That the “party” doesn’t want
A Wednesday discussion on “Morning Joe” of The Ink post, “The reckoning that wasn’t,” crystallizes the problem Democrats’ out-of-touch, sclerotic leadership faces in changing perceptions of the party’s sagging brand: Why isn’t Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez in leadership? [timestamp 10:37}:
Joe Scarborough: I don’t think anybody who watches this show would confuse my politics with AOC’s politics. And yet I sit here, a fairly conservative independent, absolutely flummoxed by a Democratic Party that refuses to let her in leadership. Proving that the House is not a meritocracy, never was a meritocracy. The fact that they’re afraid to have the person who is considered in polls to be the voice and the face of the Democratic Party….
She does a better job of getting out there and explaining the inequities that drive working Americans to Republicans. She also, to her credit, talked to people who voted for Donald Trump and voted for her [and didn’t crtiticize them]. And by the way, she’s under 80!
So you’re telling me that the Democratic Party does not have a place for her in the leadership? Do you know how insane that is?!
Anand Giridharadas: It is categorically insane. It is actually the litmus test that the Democrats do have, which is if you are exciting and thrilling and galvanizing to people, please stay way from any important job in our party.
The DNC recently picked “a very lackluster chair,” Giridharadas took as an example. In his The Ink post, he called the party’s failure of self-examination a “pandemic of incuriosity.” On Thursday morning it proved, IMHO, an epic strategic failure.
At those “Fighting Oligarchy” rallies AOC puts on with Bernie Sanders, Giridharadas claimed, eight to ten percent of the people showing up are Republicans. (I can’t find figures supporting that.)
And Steve Bannon is afraid of AOC as the future of the Democratic Party, adds Jonathan Lemire, because her message resonates and shares some overlap with some of what the MAGA movement believes.
Here’s the polling Scarbough referenced (via the Miami Herald this week):
Many Americans consider Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez to be the face of the Democratic Party, according to new polling.
In the latest Co/efficient survey, 26% of respondents said Ocasio-Cortez — who represents New York’s 14th Congressional District — is the party’s standard-bearer.
An additional 26%, said “no one” is the face of the party, and 22% said “other,” indicating there is no consensus on this question.
The poll — which sampled 1,462 likely voters May 7-9 — found that the seven other listed Democrats all garnered substantially less support.
Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders came in a distant second, with 12%, while Texas Rep. Jasmine Crockett placed third, with 8%.
After them came Vice President Kamala Harris (6%), former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg (5%) and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (5%).
I’m sure Jeffries is a highly competent legislator, but as party frontman he’s Mr. Rogers on Quaaludes.
An April YouGov survey found [AOC] held a +61 approval rating among Democrats, marking the highest rating of any prominent Democrat who has not run for vice president or president.
Similarly, in an April Quantus Insights poll, 19% of Democrats and left-leaning independents said Ocasio-Cortez “best reflects the core values” of the party. Meanwhile, other leading figures in the party garnered less support, including Harris, who received 17%.
TGIF.
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