Exasperated Democrats try to rein in Ocasio-Cortez

[SaysWho?]

https://www.politico.com/story/2019/01/11/alexandria-ocasio-cortez-democrats-establisment-1093728

 

Quote

The effort, described by nearly 20 lawmakers and aides, is part carrot, part stick: Some lawmakers with ties to Ocasio-Cortez are hoping to coax her into using her star power to unite Democrats and turn her fire on Republicans. Others simultaneously warn Ocasio-Cortez is destined for a lonely, ineffectual career in Congress if she continues to treat her own party as the enemy.

 

Quote

[ B ]y every indication, it’s how she thinks she can pull the Democratic Party in her direction.

 

The Freedom Caucus didn’t win many popularity contests in Congress the past four years, but it’s hard to dispute the hard-liners’ success dragging the GOP to the right.

 

Quote

Rep. Nydia Velázquez (D-N.Y.) is playing a key role. Like Ocasio-Cortez, Velázquez knocked off a longtime Democratic incumbent to win her seat, and they share Puerto Rican roots.

 

In private conversations with Ocasio-Cortez over the past few months, Velázquez counseled Ocasio-Cortez against targeting her Democratic colleagues in future elections. The two had a “long, long conversation” about the dynamics of Congress and Washington, and how there shouldn’t be a “litmus test” for every district

 

Quote

Ocasio-Cortez is an enigma to most House Democrats. She’s very friendly in person, chatting up fellow lawmakers and security workers in the Capitol as she’s tailed by admirers and reporters.

 

Then they see the Ocasio-Cortez on Twitter, where she frequently snaps at critics and occasionally at fellow Democrats.

...
 

Two House Democratic sources compared her use of Twitter to Donald Trump’s. Just as congressional Republicans constantly withhold criticism of the president out of fear he’ll unleash a tweet at them, some Democrats have done the same with Ocasio-Cortez.

 

“People are afraid of her,” said one senior Democratic aide.

 

Quote

But Rep. Raúl Grijalva (D-Ariz.), the former head of the House Progressive Caucus, said Democrats should probably get used to Ocasio-Cortez.

 

She’s “going to force some of the members to have to align with or against her,” he said. “In that sense, I would assume that can be irritating to some.”

 

“Maybe it’s the aunt or uncle you didn’t want to invite to the wedding,” Grijalva added, but Ocasio-Cortez “is part of the family.”

 

[Kal-El814]

[skillzdadirecta]

She's got a LOT of people afraid lol.

[Commissar SFLUFAN]

Ocasio-Cortez responds to Joe Lieberman’s criticisms: ‘New party, who dis?’

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) on Thursday fired back at former Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.) who said he hopes she is not the future of the Democratic Party.

Ocasio-Cortez fired back in a tweet asking, “New party, who dis?

[Keyser_Soze]

She had a nice interview on 60 minutes.

[Firewithin]

 

[Jason]

13 minutes ago, Firewithin said:

 

 

ACKSHUALLY Rorschach is a deeply broken individual who's insane not a badass and who shouldn't be admired, and that scene gave so many people the wrong idea about him

[Greatoneshere]

17 minutes ago, Firewithin said:

 

 

 

4 minutes ago, Jason said:

 

ACKSHUALLY Rorschach is a deeply broken character who shouldn't be admired and that scene gave so many people the wrong idea about him

 

ACKSHUALLY She put in a laugh emoji at the end so it probably should be taken in the spirit it is meant, as a half-joke meaning it's not easy to get rid of me, than as a literal endorsement of Rorschach's whole character. 

[Keyser_Soze]

If she hates the movie then she's wifey material.

[TwinIon]

Democrats really need to not go to war over AOC, but they also don't need to take responsibility for her. She's personable, popular, and obviously has a message that is resonating with people. I think most of them are just jealous that they're not getting as much attention as she is. I think it's fine to make it clear that not all of her proposals are part of the official party platform, so that when she goes on 60 minutes and comes up with a 70% marginal tax rate off the top of her head, they don't need to justify it. They can say that they're interested in figuring out what climate change measures are possible to pass without commiting to or shunning the idea of a green new deal.

 

It really can't be the first time they've had to deal with a Democratic colleague that disagrees with them. Is AOC different because she's a woman? Because she's straightforward? Because she's young and pretty? Because she's getting a lot of press? It really can't be that hard to disagree with her and still work with her without alienating her and everyone she appeals to.

[b_m_b_m_b_m]

 

[RedSoxFan9]

This is a winning strategy which should surprise no one because Democrats are winners

[Commissar SFLUFAN]

She should show up in a "Guy Fawkes" mask for a floor debate to keep going with the Alan Moore motif!

[Jason]

Just now, SFLUFAN said:

She should show up in a "Guy Fawkes" mask for a floor debate to keep going with the Alan Moore motif!

 

I have an even better idea for a costume!

 

[Jwheel86]

Just curious, in either party, how often do successful primary challengers of sitting incumbents then go on to lose in the General? 

[RedSoxFan9]

 

politico is trash 

[Anathema-]

4 hours ago, Jason said:

 

ACKSHUALLY Rorschach is a deeply broken individual who's insane not a badass and who shouldn't be admired, and that scene gave so many people the wrong idea about him

 

Actually he’s the moral center of the story. The fact that he talks a big game about not caring makes it all the more significant that, at the end, he’s literally the only one who does.  That he lived his life believing the ends justify the means but died because he refused to accept the ultimate expression of that drive shows his growth as a character and cements his as the central journey in the story.  Taken as a whole he is certainly admirable, as much as anyone can be. 

[marioandsonic]

25 minutes ago, Anathema- said:

 

Actually he’s the moral center of the story. The fact that he talks a big game about not caring makes it all the more significant that, at the end, he’s literally the only one who does.  That he lived his life believing the ends justify the means but died because he refused to accept the ultimate expression of that drive shows his growth as a character and cements his as the central journey in the story.  Taken as a whole he is certainly admirable, as much as anyone can be. 

[RedSoxFan9]

 

[CitizenVectron]

13 hours ago, RedSoxFan9 said:

 

 

I mean I'm also afraid of a bee sting, but that doesn't mean I'm not also afraid of other things.

[SilentWorld]

Im guessing that most politicians aren’t really afraid of a job loss or hospital bill ruining them financially.

[legend]

22 hours ago, TwinIon said:

Democrats really need to not go to war over AOC, but they also don't need to take responsibility for her. She's personable, popular, and obviously has a message that is resonating with people. I think most of them are just jealous that they're not getting as much attention as she is. I think it's fine to make it clear that not all of her proposals are part of the official party platform, so that when she goes on 60 minutes and comes up with a 70% marginal tax rate off the top of her head, they don't need to justify it. They can say that they're interested in figuring out what climate change measures are possible to pass without commiting to or shunning the idea of a green new deal.

 

It really can't be the first time they've had to deal with a Democratic colleague that disagrees with them. Is AOC different because she's a woman? Because she's straightforward? Because she's young and pretty? Because she's getting a lot of press? It really can't be that hard to disagree with her and still work with her without alienating her and everyone she appeals to.

 

This is kind of where I stand too. AOC is going to push for things that just won't be able to be achieved. But I think it's a good thing to have voices pushing hard for big changes, thereby forcing people to consider what they may not have considered otherwise. Her being in the House which has a larger total population than the Senate seems like an ideal place for that, in fact. It's similarly a good place for someone young like her to start.

[MarSolo]

Everyone freaking out over her has made me sick of her already. Between her, Hillary Clinton, her emails, and the Obamas, we found plenty of things to build the wall out of that people can’t seem to get over.