Warren Challenges Obama on Eve of President's Boston Visit

     As President Obama geared up for a trip to Boston last Wednesday, Massachusetts's own populist Senator did not hesitate to speak her mind about many of his recent policies.  Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren, as well as many of the more liberal Congressional Democrats, challenged the President on his proposed social security budget compromise.  In hopes of gaining support from Republicans in Congress, Obama has proposed changes to the social security budget which are not sitting well with members of his own party.  The changes reduce the annual cost of living increases for seniors based on an inflation formula known as "chained CPI" (Boston Globe).  Warren, never one to hesitate before saying exactly what she thinks, called chained CPI "...just a fancy way to say ‘Cut benefits for seniors, permanently disabled, and orphans."  Warren told supporters via email that she was shocked by the President's proposal and promised to fight this, as well as other perceived attacks on social security such as proposed increases to the age of eligibility, citing social security benefits as essential to a thriving middle class.  Along with many other influential Congressional Democrats, Warren is preparing for a long fight for the budget which began on Wednesday, the day of Obama's speech at Faneuil Hall in Boston.  This Democratic split caused by Obama's budget proposal could lead to long term problems when dealing with an already fractured Republican party and the looming threat of further government shutdown and default.

     In addition to an impassioned attack on a budget proposal which Warren sees as a steady chipping away of social security benefits, she made disapproving comments about the botched roll-out of President Obama's Affordable Care Act.  The administration "dropped the ball" with the sites unveiling, Warren said, adding, however that it is a "good product" and stressing the need to "Get it fixed and get people in the door." (Masslive)  It is no secret that the roll-out of the Obamacare website was a complete mess.  Outrageous wait times, freezes and data loss plagued the site as hundreds of thousands poured in during the day of the launch.  Warren's criticisms came just days before Obama's speech in Boston defending the Affordable Care Act.  Warren did not attend the event (Boston Globe).

     Warren's comments reflect a growing dissatisfaction and among more liberal Democrats about actions taken by the President.  Aside from complaints about the Obamacare site's initial start-up failure, many Democrats have expressed disappointment, suggesting that it does not go far enough toward addressing the problems of the current health care system.  Warren has stopped short of criticizing the plan itself, and has simply criticized the failure of the roll-out, and has placed strong emphasis on the need to get it working as soon as possible.  However, her criticism of both Obamacare and the President's budget proposal coming mere days before his visit to her home state seem to reflect her, and other Democrats', growing concern about the actions of the President.