I am sure many of you know the fable to the scorpion and the frog. The scorpion needs to get across a stream. The scorpion approaches a frog and says, “If you will take me across the river on your back I will do you a favor later.

This is not difficult for the frog but it is dubious. “If I take you on my back,” the frog says, “You will sting me and I will die.”

The scorpion shakes its head. “No, with this you are safe. If I sting you and you die I will die as well. I cannot swim. Please, you will be doing me a big favor.”

The frog considers this and finally agrees. It is always good to have a scorpion indebted to you. The scorpion gets on the frog’s back. Half way across the scorpion stings the frog.

“How could you do this?” The frog asks. “No we both shall die.”

“I can’t help it,” the scorpion says with its last breath. “It is in my nature.”

I feel like with the Warren campaign we are watching the scorpion and frog fable on a continuous loop.

scorpion media: We really love the way you are specific in your proposals. Can you please give us a specific proposal of your medicare for all?

Warren supporters (playing the role of the frog): But if I do this you will attack it unfairly and probably not even read it.

media: But if we do that we will be making the campaign much more superficial. It would really hurt us don’t you see?

Warren supporters: Okay, here is the plan.

media: I don’t even have to read this plan to know it is terrible and you have made a mortal mistake.

Warren supporters: Why did you do that. Now you are destroying the in-depth discussion of M4A you claim is so important?

media: We can’t help it, it is in our misogynist nature.

Second take

scorpion media: You just have to do well in Iowa so you provide some competition with Sanders who we hate.

Warren supporters: But you won’t care if I do well. You don’t seem to want me to win the way your are treating me.

media: No, trust us. If we treat you unfairly Sanders will have an open path to the nomination and that is something we don’t want. Just really compete well in Iowa and stay on good terms with the media.

Warren supporters: Okay, I am going to stay on good terms with you guys and work to have a good showing in Iowa.

Warren supporters: Look we finished a strong third in Iowa with all these things going against me.

media: Oh, we only care about Bernie and Mayor Pete. We barely know who you are.

Warren supporters: But this is not what you want.

scorpion media: We can’t help it. It is in our misogynist nature.

How many times can a scorpion cross the river and drown? They would be much more comfortable if Warren were out.