Warren Endorses Biden, Quickening Democrats’ Bid for Unity

(Bloomberg) -- Elizabeth Warren endorsed Joe Biden on Wednesday, becoming the last of the major 2020 Democratic presidential hopefuls to back the party’s presumptive nominee.

“He knows that a government run with integrity, competence and heart will save lives and save livelihoods,” the Massachusetts senator said in an endorsement video. “And we can’t afford to let Donald Trump continue to endanger the lives and livelihoods of every American.”

After Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders, Warren was considered the most progressive of the 2020 Democratic presidential candidates. Her announcement came the same week the Biden campaign rolled out two other big-ticket endorsements: Sanders and former President Barack Obama.

Warren acknowledged in her video that she’s had differences with Biden over the years but said he’D always been respectful of her views and even willing to adopt new policies if the argument is persuasive enough.

“When you disagree, he’ll listen -- not just listen, but really hear you. And treat you with respect, no matter where you’re coming from,” she said. “And he has shown throughout this campaign that when you come up with new facts or a good argument, he’s not too afraid or too proud to be persuaded.”

Soon after Warren dropped out of the race last month, Biden adopted her bankruptcy plan. It was a sign of goodwill in a dispute between the two that dates back to 2005, when Warren, then a Harvard Law School professor, battled the then-Delaware senator, who was opposed to some of the reforms that she was advocating.

Warren said Biden mentioned the fight when he swore her into the Senate, telling her: “You gave me hell! And you’re gonna do a great job.”

That, she said, is “the thing about Joe: he wants you in the fight with him. And when you’re in the fight with Joe at your side, you know you have a partner who’s committed to getting something good done for this country.”

Senators Tammy Baldwin of Wisconsin, and Debbie Stabenow and Gary Peters, both of Wisconsin, also endorsed Biden Wednesday.

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