NYT: Ocasio-Cortez Seeks House Post That Would Make Her a Top Foil to Trump

[Dennis Donovan]

NYT - (archived: https://archive.ph/EKupU ) Ocasio-Cortez Seeks House Post That Would Make Her a Top Foil to Trump

After years of challenging her party from the left, Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, a New York Democrat, announced a bid to join its leadership ranks in Congress.



By Nicholas Fandos
Dec. 6, 2024
Updated 3:16 p.m. ET

Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York built her reputation clashing with House Democratic leaders. Now, for the first time, she will take a shot at joining their ranks.

Ms. Ocasio-Cortez announced on Friday that she would seek the coveted position of top Democrat on the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability, challenging a more senior colleague to fill the vacancy.

If she succeeds and is chosen as the panel’s ranking member, the 35-year-old congresswoman would be by far the youngest Democrat to help lead a House committee. She would gain a platform not only to investigate President-elect Donald J. Trump’s administration but also to help her party chart a path back from electoral defeat.

“Democrats will face an important task: We must balance our focus on the incoming president’s corrosive actions and corruption with a tangible fight to make life easier for America’s working class,” Ms. Ocasio-Cortez wrote in a letter to colleagues. “I will lead by example by always keeping the lives of everyday Americans at the center of our work.”

But first she must contend with Representative Gerald E. Connolly, 74, a pugnacious, well-liked eight-term incumbent from Virginia who has pitched himself as a more seasoned investigator.

The contest promises to be a significant test of just how far one of the brightest Democratic stars has moved toward the mainstream since crashing into Congress six years ago as a left-wing insurgent.

/snip

She's perfect for the position!

[walkingman]

1. I agree she would be an excellent choice.

[Passages]

2. No more old guard.

Yes to AOC.

[La Coliniere]

3. Out with the old, in with the new.

AOC would be great in that position.

[jalan48]

4. It's time.

[berniesandersmittens]

5. K & R

[AverageOldGuy]

6. YES!!!

Make MAGAt heads explode! Not to mention throwing hardball questions at them!

[Red Mountain]

7. It's time

She's not afraid. The media will seek her out.

[dsharp88]

8. Oh please let it happen!

No offense to Connolly who would also be fine. But republicans hate (AND FEAR) her far more than Connolly making her the perfect Democratic leader of Oversight.

[kimbutgar]

9. We need a flame thrower to repeal the magaloons in congress.

She intimidates a lot of repukes and I’ve love to see her in a leadership position in the forth coming Armageddon starting on January 20, 2025

[Dem4life1970]

10. She. Is. Amazing. That is all.

[republianmushroom]

11. She learned from Nancy.

[SunImp]

27. Lol, no

AOC is a smart & hardworking woman just like many of the younger house women. She has her own ideas and doesn't need growing up. I hope she continues to be a thorn in the side of the assholes who hate her for years to come.

[wordstroken]

12. She's perfect!!! Better than perfect. Please make it happen!

If anyone is effective, it’s AOC!

[Dem2theMax]

13. This is what we need.

Younger energy, not afraid to take on the corrupt GOP.

[Hekate]

14. Years ago I said I would "watch her career with interest. " This is exactly what I was talking about...

AOC has always struck me as brilliant but in need of growth — and here she is, all grown up.

[DET]

15. You Go, Girl!

Connelly is my congressman, and I respect him, but I’d love to see AOC in that position. That woman has spunk.

[LeftInTX]

16. Who makes the assignment?

[thebigidea]

22. It's voted on by members.

shouldn't be too hard, it's mostly comprised of a lot of her allies. A few might be a tough sell.

[LeftInTX]

25. Democratic caucus or entire congress? GOP won't want her, but I do!

[CoopersDad]

17. We need 538 representatives with her passion and values.

She's the right leader for these times.

[JoetheShow]

18. The most hostile group to American liberalism has been Republicans. The second most hostile has been Democrats.

Ever since Henry Wallace was replaced as FDR's running mate, establishment Democrats have been lukewarm at best. This will be a good test of whether the current leadership can handle a liberal in a leadership position.

[bdamomma]

19. Love

AOC and the upcoming Rep. Jasmine Crockett, we need to change guards.

[DFB]

20. They cant stop doing this.

This is the bullshit that should piss you off

The contest promises to be a significant test of just how far one of the brightest Democratic stars has moved toward the mainstream since crashing into Congress six years ago as a left-wing insurgent.

[thebigidea]

23. I mean, not really. Look who's on the committee. Hardly a bunch of establishment cogs

[DJ Synikus Makisimus]

26. Actually, this could be a shot to show that she's not mainstream.

Hard to say whether she can move things, or even what her thing IS these days. It is a key position, the nucleus of the vortex so to speak.

When you decide to "work within the system," that system has preset parameters for/constraints upon what is permissible and what is not. Breaking those constraints is going to be necessary to enable changes that the progressive minority within the Democratic Party appear to want.* How to do that, and what happens as result is a series of choices that she'll make, or not. That's the test. It is probably time.

_________________________________
*I must admit that I'm not completely clear about what, exactly, folks calling themselves "progressive" want, specifically. With the DSA it's a lot clearer, but AOC isn't DSA-endorsed any more.

[Bettie]

21. Great! She doesn't back down

And she has a spine. Plus, she’s smarter than most of the house Republicans combined

[cadoman]

24. she's our most elite political talent -- this is perfect

She may take a path towards a long career in Congress but the shot at the Presidency is there if she wants it in 2028...

[Bettie]

35. We'll never have a woman as president

the US is too misogynistic.

The deep seated hatred of women will sink us every time.

[BannonsLiver]

28. She's made me a believer in recent years.

Probably a top 3-4 talent in the party. I’m for new blood. The need is even greater with the senate leadership.

[Takket]

29. AOC has a huge social media presence, she's young, and she speaks loud and clear on issues that people really

relate too.

translation: she's exactly the kind of person the party should have front and center to win back the electorate.

[JI7]

30. If not now I think she has a good chance of getting it in 2 years

hopefully even we can gain control of the house. And it will be even better then.

[lark]

31. Yes, they need this brilliant firey woman on the team.

GO AOC!!

[LetMyPeopleVote]

32. I like Nancy Pelosi's choice

Nancy Pelosi is opposing this idea

Link to tweet

I prefer Congressman Connelly

Link to tweet

[Bettie]

36. Sure, he's young...

oh wait, no. He is a man, thus much more qualified than a woman for any job, right?

[LetMyPeopleVote]

33. This makes me smile

Link to tweet

[Dennis Donovan]

34. It's not over.

We can do this. Tomorrow is the day. Do not give up early. Do not be discouraged! A close vote is what we needed here and that’s what we got.

Stay POSITIVE and PRAYERFUL and I will be working.

— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@aoc.bsky.social) 2024-12-16T23:41:25.545Z