Obama says Democrats should make sure Ocasio-Cortez has a platform

[Macallik86]

Former President Obama suggests in a new interview that the Democratic Party should give younger voices like Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) a bigger platform regardless of ideology.

“The Democratic National Convention I thought was really successful considering the pandemic, and really used technology wisely,” Obama said in an interview with Vanity Fair contributor Peter Hamby for his Snapchat show "Good Luck America."

“But, you know, the fact that an AOC only got, what? Three minutes or five minutes? When she speaks to a broad section of young people who are interested in what she has to say, even if they don’t agree with everything she says,” Obama continued. “You give her a platform, just like there may be some other young Democrats who come from more conservative areas who have a different point of view. But new blood is always good.”

Some House Democrats, many of whom flipped longtime GOP districts in 2018, have blamed their 2020 underperformance on Ocasio-Cortez’s national platform, arguing the self-identified democratic socialist alienates moderates.

While Obama defended giving Ocasio-Cortez a platform, he also echoed similar criticisms from the same more moderate Democrats that calls to defund the police have hurt outreach efforts.

“If you believe, as I do, that we should be able to reform the criminal justice system so that it's not biased and treats everybody fairly, I guess you can use a snappy slogan, like Defund The Police, but, you know, you lost a big audience the minute you say it, which makes it a lot less likely that you're actually going to get the changes you want done,” he said.

Ocasio-Cortez has pushed back on the intraparty backlash, including with a tweet Tuesday responding to criticism from Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.).

“I find it amusing when politicians try to diminish the seriousness of our policy work, movement organizing & grassroots fundraising to 'she just tweets,' as though 'serious' politics is only done by begging corporate CEOs for money through wax-sealed envelopes delivered by raven,” she wrote.

Obama says Democrats should make sure Ocasio-Cortez has a platform

 

[AnonymityX1000]

I guess she is a star in the party. She got three threads on here to. lol

 

[Smoking With Cigarettes]

I guess she is a star in the party. She got three threads on here to. lol

Most NPAs I know view AOC as someone championing rights of everyday people or they think shes a nut that wants to ban cars and planes. The convo around her is so polarizing that Ive not encountered many people who have an opinion on her that isnt strong in one way or another. She definitely resonates more with the youth

People can have whatever opinion they want but anyone denying her star power is either delusional or out of touch

 

[88m3]

Obama is an ageist. I feel sick to my stomach.

 

[The G.O.D II]

Thank you St Obama

 

[☑︎#VoteDemocrat]

Agreed. Just hope she has a more responsible message. I want her to succeed. I don’t want her to fail over stupid errors.

 

[Pressure]

I guess she is a star in the party. She got three threads on here to. lol

nikka want to fukk.

 

[AnonymityX1000]

nikka want to fukk.

What aren't you comprehending?

 

[dora_da_destroyer]

a platform to reach the top shelf in the kitchen

 

[Pressure]

Obama is an ageist. I feel sick to my stomach.

That's my goat. fukk these old heads

 

[Pressure]

What aren't you comprehending?

I'm fully comprehending. You seem to be struggling.

Sorry, but I'm not going to anoint her as a star until she wins a race outside of her district or her primary incumbent pet projects actually works.

Until then, she's a popular congressman from the NYC who gets more press due to being extremely polarizing more so than actual accomplishments.

 

[FAH1223]

Obama loves him some SQUAD

 

[nyknick]

Damn Obama just gave her that kiss of death

It's like when Nap starts supporting a candidate or when @Malcolmxxx_23 puts you in his avi

 

[AnonymityX1000]

Most NPAs I know view AOC as someone championing rights of everyday people or they think shes a nut that wants to ban cars and planes. The convo around her is so polarizing that Ive not encountered many people who have an opinion on her that isnt strong in one way or another. She definitely resonates more with the youth

People can have whatever opinion they want but anyone denying her star power is either delusional or out of touch

I'm fully comprehending. You seem to be struggling.

Sorry, but I'm not going to anoint her as a star until she wins a race outside of her district or her primary incumbent pet projects actually works.

Until then, she's a popular congressman from the NYC who gets more press due to being extremely polarizing more so than actual accomplishments.

Your approval isn't needed but thanks for chiming in.

 

[Pressure]

Your approval isn't needed but thanks for chiming in.

Your need to quote me will never go away.