Elizabeth Warren Receives Major Union Endorsement Before Launching Senate Candidacy

[cal04]

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/08/25/elizabeth-warren-union-endorsement-massachusetts-nurses-association_n_936866.html

Even before formally entering the Massachusetts Senate race, consumer advocate and Harvard professor Elizabeth Warren has picked up a major union endorsement.

The former Obama administration official who spearheaded the creation of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, received the unsolicited backing of the Massachusetts Nurses Association (MNA) on Tuesday. The endorsement came before Warren, a Democrat, has said whether or not she will actually challenge Sen. Scott Brown (R-Mass.) for his seat. (Her announcement will come after Labor Day, advisers say, though it's widely expected that she will decide to run.) Announced just minutes after a 5.8 magnitude earthquake struck the east coast, the MNA's decision was barely noticed by the political press.

And yet, the union's endorsement could have ripple effects on the Democratic primary in that critical Senate race. The union has 23,000 members, making it the largest association of registered nurses in the state. By coming out in favor of Warren before she announces her decision, a union official explained, members are "hoping it will show her up front what kind of support she has and encourage her to jump in."

It also signals to the rest of the primary field, which includes Newton Mayor Setti Warren, social entrepreneur Alan Khazei and State Representative Thomas Conroy, that the consumer advocate -- despite her political inexperience -- could present a formidable opponent.

[Le Taz Hot]

Woah!

:woohoo: And she hasn't even announced. Yet. This is VERY cool!

[xchrom]

1. recommend

[ChiciB1]

2. Her Election Would Be FANTASTIC, But I Fear She Won't Even Get The

support of the Obama administration. I wish I had more faith in them, but I worry she won't be able to raise enough money to get rid of Brown. Too many times this administration has backed a DLC or DINO type candidate. Blanche Lincoln et al!!!

[CTyankee]

3. I'm not so sure. Obama may have just not wanted her in that job.

This is different. At least, I am hoping that is the case.

I love the spirit of the nurses union. They have stepped up to put a wonderful woman in office. This just makes my day!

[Le Taz Hot]

4. She's got the support of progressives

and other groups disaffected by this administration. I think she'll raise TONS of money. If/when she runs and if/when we have a job by then, I'll sure as hell contribute to her campaign (I've no one to donate to locally this coming election season).

[Mass]

6. We have a bunch of good solid candidates. All would be great senators.

I imagine the Obama's administration support will come to the winner of the primary, as it should.

[sasha031]

7. I think she'll do well, wait till she debates Brown, it should be fun

[udbcrzy2]

8. I would love to see that. She rocks! n/t

[sasha031]

11. people in Ma are pretty savvy, just look at our Congress

I have no idea how Brown got in, what a disgrace. The great Ted Kennedy's seat...
Elisabeth is brilliant and Brown is dumb, the debates will be great.

[udbcrzy2]

16. She's going to kick his ass! n/t

[ChiciB1]

9. Good To See The Positive Responses! Living In Florida It's Hard To

get any Democrat elected and activism here is almost dead!

[Fearless]

19. This is Massachusetts.

If she touches the working class, she will win. And she will have all the money she needs.

[postulater]

5. I always count on the nurses to do the right thing.

Nurses always have their eyes on the prize. You might distract them but you can't fool them.

:applause:

[Scuba]

10. This lady has my support for any job she wants...

<img src="" title="Hosted by imgur.com" />

[bvar22]

12. I'll join the UNIONS in supporting Warren.

It will be interesting to see if the White House or their surrogates in the DSCC
mess with the Primary.
The DSCC has a TERRIBLE track record for opposing Grass Roots Democrats who are not approved by the Chamber of Commerce or the Republican Party.



Who will STAND and FIGHT for THIS American Majority?
Elizabeth Warren WILL!!

You will know them by their WORKS,
not by their excuses.

Solidarity!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[Mass]

15. She is the candidate of the DSCC. They decided our existing candidates were not good enough.

[bvar22]

18. We'll see.

I will be supporting her campaign,
but have ZERO trust in the DSCC.
The DSCC the Enforcement Arm for DLC and "New Democrats" many years ago.


"There are forces within the Democratic Party who want us to sound like kinder, gentler Republicans.
I want a party that will STAND UP for Working Americans."
---Paul Wellstone

photo by bvar22
Shortly before Sen Wellstone was killed


"By their WORKS you will know them."


Solidarity!

[dflprincess]

20. I like Elizabeth Warren, but her being the DSCC candidate gives me pause

It was the DSCC (along with the DNC & state party leadership) who shoved Amy Klobuchar down our throats in 2006 over a far more progressive candidate (and yes, that candidate could have won. I suspect one thing they didn't like about him was that he wasn't the type to go with the party flow.)

Who are the candidate(s) they're throwing overboard?

[whathehell]

21. Just curious...What's the dirt on Klobuchar?...She's a guest at my local dems fundraiser.n/t

[dflprincess]

22. Not really any dirt

But it's like a someone I know who has always been a far more moderate DFLer than I recently said to me "If Amy Klobuchar ever takes a stand on something besides motherhood and apple pie, I'll drop dead." (This person is a former public office holder). However, this probably explains why she remains popular with Minnesota voters who aren't paying close attention.

Her staff is quite rude and Amy herself does not seem to welcome any disagreement. Her office also puts out the best non-response responses I've ever read. I still can't tell you what her real opinion about health care reform is (she did vote for the Profit Protection Act, but won't give an answer one way or the other about single payer or even the public option).

In fact, I can't tell you what she really thinks about any big issue but she did take a <ahem> courageous stands against texting while driving.

She really seems to be there just to fill a seat and not make waves. She seems to lean more "Third Way" than progressive and her biggest concern is to get reelected. I really wish we had someone to challenge her for endorsement next year.

[whathehell]

23. Thanks for the info, dflprincess.

I'll be sure not to shell out any $ to see her!:-)

[kwolf68]

13. Out with the trash....

When is this election? Next year? I'd love to see Warren replace the stuffed shirt in the Senate.

[Mass]

14. Primary is in September 2012. Then Nov 2012 for whoever wins it against Brown.

[upi402]

17. good!!! n/t k/r

[Tatiana]

24. This is a candidate I will sacrifice to donate my time and $$$ to.

Even though I do not live in MA, electing someone like Warren to the Senate would be a benefit to all Americans.