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."
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.
-
How will Trump's megabill affect you?
Today's Big Question Republicans have passed the 'big, beautiful bill' through Congress
-
Judge blocks Trump's asylum ban at US border
Speed Read The president violated federal law by shutting down the US-Mexico border to asylum seekers, said the ruling
-
How successful would Elon Musk's third party be?
Today's Big Question Musk has vowed to start a third party after falling out with Trump
-
Thai court suspends prime minister over leaked call
Speed Read Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has been suspended, pending an ethics investigation
-
Senate passes GOP megabill after Alaska side deal
The pivotal yes vote came from Sen. Lisa Murkowski, whose support was secured following negotiated side deals for her home state Alaska
-
How would the Trump administration denaturalize immigrant citizens?
Today's Big Question Using civil courts lowers the burden of proof
-
'Trucking is a dangerous business'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
-
Trump sues LA over immigration policies
Speed Read He is suing over the city's sanctuary law, claiming it prevents local law enforcement from cooperating with federal immigration authorities