Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (DN.Y.) is in a major Democrat role as dissatisfaction grows among second-Trump-era party bases.
Ocasio-Cortez is on the road with Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) as part of a “combat oligoarchy” tour aimed at rallying Democrats. The progressive lawmaker was also one of the biggest critics of Senate minority leader Charles Schumer (DN.Y.)'s decision last week to vote for the GOP Draft government fundraising bill, and she floats as a potential major challenger to him.
Ocasio-Cortez gives no indication that she will become a primary shooter, but her famous and vocal criticism of the party's current state positions her as someone who can fulfill what critics say is a leadership void within the party.
“Some of the most effective, strategic and responding leadership that's happening in this moment comes from Rep. Ocasio-Cortez, who does better than many Democrats we see nationwide.” “She reminds the party of what it really is with the energy of the movement.”
Sanders and Ocasio-Cortez held their first joint rally on Thursday, targeting high-tech billionaire Elon Musk and Congressional Republicans.
The series of meetings comes as angry constituents express their frustration with lawmakers on either side of the aisle at the town hall above the council break. Democrats have seen a barrage of conflict from Liberal members over their reaction to the Trump administration. Members have been pushed back against Democrats, saying they argued that their party is a minority and that it is not an excuse. Additionally, Democrats across the party's spectrum have involved Schumer and nine other Senate Democrats in favor of the government's funding law.
Recent votes paint a picture of a democratic foundation in which party leaders are unhappy with how they are moving their party forward. A CNN poll released Sunday showed warning signs for Democratic leaders, with 52% of adults handed over to Democrats saying party leaders are currently heading the party in the wrong direction. 48% said leadership is leading them in the right direction.
However, the same poll drew an optimistic picture of Ocasio-Cortez standing within the party. Progressive lawmakers led a list of democratic names when Democrats and democratic independences were asked to name one person when they were asked to “consider the Democratic leaders today” and “thinking about the Democratic leaders of today.”
10% nominated Ocasio-Cortez, while 9% pointed to former Vice President Harris. Another 8% and 6%, named Sanders, are House minority leader Hakim Jeffries (DN.Y.).
“The clarity of her message is that it really resonates with those who are hurting people, those who are fighting for them, those who really resonate with those who want the leaders who are helping them, those who don't say there's nothing we can do, so the clarity of her message is that they're doing to oppose the perpetrators and them,” Alawieh said.
One of the latest examples of this happened on X on Friday when Ocasio-Cortez went to the platform to praise the platform for criticizing former major opponent, Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.), for his vote in favor of the government's fundraising bill.
“I was wrong about you. Sorry, where do I submit Connor's Lamb's apology form,” Ocasio-Cortez said.
Supporters of Ocasio-Cortez also point out that lawmakers use social media to connect and communicate with not only her members but the entire Democrat. After Trump's election victory in November, lawmakers sought insight from her followers in her district about not only they voted for her, but also for Trump.
“One thing everyone knows is that AOC communication is exemplary. It was a model for everyone else at the party,” said one Democratic aide.
But many progressives quickly point out that Ocasio-Cortez is not the only progressive Democratic leader who makes waves on the national stage. Other progressives considered the main voices of opposition within the party include Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), Pramilla Jayapal (D-Wash.), and Greg Casar (D-Texas).
As for Sanders, he continues to be the dominant voice, but there is the question of whether any of these rising progressive stars can replace the 83-year-old progressive fire brand.
“For now, there's a kind of question there right now, as it means she's the one who will take over Bernie Sanders in the movement he created,” Alawie said. “The political movements that Bernie Sanders continues to create and incite flames on his national tour are not inherited by a single leader.”
“He has actually given the power to lead the entire party's wing very boldly in Congress,” he added.
Progressive says that unlike the rest of the party, these numbers are connected to the rage that they feel in the administration, even inside and outside the Democrats.
“Someone like her and Bernie and others like Senator Murphy have made clear the right anger that countless Americans are feeling right now. It doesn't seem like AOC or Bernie has some unique sources of power.”
“They don't have the unique legislative ability to fight back against this administration, but they put their bodies on the line and their skin on the line.
