Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Massachusetts Democratic Sen. Elizabeth Warren are reportedly developing a close political friendship that might prove pivotal to deciding the Democratic presidential nomination.
Both have kept in touch since Warren announced her decision to seek the Democratic nomination last February, NBC News reported Saturday.
One source close to NBC told the media outlet that the two had conversed at least once since Warren’s announcement, while another could recall a recent, substantive conversation that was “front of mind.” (RELATED: CNN Panel Gets Heated When Trump Comes Up In Debate On Warren-Clinton Comparison)
Then-Democratic Presidential candidate Hillary Clinton addresses the crowd as U.S. Sen Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) (R) looks on during a campaign rally at the Cincinnati Museum Center at Union Terminal June 27, 2016 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by John Sommers II/Getty Images)
“That has clearly not gone unnoticed, and I think she really appreciates that,” the source told NBC.
“Hillary Clinton would absolutely have influence over a number of delegates to this convention,” Deb Kozikowski, the vice-chairwoman of the Massachusetts Democratic Party, told NBC, referring to the possibility that Clinton could help Warren secure delegates if there is no clear nominee heading into the Democratic National Convention next summer.
“She has applauded her about being serious and disciplined and loves that she is sticking to her guns,” the source told NBC.
Kozikowski said it would just make good political sense for Clinton to help out another Democratic woman who is trying to do what the former First Lady failed to do in 2016.
“It would be counterproductive for the first woman nominee of the party to not be supportive of a woman who may go over that threshold,” Kozikowski said.
Warren enthusiastically joined Clinton on the campaign trail in 2016 and even wore the same blue jacket.