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Elizabeth Warren: 'The system is rigged'

Addressing a boisterous Democratic Convention crowd Wednesday night, Democratic Senate candidate Elizabeth Warren took the stage to make her case for President
Massachusetts Senate candidate Elizabeth Warren speaks during day two of the Democratic National Convention at Time Warner Cable Arena on September 5, 2012 in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Massachusetts Senate candidate Elizabeth Warren speaks during day two of the Democratic National Convention at Time Warner Cable Arena on September 5, 2012 in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Addressing a boisterous Democratic Convention crowd Wednesday night, Democratic Senate candidate Elizabeth Warren took the stage to make her case for President Obama. Though she said she never imagined herself running for Senate, she was one of the main draws that night, speaking right before former President Bill Clinton and earning her own standing ovations. 

Warren is widely known for her populist rhetoric and consumer protection lobbying, and tonight was no different. 

"For many years, our middle class has been chipped, squeezed, and hammered," she said. "The system is rigged. Does anyone here have a problems with that? I do."


The crowd gave her a prolonged standing ovation when she lashed out at Mitt Romney for his infamous "corporations are people" comment.

"Republicans ... believe in government to help themselves and their powerful friends," Warren said. "The Republican vision is clear: 'I've got mine, and the rest of you are on your own.'" President Obama, she said, demands accountability from everyone: A country "where no one can steal your purse on Main Street or your pension on Wall Street."

She did not mention her opponent, incumbent Republican Senator Scott Brown, but she did give a shout out to the Massachusetts convention delegation. The latest polls show Brown with a slight lead over Warren, but the contest has been a close race all summer. Judging by crowd responses, the speech seemed a positive audition for what Washington Post's Sean Sullivan termed an "all or nothing" moment for the liberal favorite.

In a lighter moment at the beginning of the speech, the Senate candidate commended Bill Clinton for having the "good sense to marry one of the coolest women on this planet," a comment that also drew loud cheers from the audience.