In fight over credit rules, she wields a plan

By Michael Kranish, Globe Staff | November 3, 2009

CAMBRIDGE - Her critics portray her as an ivory tower elitist intent on disrupting the American Dream. But to her legions of fans in the Democratic Party, Harvard law professor Elizabeth Warren is the nation’s leading economic David, fighting to protect middle-class families from corporate Goliaths.

Her critique of the lending practices of big banks and mortgage companies is drawing plenty of attention, airing on everything from CNN to “The Daily Show’’ and Dr. Phil, even winning a cameo in Michael Moore’s latest movie, “Capitalism: A Love Story.’’

And she is chief architect of a new government agency to protect consumers from predatory lenders, a central element of President Obama’s efforts to avoid another economic meltdown. That makes her a big target.