Despite a Fiery Fan Base, Elizabeth Warren Isn't Massachusetts' Favorite

Elizabeth Warren is known nowadays for her fierce progressive stance on many social and economic issues. Warren remains one of the most liberal members of the Senate, supporting higher taxes on top earners, election reforms, and greater oversight of financial institutions. Her fan base is fierce, as demonstrated by her recent 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, 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 settle on November 8th, it was revealed team Clinton feared Warren would endorse Sanders instead, with issues regarding financial regulation being of particular concern.

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 one's she advocates taxing more) while Tweeting at the same time how corrupt the new administration is acting for 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's succeeded in passing zero bills she's 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 comprise 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 85th most partisan Senator last year. Luckily for her Bernie Sanders was ranked 98.

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

To make matters worse for Warren, according to the poll, while she has a majority approval rating from her state, 46% also believe it's time to give someone else the opportunity to represent Massachusetts in the Senate. For any senator seeking a second term, 46% is no guarantee. Luckily for her, the GOP field looks fairly bare, with few potential candidates and none who have officially declared their intent to challenger her in 2018.

The poll also found that while Massachusetts remains a deep-blue state, voters there also seek elected officials who can 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 last night 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 Bakers 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's also stands opposed to increasing taxes, something state Democrats aren't afraid to do.