Progressive Democratic U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren delivered a rousing speech to tremendous cheering and applause Friday. It’s difficult to listen and think this wasn’t a campaign speech. So, will she?
At the annual Netroots Nation conference yesterday, held this weekend in Detroit, U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts codified her vision of what progressives stand for. For all its power and beauty, defining ideals is something not seen done by her counterparts in the GOP — who would rather spend their every waking moment slamming liberals and President Barack Obama. Her almost 19-minute speech (final few minutes below) was a testament to good old-fashioned base-rallying.
Elizabeth Warren has three things other politicians don’t have: charisma, authentic passion for people, and integrity #nn14 #runlizrun
— Andrew Slack (@andrewslack) July 18, 2014
“What are our values?” Warren queried the hundreds of cheering progressives and liberals in the packed audience. “What does it mean to be a progressive?”
#NN14 is ready for Warren pic.twitter.com/OaEmsBl2Kj
— Bailey Childers (@baileykchilders) July 18, 2014
All in all, as the National Journal reported, “Elizabeth Warren’s 11 Commandments of Progressivism” were clearly spelled out — and were embraced by the crowd.
“We believe that Wall Street needs stronger rules and tougher enforcement, and we’re willing to fight for it.”
“We believe in science, and that means that we have a responsibility to protect this Earth.”
“We believe that the Internet shouldn’t be rigged to benefit big corporations, and that means real net neutrality.”
“We believe that no one should work full-time and still live in poverty, and that means raising the minimum wage.”
“We believe that fast-food workers deserve a livable wage, and that means that when they take to the picket line, we are proud to fight alongside them.”
“We believe that students are entitled to get an education without being crushed by debt.”
“We believe that after a lifetime of work, people are entitled to retire with dignity, and that means protecting Social Security, Medicare, and pensions.”
“We believe—I can’t believe I have to say this in 2014—we believe in equal pay for equal work.”
“We believe that equal means equal, and that’s true in marriage, it’s true in the workplace, it’s true in all of America.”
“We believe that immigration has made this country strong and vibrant, and that means reform.”
“And we believe that corporations are not people, that women have a right to their bodies. We will overturnHobby Lobby and we will fight for it. We will fight for it!”
And the main tenet of conservatives’ philosophy, according to Warren? “I got mine. The rest of you are on your own.”
Warren repeatedly has insisted she isn’t running for president in 2016. But given the vast numbers who want her too, she may soon change her tune.
Watch:
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Senator Warren’s supporters are out in force today before @senwarren speaks at #NN14. pic.twitter.com/8ez2fBB6c6
— Broadbent Institute (@BroadbentInst) July 18, 2014
An itty bitty Ready for Warren supporter #NN14 pic.twitter.com/1EokJE6y92
— Amanda Terkel (@aterkel) July 18, 2014
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