Once upon a time, Democrats eschewed the label “socialist” like the plague. Today, however, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, or AOC, proudly describes herself as a democratic socialist and has emerged as one of the most influential voices in the Democratic caucus. She also is one of a handful of members of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) in elected office.
“There are people, including moderates, who sometimes try to draw this completely unfair, false equivalence between progressives and, frankly, the fascists that we see in the Republican Party,” Ocasio-Cortez told Politico recently.
How AOC Dominates
Ocasio-Cortez’ insurgent style and willingness to challenge the Democratic leadership from the left has moved her to the center of her party’s action. She has worked to forge ties with House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., who is more of a liberal than a socialist. Jeffries has also been more calculated and has opposed the DSA in the past.
“I definitively have no disdain for progressive movement, being a progressive myself, and a longtime member of the Congressional Progressive Caucus from the moment I first arrived in Washington, D.C.,” Jeffries told City & State New York.. “It’s important to understand there’s a distinction between the socialist machine and mainstream progressives, which some of the virtue signalers on Twitter don’t always focus on as a result of a seemingly myopic view of the political world.”
Even he has been forced to accept her power and influence and to cooperate with her. She now enjoys a top spot on the House Oversight and Reform Committee.
“One of those things that I really learned during that period was that there was nothing I could do that would dampen that fervor. Whether I participated in it or not, there was just going to be all these stories and all of these things,” Ocasio-Cortez told Politico about the early media attention she received. “And so I decided to have agency.”
Politico reported that she coached Democrats on their rhetorical game against the Republicans at a recent retreat. Her influence has become unquestionable.
An influx of younger and more liberal members into the House Democratic Caucus has given her allies and enhanced her influence.
AOC loyalists in New York City government played a key role in shutting down Rep. Marjorie Taylor-Greene’s protest of former President Donald Trump’s arraignment last week, after which she praised their actions.
She has been mentioned by some as a potential candidate to replace Democratic Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand next year. However, she has not made any decisions about whether to run.
She Works Hard
Her work ethic won her serious support from Democrats, and she has also built a fundraising machine to get her preferred candidates elected.
Some Republicans have given her respect, even if they agree with none of her political positions.
“She maximizes her five minutes as well as anyone in Congress,” Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer, R-Ky., told Politico about his view of Ocasio-Cortez’ handling of her allotted time to question committee witnesses. “She’s always prepared.”
At 33, Ocasio-Cortez has decades ahead of her. In the past four years she has, together with Sen. Bernie Sanders and Rep. Ilhan Omar, decisively helped push the Democratic Party to the left with ideas such as the Green New Deal.
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