Elizabeth Warren For Attorney General
'Elizabeth Warren for Attorney General.' By Thor Benson, Sept. 9, 2020. Alternet.
Sen. Kamala Harriss selection to be the Democratic vice presidential nominee last month led to speculation about which stars from the primaries may end up in Joe Bidens administration if he wins in November. One person whos received a lot of attention is Sen. Elizabeth Warren. Some say Warren should stay in the Senate, and perhaps become Senate Majority Leader, and others have suggested that Warren become Treasury Secretary.
Though Warren has shown the ability to bridge the divide between centrists and progressives, leading the Senate could be a waste of her passion, as she would have to focus her energy on uniting these factions rather than simply fighting for what she thinks is the best path forward. It also seems unlikely at this point that she would be able to snatch that position from Sen. Chuck Schumer. Progressives generally see Schumer as feckless and a poor communicator, but hes built ample support within his caucus as an effective fundraiser, hasnt made any glaring errors and is likely to become Majority Leader if Democrats win the chamber.
Many on the left have expressed concern over the idea of Warren leaving the Senate because Massachusetts has a Republican governor who would pick her replacement. However, thats not necessarily true. First of all, even if he did get to put a Republican in that seat, there would be a special election within five months that would almost surely be won by a Democrat. More importantly, the Massachusetts legislature is known for changing the rules to make sure Democratic Senate seats stay Democratic, so the seat could stay blue either way.
So the question that remains is where shed best fit. There is some appeal to making Warren Treasury secretary, but I dont think its the best role for her in a Biden administration. In that position, Warren would be doing everything from enforcing federal tax and finance laws to overseeing Wall St. to managing the countrys debt. While it would be great to have a progressive in this role, it would limit her power. She could influence Americas economic policy and possibly rein in Wall St. to some degree, Treasury isnt an independent agency and she would ultimately be implementing Bidens plans. If Warren does join the Biden administration, Attorney General would be a position where shed have wide-ranging powers and a lot of independence. Before becoming a senator, Warren was an influential legal scholar...
More, https://www.alternet.org/2020/09/elizabeth-warren-for-attorney-general/
still_one
(92,482 posts)dawg day
(7,947 posts)when she is sure her senate seat will remain Democratic.
dlk
(11,588 posts)Warren can accomplish much if Democrats win a majority the Senate, with tax law, antitrust law, infrastructure bills, including universal childcare, and so much more.
appalachiablue
(41,184 posts)Yates is good, but I prefer Warren.
AleksS
(1,665 posts)Everything Obama tried to accomplish?
Do people remember Garland?
Why are some people so excited to return to that?
Controlling the House and Senate for as long as possible is essential. No giving up seats to the GOP.
I_UndergroundPanther
(12,480 posts)She'd be tough as nails on the ogliarchy
Fiendish Thingy
(15,690 posts)Warren does not have the prosecutorial chops of someone like, say, Preet Bahara. or Sally Yates.
She would be the best choice to guide Bidens legislative agenda, and protect it from being watered down or neutered by Business-as-usual types.
blm
(113,122 posts)likely have greater independence because she can be trusted to do what is right for the greatest number of people. No bait and switch accounting tricks to enrich the wealthy....not from Warren.
frazzled
(18,402 posts)There must be dozens of super qualified attorneys, male and female, with tons of administrative as well as legal experience (remember what a huge agency the DOJ is) who would be well qualified to serve as Attorney General.
But we're always fixated on senators or House members we already know and have seen on TV. We want them to star in the next big movie (when an actor we might never have heard of might be very best for the role).
It's a paradox to me.
dlk
(11,588 posts)With so many qualified and experienced attorneys, there are many excellent choices for AG. Warren has the legislative experience, as well as the plans, to generate the meaningful reform we so desperately need.
appalachiablue
(41,184 posts)evidenced by her creation of the CFPB in particular. Many qualities, and there are fortunately other leading Democratic women who would be excellent in cabinet positions.