Elizabeth Warren: Braley a ‘populist ally’

Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) encouraged progressive volunteers to get out the vote for “populist ally” Rep. Bruce Braley (D) in his race against Republican Senate hopeful Joni Ernst.

Warren spoke Saturday on a call organized by the Progressive Change Campaign Committee where she urged supporters to highlight issues like the minimum wage, student loans and Social Security with Iowa voters.

{mosads}”Bruce supports increasing the minimum wage,” Warren said. “Bruce wants to make college more affordable … [and] Bruce supports protecting and expanding Social Security benefits.”

Braley and Ernst are locked in a tight race for the seat being vacated by retiring Democratic senator and liberal champion Tom Harkin (D-Iowa). The race will help decide control of the Senate in a year when Republicans have a good chance of claiming the majority.

Warren said a win for Braley is “vitally important … to make the larger point” that “progressive values are American values.” The call was designed to encourage volunteers as they started call shifts on behalf of Braley and Sen. Mark Udall (D-Colo.).

Jahan Wilcox, Republican Party of Iowa spokesman, suggested that associating with Warren is the wrong move for Braley just days before the midterm elections.

“Congressman Braley has failed to motivate his base, so he’s bringing in a bunch of Washington liberals,” Wilcox said in a statement.

“Any politician who thinks bringing a left-wing Harvard professor to Iowa is a good idea is out-of-touch with Iowa common sense.”