Rep. Jasmine Crockett, D-Texas, said in response to Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's failed bid to become the Democratic Oversight Committee's top chair that her party remains stuck in its “old ways.” He suggested that there may be too much emphasis on seniority.
“I think they're both absolutely qualified, but I think within the Democratic caucus we're really stuck in the old way of getting there by seniority. So if you've been there long enough, you deserve it.” , we completely sit back and say, 'Who is the best equipped person at this moment? 'I don't think you can think, ''' Crockett said.
Ocasio-Cortez lost the top Democratic position on the committee to more moderate Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-Virginia). The 74-year-old lawmaker's victory over Ocasio-Cortez was seen as a blow to progressives.
“America looks at us and says, 'Wait a minute, we lost the election, and we know we lost seats in the Senate, but now you know we gained seats in the House. But I think they're saying, we're going to shake up this country if it means we can move this country forward. We’re looking to you to show us that you’re ready,” Crockett said.
Crockett appeared on MSNBC on Saturday and said Democrats are stuck in the “old ways.” (Screenshot/MSNBC)
AOC's loss in the House committee chair race means a choice for an entire generation of Democrats.
Crockett said the oversight committee would do well under Connolly, but said Democrats would benefit from more frequent leadership changes.
“I think we're going to have a conversation within our caucus about how we're going to provide leadership, because on the Republican side there's term limits and you can't sit in that post for long, so ultimately they're going to have a lot of leadership.” “We do that more often than the Democratic side,” he said.
Ocasio-Cortez's loss was criticized by several media figures, including MSNBC's Jen Psaki, who said it was a clear opportunity for Democrats to show they had learned from the election results.
“This is one of the few committees in Congress that actually generates national attention and media coverage. Under Jamie Raskin, it became an important platform for countering Republican misinformation. And , I have deep, deep respect for Speaker Pelosi, but I have nothing against Congresswoman Connolly.''Anyway, this is an obvious way to apply some of the lessons we should have learned from the November election. “I felt like this was a great opportunity,” Psaki said.
For more information on media and culture, click here
Psaki added that Democrats have selected “one of our youngest and most media-savvy members of Congress” to serve in key public leadership roles.
MSNBC's Chris Hayes also criticized Democrats for letting AOC succeed him, and accused former House Speaker Pelosi of funneling votes to Connolly in particular.
“But now, even as Ms. Pelosi, 84, recovers from a fall and hip surgery, she is voting to ensure that Ms. Connolly, the party's young star, takes the supervisor's job. It just feels like a moment of madness,'' Hayes said. “And whatever happens, Democrats aren't taking this issue seriously. But they need to.”
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
“The View” co-host Sunny Hostin also took issue with Ocasio-Cortez's loss and supported her progressive policies, which she said should be popular with all Americans.
“She's been demonized by the right, and she's been demonized like a far-left figure who's too progressive. I want to set the record straight. If she's too progressive, Democrats really lose. 'Cause it's working class,'' Hostin said Wednesday.
