Elizabeth Warren, Rising in Polls, Gets Center Stage at Debate

Elizabeth Warren will be the only one of the top polling Democratic candidates on the debate stage Wednesday night, giving her a chance to showcase her mastery of policy details without her main competitors available for rebuttal.

The liberal firebrand from Massachusetts has steadily risen in polls over the last two months and is drawing crowds on the campaign trail by using an expansive portfolio of proposals on a series of issues to brand herself as a candidate with a plan.

Warren has been focused on claiming the mantle of leader of the party’s progressive faction from Bernie Sanders and contrasting her plans for far-reaching changes in how the government operates with the more incrementalist approach of front-runner Joe Biden, which she has labeled “small ideas.”

Sanders and Biden and her other two main rivals, Kamala Harris and Pete Buttigieg will debate the following night. That gives Warren a chance to stay above the fray of the debate with nine other candidates sharing the debate stage with her in Miami, all of whom have been been drawing 3% or less in several recent polls.

“She has systematically worked her way up in the polls,” said Mary Anne Marsh, a Democratic consultant based in Boston. “She has all but overcome Sanders at this point. She’s got Biden in her sights.”

Marsh said Warren could lay down markers that her chief rivals feel compelled to respond to the following night, “especially with Biden and Sanders — drawing contrasts with them and calling them out on things.”

Some Warren allies say they’re concerned that the absence of other top-tier candidates on Wednesday could lead fewer voters tuning in to the first debate. But some veterans of past presidential campaigns see it as a unique opportunity.

“The first debate is always important in a presidential campaign. They tend to have a lot of viewers,” said Tad Devine, a veteran Democratic strategist who advised Sanders’ 2016 campaign. “People are trying to sort out the very large field of candidates.”

Warren held a town hall in Miami on Tuesday night, and some people in the crowd began chanting “Lock him up!” as she criticized President Donald Trump’s border policies. She quickly subdued the outbursts, saying “now, now,” and took the next question.

Speaking to reporters after the town hall, Warren laughed when asked how much pressure is on her as the front-runner in the Wednesday debate.

“This is just a chance to be able to talk to people all across this country about how this government works better and better and better for a thinner and thinner slice at the top, and is just not working for the rest of America,” she said. “Twenty-twenty is our chance to change that.”

After the debate, Warren plans to travel to Chicago for a few days of events before heading the following week to Nevada, which holds the third nominating contest next year. She has been closing in on Sanders, the 2016 runner-up, for second place and leapfrogged him in some surveys.

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[phoenixashes]

All Trump would need to do is invite members from the Cherokee nation on stage. They are not fans of Elizabeth Warren.

[drevil]

The DNC clown car is full, should be a hoot!

[jedediahgordon]

she literally just skipped a vote for more funds for the border conditions while she was out protesting the border conditions... that's really all you need to know about her

[tsunami]

I checked the Emerson poll released 2 days ago. She is not even close to Sanders or Biden. Where are they getting this "rising" from?

[JohnLee-cbez]

Yes! We want our first Native American President.

[daugusto]

Perhaps she can do a tribal dance for everyone.

[MultiKalwin]

She's the closest "progressive" the public might like that's still pro-establishment. Makes sense they're giving her the spotlight.

[HrBCantKill]

I hope so because she has absolutely no chance in beating trump so I am okay with this

[charlescheng]

Women? President? Be a good grandma and stay at home.

[Jordanjordan]

The major issue ( can she stand one debate with Trump on the

[allentorres]

Did people forget she lied about being Native American?? Lol

[Ihateliberals]

She is going to need to pull off the mother of all rain dances.

[mossyhornhunter]

When they talk Elizabeth Warren and polling they're talking about her Totem pole .

[BPattB]

I didn't go to college so instead of having a debt forgiven that I was smart enough not to take on how about the Democrats promised to give me and everybody like me $80, 000 checks. That's only fair.

[Hannixander]

She can team up with Butti-frutti. Pocahontas and Pokeahiney.

[selalewis]

Is anyone else annoyed that by the 0:22 mark, the captions are nearly covered with promo images?

[FirstLast.....]

Slinging Bull has no chance in the general election.

[noparty]

The debates in a nutshell:
Moderator: Is OrangeManBad?
Warren: OrangeManBad
Buttigeig: OrangeManBad
Harris: OrangeManBad
Booker: OrangeManBad
Hickinlooper: OrangeManBad
Yang: OrangeManBad
Biden: OrangeManBad
Sanders: OrangeManBad
DeBlasio: OrangeManBad
Klobuchar: OrangeManBad
Swallwell: OrangeManBad
Moderator: And there you have it folks OrangMan is Bad! Goodnight!

[thomash]

If there was any hope for dems in 2020 it is now gone

[benevolentautore]

The fact that she is rising in the polls is troubling when one looks at the big picture. Who, exactly, is supporting her ideals? Too many people I'm afraid.