My Comment: Alexandria
Ocasio-Cortez is a miracle. She is EXACTLY what the Democratic Party
needs. Focus on issues but focus on them STRONGLY. Sweep out
the old
and bring in the new. I'm an aging boomer and this win by a 28 year old
Casio-Ortez winning a Congressional House seat for New York's 14th
district unseating an entrenched Democratic incumbent Crowley
gives me hope!!
She
is a gift not only to Democrats but also to millions of others --
people of good will who thirst for rational, humane and empathetic
policy that puts the needs of the massive middle over the top 2%
wealthiest.
Permanent tax cuts for the very rich send the deficit soaring. All of a
sudden Republicans do not care about that when it puts billions --
permanenty -- into the pockets of the very rich but nothing permanent
for the majority middle.
Now on to the general, Alexandria, and let's win
there.
Send this to anyone you choose.
"Getting into Twitter fights with the president is not exactly I think
where we're going to find progress as a nation," she said.
by Dartunorro Clark /
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, the 28-year-old first-time candidate whose victory over incumbent Rep. Joe Crowley in a New York Democratic congressional primary
Tuesday night sent shockwaves through Washington, has a few words of
advice for her fellow Democrats: Sharpen your message and avoid petty
squabbles with President Donald Trump.
"We have to stick to the message: What are we proposing to the American people? Not 'What are we fighting against?'" Ocasio-Cortez told MSNBC's "Morning Joe" Wednesday. "We understand that we're under an antagonistic administration, but what is the vision that is going to earn and deserve the support of working-class Americans? And we need to be explicit in that vision and legislation, not just 'better,' but what exactly is our plan?"
"I think that's really the path forward... getting into Twitter fights with the president is not exactly I think where we're going to find progress as a nation," she added.
"We have to stick to the message: What are we proposing to the American people? Not 'What are we fighting against?'" Ocasio-Cortez told MSNBC's "Morning Joe" Wednesday. "We understand that we're under an antagonistic administration, but what is the vision that is going to earn and deserve the support of working-class Americans? And we need to be explicit in that vision and legislation, not just 'better,' but what exactly is our plan?"
"I think that's really the path forward... getting into Twitter fights with the president is not exactly I think where we're going to find progress as a nation," she added.
Ocasio-Cortez,
a member of the Democratic Socialists of America who organized for Sen.
Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., during his 2016 presidential bid, ran a
bare-bones campaign and was outspent by an 18-1 margin. She argued that
Crowley had lost touch with his diverse district, both ideologically and
demographically, in part due to spending so much time in Washington.
"Our
campaign was focused on just a laser-focused message of economic,
social and racial dignity for working-class Americans, especially those
in Queens and the Bronx. We were very clear about our message, very
clear about our priorities and very clear about the fact that even if
you've never voted before we are talking to you," she said.
Organization, she said, was also key.
"I started this race out of a paper bag. I had flyers and clipboards and it really was just nonstop knocking on doors and talking to the community," she said.
Crowley, the Queens Democratic party boss who has spent two decades in Congress, was thought to have an inside track to become the next House speaker if Democrats win back the majority in November.
Sen. Kamala Harris, D-Calif., said she found Ocasio-Cortez "incredibly impressive."
"I applaud anyone who decides to run for office and put themselves out there because they want to serve the country. I watched her interviews this morning, I think she’s incredibly impressive," Harris said.
Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., said that while it is tough to see his friend Crowley lose his primary, "I trust that she’s going to bring some new energy and some youth and some vigor to Congress when she wins the general election."
"I think she's is going to be a fantastic voice for New York," Murphy added.
In a press conference, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi said the Crowley will be missed and stressed that the Democratic Party is a "big tent."
"Well, Joe Crowley is a very valued member of Congress, a great gentleman, as you saw in the dignity of his concession last night to Alexandria. He is, again, a valued member," Pelosi told reporters Wednesday.
She rejected the notion that Ocasio-Cortez's victory was indicative of the socialist wing of the party taking over.
"It's ascendant in that district, perhaps, but I don't accept any characterization of our party presented by the Republicans. So let me reject that right now," Pelosi said.
Ocasio-Cortez said that she ran on a message that connected with the people of her district and that's what boosted her campaign and ultimately delivered her a victory.
"I knew that our community needed a very clear voice and I think we deserved representation that rejected lobbyist funds and put our voters and our community first," she said, adding, "I felt like our party could be better, and our message could be better."
Organization, she said, was also key.
"I started this race out of a paper bag. I had flyers and clipboards and it really was just nonstop knocking on doors and talking to the community," she said.
Crowley, the Queens Democratic party boss who has spent two decades in Congress, was thought to have an inside track to become the next House speaker if Democrats win back the majority in November.
Sen. Kamala Harris, D-Calif., said she found Ocasio-Cortez "incredibly impressive."
"I applaud anyone who decides to run for office and put themselves out there because they want to serve the country. I watched her interviews this morning, I think she’s incredibly impressive," Harris said.
Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., said that while it is tough to see his friend Crowley lose his primary, "I trust that she’s going to bring some new energy and some youth and some vigor to Congress when she wins the general election."
"I think she's is going to be a fantastic voice for New York," Murphy added.
In a press conference, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi said the Crowley will be missed and stressed that the Democratic Party is a "big tent."
"Well, Joe Crowley is a very valued member of Congress, a great gentleman, as you saw in the dignity of his concession last night to Alexandria. He is, again, a valued member," Pelosi told reporters Wednesday.
She rejected the notion that Ocasio-Cortez's victory was indicative of the socialist wing of the party taking over.
"It's ascendant in that district, perhaps, but I don't accept any characterization of our party presented by the Republicans. So let me reject that right now," Pelosi said.
Ocasio-Cortez said that she ran on a message that connected with the people of her district and that's what boosted her campaign and ultimately delivered her a victory.
"I knew that our community needed a very clear voice and I think we deserved representation that rejected lobbyist funds and put our voters and our community first," she said, adding, "I felt like our party could be better, and our message could be better."
