The second task is submitting nomination papers with the requisite 10,000 signatures of registered voters that would qualify her to be a candidate. This would be a good opportunity for supporters to talk to voters about her candidacy, thus building her name recognition.
The Democratic State Convention comes along a month or so after the signature deadline. Delegates not only determine who among those running for a statewide office will be eligible to be on the primary ballot, but the convention also gives its endorsement to one of the candidates. Winning this endorsement, while it doesn't count for much in practical terms, would be symbolic, helping to build momentum for a win against Brown. To obtain it, Elizabeth Warren would need to come into the convention with a huge presence.
Here again, the powers that be have been known to play some games at past conventions if threatened by a particular candidate -- someone who won't "play ball" -- for governor or for the Senate. They have their ways of fooling around with the primary ballot to diminish a particular candidate's chances of winning.
In 2006, for instance, the legislative leaders were not thrilled with Deval Patrick's run for governor. He looked like he might not let them control the legislative agenda. Since they could not counter his taking the convention by storm, they found enough votes in delegations controlled by legislators to put one of their "guys" on the primary ballot in hopes that he could either win outright or take enough votes from Patrick to throw the nomination to Attorney General Tom Riley.
If winning the primary required an all-out fight, it would leave Warren's campaign coffers empty. Since there will only be eight weeks between the primary on September 11 and the national election on November 6, this could be a bummer.
Meanwhile, Brown has had no primary opponent and has been making plans for the eight-week stretch to the big day in November.
In order for Warren to have a chance of becoming the junior senator from Massachusetts, she will need the help of each one of the people who are signing up to draft her.
Are they willing to be ACTIVELY INVOLVED in her campaign?
Will they raise the money for it? Will they talk about Scott Brown's Senate votes to their families, colleagues, church and union members? Will they do more than sit at their computers? Get out and hold signs on street corners? Go door-to-door?
In turn, they might wonder as to what kind of campaigner Elizabeth Warren would be? Could she fire up the troops when our country's future looks so bleak? She's proven herself to be a good debater. She understands the issues. Does she have the stamina to win a primary in September and then fight like hell for victory in November?
(Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher).
