Skip to content
Subscriber Only
Politics

Sanders-Warren Niceties Mask Growing Tension and Suspicion Among Allies

  • The New England senators are competing for progressive mantle
  • They’ve played nice so far but may be headed for confrontation
Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren after participating in the first round of the second Democratic primary debate hosted by CNN in Detroit on July 30, 2019.

Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren after participating in the first round of the second Democratic primary debate hosted by CNN in Detroit on July 30, 2019.

Photographer: Brendan Smialowski/AFP via Getty Images

By

Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren are both attracting large crowds as they try to build a movement to transform the U.S. -- but they’re standing in each other’s way.

Underneath the niceties -- the two mostly agree on the issues and refuse to attack each other -- are growing tensions among their allies and supporters as each makes a case to carry the progressive mantle. If no clear choice emerges, it could split the liberal wing and end up helping moderate Joe Biden, who is leading in most polls as they’re locked in a tight battle for second.