Boston Globe pans Warren as ‘divisive figure’ ahead of potential 2020 run

The Boston Globe’s editorial board on Thursday panned a potential presidential run by Sen. Elizabeth WarrenElizabeth WarrenWarren, Democrats urge Trump to back down from veto threat over changing Confederate-named bases OVERNIGHT DEFENSE: Joint Chiefs chairman says he regrets participating in Trump photo-op | GOP senators back Joint Chiefs chairman who voiced regret over Trump photo-op | Senate panel approves 0B defense policy bill Trump on collision course with Congress over bases with Confederate names MORE (D-Mass.), saying she would be a divisive figure when Democrats need to present a united front against President TrumpDonald John TrumpSenate advances public lands bill in late-night vote Warren, Democrats urge Trump to back down from veto threat over changing Confederate-named bases Esper orders ‘After Action Review’ of National Guard’s role in protests MORE.

“While Warren is an effective and impactful senator with an important voice nationally, she has become a divisive figure,” the editorial board wrote. “A unifying voice is what the country needs now after the polarizing politics of Donald Trump.”

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A Warren candidacy, while likely to energize certain elements of the party’s progressive wing, runs the risk of being mired in controversy over her claims to Native American ancestry. In October, she released the results of a DNA test that ended up drawing criticism from both sides of the aisle.

Warren’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment from The Hill.

The editorial board argued that the Democratic field for 2020 is likely to be crowded with diverse candidates and may include high-profile candidates such as former Vice President Joe BidenJoe BidenHillicon Valley: Biden calls on Facebook to change political speech rules | Dems demand hearings after Georgia election chaos | Microsoft stops selling facial recognition tech to police Trump finalizing executive order calling on police to use ‘force with compassion’ The Hill’s Campaign Report: Biden campaign goes on offensive against Facebook MORE, Rep. Beto O’Rourke (D-Texas), Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper (D), former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg (D), and Sens. Bernie SandersBernie SandersThe Hill’s 12:30 Report: Milley apologizes for church photo-op Harris grapples with defund the police movement amid veep talk Biden courts younger voters — who have been a weakness MORE (I-Vt.), Kamala HarrisKamala Devi HarrisRand Paul introduces bill to end no-knock warrants The Hill’s Campaign Report: Biden campaign goes on offensive against Facebook McEnany says Juneteenth is a very ‘meaningful’ day to Trump MORE (D-Calif.) and Cory BookerCory Anthony BookerRand Paul introduces bill to end no-knock warrants Black lawmakers unveil bill to remove Confederate statues from Capitol Harris grapples with defund the police movement amid veep talk MORE (D-N.J.).

But the editorial board said Warren’s time has passed.

“In 2015, this editorial page urged Warren to run, in part because of the lack of serious competition against Hillary ClintonHillary Diane Rodham ClintonWhite House accuses Biden of pushing ‘conspiracy theories’ with Trump election claim Biden courts younger voters — who have been a weakness Trayvon Martin’s mother Sybrina Fulton qualifies to run for county commissioner in Florida MORE. (Clearing the decks for Clinton didn’t exactly end well for Democrats, did it?),” the editorial board wrote. “Warren missed her moment in 2016, and there’s reason to be skeptical of her prospective candidacy in 2020.”

While Warren coasted to reelection in November, she won with fewer votes and by a smaller margin than the reelection of Gov. Charlie Baker, the state’s Republican governor in an otherwise Democratic stronghold.

“Those are warning signs from the voters who know her best,” the editorial board wrote.

Warren has fueled speculation about a potential presidential campaign, telling voters at a town hall in September that she would think about running after the midterms.

However, the Globe cited Deval Patrick, the former Massachusetts governor who announced Thursday he would not run for president, as an example it says Warren should follow to scrap a possible run. 

“Politicians who ‘explore’ or ‘consider’ presidential campaigns set in motion a machine that can be hard to stop. Patrick did, and that’s to his credit. There’s no shame in testing the waters and deciding to stay on the beach,” the editorial board wrote.

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