Liberal Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren could pull Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton far enough to the left to help Republicans' chances of capturing the White House in 2016, says Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell.
"You've got the energy of the Elizabeth Warren faction kind of driving the agenda, pulling Hillary Clinton further to the left, which, by the way, I think is useful for us in the general election next year," the Kentucky Republican told CNBC's John Harwood.
"The biggest divisions these days are not among Republicans but among Democrats," McConnell said.
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Harwood and McConnell were discussing Warren's role among a group of Democrats in derailing
fast-track trade authority, sought by Republicans and Democratic President Barack Obama.
"The energy is on the left in the Democratic Party," McConnell said.
Clinton, as secretary of state, favored the Trans-Pacific Partnership deal but is being urged by Warren to reject it. McConnell said he doesn't know what Clinton's true opinion is, but said she is being pulled away from the previous support "because of her campaign for president."
Warren supporters have urged her to challenge Clinton in the Democratic primaries, but she so far has refused. Even without running, though, she is a powerful force to move Clinton to the left, McConnell said.
"I think she's a very effective spokesman for a very far left position," he said of Warren.
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