Despite a Fiery Fanbase, Elizabeth Warren Isn't Massachusetts' Favorite

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All About Elizabeth Warren

Elizabeth Warren is known nowadays for her fierce progressive stance on many social and economic issues. She remains one of the most liberal members of the Senate, supporting higher taxes on top earners, election reforms, and greater oversight of financial institutions. And on top of that, her fan base is fierce, as demonstrated by her speech at a women's rights march in Boston during which she stated "we will not build a stupid wall" in response to President Trump's intent to construct a border wall between the US and Mexico.

During the 2016 election, Sen Warren remained silent while the fight between her progressive ally Bernie Sanders and moderate Hillary Clinton heated up. In the end, Clinton walked away the victor, and Warren, along with Sanders, officially endorsed her. But after the dust settled on November 8th, it was revealed that team Clinton feared Warren would endorse Sanders instead, with issues regarding financial regulation being of particular concern.

She Doesn't Get Along Well With Others

Warren officially declared her intent to run for reelection in 2018 during the first week of 2017, before Trump officially became president. But instead of standing at a podium surrounded by supporters, Warren simply sent an email to her donor network of top earners (those same people she advocates taxing more) while Tweeting at the same time how corrupt the new administration is acting by including billionaires and businessmen. There was no speech, no highlighting of her work done thus far, and no thanks to those who have rallied behind her.

Meanwhile, she had succeeded in passing zero bills she had introduced in the 114th Congress. To be fair, very few bills become laws. and it's excruciatingly difficult to turn legislation into legal code. However, what separates a good senator, nay politician, is their ability to work with colleagues and compromise to get things done. Effective leaders recognize that not everything they want can be got, but if you find common ground with the opposition, you move the dialogue forward.

Unfortunately, Sen Warren would rather be a contrarian that gets the headlines than a true facilitator of change. The nonpartisan think tank Lugar Center rated Warren as the 85th most partisan senator. Luckily for her, Bernie Sanders was ranked 98.

Bipartisanship Score

Our obligation to the people we serve is too important to place politics and partisanship before progress and results.

— Charlie Baker, 2017 State of the State Address

The Popular Kid

When it comes to who the Bay State supports, it isn't liberal Democrat Elizabeth Warren. Instead, according to a poll by Boston radio station WBUR, it was the state's Republican governor Charlie Baker who got more love from Massachusettsans. Baker's approval rating stood at 59% while Warren's was at 51%; he remains one of the most popular governors in the nation.

To make matters worse for Warren, according to the poll, while she had a majority approval rating from her state, 46% also believed it was time to give someone else the opportunity to represent Massachusetts in the Senate. For any senator seeking a second term, 46% was no guarantee. Luckily for her, she maintained her seat in 2018.

The poll also found that while Massachusetts remained a deep-blue state, voters there also sought elected officials who could work positively with the other side to improve state and national affairs. This would explain why Gov Baker is so popular. During his State of the State address, Baker stated, "Our obligation to the people we serve is too important to place politics and partisanship before progress and results. The changes in Washington don’t change this powerful obligation. Our jobs remain the same."

Democrats have found little to criticize within Baker's administration. As governor, he has sought to actively combat the national opioid crisis within his state, cut taxes for small businesses, and control spending by the MBTA, the Greater Boston transportation authority. He also stands opposed to increasing taxes, something state Democrats aren't afraid to do.

This content reflects the personal opinions of the author. It is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and should not be substituted for impartial fact or advice in legal, political, or personal matters.