Leave Elizabeth Warren in the Senate

Why is Secretary Hillary Clinton and other Democrats so adamant about making Elizabeth Warren Vice President? And why is Warren so open to the idea?

The better question is how likely would Massachusetts elect a Democrat to take Warren's vacant seat? That goes without mentioning that Republican Governor Charlie Baker has the honor of picking the replacement Senator until said election takes place.

All of this depends on the likelihood of Democrats having enough gains to garner a majority in the Senate. Why would Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid risk a vote in the congressional chamber that can barely pass laws without a supermajority? Of course the House will most likely remain in Speaker Paul Ryan and fellow Republican's hands for the time being, so any chance of Clinton being able to muster up support for her policy proposals in that arena is very slim.

Even still, why sacrifice the crowning jewel the Democrats have in the Capitol? It's understandable that party elites are nervous and are attempting to strengthen their ballot with a popular progressive. I'm sure the Clinton camp hasn't forgotten the grassroots group that tried their hardest to draft Warren into the presidential election. If she had chosen to run, Senator Bernie Sanders claimed he would not have thrown his hat in the ring.

Don’t get me wrong, it is enticing to have Democratic ticket with two women. The chance of Warren being just a heartbeat away from telling bankers to eat dirt makes it only sweeter. But in a hypothetical cost-benefit analysis, there is more cost than benefit. What much can Warren do as Veep? Haplessly defend Clinton’s relationship with Wall Street and Corporate America?

Consider if Warren was President Obama’s VP, would she still have the freedom to protest the Trans Pacific Partnership, or criticize the slap-on-the-wrists punishments doled out to bankers that committed massive fraud? Making her Clinton’s right-hand would only mean she would be silenced by the opposite hand. With this and the value of keeping Warren in the Senate in mind, it becomes clearer that Clinton should be vetting other candidates for the slot. Not Sanders either, nor Cory Booker or any other Senator. Go with Julian Castro, even if the thought of Trump’s wall has the Latino vote racing for Democrats, he has much smaller shoes to fill.