Trump, conservative think-tanker are very concerned that Warren is hurting Bernie, the 'progressive cause'
Some supporters of Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) complained after Super Tuesday that Sen. Elizabeth Warren's (D-Mass.) cost Sanders a handful of primaries because, as they saw it, she took votes from her fellow progressive candidate, allowing former Vice President Joe Biden some big wins. You know who else is angry at Warren for hurting Sanders? President Trump, apparently.
And Trump isn't the only conservative who thinks Warren's "stubbornness" is killing Sanders. Henry Olsen, a senior fellow at the conservative think tank the Ethics and Public Policy Center, made a longer version of Trump's argument in a Washington Post column Wednesday.
Warren, "effectively a niche candidate of the chardonnay left," could have "followed [Sen. Amy] Klobuchar's example and dropped out on Tuesday, endorsing Sanders," wrote Olsen, a columnist "focusing on politics, populism, and American conservative thought." "Dropping out then and endorsing Sanders would have meant she sacrificed her dream in the short run while uniting the progressive vote behind the clear leader," and her votes "would have easily given Sanders victories in at least Maine, Minnesota, Massachusetts, and probably Texas as well. Instead, Warren's votes were wasted" and "the progressive cause" is dead.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
There are a lot of assumptions packed into that argument, starting with that Warren voters would pick Sanders as their second choice. Also:
The Republican "plan A is a Sanders nomination (which they think would lose)," Washington Post political reporter David Weigel wrote Wednesday morning. "Plan B is a messy primary that leads to 'rigged!' bitterness."
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.
-
The Week contest: Swift stimulus
Puzzles and Quizzes
By The Week US Published
-
'It's hard to resist a sweet deal on a good car'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
10 concert tours to see this winter
The Week Recommends Keep warm traveling the United States — and the world — to see these concerts
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Does Trump have the power to end birthright citizenship?
Today's Big Question He couldn't do so easily, but it may be a battle he considers worth waging
By Joel Mathis, The Week US Published
-
Trump, Musk sink spending bill, teeing up shutdown
Speed Read House Republicans abandoned the bill at the behest of the two men
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Is Elon Musk about to disrupt British politics?
Today's big question Mar-a-Lago talks between billionaire and Nigel Farage prompt calls for change on how political parties are funded
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Will California's EV mandate survive Trump, SCOTUS challenge?
Today's Big Question The Golden State's climate goal faces big obstacles
By Joel Mathis, The Week US Published
-
'Underneath the noise, however, there's an existential crisis'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Congress reaches spending deal to avert shutdown
Speed Read The bill would fund the government through March 14, 2025
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Luigi Mangione charged with murder, terrorism
Speed Read Magnione is accused of murdering UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Is the United States becoming an oligarchy?
Talking Points How much power do billionaires like Elon Musk really have?
By Joel Mathis, The Week US Published