Warren: Ellison would make a 'terrific' DNC chair

Sen. Elizabeth Warren said Thursday that Rep. Keith Ellison "would make a terrific" Democratic National Committee chairman, but she's not yet ready to say the same of former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean.

Speaking to MSNBC's Rachel Maddow, the Massachusetts senator and progressive favorite weighed in on who should preside over the DNC, a role currently occupied by interim chair Donna Brazile. While not outright endorsing Ellison, Warren threw a measure of support behind his bid.


"I really, really like Keith," Warren said. "I think he's terrific and I think he would make a terrific DNC chair."

Ellison, a strong supporter of Sen. Bernie Sanders' Democratic primary challenge to Hillary Clinton, recently earned a public endorsement from the Vermont senator.

Warren was more skeptical, however, in addressing Dean's candidacy. The former DNC chair threw his hat in the ring for the chairmanship Thursday afternoon on social media.

"I haven't talked to him. Fine," she said in response to his announcement Thursday. "I'd like to hear what his vision is. But I want lots of Democrats in, engaged and ready to go."

Dean, who chaired the committee from 2005 to 2009, posted on Twitter hours before that the Democrats needed to regroup and implement a nationwide strategy, and that he felt he was the right person to lead the charge.

"The dems need organization and focus on the young," he said. "Need a fifty State strategy and tech rehab. I am in for chairman again."

Others reportedly rumored to be in the mix for the position are former Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm, South Carolina Democratic Party Chairman Jaime Harrison, and New Hampshire Democratic Party Chairman Ray Buckley.

CORRECTION: This story has been updated to clarify Elizabeth Warren's quote on Howard Dean.