Elizabeth Warren: I Won By Standing Up For 'Core Of Liberalism' - HuffPo

[WillyT]

Elizabeth Warren: I Won By Standing Up For 'Core Of Liberalism'
Ryan Grim - HufPo
Posted: 11/07/2012 11:27 am EST Updated: 11/07/2012 12:06 pm EST

<snip>

Elizabeth Warren won her campaign for Senate in Massachusetts by reaffirming the social contract and standing up for the "core of liberalism," she told The Huffington Post Wednesday morning.

Warren, energized by her victory but running on precious little sleep, is rare among Democrats in her willingness to talk about economic policies in terms of core values, and to defend liberalism -- even to use the dreaded term -- rather than run from it. The message has struck a chord, not just among self-described liberals, but among independent voters who feel that the system is rigged against regular people. It has also made her a lightning rod for conservative anger, and earned her the hostility of Wall Street.

Strong liberals who have gone to the Senate in recent years, such as Minnesota's Al Franken or New York's Hillary Clinton, put their heads down and focused on the internal workings of the upper chamber, which can fully occupy a freshman senator's time and largely remove him or her from the national conversation.

Warren, however, said she plans to continue making her case. "The Senate should be a place to talk about the issues that are important to people's lives. It's just that straightforward," she said in her first one-on-one print interview after her victory.

The heart of Warren's appeal is her insistence that politics is a contest of competing values. "We said this election is about whose side you're on," Warren said, summing up her campaign's message. "I think of this as an election where we stuck to our values: Make sure Social Security and Medicare benefits are protected, and millionaires and billionaires pay their fair share. To me, that's the heart of it. That's really where the basic social contract is reaffirmed. We said, 'We're gonna end subsidies for Big Oil and we're gonna make sure there's equal pay for equal work. Those were big issues here. Or, at least, I talked about them all the time."

Warren's commitment to protect the social contract will be put immediately to the test, as President Barack Obama and congressional negotiators go to work crafting a bargain to avert the so-called fiscal cliff: the expiration of the Bush tax cuts, as well as automatic cuts to defense and social spending.

The election saw a wave of liberal victories that signals a shift in direction toward the core values Warren argues for. In Maine, Minnesota and Maryland, voters for the first time approved marriage equality, which Warren said is part of liberalism's promise of equal opportunity and dignity for all people.

"This election was about making sure the United States, the federal government, honors equal marriage. This election was about opportunity, not for some, but for all, and that's the core of liberalism," she said.

<snip>

More: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/11/07/elizabeth-warren_n_2088073.html

[mnhtnbb]

1. I love me some Senator-elect Elizabeth Warren!

[Scootaloo]

2. I hope to love me some president-elect Warren four years from today

[kath]

14. Wow, wouldn't it be sweet to have a liberal in the White House?!

It's been sooooo frickin' long.

[kwolf68]

3. Yes!!!!

Slight upgrade in Massachusetts to say the least.

Good going folks up there. We can almost always count on you.

[WorseBeforeBetter]

4. So refreshing to hear.

Especially since I'm in fucking North Carolina.

[kath]

15. Hey, you think it's bad in NC - try being in f'ing Oklahoma!

Sucks here, the only state where not ONE single county went for Obama in 2008 (and very likely the same yesterday).

[WorseBeforeBetter]

24. OK... you, uh, win!

I was referring to more than just Obama, though...

[kath]

30. Oh, I knew you were. We're both lamenting the horror of living in Red State Hell, surrounded

by Repugs. At least most red states have one or more oases of people who vote Dem. But not here.

And don't get me started on the weather here - 70+ days over 100 degrees in 2011, dog knows how many in 2012, but a spell of 113-114 degree days and plenty of days 105+ and 110+. ARRGGGHH. (But we don't have hurricanes and generally not much humidity.)

Surrounded by teh stoopid & teh bigoted haters and baking in the heat - a truly lovely combo!

The state ballot initiatives here are legendary in their asshatery (although not quite as insane this year as in the past couple of years)- don't know about NCs.

On one very bright side, we're spared the barrage of Pres. campaign ads in OK - the Dems don't even try, so then the Reps don't need to bother either.

[WorseBeforeBetter]

32. Ugh, those temps and little rain would depress the hell out of me.

I stopped myself a couple of times this summer when bitching about the heat; I knew it was MUCH worse elsewhere.

In May, North Carolinians voted to amend our Constitution to ban "gay marriage" and other domestic unions, even though state law already defined marriage as being between a man and a woman. It passed by something like 61% to 39%. DISGUSTING.

The seas aren't allowed to rise above a Republican-approved level and come 2014, they'll be fracking the $hit out of this state.

Oh, and our Dem governor vetoed voter ID requirements, but now that an R governor was elected, that will be sure to pass. Voter suppression, yay!

It's a gorgeous state, though, I will say that, and I do live in a blue oasis. And I have met many good Southern Dems... God bless 'em, they're hardcore.

Oh, well, hang in there, and keep up the good fight!

[mnhtnbb]

26. As my son says, the problem with Raleigh is it's surrounded by NC.

Seriously, hubby and I live in Chapel Hill--an oasis of blue--but the Repubs have
been moving in. There was actually a lawn sign for Romney in our neighborhood--
and I've NEVER seen a Republican presidential candidate sign previously in
our neighborhood.

[WorseBeforeBetter]

36. LOL I shouldn't laugh,

but *ain't* that the truth. And the problem with NC is that parts are so gorgeous, I just have to explore... and block out as much "red" as I go!

[Scuba]

5. Pay attention Democratic candidates!!!

[Doctor_J]

6. Kind of a swear word around the WH, unfortunately

I wish the president had taken the LEAD on pot, gay marriage, and tax fairness. Maybe wins for liberal legislators last night will give h im the courage to adopt a more Dem outlook.

[Hydra]

10. If we learned anything from the first debate

It was that the President really does like his "middle" position for the idea that he can appeal to everyone. He looked stunned when Mitt stole it and presented(lied) himself as more reasonable and centerist than the President.

That middle position also a groundless fantasy. The RWers still see a Black Man in the WH, no matter that he offers policies they'd be happy to support from a White Male Jerk. Also, Republican policies have been debunked by reality in every way shape and form imaginable. Menegitis shots FTW!

We can only hope President Obama remembers how many times and in how many ways he got burned by the people he wanted to make friends with and will govern accordingly.

[kath]

12. Sad but true, Doctor J

(that "liberal" seems to be a swear word around the WH)

Le sigh...

[closeupready]

7. Amen, Sen. Warren!

K&R

[liberal_at_heart]

8. standing up for "core of liberalism" Hell Yeah!

[suffragette]

9. Huge shout out to MA DUers who helped get Warren elected

Very happy she will be there to represent you and all of us, too!

[Ratty]

11. She... she used the L word!

I thought the right had succeeded into making that a dirty word? Nice to see a politician so proudly proclaim it for once.

[kath]

13. We need WAY more liberals/progressives on Capitol Hill.

Let's hope that Warren gets lots more company there in the next few years.

The DLC/Third Way/DINO crowd can suck it. Time to get the party back to where it was 50,60,70 years ago.

Way to go Ms. Senator-Elect Warren!!

[Autumn]

16. Elizabeth, meet Bernie. You two are a perfect match.

Warren Sanders 2016!!!!!!

[Tarheel_Dem]

17. Uh, Elizabeth? I love ya, but you had some rather considerable coattails to ride on in MA.

Just sayin'. Oh, and congratulations! I'm sorry, but I'd have some serious questions for you if you couldn't manage to pull this off in one of the bluest states in the Union.

[Autumn]

18. Confused. What did she not pull off?

[marmar]

19. WTF?

nt

[rudycantfail]

20. Her biggest challenge will be to

not make the WH look bad by her common sense liberal approach to solving America's problems.

[Tarheel_Dem]

22. She shouldn't worry so much about the WH. She should serve the folks who elected her. They'll....

determine if she's right for the job.

[Zorra]

29. LOL! You gotta be fucking kidding me. nt

[Autumn]

31. That post says it all. n/t

[markpkessinger]

33. This was one of the most closely-followed races in the country, both . . .

. . . within the state and outside of it. And if the Kennedy family-approved successor managed to get beaten by a Tea Party/astoturf candidate like Scott Brown in this "bluest state in the Union," maybe that calls into question, at least somewhat, your assumption of just how "blue" that state really is. Elizabeth Warren deserves credit for a well-fought campaign!

[Tarheel_Dem]

34. And I gave her credit. She was helped along by the POTUS, which is why Scott Brown paid homeless...

people to pass out Obama/Brown propaganda. Had this been the midterms, this could've been a whole different ballgame. I was thinking she would acknowledge that the top of the ticket, winning by double digits, probably helped along to "her" victory.

[argiel1234]

35. uh oh, is Elizabeth

not "pragmatic" enough for you?

I suppose until she caters to the right wing repukes you wont be happy with her


that's too bad for you, isn't it?

[Tarheel_Dem]

37. Wish I knew what you were talking about, or smoking. Like nearly everyone on this board, I....

donated to Warren's campaign. I just think it's kinda silly to think she wasn't helped along by the POTUS' considerable coattails in the state of MA. I know she'll be "pragmatic", because the next time she runs, it'll be in an off year. Let's hope she won't go all Martha Coakley on us, in 2018.

[Le Taz Hot]

21. Yes. She. Did!

Are you paying attention Democrats?????? When liberals run as liberals, liberals win!

[War Horse]

23. Thoroughly rec'ed :)

[struggle4progress]

25. Maybe finally after 30 years, "liberal" isn't a dirty word anymore

Frankly, it's been some time since I've heard any politician quoted as saying anything like this

[GopherGal]

27. She Sure Did!

Are you paying attention Democrats?????? When liberals run as liberals, liberals win!

Worked for Professor Paul Wellstone, as well.

[WillyT]

28. Evening Kick !!!