Elizabeth Warren and the “Present Tensers”
I posted this elsewhere and was asked to cross-post here.
http://www.salon.com/2014/12/15/elizabeth_warren_and_the_present_tensers_a_ridiculous_political_over_reading_that_may_be_true/
The “Present Tensers” have been kicking this theory for some time. Since the summer, at least. At first it seemed like a ludicrous over-reading from those Democrats who really wanted Elizabeth Warren to run, the reporters and pundits who really wanted to keep writing about whether Elizabeth Warren would run, and the liberal organizations that wanted to set up fundraising vehicles premised on the idea that Elizabeth Warren might run if you’re willing to DONATE $10 HERE.
But… Warren has had months to clarify and brush off this pedantic point, and here she is, still using the present tense. NPR’s Steve Inskeep even asks her about the present tense thing, and she keeps on keeping on in the present tense. She is not running for present, today, at this minute, on this Monday morning, on NPR. Factually true.
This doesn’t mean that she is DEFINITELY GOING TO RUN, but sure, she’s keeping the door cracked open. Even if she’s already decided in her own head that she Will Not Run, it helps the ol’ personal brand to string people along. It brings attention to her and her pet issues. Were she to rule it out Gen. Sherman-style, horserace reporters might stop caring about her and whatever complex financial derivative mumbo-jumbo she’s always going on about.
= new reply since forum marked as read
This part right here just made my day, Liz may not run but Hillary may not be wearing that crown easy. 
And if there is something more to this than a means of keeping the spotlight on herself — if she really is planning a run — this is a smart way to go about it. If you’re a first-third-of-your-first-term senator, and the party apparatus is rallying itself around Hillary Clinton, with all the implicit threats to would-be viable challengers that that implies, play-acting modesty is wise. You’re just keeping your head down and focusing on your Senate business and the people of Massachusetts, etc., you’re not thinking about the White House and all that fancy stuff. Then, once all the pressure is bottled up, and a sizable element of the party is begging you to run, you can jump in with an “aww shucks, well, sure.” It gives off the appearance of being drafted. You wouldn’t have dared considered storming Hillary Clinton’s coronation on your own, but now you have no choice.