The Hill is hardly the only cesspool source of lean/right journalism that builds a rickety story on a matchstick of speculation -- lights a little fire that fizzles quickly. We do it in these precincts all the time. When we need an example, though, The Hill is one of the more obliging digi-rags. Here is a lovely example.
Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) will address a key faction* of the liberal base Monday as speculation intensifies that she will someday seek the presidency.
Translation: It's kind of a slow news day so far. Let's "intensify" speculation about something...
Helping to open the quadrennial AFL-CIO convention, Warren is expected to be celebrated by rank-and-file union members as labor’s liberal bulwark in the Senate. The Massachusetts senator can strengthen her bonds with the key Democratic constituency that will play a big part in the party’s 2016 presidential primary.
This is big news! People who value jobs and work vote for Democrats! The governor of Minnesota (R) figured that out, as have several other governors and the Koch brothers. The Hill must feel gratitude to them for that revelation.
“The bottom line is, I think the world of her and I think the whole labor movement does. She is a woman of her word and she knows you never lose when you stand up for what’s right,” said Massachusetts AFL-CIO President Steve Tolman.
Stand up for "what's right"? Except if you're a Republican. Right without the capital letter is anathema to Republicans, a fact that The Hill forgets to mention in the report.
Union officials buzz when asked about Warren’s 2016 prospects.
“I am not thinking about the presidency right now, but I do know we have the greatest U.S. senator representing us. I want her in the Senate doing the great work that she’s doing,” Tolman said. “Give me a couple more years and let me find out she’s interested, and I will drive the train.”
Okay, but.
Warren is seemingly not interested in running for the White House in 2016.
Fizzle
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"Faction" is as word that implies trouble, something that helps a reporter say "uh-oh." Google "faction" and you'll get " A group of persons forming a cohesive, usually contentious minority within a larger group." See? That adds a little pizzazz to a basically ho-hum story. You could call the entire Republican party a "contentious minority" more accurately.
