Ocasio Cortez is a uniter, not a divider

[NY_20th]

Link to tweet

A breath of fresh air.

[AlexSFCA]

1. that's a winning strategy for you: do not mention trump's name

do not invoke him, campaign on policy and stay focused

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

50. Alexandria is such a breath of fresh air... she IS the future of the Democratic Party!

Bank on it... absent the corporate cash!

[oberliner]

109. She is the future of the Democratic Party in The Bronx and Queens

That's for sure.

[NY_20th]

118. OK, you are going a bit too far.

She is going to be a great Representative for her district, and excited to watch, but it's way too premature to call her anything else.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

126. It's just a prediction... Alexandria has a winning POSITIVE progressive message...

Obviously, only the future knows for sure.

[NY_20th]

142. Honestly, I think there is too much hyberbole about her from different ideologies.

Why people can't just congratulate her for her hard work on her campaign, and accept her as a new and young Democrat representing NY 14 in the House, is beyond me.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

144. I think it's the message Alexandria won with... it has national appeal.

[NY_20th]

146. I don't know if it has national appeal, but it certainly had appeal in her district,

and she worked very hard for her election.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

150. No doubt about that.

[R B Garr]

2. Justice Democrats were founded by Cenk Uyger.

His funding sources should also be up for debate.

These endless, baseless insults are only attacking Democrats. She should start attacking Republicans. It looks like she is attacking "corporate" something or other, so she should turn her attacks on Republicans. Thanks.

[NY_20th]

4. Ryan Grimm is an associate of Cenk

and if you read the tweet you will see that OC shot down his opinion that she is out to oust Democrats.

I have not seen OC bash any Democrats. She is a proud Democrat. She is simply giving thanks to those who helped her, first.

[R B Garr]

6. Yes, thank you. Then I read her litmus test in her response which sounds

very familiar. She is saying she will only support Democrats who don't take "corporate" money, which then opens up the dialogue for the funding sources of Justice Democrats. There is a lot of info about it out there, but I won't post it here, ahem.

[NY_20th]

12. I think you're reading too much into it.

I've been watching several of her interviews, and following her twitter feed and I think she is just very grateful to the people who believed in her, and helped her.

[youtube]

[/youtube]

[R B Garr]

13. What she says about "corporate Democrats" is very familiar.

So if it's familiar, then it is what it is, there is little to misunderstand as we've had a lot of exposure to it already. These type comments are a gift to the GOP. They use them against Democrats. We can't afford to go on a national crusade now to call out Democrats. We have to quit sabotaging.

edit: her comment
"There are truly phenomenal people across the country that don’t take corporate $ that at least deserve attention."

[lapucelle]

85. Will she pledge not to take cash or help from dark money groups?

[R B Garr]

88. Very good question! Someone should put that to her.

Maybe she or her advisors could get back to us on that before we accuse others of being bought.

[LiberalLovinLug]

97. So...if she does, even if small donations don't cut it for her run, then she is to be pilloried?

But its ok for any other Democrat? They don't have to take any similar pledges?

Obama once pledged not to take superpac money, but relented. Good thing he never made a 'real' pledge.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

141. Of course... Alexandria is a threat to money interests.

[pangaia]

68. McConnell LIED saying she is a socialist and supports OPEN BORDERS.

She should say so.

republicans, and my goodness, probably many democrats think a socialism and democratic socialism are the same thing.

In fact I would bet most republicans equate 'socialism" with out and out communism..

[NY_20th]

99. New York State Democrats will not fall for the Republican nonsense.

[Wwcd]

9. Her endorsers, however do. Don't tell us OC, tell your endorsers.

[R B Garr]

10. +1000, excellent points. This is the reality. It is presented as

something else, but it comes back to this. It's not like we can't recognize it, and it has been very costly.

[BeyondGeography]

7. Geeze, give her a few weeks to get up to speed on how the Beltway would like her to behave

Not that anyone there was rooting for her in the first place.

[Wwcd]

11. Cenk will leave a bad mark on her name. He already has. That is the problem

aligning your campaign with the likes of Cenk.
He fking hates Democrats.
Someone isn't being truthful here.

Then publicly Denounce Cenk, because he Does NOT stand for all those fine campaign words that were written about OC.

[Me.]

37. I'm Hoping She's Not Getting Ahead Of Her Skis

so to speak. She's won a primary, one primary, not an election and while that is a very Dem. Latino district, she shouldn't count her chickens and must stay focused on what her priority is.

[theaocp]

113. Go watch the multitude of interviews she had with TYT.

It’s unlikely she’ll cut ties any time soon.

[radius777]

14. Exactly, alt-left; this was a fluke election.

The district was recently redrawn, she fit it age-wise/ethnicity-wise, she's charismatic/smart, it was a low-turnout election, Crowley was absent/irrelevant in the district...

In very blue districts (where there's no chance of Repub winning) there are also conservative voters who ratfuck to put in a weaker Dem who will be less effective nationally ... they want alt-left/Stein/Bernie types in and want to sow division .. just like in 2016 Dem primaries.

[RhodeIslandOne]

169. Meh, we'll see

I don't think it's a fluke if the district stays this way. She'll be there a long time.

Nancy Pelosi and Maxine Waters come from deep blue districts. It's debatable that they are 'effective" nationally with independents and moderate Democrats in traditionally conservative parts of the country, but they are firebrands for the party that people who are true blue Dems respect. Osacio Cortez could become like them someday. The fact she's getting Repthugs worked up as some sort of radical already (to start it's to spin a false narrative) is a good start.

[AtomicKitten]

192. She won because voters liked what they saw.

You and Nancy Pelosi can keep trying to knock the legs out from underneath her victory but that effort reveals more about you than hurts her.

She won on issues, on policy, as a Berniecrat ... yeah we recognized what really had your knickers in a twist ... but she out-Bernied Bernie when it comes to Democratic socialism on issues, on policy.

Source: https://theintercept.com/2018/06/30/theres-an-easy-answer-to-why-alexandria-ocasio-cortez-won-socialism/

What gave Ocasio-Cortez’s platform its power is not just her rhetorical acuity — the fact that she’s frank where others are euphemistic. She’s able to be frank because her ideology is internally consistent and uncompromised by the influence of money — just as others are euphemistic where the truth would upset their donors. Nor can her popularity be boiled down to the fact of her racial identity and the similarly brown demographics of her district — despite many attempts to do so. -snip- That implication is so pervasive that Ocasio-Cortez felt the need to push back, tweeting: “Some folks are saying I won for ‘demographic’ reasons. 1st of all, that’s false. We won w/voters of all kinds.” And she’s right. The southwestern part of the district (located in northwest Queens) was where Ocasio-Cortez performed best, with 60 to 100 percent of voters choosing her over Crowley, even though that area is only 15 to 40 percent Hispanic.

-snip-

Ocasio-Cortez’s socialist message is not an incidental part of a larger demographic story. And her socialism shouldn’t be treated as a virus opportunistically riding the vector of her Latina form. Socialism is inextricable from Ocasio-Cortez’s success because it’s the secret behind her ability to do what the Democratic party has long failed to do — articulate a holistic progressive vision for America.

-snip-

A-OC: "When we talk about the word socialism, I think what it really means is just democratic participation in our economic dignity, and our economic, social, and racial dignity…It is about direct representation and people actually having power and stake over their economic and social wellness, at the end of the day. To me, what socialism means is to guarantee a basic level of dignity.”
What should frighten centrists of both parties is how unimpeachable that simple moral claim is. As Ocasio-Cortez said on election night: “There’s nothing radical about moral clarity in 2018.” Except, it is a radical act to run on it.

-snip-

Ocasio-Cortez put it best: “At the end of the day, I’m a candidate that doesn’t take corporate money, that champions Medicare for all, a federal jobs guarantee, the abolishment of ICE, and a green New Deal. But I approach those issues with the lenses of the community that I live in. And that is not as easy to say as ‘identity politics.'”

[R B Garr]

18. Sigh. Do you recall where the "corporate Democrat" originated??

That's what is being discussed here.

The whole conversation about "funding sources" is one-way, it seems. Mythical "corporate Dems" can be pulled out a hat to attack any given Democrat, but these "small donors" and Cenk Uyger's funding sources are off limits. This is tiresome.

[R B Garr]

38. LOL, if you don't know who funds Justice Democrats*, it's no wonder you

are confused. I'm not the one funding dark money groups to attack the Democratic party in the guise of "helping". You don't get to play revisionist history.

*an ex-Republican

[R B Garr]

44. It's already been established that only "corporate Dems" are subject to

scrutiny. I bet you don't think that's a conspiracy. Shrug yourself.

[R B Garr]

48. You obviously are confused as to the origin of the term "corporate Democrats."

I see someone else's post threw you off, too. It happens.

[choie]

71. are you implying that there's no such thing as a corporate Democrat?

Let's be real - at this point, I'm not saying "don't vote for corporate Democrats" because unfortunately, we don't have the luxury of that choice anymore. But to deny that there are Democratic politicians who are in the pockets of big corporate donors is to be, well, in denial.

[R B Garr]

73. There's also "dark money." Look it up and look up the funding for

Justice Democrats. Let's not be in denial. Indeed. No double standards, that's the point.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

151. You're making WAYYYY too much sense choie!!

Which is why all the leading 2020 presidential prospects are already swearing off corporate PAC money. It's been done before - I forget who started it - and it's a smart move!

[R B Garr]

191. They should also pledge not to take dark money. Let's get everyone

in on the purity train. No double standards.

[betsuni]

101. Could you please give a few examples of such Democrats?

Surely there must be many documented examples of Dems taking corporate money and introducing legislature or voting (or changing their votes) to pro-corporate.

[sheshe2]

145. That is a very good question.

I will wait right here with you for an answer.

[betsuni]

148. I think the idea is that if a politician is from an agricultural area and

doesn't vote 100% against agribusiness, or a state where pharmaceuticals are important doesn't vote 100% against pharma companies, or in a rural state like Vermont they might not vote against gun manufacturers, it doesn't mean they are looking out for the interests and jobs of their constituents, it means corporations have bribed them to vote in their favor. And of course, above all, HILLARY CLINTON . No details are given, of course, because they JUST KNOW IT IS TRUE!!!!1111

Remember, Democrats are the corporatist enemy, not Republicans.

[sheshe2]

152. Very good explaination, betsuni.

Thanks.

[lapucelle]

156. It is within the power of the candiate to disclose the source / sources

of small donations in their FEC filings. In the interest of transparency, I wish that candidates would do it.

[R B Garr]

164. That is an excellent suggestion.

[womanofthehills]

67. Lots of people, like me, have contributed to Justice Democrats

and if they can help us elect young intelligent people over old white men supported by corporations, good for them.

[R B Garr]

69. Yes, and I've contributed to Democrats and I'm not a "corporate Dem"

That wasn't exactly my point, and honestly, there is info out there that shows who has helped fund Justice Democrats, so whatever you did doesn't negate the other facts.

[theaocp]

117. I just ran a search and there's little to be found.

Can you provide some easy links, please? Thanks!

[R B Garr]

121. LOL, the poster lapucelle provided me with a couple

links in another thread. There is plenty of other info out there, u bet.

Explain what you know about Cenk Uyger. Thanks.

[theaocp]

124. I missed that thread.

Can you direct me to it, please? Thanks.

EDIT: I looked up that user and are you talking the Roemer money? You can search for more info on that if you like. I don’t know how that influences JD, but you don’t seem to be much of a fan, anyway.

[R B Garr]

127. Look for the search function on this screen.

Use Google.

Explain what you know about Cenk Uyger. Thanks.

[theaocp]

136. That wasn't terribly helpful.

Also, what’s with the interrogation?

[R B Garr]

138. LOL

[H2O Man]

3. Recommended.

Alexandria is for the working class. And that's what our party should be focusing on. Plus, she is the type of candidate that creates excitement among the grass roots.

[NY_20th]

26. Are you kidding me with this?

Please read her platform.

[melman]

116. Yes there sure are

It's awful. And extremely predictable.

[H2O Man]

159. It happens.

I think some people dislike Alexandria. And others dislike me. Further, there are still others that don't like her or I. They own the problem.

[demmiblue]

81. Wow.

[TCJ70]

46. Watch out! Working class is code for "white people" now...

...or did you miss that thread?

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

134. hahaha. IKR!!

[H2O Man]

160. I've seen all

types of what I think is utter nonsense here from time to time. But anyone familiar with Alexandria knows that she frequently says she represents the working class. (I don't take her for a white nationalist.) People not familiar with her will be, soon enough. She understands power.

[AtomicKitten]

194. Recommending your recommendation.

[murielm99]

8. She needs to be careful not to lose that seat for us.

I know she is in a safe district.

And if she does win, she will have to work with other Democrats. Who will mentor her if she acts like this? What committee assignments will she get? Does she know anything at all about practical politics?

[R B Garr]

20. She's a self-described Justice Democrat. Have you not heard of them?? nt

[NY_20th]

23. She is a proud Democrat.

Link to tweet

[R B Garr]

24. This is about her Tweet that is posted. Her comment about corporate $$$. nt

[NY_20th]

28. I read it as her acknowledging that there are candidates running

that don't have a lot of money, and they deserve to be heard as well.

I don't see anything sinister in that belief.

Candidates run, voters decide.

[R B Garr]

33. She has said more than that Tweet. It sounds familiar. nt

[NY_20th]

43. I'm finding that many in the media are attempting to spin

her victory into something that fits whatever narrative they are trying to spin.

If you actually listen to her words and watch her actions, she has been nothing but class, trying to stay above all the fray, while trying to acknowledge the people that helped her in her campaign.

She's a very young, ambitious woman, who has spent the past two years knocking on doors and talking to people in her district.

Her hard work paid off, in her district. Nothing more, nothing less.

Her platform reads like a typical New York liberal platform. Obviously she would not be a fit in every district in the country. I will not bash a young liberal Democrat who has worked effortlessly to represent a district and is dedicated to making a difference. A young Democrat who cares and who has shown that she will put in the effort to get things done.

[R B Garr]

49. I obviously don't know a lot about her, but am sick to death of the

revolution attacks. They haven't been helpful, and I recognized a couple in her ad and other comments. That's about it. We'll see what she does.

[NY_20th]

55. We will.

I think you will see that she is not the prototypical OR candidate.

Again, I find her to be more of a uniter than a divider. She's actually a candidate that bridges that gap in her district, and I am disappointed that her candidacy is being used for more division instead of unity.

We should be applauding young people who embrace our ideology and are out fighting for our values, not criticizing them.

[R B Garr]

56. LOL, I am never going to stop criticizing the revolution saboteurs.

I still can't stand Nader's meddling and lies, so, NO, letting people lie about my party will not be forgotten. LOL.

My original comments still stand. If mythical "corporate Dems" are going to be smeared without proof that they are influencing policy, then ex-Republican Cenk Uyger, founder of Justice Democrats, should be subjected to the same purity standards. His funding should also be scrutinized.

[NY_20th]

60. I've been called a corporate Dem, a centrist Dem, etc.

on twitter for a few years now, and I still support Ocasio.

[R B Garr]

65. I've been called that, too, and it made me realize how ignorant

it sounds. Smearing Democrats is not wise. The revolution talking points often smear Democrats. So did Nader. Enough of that.

[R B Garr]

82. Same to you. I see you were off base

about someone else in this thread. It’s not a good look for you, either.

Trying to make it personal about me doesn’t negate the facts out there about Justice Democrats or Cenk Uyger’s ex-Republican status.

[R B Garr]

96. I'll stick with the Mueller facts--those that point to

the extent of sabotage done to Democrats by constant attacks. Read about who funds Cenk Uyger. The great poster lapucelle has posted info on their funding sources and the dark money, etc. I would link but on my phone now.

By your trippy reactions here, it just shows the double standards. Questioning Ocasia’s funding is off limits and supposedly an attack or divisive, yet we have nonstop attacks on Democrats for years now over mythical corporate Dems. I was called a corporate Dem, lol.

[sheshe2]

147. Did you...

RandomAccess (4,627 posts)
74. You don't seem to realize the extent to which you do

the very thing you criticize: smearing Democrats.

You've appeared absolutely unhinged on the subject -- a tad hysterical. Not a good look, actually.

Did you just call R B Garr "unhinged" and a "tad hysterical"...why yes, yes you did. That's not very civil.

[Cha]

153. I don't think it's a good sign that

she's starting with that tired old stale "corporate dem" insult. Hope I'm wrong.

I've been called a "corporate dem" on here, too.. because of who I support. And, it's glaringly ridiculous.. that insult to label is just thrown out there without any backup.

If the Dems are a "big tent" then why try to marginalize anyone?

cenk is constantly throwing out nasty insults at our Democratic Party for years.. he always had hateful gaslighting shite to say about President Obama.

[NY_20th]

157. Can you please point to where she called anyone a corporate Dem?

She simply stated that she did not take any corporate money. Of course she didn't. She's 28 years old and nobody took her seriously until a few weeks ago.

She's a proud Democrat. An ambitious young woman who worked very hard and knocked on doors for the past two years, and happened to win her election.

Why is there this desire to knock this young woman down?

She is not Cenk. She is not Bernie. She is just a young woman who caught the political bug, worked tirelessly and effortlessly to do something, and caught lightening in a bottle.

Give her a break. She's not an enemy.

[Cha]

161. I stated my opinion.. don't take

it so hard. I'm just one person out here. I'm sure it won't make one bit of difference what my experience has brought to the discussion.

[NY_20th]

162. I'm not taking it hard.

I am interested in debating facts, not innuendo.

I'm also interested in taking back the House and not bashing Democrats who have a different ideology than I do.

[Cha]

163. There is no "bashing".. we're having a

discussion based on what has been said.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

66. Agreed, nothing sinister at all...certainly won't make corporations happy...isn't that a good thing?

[Dennis Donovan]

29. I have, and they ARE Dems as much as anyone...

[R B Garr]

31. lol, Yes, Cenk Uyger was a Republican, but he's for sure a Democrat now...

He is as much a Democrat as anyone.

[Dennis Donovan]

40. This is not directed towards you...

...but the fact I was slammed within a minute by establishment Dems says everything. I wish people with such passion were around in 1972...

[Dennis Donovan]

45. Oy vey...

I'm sorry, but you clearly didn't dig what I was saying.

[KG]

51. word.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

63. This reaction is a surprise?! Alexandria shines a bright light that has shown us the way...

speaking truth to power... it's going to take awhile to adjust to the "new reality on the ground" with all those grassroots demanding to be heard!!

[Crutchez_CuiBono]

107. I like her.

No question she put in the time and effort and won. I think we've been winning for a long time now, and the votes haven't reflected the same.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

59. LOL, Alexandria should be the one doing the mentoring...

she's got a winning POSITIVE Progressive agenda that doesn't require taking PAC money from corporate donors.

[murielm99]

167. That is very insulting

to Democrats who have worked hard for a lifetime, and especially to those who are struggling in the current atmosphere.

It is one thing to discuss, but insulting our entire party is beyond the pale.

[oberliner]

108. She will win the seat and it won't be close

[ismnotwasm]

16. I like her

One of the most offensive memes to arise out of the last election was the notion that economic “justice” can change or control bigotry. She is a young woman of color, and she ran on that as well as her Democratic socialism. If she can combine the two and move forward, and if she can do it in such a way she avoids talking shit, I think she will prosper. Clearly, she isn’t letting others speak for her.

She worked in the offices of Ted Kennedy, so she isn’t a total neophyte. I will be highly disappointed if she acts out. For now, I appreciate her.

[NY_20th]

22. Yes, exactly. She understands that social justice is just as important as

economic justice.

And she doesn't shy away from referring to herself as a proud member of the Democratic Party.

Link to tweet

[Blue_true]

76. She seems to have a history of fighting the right fights as an activist and social organizer.

Flint contaminated water fight, fight for community education funding, fight for early childhood development funding. I see her as a classic 60s liberal more than anything else, from a time when people saw possibilities instead of roadblocks.

[NY_20th]

80. Yes, she's passionate, caring and driven.

I cannot understand the opposition to her.

[Blue_true]

106. I think some of the opposition comes from her being associated with Our Revolution.

I did not follow the race closely, you are more local to it. But as best I can tell from reading up on her positions and activity before the vote, she was focused on issues and not tearing the party down like most Our Revolution. I was for Crowley, but so far, I am very impressed with her.

[NY_20th]

111. She is laser focused on the issues, and is a proud Democrat.

Joe Crowley is also an amazing Democrat.

Crowley and Ocasio have handled this with class, grace, and commitment to winning back the House.

I'm positive that Rep. Crowley and others will help guide her in her new endeavor.

Honestly, the backlash towards this young, passionate woman is disturbing.

She's a committed Democrat. A very hard working one. She should be embraced, not chastised.

[Blue_true]

137. I agree on all counts. One poster really surprised me with the opposition.

One thing that I know, ANY democrat and ANYONE who aligns with democrats is lightyears better than ANY republican. I have my choice in primaries, but I support the eventual nominee, in this case, that support is very easy.

[NurseJackie]

21. I like how she doesn't smear Democrats and the Democratic party.

[yallerdawg]

27. I like how she IS a Democrat.

If you know what I mean.

[NurseJackie]

35. That means she's HONEST and she has INTEGRITY!

[Hortensis]

25. Give her time to grow up. She's a media flavor

of the moment, being pushed to sell newspapers, and of course she's already being weaponized by the right and Russia.

But reality is she's an amateur who was basically accidentally elected by less than 3% of HER OWN district's voters. Note names of the "analysts" who completely fail to point that out for the future; they're not honest reporters.

If she were 38 or 48 and still spouting this stuff, after her contributions in 2015-2016 (at the end of her adolescence) to what happened, she'd be beyond contempt. But she's not. She's very young and ignorant, and she's suddenly been propelled far above her level of competence. There's still time for her to realize and learn from the dreadful mistakes she was part of.

So I figure let the media move on to whatever grabs their attention next and let her start finding her feet in congress next year -- after she wins in the general, presumably. She deserves a chance to show she can learn and grow into her job, and that'll take time.

Itm, regarding the poison-soaked Ocasio darts others are shooting, let's not be useful idiots for those using her against the party.

[NY_20th]

32. Having a child who is her age,

I find her to be quite impressive for such a young woman.

I guess people will see what they want to see.

I don't see her throwing any darts at anyone. She's very typical of a young New York State liberal Democrat. I wish she had joined Off the Sidelines or Emerge New York instead of Justice Democrats, but it is what it is.

I'm looking forward to seeing her youthful energy in Congress.

[Hortensis]

52. Not HER. Maybe read before answering?

A fake-news story involving her is being weaponized against the Democratic Party by our enemies. Those are the darts.

Isn't that important to know? So you can dodge and also be able to identify and know what to think of so-called journalists and journals trying to deceive you? There really is a vast right-wing conspiracy, but it's not against Hillary alone, it's against all of us.

Let's really hope Ocasio gets to add some youthful energy in congress to whatever committees she's assigned to. And, importantly, that she learns that to respect and admire many of her colleagues and realize she is part of something great.

She doesn't seem to have learned from what happened on November 8, 2016, though. If it's repeated on November 6, 2018, she'll instead get a lot of experience in being an extremely minor member of a minority, out-of-power party as the Republicans dismantle our progressive institutions and consolidate Trump authoritarian power. It'd definitely her own chickens coming home to roost (again!), but neither of us wants that for her because it'd be a horrible punishment for a kid who didn't know what she was doing and because it'd mean we were all in much worse trouble than we were on January 1, 2017.

COUNTDOWN TO MAKING OCASIO PART OF OUR HOUSE MAJORITY: 128 days!

[NY_20th]

57. "She doesn't seem to have learned from what happened on November 8, 2016, though."

What has drawn you to that conclusion?

She voted for Hillary Clinton, and her district did as well.

I'm not buying the spin in the media to turn her into some divisiveness happening in the Democratic Party.

She has shown great respect and sincere admiration and humbleness.

I will not knock this young Democrat. You can do as you wish.

[Hortensis]

62. She won by a little over half of 5% of her electorate.

All I want from you is that you be aware of that as you evaluate the propaganda being spouted.

From her, of course, I think it's reasonable to expect far, far more. She now has an absolute duty to serve her district, and the rest of the nation, as well as Crowley did or better. Time will tell.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

131. Cue the crickets... chirp! chirp!

[marlakay]

54. She is younger than my kids

But I am going to use her to show my granddaughter who is 19 and my daughters in late 30's that it's not just old people who run for office. Most of the time when I am begging them to vote I know they feel like why bother these old folks understand nothing of my life.

[Hortensis]

178. You bet. She's a great example for getting involved.

[Blue_true]

86. I don't agree with you. I was for Crowley.

But Cortez is not young and ignorant. She understands her district's needs and crafted her race around that. Like Tip O'Neill said, all politics is local, she understood that, Crowley seemed to have forgotten that reality.

[NY_20th]

120. I agree with most, except that Crowley did not forget,

Ocasio just campaigned that district very hard.

[Blue_true]

140. Accepted, you are closer to it than I am. nt

[Hortensis]

180. Only, all politics is NOT local, as the USE of this

race nationally proves. After Tip O'Neill came the information revolution, and here we are, discussing candidates in a district most of us once wouldn't have heard of. That old quote is back now because politicians got carried away by electorates thinking on national scales also, and too much focus shifted out. The fact is that, no matter how much a district's people are focused on national issues, politics will always still somewhat local, varying in how much from district and time, and they forget that at their peril.

As for knowing her district, I wish that had to mean more than it does. Anyone can read the same political-writer stuff the voters are reading that tells them what they care about, whether it's true or not. Talking heads are paid to spout, not to say get back to me in a few weeks when I've had a chance to gather data on this. And populist leaders can bring down whole nations with a list of catchphrases that can be counted on one hand.

The kind of politicians we need are pros who learn and know far more than the typical citizen about what their districts need and who can inform and excite the voters into demanding them. Perhaps she will one day be one of those.

[Blue_true]

197. Knowing one's district is shopping in the same stores voters shop in.

Out making your own grocery. Stopping when a voter want to talk to you. Having an office around the district and making sure that it is staffed. Meeting with any group that wants to respectfully sit down and discuss issue with you. I can bet that Cortez knows the prices for rent, a loaf of bread, orange juice, a weekly subway pass, I don't believe that Crowley does. Voters want to know that someone representing them are accessible, at least democratic voters do, republican voters, they are truly messed up and vote for their tribe, even when they get screwed afterward.

[Hortensis]

199. Less than 3% of her district voted for her. Doesn't

that tell you something? Upthread it was pointed out that she campaigned really strongly. Really?
And less than 3% of the electorate voted for her?

Come on. We need great people in politics, and who knows? Maybe someday she'll be one. But right now it's obvious that the people who lived there screwed up -- they didn't come out to vote. Maybe if they had they've have chosen her. More likely most expected their big shot incumbent to win without them.

But right now it's looking like you or I could have campaigned and won there.

[NY_20th]

200. It wasn't that low. 11.8% turned out

With 98 percent of precincts reporting as of Wednesday, the State Board of Elections shows 27,826 registered Democrats cast votes in Tuesday’s primary in New York’s 14th District. With 235,745 registered Democrats as of April, according to the BOE, this comes out to a turnout of around 11.8 percent.

This turnout is about the same as in Crowley’s last competitive primary, in 2004. According to the Federal Election Commission, 12.4 percent of Democrats in Crowley’s district voted that year, which was a presidential election year, unlike this year, and saw congressional and state-level primaries on the same September day. New York has since moved its congressional primaries to June.

http://www.gothamgazette.com/state/7774-a-closer-look-at-voter-turnout-in-2018-new-york-congressional-primaries

[melman]

114. So she was 'accidentally elected'

and she's 'ignorant' and 'far above her level of competence'

she's 'spouting off stuff' that would make her 'beyond contempt' if she were older. She was part of a 'dreadful mistake' she needs to learn from, she's been 'weaponized' by the right and by Russia..

[Hortensis]

182. She supported asking our superdelegates to override democracy,

set aside the votes of millions of Democrats, and effectively appoint the trailing candidate as our nominee. This is a terrible sign for the future.

Now me, I dumped my last notion that I could support a candidate who'd do that, buried it, and stomped the earth hard over it the first time I heard it said, and was newly outraged every time it was repeated, and then when it was actually done.

She was part of this the entire time and did not renounce it during this campaign. I didn't mention the serious character and judgement questions that raises, but I am now. I only support people who believe fiercely in democracy for office in our democratic republic. Anything else is dangerously stupid.

I would never have done that, not at her age or any other. But age is the best excuse I can offer for her shockingly unprincipled behavior, so here it is. Maybe she needs more time to firm up her beliefs.

[Voltaire2]

170. Lulzd.

[MBS]

58. She also had the grace to thank Joe Crowley for his "phenomenal work."

She's not only a uniter - she's one with grace and class. I am super impressed with her.

[NY_20th]

61. Thank you. I'm glad I'm not the only one who sees it.

I'm starting to regret starting this discussion.

[MBS]

64. She's not only the "future of the Democratic party" (from a comment upthread)

She's a model for how Democratic voters, activists, and candidates need to behave. I want to say to any Dem inclined to participate in the usual circular firing squad: "Be like Alexandria."
Thanks for the thread.

[NY_20th]

78. Thank you, I appreciate it.

Yes, we should all "Be like Alexandria".

The younger generation is our future, and Alexandria gives me much hope.

[Ferrets are Cool]

90. Good post nt

[MuseRider]

177. LOL

you are new here. Get used to it.

I think she is wonderful, exciting and she makes me hopeful.

I am certain you picked up on 'what her problem is' beyond Justice Democrats. Same people hating other people telling you not to hate their people while they turn every thread about the people they hate into absolute trash.

Welcome, I enjoy your way of thinking and stating your beliefs. Thank you.

[NY_20th]

198. Thank you.

I appreciate it.

[First Speaker]

70. She is a gracious person. She even reached out to Glenn Beck...

...when he tweeted something positive(!) about her. A class act.

[Bernardo de La Paz]

72. Her opponent, Joe Crowley, D, is a classy uniter too; he threw his full support behind her. . . . nt

[NY_20th]

75. Yes. He did.

I admit I'm a bit surprised by the negative reactions here.

[Cha]

154. I don't like that Nancy, Schumer, and BSanders

said we must be polite to trump toadies when they're out in public.

It doesn't stop you from complaining about President Obama so why shouldn't we be able to say something we're weary of about the "rising star".. like her cenk(who has done nothing but throw nasty insults at President Obama over the years) association?

[R B Garr]

92. What is negative about wanting info

on funding sources?? Cenk Uyger is an ex-Republican.

It’s already been described to you that the Revolution talking points are recognizable.

[NY_20th]

95. Can you forget about OR for just one moment?

Why can't we just give this young woman some credit for her effort, passion and commitment in her run for office?

She is not the face of OR. She is a young woman who is passionate about making life better for her constituents.

She caught the political bug. She ran. She won.

Give her some credit instead of trying to tear her down.

Do we want more passionate young people running or not?

[R B Garr]

102. LOL, there was a thread with links on election night.

I didn’t care for what I saw and heard. I don’t know enough about her to tear her down. Why do you keep posting accusations and misrepresentations of things I didn’t say. I said I recognized Revolution talking points, so why pretend they weren’t said. That’s about it. I don’t know her. I don’t like Revolution talking points.

I’m in California— lots of great Democrats to follow here. Lots of great Democrats everywhere.

[NY_20th]

105. I'm a New York State Democrat,

I worked on the Hillary Clinton campaign. I did not expect Ocasio to win, although I saw her chance of winning becoming more realistic in the last two weeks, and I support her.

I love New York State Democrats. We are flush with them. I will support each and every single one of them. That's how we do it in New York.

[R B Garr]

119. And I see MY California Senator Feinstein attacked with

bull by revolution types. Their attacks are very recognizable.

I see MY Senator Kamala Harris attacked with inane bull by Revolution types. Their buzz words are very recognizable.

Calling out inane, divisive bull by Revolution types is how we do it—hence the election loss here. I don’t care for Revolution talking points. They are very recognizable.

[NY_20th]

122. I support Feinstein and Harris and have done so

right here on DU.

I resent OC from being attached to the OR group. She's a young, ambitious Democrat who worked her tail off to win her election.

She deserves credit for her hard work.

[R B Garr]

125. She has made appearances with her supporters.

It is what it is. It’s up to her going forward. The great poster lapucelle offered a great suggestion for her in this thread.

[NY_20th]

128. Why would she not be grateful towards those who believed in her?

Make no mistake, she earned this victory all by herself. She worked hard for it. Is it that hard to give this young woman some credit?

[R B Garr]

130. LOL

Welcome, btw..

[NY_20th]

133. Why do you keep laughing at me?

Is there something you want to tell me?

[R B Garr]

135. Ahh, thank you so much for the opportunity

to make things personal. Very fitting segue.

[NY_20th]

139. OK, then what gives here?

I believe I have explained my opinion and thoughts on this subject, very clearly.

[Cha]

155. I hear ya out here in Hawaii, RB!

You're making valid points.

All I'm saying is .. If the Democratic Party is a big tent and we have all kinds of Democrats.. then why try to marginalize anyone with that vapid "corporate Dem" talking point that we've heard ad nauseam around the net.. that and "establishment"? My god I'm sick to pieces of that.

Cortez: "I am absolutely ... proud to be a Democrat," Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez says, "but it also means that the Democratic Party is a big tent and there are so many ways to be a Democrat"

[R B Garr]

165. Exactly, why bring it up except to elevate yourself.

BTW, poster Me looked it up— this is the posters 4th thread on this today. Multiple posts for days. Hmmm

[NY_20th]

166. hmmm, poster is from New York State and works to elect Democrats,

hmmmmm

[Cha]

168. Right.. Good point! holier than thou.. just rubs

me the wrong way. Remember, Cortez... "..there are many ways to be a Democrat".

Cortez won in a Blue Demographically change district.. she is now more representative of them than Joe Crowley. Good for her and her constituents.

RB

[smirkymonkey]

172. +1000

[Devil Child]

103. Nailed it!

Give her some credit instead of trying to tear her down.

The luke-warm support and passive aggressive criticism only serves our enemies come 2018.

[NBachers]

79. I probably would've voted for Joe Crowley if I was in that district; now I support Ocasio-Cortez.

She's the designated canidate for 2018. Let's make sure she gets elected. I have no problem with her dedication, her hard work, or her breath of fresh air.

I donated from California. You can donate from wherever you are:

https://secure.actblue.com/contribute/page/ocasio2018

[NY_20th]

84. That's wonderful.

Thank you.

[George II]

87. Based on a tweet?

[NY_20th]

98. No, based on following her multiple interviews

and statements, and multiple tweets.

[pecosbob]

94. A breath of air in a very stale room

Inhale....exhale...let it go...

[Bradshaw3]

100. She's charismatic, young and intelligent

Yes at 28 she doesn't have the experience of some but has shown has so far in her young life she has courage and talent and a college degree that could have earned her a nice cushy job somewhere. Instead she chose to fight for Native rights at Standing Rock and the rights of people in Flint. For some on here her support of Bernie is unforgivable but I'm one Hillary voter here who is happy we have people like her running. Everthing I've heard from her has been positive and she will be voting to organize the House with Democrats. I like her.

[Power 2 the People]

104. She's a breath of fresh air

A ray of hope in a dismal week.

[RandySF]

110. CNN, NYT and the Republicans are the only ones calling her a divider

[NY_20th]

112. Some on this thread seem to be buying the divisevness as well,

and it's disappointing.

[Uncle Joe]

115. Kicked and recommended.

Thanks for the thread NY_20th

[CanSocDem]

123. Certainly nothing to dislike about...

...this candidate. Way more 'street smart' than any female candidate I've ever seen in the USA. That's bound to make the establishment nervous.


.

[betsuni]

129. I like her. She has been wearing the same dress to TV interviews.

Terrific confidence.

[NY_20th]

132. lol. Well, I didn't notice her wardrobe.

I assume most interviews were on the day after her election win?

[betsuni]

143. The 28th and 29th. Four interviews in same dress (for MSNBC she wore a jacket over it).

I think it's unusual to not care about wearing the same dress for two days. And the dress was below the knee so it didn't ride up when she sat down. Even celebrities who've been on talk shows for decades make the mistake of wearing something too short that exposes too much when they sit down. She's handling the spotlight well.

[GaryCnf]

149. I wonder if attacks like those

saying that Ocasio-Cortez' win was due only to her being a Latina running in an increasingly Latino district would be tolerated anywhere but here and against anyone other than a progressive?

[lapucelle]

171. Has anyone here actually said that? N/T

[Voltaire2]

173. See post 14 for example.

[lapucelle]

175. That post is an example of someone noting several possible factors in play.

1. The district was recently redrawn,
2. Ocasio-Cortez fit the district age-wise/ethnicity-wise,
3. Ocasio-Cortez is charismatic and smart,
4. It was a low-turnout election,
5. Crowley was absent/irrelevant in the district..."

https://upload.democraticunderground.com/100210813929#post14

I would have added NY's decision to split the primaries this year to the list of factors to consider. Voters casting ballots in congressional primaries in NY are used to voting in September.

[Voltaire2]

179. lulzd

[lapucelle]

183. Wait...what?

I wonder if attacks like those saying that Ocasio-Cortez' win was due only to her being a Latina running in an increasingly Latino district would be tolerated anywhere but here and against anyone other than a progressive?

Has anyone here actually said that? N/T

See post 14 for example.

Post # 14 Exactly, alt-left; this was a fluke election.
The district was recently redrawn, she fit it age-wise/ethnicity-wise, she's charismatic/smart, it was a low-turnout election, Crowley was absent/irrelevant in the district...

That post is an example of someone noting several possible factors in play.
1. The district was recently redrawn,
2. Ocasio-Cortez fit the district age-wise/ethnicity-wise,
3. Ocasio-Cortez is charismatic and smart,
4. It was a low-turnout election,
5. Crowley was absent/irrelevant in the district..."

[melman]

184. post #174

[lapucelle]

185. The word "only" seems to be missing, and that post is not dismissive of the victory.

Changing demographics also played a critical role in [Ocasio-Cortez's] win, said John Mollenkopf, a political scientist at CUNY.

"Traditionally the Crowley vote has been centered on the older, white ethnics — Irish, Italians and so on, who've lived in the district — and those groups have been steadily declining over the past 15 years," said Mollenkopf.

Mollenkopf noted the population of white voting-age citizens in the district had declined by nearly a quarter, or 39,000. At the same time, the district had added nearly 27,000 Asian-American citizens of voting age, and more than 44,000 Hispanics. Ocasio-Cortez tapped into their concerns about the Trump administration's hard line immigration policy, as well as rising healthcare costs.

https://www.wnyc.org/story/why-alexandria-ocasio-cortez-won/

[melman]

188. lol

okay. sure. it's missing the word 'only'


and double lol @ not dismissive of the victory. It says "This victory is no big deal in the real world."


That's not dismissive?

[lapucelle]

189. "Only" is a catagorical quantifier that sets up a necessary condition.

Only if demographic change then O-C victory.
If O-C victory then change in demographic.
If no change in demographic then no O-C victory.

I'm not seeing anyone here claim that in the absence of demographic change there would be no O-C victory. That was the initial accusatory assertion. Words matter, logic is hard, and we should generally be wary of categorical claims.

But hey, at least nobody lulz'd this time.

[melman]

190. lulzd

post # 186

[lapucelle]

193. It's a locution with dubious associations, but I'm sure Voltaire would defend it,

so those predisposed can lulz away. There are few things as predictable as reverting to type.

[melman]

195. One thing more predictable

is that those unable to support their points will lob insults instead.

[lapucelle]

196. That's why it's important not to characterize conjecture concerning possible explanations

of a surprising result as categorical prejudice on the part of fellow Democrats. That is where I began, and now that the point is clear, it is where I'll end.

[Upthevibe]

158. I like her....

I wish her well.....

[Gothmog]

174. Texas poised to send its first 2 Latinas to Congress

This candidate won because the demographics of her district changed. The same thing happened in Texas but Gene Green saw the writing on the wall an retired. https://www.cnn.com/2018/03/07/politics/texas-latina-congresswomen/index.html

After Tuesday night's Texas primaries, two Democratic candidates are likely to make history later this year by becoming the first two Latina politicians elected to the US Congress from the Lone Star State....

In Texas' 29th Congressional District, state Sen. Sylvia Garcia also declared victory with more than 60% of the vote.
Cruz vs. O'Rourke is set, but 3 House races head to runoffs in Texas primary

"This was for Latinos who, for too long, have sat on the political sidelines while the President sits in the White House blaming all of our problems on immigrants," she said Tuesday of her presumed victory, according to the Houston Chronicle.

From the Texas tribune https://www.texastribune.org/2017/11/13/us-rep-gene-green-democrat-retire-congress/

Green's 29th Congressional District is all but certain to remain in Democratic hands. The district has a predominantly Hispanic population, but Green's adept retail political style helped him fend off a 2016 primary challenge from an old friend, former Harris County Sheriff Adrian Garcia.

This victory is no big deal in the real world.

[melman]

181. "This candidate won because the demographics of her district changed"

Link to tweet

"This victory is no big deal in the real world."


That so many feel the need to minimize it suggests otherwise.

[Gothmog]

186. She is wrong

Link to tweet

[GaryCnf]

187. This n/t

[vi5]

176. Just remember the 2 rules....

...if a liberal/progressive Democrat loses it's because they were too liberal/progressive.

...if a centrist/moderate Democrat loses it's because liberals/progressive voters wanted ponies/threw tantrums/didn't understand civics/promised too much stuff/etc.

Moderate, safe, third way, new democratic policies and candidates can never fail. They can only be failed by dirty hippies.

[ucrdem]

201. Then why did she primary a Democrat with seniority?

It is what it is and it worries me. Sorry, I've seen this movie too many times.