Boston Globe columist tests "Who seems more like a senator" - Warren wins round 1

[karynnj]

LET’S SAY, with the deadline for a deficit deal fast approaching, you want to know what Republican Senator Scott Brown and Democratic rival Elizabeth Warren think the congressional supercommittee should do.

That’s reasonable, right? Brown, after all, styles himself as an outspoken, independent-minded senator, while Warren portrays herself as a tough, intrepid truth teller.

So on Monday afternoon, I reached out to both Brown’s and Warren’s operations to request a brief phone interview. No one expects them to have their own detailed deficit-reduction plans, I noted, but I was interested in talking in broad terms about what they hoped to see. Things like, should the committee aim for a big package — that is, in the $4 trillion range — or be content with a smaller one? Should new revenues be included, and if so, in what rough proportion to spending cuts? I said I hoped to speak to each in the next couple of days

http://www.bostonglobe.com/opinion/2011/11/18/who-seems-more-like-senator/5A3qzmQebVQfbLX8KsTWgI/story.html

Interesting read - in summary, Brown's office submits a statement he and about 40 bipartisan senators signed that was as vague as you would expect something that gets that many signatures to be. Warren, in spite of major scheduling contacts, found time to call and was specific and detailed in what she thought the right thing to do was.

[Mass]

1. Good for her to have answered. But the threshold to be compared to Brown is not that high

and her answers reinforce all the questions I have. In particular this sentence"

“I will not ask seniors and middle class families to shoulder these cuts,’’ she emphasized. “I wouldn’t cut Social Security or Medicare benefits or raise taxes on middle class people.’’

While I agree with her about that, there are situations even worse, like reducing Medicaid.

And of course, Scott Lehigh shows his hand when he says

All in all, that’s pretty standard liberal fare. Unfortunately, her insistence that entitlement benefits and middle-class taxpayers escape unscathed isn’t realistic given the size of our long-term fiscal problems.

The Boston Globe shills for moderate Republicans and Lehigh would have been happy if Scott Brown had talked a few minutes to him.

I suggest that now, Mr Lehigh calls Tom Conroy and asks him the same questions. I know Warren is the probable nominee, but as far as I know, he is still in the running.

Note: while I groan about Warren and she does not convince me as defender of those who are the neediest, in a contest with Scott Brown, it is her by a mile.

[graywarrior]

2. I, for one, cannot wait to vote for her.

[Mass]

3. I totally agree with you on that.

[graywarrior]

4. We'll make Scotty cry...lol

[polmaven]

10. And he should call

Marisa DeFranco as well. She has won at least one straw poll recently.

[Mass]

11. I agree...

[Tarheel_Dem]

5. Well, it seems that some of DU's OWS activists are upset that she refused to sign...

off on a pledge. I'm not sure where the idea came from, but it was a dumb one. We're not teabaggers, and EW's only pledge should be to the Constitution, once she's sworn in.

Elizabeth Warren - 2012! :kick:

[karynnj]

6. Completely agree

Her earlier comments were sufficient and more than needed to show that she shares their issues.

That is important to restate - she shares their issues. This does not mean that she endorses every tactic they opt to employ. They are really in two different places. Though activists have become legislators, including some of the best, their role has to change to be successful in the role they chose.

[DocMac]

9. And I agree.

OWS has made it clear that they have nor want any leaders at this time.

She is a great choice and I think people can trust her to keep her campaign promises.

[drmeow]

7. I'm glad they gave Elizabeth Warren a thumbs up

but ...

"All in all, that’s pretty standard liberal fare. Unfortunately, her insistence that entitlement benefits and middle-class taxpayers escape unscathed isn’t realistic given the size of our long-term fiscal problems."

I am so F**KING sick of this type of crap! We can absolutely fix our long term fiscal problems without hurting "entitlements" and middle-class taxpayers. Make the rich and corporations pay for the government that they get the most benefit from.

[CTyankee]

12. And they never do the math and say "this is WHY we can't do it without cutting benefits"

They just act like "everybody knows this." I wish someone -- Warren or Howard Dean or anyone else on the left -- would ask that question of these know it alls. It's maddening...

[socialindependocrat]

8. Warren is an easy win - can't wait!!!