In an extraordinary turn of events, Sanders endorsed and even fund-raised for the populist primary challenger to DNC Chairwoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz, a controversial figure who co-chaired Clinton’s 2008 presidential bid and has faced accusations of rigging the system for her in 2016.

As the populists take over, the establishment faces a choice: acquiesce or fight for the heart and soul of their party. Clinton’s pick for vice president will provide an indication of which direction she intends to take.

If she names Warren as her running mate, it would be a clear signal the keys have been turned over to the populists. The Occupy Wall Street crowd that began at Zuccotti Park five years ago will now potentially be one heartbeat away from leading the free world.

Even if Warren is passed over, she and her acolytes will have left a permanent mark on Clinton and her party. Under constant pressure, Clinton has lurched leftward on a host of hot-button issues like trade, criminal justice, energy and her views toward the financial-services industry. Clinton limps out of the bitter Democratic primary a far different candidate than she entered last April.