To: EAW (Memo 2: The Long Game)

Senator Warren,

Following up on my previous memo, I'd like to address general election strategy as part of your strategy to win the Democratic nomination.

I needn't remind you that long, contested nomination battles usually force the winning candidate into awkward postures before she or he inevitably "pivots" to general election mode.  It's an old, old story.

No doubt, some timid souls are already advising you to moderate your positions and plans, lest you be driven too far to the left in the nomination contest.  That is not my advice.  Rather, I think you should position yourself now to bring the party together - and specifically, to bring this large field of candidates together - once you are the nominee.  In the process, you will be able to fine-tune your present positions as part of the process of unifying the party.

In my previous memo, I suggested an approach to winning the withdrawal and endorsement of candidates currently lagging in the polls and in fundraising.  As you may recall, my suggestion was that you find ways of signalling your desire to build a Government using the talents of many of your present competitors, by citing the example of Abraham Lincoln, as set forth in Doris Kearns' Goodwin's Team of Rivals.

As a cautionary note, I also suggested that your reference to Lincoln's cabinet-making take a humble tone,  emphasizing the caliber of the field.  Rather than suggesting that you would be the one doing the team-building, "If nominated, I would...", you would say, "Whoever wins the nomination would be well-advised to consider the example of Abraham Lincoln..."

For a lagging candidate, the subtext is the same.  Elizabeth Warren will value your involvement in shaping the next administration.  If you decide drop out, keep this in mind in deciding whom to endorse.

Today, I want to expand on that idea.  In the first debate, you were very much the adult in the room.  It was interesting to see Kamala Harris adopt that role on the second night - and take it a step further, by calling down her rivals when everyone seemed to be talking at once.  That moment was, in my view, even more impressive than her swordplay with Joe Biden.  It sent the message that Harris has the personal authority - the gravitas - to act as the party's unifier.

Obviously, you won't want to concede that status to her, so I suggest this.  Introduce the Team of Rivals references as soon as possible.  But also, start working in the suggestion that - whoever wins the nomination - it would be worthwhile for her or him to convene the entire group of candidates for a few days of talks on both policy and strategy.

You might say something like this:  "I've heard such a wealth of ideas from this group!  I have plans, and they are solid, detailed plans - but I learn something every day from one of my fellow candidates.  I think the eventual nominee could greatly improve her or his plans by bringing the whole field together for a few days to share ideas.  Once we're past the stage of being rivals, we need to become a team."

In my view, this accomplishes three things: 

First, it suggests that you are the adult in the room, perfectly prepared to unify the party as soon as the nomination battle is over - and possessing the gravitas to do so.

Second, it builds on the the suggestion that you would welcome some of  your rivals in your Cabinet, or in other positions of importance.

Third - and this is vital - it suggests that you are not the left-wing candidate, but - as the nominee - would occupy a unifying position in the heart of the Party.  That you are prepared to listen to every one of your rivals in improving your plans.

This will give you more flexibility when it comes time to pivot to general election mode.  Without committing yourself to modifying a single item of your program, you give yourself the option of tweaking it.  By inviting suggestions from your former rivals - across the board - you bring them on board, while retaining full control of your program.  Should you, as the nominee, choose to incorporate some of their suggestions, you would do so - not as matter of political calculation - but as the act of a unifier and team-builder.  

And in your case, I strongly believe that is a fair representation of who you truly are - highly principled, but a believer in teamwork and consensus.  It's what I would expect of you as President.

I hope these thoughts will be of some value as you go forward.  Thank you for your attention.