks, the more people should listen - both her fellow Dems and the voters.

[jillan]

74. The only way to get me to shut up about Warren for President is if she takes over Harry's job.

I would be the happiest liberal in the world

In the meantime, this is News!!!

[Helen Borg]

76. Anything to make sure she does not run in 2016.

I think...

[baldguy]

82. I wonder how long it'll be before her current ardent supporters toss her under the bus?

Since she's now "sold out", "caved in" and become "part of the problem".

[Erich Bloodaxe BSN]

85. If you're an 'ardent supporter' and think those of her, I'd hate to see people who don't like her.

I don't know how this will work out for her, but I don't see her changing her vision or priorities based upon it.

[polichick]

86. Has she recommitted to staying in the Senate? Seems likely Reid would want her to.

[NorthCarolina]

87. It' quite interesting that the Dem Party had to CREATE a position for a voice for progressives.

So, apparently progressives never had a position at the Democratic Party Leadership Table before?

[WillyT]

88. Outstanding Point !!!

[NorthCarolina]

92. It jumped out at me as I read this

on the huffington post

Senate Democrats Have No Idea Why Elizabeth Warren Got A New Leadership Role

WASHINGTON -- Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) got a promotion on Thursday. She now has a seat at the Senate Democratic leadership table and, in a role created just for her, she will serve as a policy adviser and voice for progressives.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/11/13/elizabeth-warren-senate-leadership_n_6154784.html

So, Senate Democrats are not even sure WHY she got a role. I was like They're NOT??? Perhaps they simply haven't been paying much attention lately. Then of course, they never had a position for a progressive voice before, so perhaps it would be a bit of a head scratcher for them. Afterall, it is a new position created just for her.

[WillyT]

96. Great Catch !!! - Thank You !!!

[Nay]

119. Exactly. It's a worrisome thing that they would even word it like that. nt

[scarystuffyo]

90. They saw her as a threat to the status quo

This is so transparent by the powers in the democratic party

[LuvLoogie]

94. And in other news

Metallica hires a marimba player

[myrna minx]

95. K&R nt

[DonCoquixote]

97. a roman saying

"let him (or her) be promoted, then removed'

Or in this case, make sure liz is in the senate, and if she tries to run, make the case that she abondoned the Senate, so that Hillary can be free to take 2016.

[TheNutcracker]

98. Sorry, Liz is too good for this......

[Brigid]

102. If this is being done in order to silence Elizabeth Warren . . .

It will backfire spectacularly. She won't be silenced. It certainly didn't work when the Republicans tried it with Teddy Roosevelt. Of course, that was because something happened that no one could have anticipated, but that only proves that you just never know.

[whathehell]

116. Thank you -- way too much underestimating of Elizabeth Warren here. n/t

[Nay]

118. I don't think many of us underestimate Warren; we are just aware of the

machinations in politics that can sideline people. I personally do not think Warren will allow this to happen to her. What we are commenting upon is a move that looks like it could be used as a way to shut her up/sideline her with overwork. No one here is taking jabs at Warren; we being cynical about the motives of giving her this job. That's a very different thing. And god knows we have a right to be cynical.

[whathehell]

120. I understand the difference..

and I'm just asking for a moratorium on all the nay-saying, because,

bad as the motives of those giving her this "new job" may be, I don't think

that will matter, ultimately, as she will see her way through it.

[IronLionZion]

104. She's such a third way corporate blue dog!

It's time we throw her under the bus!

[2banon]

105. Well, Good then.

[mfcorey1]

108. It is amazing how someone can be so applauded until she gets a promotion

and then some of the praises become claws of jealousy and controversy. Some deems are openly questioning her appointment in the media. Damn!

[BlancheSplanchnik]

112. YAY!! KICK! and rec #140.

[Warren DeMontague]

114. Good.

She's one of the brightest stars in our firmament right now. She absolutely should be at the front of the train.

[glinda]

121. Klobuchar got an appointment also and she is hard core Blue Dog

and I will go as far as to say she is more than that. She is a moderate Republican. And she is also the next "new" thing according to Maddow. So sad.Her environmental record is not acceptable to me at all.

[NYC_SKP]

122. I can't wait until Warren breaks the news about running for president!

Be still, my heart!

[AgingAmerican]

123. Uh, oh...

The Third Way® won't like this development...