Crockett Critiques Ocasio-Cortez and Sanders’ Tour
Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-Texas) has recently expressed her concerns about the “Battle of Teams” tour headed by Sen. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) and Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), suggesting it leans toward self-promotion rather than fostering genuine teamwork. In a meeting this May, during a rally highlighting Texas Democrats’ push for the top spot on the House Oversight Committee, Crockett, alongside fellow Democrat Maxine Dexter (D-Ore.), shared her thoughts.
In an exchange at the meeting, Dexter brought up Ocasio-Cortez’s contentious relationship with former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, which dates back to when she arrived in Congress in 2019. However, Crockett brushed past Dexter’s concerns, emphasizing her intention to represent the Democratic party without seeking to “burn it down.” She noted that, while the rally organized by Ocasio-Cortez and Sanders was “a good idea,” it mainly benefited those two lawmakers rather than the party as a whole.
Crockett remarked that the rally felt more like a focus on the personalities involved rather than a collaborative effort. She pointed out, “On behalf of the team, it’s like people are about them,” expressing a belief that the tour wasn’t truly about the greater good of the Democrats.
Meanwhile, Ocasio-Cortez recently achieved a personal fundraising milestone, bringing in a notable $9.6 million in campaign contributions in just the first quarter of the year. This figure surpasses her previous record of $4.4 million during a similar period in 2020. Similarly, Sanders raised around $11.5 million during that same timeframe this year.
An article in Atlantic highlighted that some Democrats have been hesitant to comment on Crockett’s actions, suggesting she possesses a certain boldness that can be troublesome for her colleagues. As one senior official put it, while some members might lack discipline, they are reluctant to openly criticize her. The piece painted her as a bit of a “loose cannon,” whose forthright nature can create complications for others.
As for the trio—Crockett, Ocasio-Cortez, and Sanders—they declined to offer comments on the discussion. However, Crockett did mention in her Atlantic profile that she maintains a “positive relationship” with Ocasio-Cortez.
