Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., on Thursday delivered an impassioned defense of President Biden’s electoral prospects against former President Donald Trump, accusing Democratic lawmakers of privately expressing concerns about Biden’s candidacy and underestimating him.
“What I’m seeing right now, and what I want you to know, is that over the last few weeks, a number of Democrats have been making little anonymous comments to reporters,” the New York Democrat said in an Instagram Live post that lasted roughly an hour.
“I didn’t come here to condemn the press, I came here to condemn my colleagues, because to me, I think it’s — and I’m sorry, it’s past midnight so let me say this — bullshit,” Ocasio-Cortez argued.
She clarified that her complaints were not against people who “made public statements and put their names on them.”
“I’m talking about people who are too scared to say what they want to say in public, but for some reason are not scared to say what they want to say to journalists if they promise not to use their names,” she said.
“That’s ridiculous!” she cried out in anger.
The 14th District representative continued to defend keeping the 81-year-old Biden at the top of the Democratic field despite his dismal debate performance against the 78-year-old Trump, his dwindling poll numbers and his apparent mental decline.
“People are underestimating Biden’s record, and I think a lot of people underestimated his record among traditionally under-represented demographics, which is why he became president,” Ocasio-Cortez said. “I think people are looking at Biden’s weaknesses. They’re not seeing a lot of strengths for Biden when it comes to elections, purely elections.”
“Joe Biden is dominating the polls with seniors, who are one of the strongest and most stable voting demographics and a tough demographic for Democrats to win,” she explained. “You know, seniors aren’t on Twitter, but they vote more consistently than any other demographic.”
The senator also suggested Republicans could launch legal challenges over voting access if Biden is replaced late in the electoral process.
Ocasio-Cortez also warned that Democrats were unlikely to rally around Vice President Kamala Harris if Biden dropped out of the race.
“If you think there’s a consensus among those who want Joe Biden to go and get Kamala out of office that they’ll support Kamala Harris as Vice President, you’re mistaken,” she said. “Many of them aren’t just interested in getting rid of the president. They’re interested in getting rid of all the candidates.”
“I’m here to tell you that the donor class, the elites and many in this room who are pressuring President Biden not to be the nominee, are not even interested in the Vice President being the nominee,” the congresswoman argued.
“Will they win it? I don’t know. But I’m here to tell you: Don’t take it for granted,” Ocasio-Cortez added.
Three Democratic senators and more than 20 House members have called on Biden to not seek reelection.
