Ocasio-Cortez Faces Uncertain Political Future
Source: The Hill
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) is facing an uncertain future after a pivotal setback this week, when she lost her race to lead Democrats on the House Oversight and Accountability Committee.
The 74-year-old Rep. Gerry Connolly’s (D-Va.) victory sparked new anger in liberals pushing for a generational change in leadership, and some are wondering how Ocasio-Cortez will play her cards next.
The “squad” member’s House defeat shows the delicate nature of post-November politics. Her centrist colleagues’ promotion of Connolly sent a clear message that Democrats want to suppress left-wing ideology as they look to rebrand their image, challenging Ocasio-Cortez’s place in the party, which has lost considerable power in Washington.
“Some of the younger members need to be willing to potentially take risk for their careers in Congress, in the political establishment, by calling out Democratic process as harmful to the power-building that they say that they desire,” said Corryn Freeman, the executive director of Future Coalition, an organization that mobilizes young progressives. “I think she needs to say that out loud.”
Read more: https://thehill.com/homenews/house/5051451-ocasio-cortez-house-defeat-future/
About two weeks ago, this was Pelosi (who actively worked the phones to torpedo AOC's bid): "I’m supporting the newer members who are running for office. This is with all the respect in the world for the chairmen who had been there and the contribution that they had made over time. But now others have come forward, and I respect the fact that they’re ready to take charge of their committees, and I support that.”
Not sure how rallying around a 74-year-old recently diagnosed with esophagus cancer lines up with Pelosi's rhetoric about supporting a generational shift on committee appointments in the post-Biden era.
Meanwhile, Maxine Waters, 86, won another two years as top Democrat on the Financial Services Committee, while Gregory Meeks, 71, will stay on as top Democrat on the Foreign Affairs Committee. Bennie Thompson, 76, will remain ranking member of the Homeland Security Committee, and Nydia Velazquez, 71, will keep her job as top Democrat on the Small Business Committee.
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