Karl W. Smith, Columnist

Elizabeth Warren Is a Radical Wonk

Her bold, detailed approach represents a break not just from Trump but also from Obama.

June 3, 2019 at 11:00 AM UTC

Karl W. Smith is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist. Previously, he was vice president for federal policy at the Tax Foundation and assistant professor of economics at the University of North Carolina.

More radical than you think.
Photographer: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images North America

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Elizabeth Warren is climbing in the polls, propelled in part by a flurry of policy proposals, each detailed in blog post by the candidate. Issued at regular intervals, covering everything from wealth taxes to child care to agriculture, her proposals are part of a smart strategy that has helped distinguish Warren in a crowded Democratic field.

They are more than that, though. They embody a new and potentially transformational approach to politics — one that represents not just an alternative to President Donald Trump, but a fundamental break with Barack Obama.