Thread: A 28-year-old Democratic Socialist just ousted a powerful, 10-term congressman in New

A 28-year-old Democratic Socialist just ousted a powerful, 10-term congressman in New York


June 26, 2018

Gregory Krieg





(CNN) Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, a 28-year-old Latina running her first campaign, ousted 10-term incumbent Rep. Joe Crowley in New York's 14th congressional district on Tuesday, CNN projects, in the most shocking upset of a rollicking political season.


An activist and member of the Democratic Socialists of America, Ocasio-Cortez won over voters in the minority-majority district with a ruthlessly efficient grassroots bid, even as Crowley -- the fourth-ranking Democrat in the House -- outraised her by a 10-to-1 margin.


This was the first time in 14 years a member of his own party has attempted to unseat Crowley, who chairs the Queens County Democrats. His defeat marks a potential sea change in the broader sphere of liberal politics -- a result with implications for Democrats nationwide that would recall, as optimistic progressives routinely noted during the campaign, former GOP Majority Leader Eric Cantor's loss to the insurgent, tea party-backed Dave Brat in June 2014.



"This is not an end, this is the beginning. This is the beginning because the message that we sent the world tonight is that it's not OK to put donors before your community," Ocasio-Cortez told roaring supporters on Tuesday night.


She cast her victory as the green shoots of triumph over the "deep midnight and darkness" of the political moment -- and a message to fellow progressive organizers that their brand of activism could succeed on a grander scale.


"You have given this country hope, you have given this country proof that when you knock on your neighbor's door, when you come to them with love, when you let them know that no matter your stance, you are there for them — that we can make change," she said.


Even as Ocasio-Cortez ran defiantly to his left -- with universal health care, a federal jobs guarantee and the abolition of ICE headlining her demands -- Crowley touted a formidable liberal record of his own. He was the first member of the House Democratic leadership to sign on in support of "Medicare for all" and has been a vocal advocate for immigrants' rights. But he also stumbled, repeatedly, on the campaign trail, the likely residue of passing so many years without a primary test.


Citing scheduling conflicts, he missed a debate in the Bronx with Ocasio-Cortez, sending former city councilwoman Annabel Palma as a surrogate. The New York Times editorial board took note of his no-show, and warned the ambitious congressman against taking his constituents for granted.


"What are we," the board asked on behalf of voters, "chopped liver?"


In an interview hours before the polls opened Tuesday, Ocasio-Cortez called his absence that night "disrespectful, not just to me but to the entire community." On Twitter after the debate, she noted that Palma, also Latina, bore a "slight resemblance to me."


"I understand he hasn't been challenged for 14 years," Ocasio-Cortez said, "but that doesn't mean that an election isn't happening. In fact, what's happening right now is historic and it's an opportunity to show up for the community."


She has also spent time at the front lines of the pitched battle over US border policy under the Trump administration. Last weekend, just days before the primary, Ocasio-Cortez left New York to join protests at an ICE detention center in Texas.

"The reason I was able to do that is because we have built a legitimately strong grassroots movement of organizers here to hold it down for 24 to 48 hours," she said, "and I think that's reflective of the strength of what we have built here. It was an advantage, actually, because our community here really wanted to do something and they didn't want to feel like they were choosing organizing the campaign over choosing to comment and organize around this moment."


She also managed to tie that activism, along with her vocal, unapologetic demand for the full abolition of ICE to the interests of her district's diverse population.




"We have families and communities here (in the 14th District) from Ecuador and Colombia, Bangladesh, Korea, Pakistan, and I see them every day, many of them are very scared about what's going on," she said. "With my campaign, in terms of immigration, we're trying to say, 'Hey, we've got your back.'"

Crowley also took some shots at ICE, calling it "fascistic," but stopping short of demanding its elimination. During a televised debate with Ocasio-Cortez less than two weeks before the primary, Crowley argued that "simply abolishing the agency doesn't take it out of the hands of (Attorney General) Jeff Sessions or this president."


He then pivoted to what had been a driving theme of his campaign -- the argument that, with Trump in office, Democrats should lean on experienced lawmakers, and away from more ideological firebrands, to navigate the opposition on Capitol Hill.


"It's about making change in Washington," said Crowley, who in his leadership role has raised money for Democrats around the country. "It's about Democrats taking back control of the House of Representatives -- and that's what I'm about doing."

But with Tuesday's results, he will be doing it from the sideline.

"I want to congratulate Ms. Ocasio-Cortez on her victory tonight," Crowley said in a statement. "I look forward to supporting her and all Democrats this November. The Trump administration is a threat to everything we stand for here in Queens and the Bronx, and if we don't win back the House this November, we will lose the nation we love."




https://www.cnn.com/2018/06/26/polit...ary/index.html

‘Abolish ICE!’ Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Upsets Rep. Joe Crowley in New York Primary






June 26, 2018

Joel B. Pollak


With 88% of precincts reporting in the heavily-Democratic district that spans Queens and the Bronx, Ocasio-Cortez had crushed Crowley, 57.6% to 42.4%, a margin of nearly 3,600 votes.



CNN notes that Ocasio-Cortez is a self-described “democratic socialist.”

Crowley, currently in his 10th term and the chair of the House Democratic Caucus — ranked 4th in the whole caucus — was considered a possible future candidate for Speaker of the House, and had not faced a primary challenge in 14 years.


He has now become the first major casualty of the so-called “Resistance” — the left-wing movement that emerged to oppose President Donald Trump but has also clashed with the Democratic Party establishment.


Politico observes that Ocasio-Cortez “challenged Crowley on ideological and racial grounds.” She argued that the district needed a more left-wing representative, as well as someone who reflected the “majority-minority” demographic of the area, which has become increasingly Latino. (Or, as she prefers, “Latinx.”)
Ocasio-Cortez ran on an explicit promise to abolish the federal Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency, as well as to nationalize health care.

New buttons on deck! pic.twitter.com/6Ae3q4q0dn
— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@Ocasio2018) June 12, 2018

ICE is operating exactly as designed when it rips screaming children from parents. That’s exactly why we must abolish it.
We MUST have the moral and political courage to #abolishICE.

Weak half-measures do nothing. This is a defining moment of our time – the time to act is now. pic.twitter.com/0viiQ4qdz8
— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@Ocasio2018) June 19, 2018

In the last days before the primary, Ocasio-Cortez traveled to McAllen, Texas to join left-wing protests against President Trump’s immigration policies. She organized a large volunteer contingent to canvass her district while she was away.

In order for me to go to the border 2 days before the primary, our whole movement nationwide had to come together & hold it down in New York City.

They did.@DFAaction, @justicedems & @BrandNew535 all sent staff to manage canvasses.

Supporters drove in from OH, VA, MA & more. pic.twitter.com/UDy0GXGLMw
— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@Ocasio2018) June 24, 2018

Ocasio-Cortez also appears to hold anti-Israel views, calling Israel’s response to violent Hamas “protests” at the Gaza border a “massacre.”

This is a massacre.

I hope my peers have the moral courage to call it such.

No state or entity is absolved of mass shootings of protesters. There is no justification. Palestinian people deserve basic human dignity, as anyone else.

Democrats can’t be silent about this anymore. https://t.co/wJGATOtDsR
— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@Ocasio2018) May 14, 2018

She also attacked Crowley for his alleged support for the transfer of the U.S. embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.

In a bizarre twist, Rep. Crowley sent a woman with slight resemblance to me as his official surrogate to last night’s debate.@repjoecrowley’s surrogate said he is in full support of Trump’s embassy change in Israel last month (where 60 people died).

The community was in shock. https://t.co/LvNj0rlhFw
— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@Ocasio2018) June 19, 2018

Ocasio-Cortez enjoyed the support of left-wing celebrities like Susan Sarandon, who hails from the area. Her campaign ads were sharp, innovative, and eye-catching. And she drew on widespread grassroots frustration with the Democratic Party establishment.


The left may have found a new standard-bearer — and Republicans may have found a new target.


President Trump celebrated her win over one of his loudest critics:

Wow! Big Trump Hater Congressman Joe Crowley, who many expected was going to take Nancy Pelosi’s place, just LOST his primary election. In other words, he’s out! That is a big one that nobody saw happening. Perhaps he should have been nicer, and more respectful, to his President!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 27, 2018

Trump also framed her win in terms of the overall 2018 contest:

The Democrats are in Turmoil! Open Borders and unchecked Crime a certain way to lose elections. Republicans are for Strong Borders, NO Crime! A BIG NIGHT!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 27, 2018

Ocasio-Cortez will face Republican Anthony Pappas, an economics professor, in November.





http://www.breitbart.com/big-governm...-york-primary/

One illegal alien advocate for another illegal alien advocate. However, this lady is a self-proclaimed socialist.

Originally Posted by MW

One illegal alien advocate for another illegal alien advocate. However, this lady is a self-proclaimed socialist.

Lord, protect us for politicians like her!