she probably needs a few more years of experience before that happens. She's a fighter, and that's what we need more of in our Party.

The question you posed at the end of your post is a very good one, relevant, and right on the money. Instead of getting bashed like she does, people should be welcoming her with open arms with the hopes that we can recruit a few more just like her. You are right about the bashing that takes place, but some of that probably has to do with her relationship with Bernie, another fighter who often goes way too underappreciated on this forum.

Anyway, I don't think everything AOC says and does shouldn't be without some criticism; she does seem to make a few untimely mistakes, but with someone like Nancy Pelosi to have as her mentor, I think AOC could be favorably compared as "a future Pelosi" in years to come. Like you said, she's very smart, and when it comes to toughness, she might be in the same category as Biden, Harris, Pelosi, Sanders, & Porter.