NEW YORK — In an apparent sign that US Senator Elizabeth Warren will not be named Hillary Clinton’s running mate, Warren was invited by Clinton’s campaign Tuesday to deliver a prime-time address on the first night of the Democratic convention this month — a marquee speaking slot, but one that is earlier than vice-presidential picks typically appear.
Such nominees usually speak later in the convention week to build anticipation for the top of the ticket.
Two Democrats briefed on the invitation to Warren, however, cautioned that Clinton had not yet made a decision about a running mate and that asking Warren to take the stage on the first night did not preclude her from being tapped as the vice-presidential nominee.
Advertisement
Warren and other individuals who received invitations Tuesday to address the Philadelphia convention were told that their speaking times were subject to change depending on who was selected for vice president, according to the two Democrats, one with ties to Clinton and the other to Warren, who both spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to publicly discuss convention planning.
But even Warren’s allies are now increasingly skeptical that she will join the ticket as the famously cautious Clinton enjoys a steady lead in the polls over Donald Trump and eyes Democrats who are less dynamic than Warren but would not overshadow her on the campaign trail or in the White House.
Clinton’s meetings with the remaining vice-presidential candidates are continuing: She has met with or is expected to meet soon with US Senator Cory Booker of New Jersey; US Representative Xavier Becerra of California; Julian Castro and Tom Perez, who both serve in President Obama’s Cabinet; and James G. Stavridis, a retired four-star Navy admiral who currently works at Tufts University, at her Washington home. She will also campaign Thursday alongside another potential running mate, US Senator Tim Kaine of Virginia, in his home state. Warren had initially handed over paperwork and met with the Washington lawyer overseeing Clinton’s vice-presidential search.
Advertisement
And at a well-attended joint rally in Cincinnati last month that fueled speculation about an all-female ticket, Warren drew loud applause for a stinging indictment of Trump as “a small, insecure money grubber.” But any political necessity of putting Warren on the ticket to placate liberals diminished after US Senator Bernie Sanders pledged to support Clinton, and the progressive voters who flocked to his candidacy continued to coalesce around Clinton.
Some 63 percent of people who voted for Sanders during the Democratic primaries said they would vote for Clinton in the fall, according to a CBS News poll conducted last month.