Senator Elizabeth Warren has taken the first steps towards throwing her hat into the ring as a candidate for president in the 2020 race for the White House.
In a video message and email to her supporters, the Democratic senator for Massachusetts announced that she is forming an exploratory committee ahead of an expected campaign for the Democratic nomination.
Warren is the first Democratic candidate with a national profile to take formal action towards a presidential campaign, reports CNN.
In the four-and-a-half minute video, Warren emphasised the themes of economic equality, reigning in big corporations, social justice and racial equality.
As soon as the news was announced, people took to Twitter to share their views.
Some were overjoyed at the prospect of a Warren presidency.
Elizabeth Warren running for president. ❤️ I can finally see a light at the end of the tunnel. 🙌🏼🌎— Adam (@Adam) 1546266447
Elizabeth Warren has formed an exploratory committee for president. Happy New Year big banks! May she fill you wi… https://t.co/wmIrU0ClDc— Alex Morash (@Alex Morash) 1546264516
@SenWarren Excited to have you run for President, Senator Warren!!! #Warren2020— Mark Pere Madrona (@Mark Pere Madrona) 1546221739
BREAKING: Elizabeth Warren just announced she is running for President. She is one of the smartest and most capable… https://t.co/ECp6hdA2BG— Scott Dworkin (@Scott Dworkin) 1546264984
As well as to say she'd definitely be better than Trump.
Retweet if Elizabeth Warren (@ewarren) will be a better President than @realDonaldTrump https://t.co/32hg2YISuQ— David Leavitt (@David Leavitt) 1546264122
Others thought it was a ridiculous proposition.
@SenWarren Running for 2020 Presidential election.... https://t.co/Pt31ZsZwwY— DAISY (@DAISY) 1546266443
And that this was a 'gift' for Donald Trump.
"This is a total gift to President Trump" says @RepCharlieDent on Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren announcing… https://t.co/LpqGB6LhUy— New Day (@New Day) 1546263921
I hear Elizabeth Warren just announced she's running for President. Probably the quickest way for the Dems to get Trump reelected.— Old Bull Lee (@Old Bull Lee) 1546263152
While some were simply torn.
Warren is a searing critic of president Donald Trump, which has resulted in him constantly mocking her Native American ancestry, and referring to her as 'Pocahontas'.
In October, she decided to take a DNA test to prove her ancestry, a decision which fell flat with many Democrats, as well as being widely criticised within the Native American community. Warren first announced her ancestry in 2012, during her Senate race.
However, these early missteps are unlikely to dampen the support she still has among the Democrats' most progressive members.
Speaking to CNN, Progressive Change Campaign Committee co-founder Adam Green said:
Elizabeth Warren, on a visceral level, is fighting for everyday people and against powerful interests and that comes through with an authenticity this moment demands.
He added:
There are different theories on being effective, but she believes in picking issues that are super popular and forging coalitions to win on those issues.
HT CNN