Stephen Colbert tried his best to get Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) to weigh in on Hillary Clinton versus Bernie Sanders. But throughout their interview, she seemed far more eager to talk about Donald Trump.
Entering the stage to the cheerful strains of “You Are My Sunshine,” Warren immediately started fielding unwanted questions about the 2016 Democratic primary. Asked if she’s been surprised at how well Sanders has done against Clinton so far, Warren launched into a speech about “people who work hard, who play by the rules” and are “having a really hard time getting ahead.” In her view, both Democratic candidates are making that case effectively.
But Colbert wouldn’t let it go. “Bernie Sanders is calling for a revolution. Hillary Clinton is not calling for a revolution,” he said. “Which one appeals to you more?” When she once again refused to answer, Colbert went at it from a different angle, asking her if she regrets not running because she is essentially a “combo platter” of the two candidates. Of course not. Warren said she’s just happy being a senator from Massachusetts.
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Warren appeared instantly more comfortable when Colbert shifted gears to talk about Trump, with whom she had a bit of a Twitter spat in recent weeks. Though she did not appreciate Colbert’s attempt to point out an issue the two politicians have in common.
“Both of you feel the guys on Wall Street are getting away with stuff they shouldn't,” he said. “Isn't there some unity there between you and Donald Trump?”
“Let's be real clear,” Warren said. “Donald Trump is looking out for exactly one guy, and that guy's name is Donald Trump.”
Before letting his guest go, Colbert gave his original line of questioning one more try. “Who are you going to endorse, Hillary or Bernie?” he asked. “And feel free to give me a variety of non-answers.”
Cutting her off mid-non-answer, Colbert tried yet another approach. “If Hillary doesn’t get it, should Hillary people vote for Bernie?” He asked. “And if Bernie doesn’t get it, should Bernie people vote for Hillary?”
“Totally yes, both ways,” she replied. That was more than some Sanders supporters have been willing to say.
