Dems and Republicans have been fighting hand-over-fist re: the confirmation of Elizabeth Warren as the CFPB director. And now, it seems, the battle has moved to Raj Date–the new candidate being floated around.

Rob Blackwell for American Banker:

For starters, I don’t think liberals will be pleased if anyone but Warren gets the job, even if she gives Date her blessing. And perhaps more important, it is doubtful Republicans will suddenly embrace Date. The Senate GOP has vowed to oppose anyone — anyone — Obama nominates unless he agrees to structural changes at the agency. Does anyone believe that if Date were nominated, the Republicans would suddenly withdraw their objections and approve him?

The White House won’t say what it’s up to. The only explanation that would make sense to me is that the White House decided to encourage Warren to run for Senate in Massachusetts against Scott Brown. Such a move would at least pacify her liberal supporters, who want to see Warren head the agency on a formal basis. But polls show she would start a hypothetical campaign trailing Brown by about 14 points. Not very encouraging for her.