NEW YORK: Democatic presumptive nominee Hillary Clinton and popular Senator Elizabeth Warren sealed a powerful alliance that could help unify the Democratic Party and give Donald Trump nightmares, most commentators here said.

Senator Warren is on Clinton’s shortlist of potential vice presidential running mates, but campaigning with Clinton Warren demonstrated she will be a vital ally in any capacity.

Warren’s endorsement which she delivered with gusto and without reservations, will help Clinton win over sceptical Bernie Sanders supporters. Warren’s ability to provoke Trump with cutting attacks is virtually unrivalled in the Democratic Party.

Warren on her part was late to endorse Clinton, but seemed to be trying to make up for it with enthusiasm. “Hillary has brains, she has guts, she has thick skin and steady hands. But most of all, she has a good heart. And that’s what America needs. And that’s why I’m with her.”

She called Trump “a small, insecure money-grubber who fights for no one but himself” and a “thin-skinned bully driven by insecurity and hate”. Warren asserted “I’m happy to welcome Secretary Clinton back to the commonwealth. We love it,” NBC news said.

The report added “Warren did finally throw her support behind Clinton after she won enough delegates to secure the nomination. On Monday, two weeks after that endorsement, Warren literally joined hands with Clinton and threw her arms above her head in an indisputable display of support and unity. “I am here today because I’m with her,” Warren said, invoking a Clinton campaign slogan.

It’s unclear what Warren wants from Clinton, and vice versa, but it’s obvious that they both realise they are stronger together — to paraphrase Clinton called Warren “my friend and a great leader,” who is “so terrific” and “so formidable” because she “tells it like it is”.

Praising Warren on the terms that matter to the senator most, Clinton heaped laurels on the Consumer Finance Protection Bureau, Warren’s brainchild agency. “No one works harder to make sure Wall Street never, never wrecks main street again, Clinton added.

Published in Dawn, June 29th, 2016