Elizabeth Warren attack memo outlining Democratic rivals' weaknesses is leaked

Massachusetts senator's campaign details 'ceiling' of support for Bernie Sanders and predicts bad news for Pete Buttigieg and Joe Biden

Elizabeth Warren’s campaign addressed apparent flaws among her fellow Democratic presidential hopefuls leading the pack in the 2020 primaries in a new memo obtained by multiple outlets ahead of a crucial vote in New Hampshire.

The memo, written by the Massachusetts senator’s campaign manager, Roger Lau, reportedly described a “ceiling” of support for Bernie Sanders, another progressive candidate who has polled at the top of the crowded field ahead of the state’s first-in-the-nation primary.

It also predicted Joe Biden’s campaign could soon collapse following the former vice president’s weak showing in Iowa, according to the Associated Press.

The campaign memo also foreshadowed darker days ahead for Pete Buttigieg, who claimed victory in the Iowa caucus on the night of the event, despite significant delays in the official results due to complications with an app used to transmit vote counts from precincts across the state.

The memo said Mr Buttigieg, who appeared to have virtually tied with Mr Sanders in Iowa, would face challenges building a strong enough coalition in more diverse states throughout the primary process.

In writing the memo, Mr Lau was seemingly attempting to reassure the progressive candidate’s voters that she would maintain a shot in the Democratic primaries after the vote in New Hampshire, where Mr Sanders was expected to win as he did in the state during the 2016 primaries.

Both Ms Warren and Mr Sanders’ home states border New Hampshire, which is seen as one of the states that successfully predicts which candidates become the party’s eventual nominee.

Ms Warren has largely avoided comparing herself to Mr Sanders and the other Democratic candidates, focusing instead on releasing a series of sweeping plans meant to deliver bold, structural changes to the US.

In recent months, however, the candidate has attacked Mr Buttigieg over receiving funding from corporate donors and wealthy billionaires, while touting her campaign’s grassroots organisational efforts.

Mr Lau also cited the campaign’s organisation on a national level in the memo obtained on Tuesday, saying Ms Warren has staffers across nearly 30 states.

He said the campaign was capable of continuing well past New Hampshire, as the other candidates’ flaws addressed the memo begin to show along the campaign trail.