Ocasio-Cortez Explores Senate Run Amid Schumer Gaffe
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has not ruled out the possibility of running for the New York Senate seat, following a notable blunder by Sen. Chuck Schumer during a CNN town hall on Wednesday.
During a forum that focused on the ongoing government shutdown, Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) joined Sens. Bernie Sanders (D-VT) and others who were visibly frustrated by host Caitlin Collins’ question regarding whether Schumer should be worried about a potential primary challenge.
“I mean, no,” Ocasio-Cortez responded, clearly perturbed and searching for the right way to articulate her thoughts. “I don’t think this is a problem.”
Sanders jumped in, insisting, “Let me talk about this issue. Our country is falling apart!”
Laughing quite heartily, Ocasio-Cortez quickly re-engaged, saying, “This is what we’re talking about! This is what we’re talking about!”
She continued, “We have a housing crisis, a health care crisis, an education crisis, massive income and wealth inequality, a corrupt campaign finance system, and the media says, ‘Are you going to run? What are you going to run for?'” It’s clear no one is concerned about that, and Mr. Sanders was emphatic.
“No one cares!” Ocasio-Cortez echoed, repeating Sanders’ sentiments.
Sanders further emphasized, “Why do we have an oligarch at the top who is gaining power every day? Let’s focus on that issue, rather than her political future. She’ll figure that part out.”
Before Collins posed the question about possibly challenging Schumer, Ocasio-Cortez expressed her frustration, stating, “I’m tired of talking about horse racing,” and “I’m tired of leaders who prioritize talking about real societal issues instead of addressing them directly.”
She criticized the focus on abstract concepts rather than real solutions, mentioning health care, wages, drinkable air, and clean water.
Senator Sanders, watching the situation unfold, seemed amused by Schumer’s error.
The White House, however, reacted differently. White House Deputy Press Secretary Abigail Jackson remarked, “This is the person the Democrats sent to discuss the government shutdown.”
Since October 1, the government has faced a partial shutdown, with several Democratic senators consistently refusing to vote on short-term funding measures to reopen it.
