'Just what the party needs': Ocasio-Cortez and Sanders woo Kansas progressives

[oberliner]

For her national political debut, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez traded the concrete jungle of New York for the golden wheat fields of Kansas.

The bright new face of the left joined the Vermont senator Bernie Sanders, a leader of the progressive movement, at rallies in support of two congressional candidates who argue that a leftwing, anti-corporate political message can galvanize Democrats in Republican-held districts crucial to their push to take back the US House of Representatives.

“Oh my goodness gracious,” said Ocasio-Cortez, taking the stage at a packed hall in Wichita on Friday. “And they said [that] what we did in the Bronx, no one would care about it in Kansas.”

Less than a month ago, Ocasio-Cortez, a 28-year-old democratic socialist who was working as a bartender less than a year ago, stunned the political establishment when she beat a 10-term incumbent, Joe Crowley, in a district that includes parts of the Bronx and Queens. With general election victory in November all but certain, she is using her star power to spotlight likeminded candidates around the country.

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/jul/21/alexandria-ocasio-cortez-bernie-sanders-kansas-progressives-democrats

Great quote from the article:

“I’m so inspired by her - by her passion and her drive,” Eaton said. “She’s young; she’s a woman of color. She’s just what the party needs.”

[stonecutter357]

1. lol

[murielm99]

2. That headline forgot

the sarcasm thingy.

[George II]

5. Indeed.

[Kingofalldems]

3. Republicans are trying to divide us.

Not a good try.

[moriah]

4. Fortunately KS03 has two great Dems to choose from.

And I was very impressed that Brent and AOC stayed on-message on the stump (didn't hang around on the live feed to watch Bernie). The unfair attack from the PCCC and others in the Twitsphere (so who knows how many are real) claiming Sharice's taking corporate money was in a way de-escalated by Brent specifying it's Yoder whose taking corporate cash. Every PAC that donated to Sharice or bought outside spending ads has also donated to at least one PCCC or Justice Democrats endorsed candidate. Good on Brent.

Also, VERY good on Sharice that her campaign has almost studiously ignored the excitement/controversy surrounding the endorsement/rally -- instead highlighting GOTV and voter engagement activities, and her ability to verbally spank Libertarians who deserve it, her ground organization.

These are the things that make it more likely that the Bernie/AOC endorsement just gets more Democrats interested in winning, and not create lasting divisions that could harm the nominee in November, whoever it is.

[SidDithers]

6. "She's young; she's a woman of color. She's just what the party needs."...

Is this quote about Ocasio-Cortez, or the candidate she came to Kansas to campaign against?

Sid

[RhodeIslandOne]

7. Ouch

[JCanete]

8. Should Cortez only campaign for candidates who are people of color and women? nt

[SidDithers]

9. Are Cortez supporters incapable of seeing irony?...

Sid

[JCanete]

13. so one of her supporters says this and....what irony am I supposed to see here? Maybe that same

supporter wouldn't support Welder for said reasons, but would instead go for Davids. I don't personally agree with those reasons for supporting Cortez in a vacuum of policy considerations. All things being equal between candidates though, and I would certainly prefer more diversity.

[R B Garr]

10. It would be great if she campaigned against Republicans.

Wouldn’t that be great?

[JCanete]

11. from my perspective, this IS how you campaign against republicans and their values and their

corruption. We clearly disagree.

[R B Garr]

14. It is how you give them ammunition against other Democrats.

You should read the Mueller indictments. It’s all there for you to see how folks were used. Lied to and used.

[JCanete]

20. I assure you that every organization or movement that generates any popular support will

be assailed by attempts to coopt it and steer it towards less altruistic ends, if it seems like it can be a useful vehicle. It is certainly something that must be guarded against as best as possible, but it is an inevitable nature of the thing.

No though, it is not how you arm republicans against democrats. Trump was exceptional in that he was crazy and a supposed outsider, but republican insiders can't use left-wing talking points against other democrats because they kind of resemble them themselves, except exponentially more-so.

Will GOP and corporate money be spent during democratic primaries to sew discord? Of course. Will we buy into it? Well, again, I will simply refer you to the fact that Sanders supporters came out in solid numbers for Clinton.

[R B Garr]

22. Your comments are stuck in the past. Of course

it is how you attack Democrats. We know this from recent history. Twelve more Mueller indictments. Cenk is an ex-Republican. There is big money in ratfucking.

[JCanete]

23. I don't know what point you're trying to make, but I'm surprised that you would say something

as dumb and unfair as anybody continuing to label Hillary Clinton as a Goldwater Girl. People's politics can change and evolve. People can grow.

[R B Garr]

25. You replied to the wrong post.

Hillary? Goldwater?? Should I say something random about Sanders teenage years now...??

Anyway, the bottom line is that you have to get elected to make changes, and the GOP understands that, so let’s not give them ammo.

[JCanete]

35. you said random shit that I was responding to. Pointing out that Cenk was a former republican is

just as out of the zone, which was my point.

[R B Garr]

49. You were talking about GOP or corporate money...

Cenk Uyger/Justice Democrats is a Republican (supposedly ex...).

You can see how the Republicans love to tell you how awful Democrats are. You should read the Mueller indictments.

[George II]

40. How much did Cenk get from Buddy Roehmer?

[lapucelle]

50. Cenk only got $4,000,000 from Buddy Roehmer.

He got $20,000,000 from venture capitalists and hedge fund managers.

https://www.politico.com/blogs/media/2014/04/buddy-roemer-firm-invests-4-million-in-young-turks-network-186934

https://www.wsj.com/articles/political-news-outlet-young-turks-raises-20-million-after-viewership-gains-1502186406

[femmedem]

55. You seem to be spreading ammunition against a Democratic candidate yourself. n/t

[R B Garr]

62. You too. Primarying incumbent Democrats because

Justice Democrats is what the issue is. You should read what they are spreading.

[leftstreet]

12. goal is to "...galvanize Democrats in Republican-held districts"

How is that not campaigning against Republicans?

[RhodeIslandOne]

16. So what's the deal with Missouri 01?

Or the Delaware Senate race?

Or Florida 07?

[leftstreet]

18. I thought the article was about Kansas

[R B Garr]

17. Campaigning against incumbent Democrats is just that.

Campaigning against Democrats.

[leftstreet]

19. Should we abandon the primary system?

Change the rules so that no incumbent can be challenged?

Surely not

[R B Garr]

21. Look at how defensive AOC is that Crowley's name

is still on the ballot. I guess she doesn’t want competition after all. Hmm. Why would that be?? If you can answer that, then you’ve answered your own question.

[George II]

37. Customarily politicians campaign for themselves at least until they win their first election.

[JCanete]

39. okay, but that's a custom, and one that I don't see any particular ethical reason for, so why does

it need to be maintained?

[George II]

41. Well, so far this year she has yet to campaign against a republican, only Democrats.

[JCanete]

43. that continued canard that campaigning for a democrat is campaigning against democrats...you don't

see a problem with this?

[George II]

47. There are five or six candidates in the primary. I assume they are all Democrats. I can see....

....them campaigning for themselves and/or "against" their Democratic opponents, but many don't like the idea (me included) of people traveling 1000+ miles to campaign ostensibly against Democrats. They're certainly not campaigning for themselves.

[JCanete]

48. And yet sitting democrats do this. You have a problem with it and say so in all cases, or just in

those cases when its a Sanders affiliated candidate? That's not an accusation, its a question.

[NurseJackie]

26. And... boom!

[George II]

33. .

[AtomicKitten]

51. She didn't come to Kansas to campaign against anyone.

That's your framing.

She came to Kansas to campaign for and on behalf of her candidates of choice. That is every citizen's prerogative. That's how democracy works.

[Garrett78]

15. "And they said [that] what we did in the Bronx, no one would care about it in Kansas."

This is the sort of rhetoric that needs to be avoided. It comes off as bashing fellow Democrats, who have simply argued that a win in one district (where turnout was extremely low) does not necessarily translate to winning other districts. Mind you, I don't know anything about this particular race in Kansas, but I know Kansas - as a state - isn't going to go blue anytime soon.

[theaocp]

30. IKR?

We ain't gonna win, so why bother spending the resources, amiright?

[George II]

34. "This is the sort of rhetoric that needs to be avoided." - yes, especially since more than 70%...

...of the voters in the 14th District are in Queens! When it comes to their own boroughs, New Yorkers are very territorial.

[Kingofalldems]

24. Those RW think tanks always pounce on news like this.

And then send out their internet minions to sow divisiveness and dissension.

[theaocp]

31. WHO is the "new Jill Stein"? n/t

[theaocp]

38. So, you're equating AOC with Jill Stein, then?

This place drives me fucking nuts.

[theaocp]

46. You ARE here to argue, or you wouldn't respond.

You further don't want to clarify your statements due to how they might appear? Fine with me. Muddy is as muddy does. You're welcome to put your OWN words in your OWN mouth. Bernie didn't do anything of the kind. You wanted "free college"? Sounds like a dismissive thing a conservative would say to discredit what the proposal was, but you don't want to argue, so whatever. Yea, let's stop with the progressive ideas. Conservatives hate that kind of shit. Why fight for it when they'll just cry, right? Feel free to clarify. I'd hate to put words in anyone's mouth.
***I DO like it here and CAN understand nuance. Perfection? Fuck that. I'd prefer you to clarify what you're talking about, but you don't want to argue, so again, whatever. Late.

[Crutchez_CuiBono]

63. I appreciate that. I'm not perfect.

[H2O Man]

28. Recommended.

Timing is everything. At this time, she is absolutely what the Democratic Party needs the most.

[RandySF]

29. "She's young; she's a woman of color. She's just what the party needs.".

[George II]

36. Bazinga!

[oberliner]

60. Davids is great

You can't really go wrong with any of the Democrats in this race, though Welder is clearly the most progressive policy-wise. Great to see Ocasio-Cortez bringing so much attention to this race (and many others) and progressive policies in general.

It will be great when Davids, Welder, and the other Democratic primary candidates are able to unite behind whoever wins the primary to defeat Yoder, who is awful in every respect.

[Cha]

42. Sharice Davids is "young; she's a woman of color".. She's just what Washington D.D. NEEDS..

Link to tweet

yoder out!

[oberliner]

61. So many great Democrats out there

Davids and Welder both seem terrific.

Hopefully whoever wins that primary will be able to beat Yoder - what a coup that would be!

[guillaumeb]

45. Many of us agree. Recommended.

[jalan48]

52. K & R. Glad to see her working to help elect Progressives.

[Power 2 the People]

53. So happy she is out there pushing progressive values

Nice to see someone willing to sacrifice their time and energy to strengthen the Democratic field.

[brooklynite]

54. All 10 of them?

If you want to campaign in Johnson County, it's still more conservative than Queens, bu at least you're in a urban area. Campaigning in Wichita? You're not going to win a race on the basis of progressives.

[pnwmom]

56. Alexandria is supporting a white guy over a young woman of color, Sharice Davids.

So I don't know what sort of message they think they're sending.

[oberliner]

57. That she supports the most progressive candidate, irrespective of their race and gender?

[pnwmom]

58. This is what you posted

Great quote from the article:

“I’m so inspired by her - by her passion and her drive,” Eaton said. “She’s young; she’s a woman of color. She’s just what the party needs.”

If this -- a young woman of color -- is just what the party needs, it seems a funny way to show it by opposing the progressive, lesbian woman of color who is in that race. And pushing a straight white guy instead.

Here's another reaction:

https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2018/7/18/1781757/-Alexandria-Ocasio-Cortez-has-inspired-me-to-support-Sharice-Davids-for-Congress

You know...I really was inspired by the candidacy and upset win of Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. I didn’t pay much attention to the race because it occurred 2,700 miles away at that was a true surprise ending. But in the aftermath of that upset, like many on this site, I found myself in true admiration of Ms. Ocasio-Cortez. She will be an amazing new voice in Congress.

For that reason, when endorsements in KS-03 started coming across my feed, I felt compelled to investigate the Democrats contending for this seat. If it got Ms. OcasioCortez onto a plane in the middle of an election, it must be an important race. And it is. So I looked for a candidate that stands out above the rest. And there is, Sharice Davids.

Ms. Davids is a progressive Democrat who is an alumni of the Obama Administration. She has humble roots, having grown up the daughter of a single mom who was career Army and then U.S. Post Office. She is a member of the Ho-Chunk tribe, and she is an openly LGBTQ woman. And in her spare time she started an organization called Starty Pants with her brother, which seeks to help small business owners who are POC or LGBTQ (how cool is that?)

I find myself inspired by Ms. Davids in much the same way I was inspired by Ms. Ocasio-Cortez. I read about both of these smart, dynamic, driven young women and I think about how hard they had to work in order to achieve what they have. And I think about the way that their serving on Congress will inspire the next generation, and make it so that the next woman, or ethnic minority, or LGBTQ individual will have to work a little less hard to achieve the same level of success as a white straight male.

I’m typically a very wonkish voter...making decisions based on policies and numbers over emotions. But in 2018, a year where fascism infects our highest office, I am finding myself increasingly drawn to candidates who have a solid story...a background and heritage that has forged them into who they are.

I find myself drawn to candidates who will add diversity to our caucus — diversity in generational representation, in ethnicity, in sexuality, and in gender. I am putting really high priority on this, because I truly believe that having a Congress that works for America starts with having a Congress that looks LIKE America.

And so I want Ms. Davids’ voice to be heard in the United States Congress. We have never had a Native American woman serve. I want to hear about the issues from that perspective, and I want to have someone in government who can speak to those life experiences. But of course, that decision will be up to Kansas voters.

This diary might be misread as being snarky. I know that Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has endorsed someone else in the race. I don’t begrudge her that right. I don’t think any less of her because I disagree. But I think that her candidate represents a bunch of platitudes recycled from old campaign literature that have been tossed up onto a website without much thought. (And then there have been some misjudgments that are concerning from a strategy position).

[oberliner]

59. People are inspired by her for a variety of reasons

Some are inspired by her because she is a young woman of color. (And some are inspired by Sharice Davids for similar reasons). Others are inspired by her progressive policy proposals (much as how people were/are inspired by Bernie Sanders).

I think with KS-03, she is supporting the candidate in the primary who most aligns with her on the issues.

All of the Democratic primary candidates are terrific, but with respect to Medicare for All, a $15 minimum wage, repealing the Trump tax cuts, etc., Welder is definitely to the left of Davids.

That said, they are both great, and I am sure they would work together to defeat Yoder once the primary is resolved (with support from Ocasio-Cortez, Sanders, and others).