That was the sentiment that Senator Warren (D-MA) expressed to Huffington Post reporter Ryan Grim in regards to the new leadership position she's been elevated to by Senator Harry Reid.
In the piece here, Warren pushes back on some of the initial memes coming out of the media in the past day or so.
In the piece, Warren states that she seemed "perplexed" at the idea of being simply a "liaison" to liberal and progressive groups. Given that there's been some initial skepticism and consternation - including some by your humble author, on this very site - about whether or not this is an attempt to corral or otherwise muzzle a strong progressive voice on issues like inequality and student loan debt, it is nice to not only hear good information by other bloggers on this site, but to hear the Senator herself push back against the narrative
"This is a seat at the table. ... I plan to use it to make sure that people around this country have a real hearing," she said.
....
Either way, said Warren, her new leadership role won't stop her from speaking out. "Nobody's clipping my wings," she said
This just goes to show why Warren should be a very powerful ally in a leadership role.
Not a day or so after the news broke, and the narratives started being formed, and analyses were being offered, Warren has taken the opportunity to personally push back against the spin, and to get in front of the message before it's had too long to fester.
This is what good PR is, and what good messaging is. It's often an area where Democrats fall short compared to our obnoxious opponents.
I think that for the time being, if we really do support Elizabeth Warren, we do need to trust her just a little bit.
We're all aware that we've been burned before; Notably watching Nancy Pelosi immediately take the "austerity has to happen" posture a few years back was cringe inducing and blood boiling.
But if Elizabeth Warren says she's going to have a real role, and she will not be silenced...we should believe her. And we should loudly tout her accomplishments once they begin happening, should they be to the level we believe she can reach.
Go Elizabeth, Go!