If you mention the words “Elizabeth Warren” on Wall Street, many bankers metaphorically foam at the mouth. No wonder. In the long years since the financial crisis, Ms Warren — now a Democratic senator from Massachusetts — has relentlessly attacked the sector with a populist stance that has turned her into a darling of America’s left.
But a subtle shift is under way. Ms Warren is still merrily attacking bankers whenever she gets the chance. She also enjoys strong support among grassroots Democrats — so much so that Hillary Clinton, the leading Democratic presidential contender, is being forced to adopt many of Ms Warren’s themes to broaden her own appeal to the party.
Today, however, it is not just Wall Street bankers who are in Ms Warren’s sights. On the contrary, she has recently focused much of her rhetorical fury on President Barack Obama’s efforts to secure fast-track authority to cut trade agreements with Asia and Europe.