Hillary’s Warren Decoy

Presumptive Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton and Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren’s private meeting in Washington, D.C. Friday revived fresh speculation in the media that Clinton may be considering Warren as her running mate.

In addition to Warren, Hillary secured the endorsements of President Obama and Vice President Biden Thursday, as the Democratic Establishment ramps up efforts to marginalize the continuing challenge from Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders.

Warren may struggle to bring the Sanders supporter windfall expected of her if she became Clinton’s running mate.

Some political experts say Clinton may call on Warren, a popular progressive, to help convert Sanders supporters into Clinton voters from a position on the ticket.

But there are no lack of reasons why Warren may not be on Clinton’s shortlist. The highly publicized private meeting Friday may all be a Clinton campaign-created media spectacle to broadcast the Warren veep speculation to Sanders supporters and keep them off Clinton’s back while the Vermont senator remains in the race.

The two have never been particularly close politically. Warren refused to endorse Clinton until after she became the presumptive nominee.

Warren seemed to offer Sanders most of her praise when defending her reasoning for holding off a Clinton endorsement for so long in an interview with Rachel Maddow on MSNBC Thursday night.

“What Bernie Sanders did was just powerfully important,” she added. “He ran a campaign from the heart … And he brought millions of people into the Democratic Party.” Warren went on to say Clinton won “because she’s a fighter.”

But far beyond the lack of a longstanding relationship are concerns for Clinton allies that Warren would create a significant conflict for Clinton — and wouldn’t guarantee a sweep of Sanders’ supporters.

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Clinton relies heavily on Wall Street for massive contributions to her campaign and Super PACs, while Warren has become a progressive idol for her constant criticism of the financial sector. The presence of Warren on the ticket could raise uncomfortable questions of consistency for Clinton and her running mate, at the same time give many Clinton backers pause before reopening their wallets.

Warren may also struggle to bring the Sanders supporter windfall expected of her if she became Clinton’s running mate.

Many Sanders backers maintain some bitterness for Warren for not throwing her weight behind Sanders when it appeared he had a chance of toppling Clinton for the nomination.

The Clintons, ever the masters of manipulation, are likely trotting Warren out as a progressive decoy to take wind out of Sanders’ sails, as he inches ever closer to an exit from the contest.