The liberal advocacy groups Democracy for America and MoveOn.org are collaborating in an effort to draft Massachusetts Democrat Sen. Elizabeth Warren to run for president in 2016.
MoveOn.org has pledged $1 million for the draft Warren effort,
according to CNN.
The Washington Times reported Wednesday that Democracy for America (DFA) has promised $250,000 for the campaign, and the groups plan to hire staff and set up offices in Iowa and New Hampshire.
Since she was elected to the Senate in 2012, Warren has become a favorite of activists on the political left who admire her brand of anti-Wall Street populism. Many of them view her as an alternative to former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who is currently well ahead in the polls.
“Democracy for America members right here in Iowa and all across the country want us to draft Senator Warren because our country needs her voice in the 2016 presidential race,” said DFA’s political director, Annie Weinberg.
Liberal advocacy groups launched a “run, Warren, run” campaign Wednesday night in Des Moines. Approximately 80 people came to a local coffeehouse to eat free cookies and listen to fiery speeches aimed at rousing activists to join MoveOn.org’s campaign to draft her for a presidential run,
The Des Moines Register reported.
One of the defining issues of the 2016 Iowa caucuses will be “income inequality,” MoveOn.org officials say.
“When the middle class and working families are falling further behind, Sen. Warren’s unique voice and track record is [sic] needed,” Ilya Sheyman, executive director of MoveOn.org’s political action committee, told the Register in an interview.
Not everyone who showed up at Wednesday night’s event in Des Moines was committed to supporting Warren over Mrs. Clinton, however. Iowa Senate President Pam Jochum – who told the audience that Warren was brilliant and should enter the race – said in an interview that she is “not yet” prepared to support Warren over Clinton.
Jochum said Mrs. Clinton is “a remarkably brilliant woman as well,” and that she hopes the former first lady and New York senator will join others in entering the presidential race, the Register reported.