You are correct. It did work for Sen. Warren. But not in the way you are probably already biased to think.

The Republicans, and especially their redneck tabloid mouthpiece, the Boston Herald (a paper which makes USA Today appear intellectual by comparison) seized upon that Native American controversy, and wouldn't let go. The question even dominated many, many minutes at the opening of the first televised debate.

The result?

The voters got sick of hearing about it, and finally looked at the Republicans like, "Is that all you got?"

If that contrived controversy had any bearing on the election whatsoever, it was that it may have cost Sen. Brown more votes for being a non-issue than it did Sen. Warren for being an issue.