Keller @ Large: Is Clinton-Warren Really A Thing?
BOSTON (CBS) - That was some rockin' pep talk Sen. Elizabeth Warren delivered on behalf of Hillary Clinton Monday in Ohio. And if vice-presidential speculation about Warren wasn't already intense enough, the Clinton campaign apparently told reporters during the event that Warren was being "formally vetted" as a potential running-mate.
Is Clinton/Warren '16 really a thing?
Warren has certainly demonstrated an aptitude for the attack-dog role often played by running-mates. And she would maximize Clinton's chances of coaxing Hillary-averse supporters of Bernie Sanders back into the fold.
But to me, the reasons why this ticket won't be happening outweigh the reasons why it might.
Warren can and will continue to ridicule Donald Trump as a campaign surrogate. And according to the latest round of major polling – including the CBS News battleground state surveys – Clinton doesn't necessarily need Warren on the ticket to consolidate the party. The percentage of Bernie Sanders backers who say they won't vote for Hillary has collapsed in the past two weeks, thanks, one can safely assume, to Trump.
Do the rewards of teaming with Warren – exciting the base, gaining anti-establishment credibility, doubling-down on the "gender card" – outweigh the risks of branding too far to the left, too Eastern, too white, too female?
The funny thing is, Warren on the ticket might be a useful tool for defusing – for lack of a better term – the Brexit vote in November. Warren has railed against some of the same trade deals demonized by Trump, and has even commented approvingly on his proposed tax hikes for hedge fund types.
One problem – the free-trade crowd and the financial services industry are part of Hillary's base as well, and there's a bit too much information on the record about that for her to finesse a glaring ideological difference with her running-mate.
So bet on hearing plenty of Trump-bashing and Clinton-advocacy from Warren in the months ahead. With every high-energy performance she solidifies her own national image and develops more clout with a potential Clinton White House.
But don't bet on her doing it as the vice-presidential nominee.
A powerful, high-profile perch in the Senate where she can say or do anything she wants? Or the mostly seen-but-not-heard role of vice president, at the potential cost of the Senate majority should a Republican be appointed to fill her seat.
It looks like a no-brainer for both Warren and Clinton. But please – no wagering.