Joe Biden Needs AOC

[RandySF]

n the two weeks that have seen Biden take back his position as the front-runner for the Democratic nomination, one voice has emerged as the progressive movement’s beacon of clarity. It’s not Bernie Sanders, who has chosen to remain in the race even though his chances going forward are objectively minuscule. The politician who has shown the most lucid understanding of the importance of Democratic unity in the face of Donald Trump is Sanders’ most obvious successor: Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.

Often mistaken for a dogmatic ideologue, Ocasio-Cortez has astutely recast her role within Sanders’ orbit lately. She has urged the Democratic establishment to begin a conversation with younger Democrats. Rather than dwell on Sanders’ likely defeat, she has already set her sights on obtaining concessions from Biden. She has insisted progressives should “get real commitments on issues” for those demographics, like younger voters and Hispanics, who have overwhelmingly backed Sanders over Biden. While remaining a staunch defender of the progressive agenda and respecting her mentor’s decision to stay in the race at least through the next set of primaries, she has also put some subtle but increasingly relevant distance between Sanders’ quixotic pursuit of power and her own understanding of political mores. In recent days, for example, Ocasio-Cortez has made an eloquent call for inclusivity, touting tolerance and alliances as the path to victory, perhaps delicately hinting at the possible costs of a prolonged primary.




https://www.google.com/amp/s/slate.com/news-and-politics/2020/03/joe-biden-needs-alexandria-ocasio-cortez.amp

[still_one]

1. Or perhaps AOC needs Biden, or maybe they both need each other?

[RandySF]

2. Joe could be her leverage against losing her seat in redistricting.

[Indykatie]

3. AOC and Her Camp Can See That Bernie Is Headed for a Loss

I think she's smart enough to see that the influence for the small group of far left House members who are aligned with Bernie's will gradually see that influence wane given Bernie's pitiful showing in the primaries. AOC, Ilhan and Tlaib haven't had the most impressive or productive first terms compared to some of their more moderate freshman colleagues. Running around threatening to primary incumbent Dems will get old real fast with a Dem POTUS.

[Celerity]

4. I think Biden made a big move toward this by adopting the two 'more progressive' planks a week ago

https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/unexpected-shift-events-biden-endorses-warrens-bankruptcy-plan/story?id=69599659

On a call with reporters Sunday afternoon, senior advisers to Biden announced the former vice president now supports making public colleges and universities tuition-free for students whose families earn less than $125,000 a year. That proposal comes from a bill Sen. Sanders originally introduced in 2017 called the College-for-All act, and is a notable addition to Biden’s current higher education policy, which would make community colleges free for two years, regardless of income.

"Bernie has put forward a plan that would make public colleges and universities free for families whose income is below $125,000. It's a good idea, and after consideration, I am proud to add it to my platform,” Biden tweeted Sunday.

Biden also announced his endorsement of Elizabeth Warren’s bankruptcy plan, which would largely undo a 2005 law the two famously sparred over in the past.

I must admit I am gobsmacked at so many who seem hellbent to run AOC completely out of the Party, whether via primarying (very unlikely to happen) or via redistricting (which may not work either if she slides over into another district and wins there.) I think they fail to take into account what a negative look and impactful event that will be for millions of progressives and millions of young voters, two groups see her as a bit of a talismanic figure already. Do they really want AOC lobbing fireballs from outside the Party? Or worse, being one of the foundational drivers behind a potential new 3rd Party, one that may not have nearly enough firepower in the beginning to make large electoral gains, but surely will siphon off a shedload from our left flank, which, if we then lurch to the right to make up for those lost voters, may very well set up a negative, self-reinforcing feedback loop that incites further losses from the less extreme left side of our Party.

[FakeNoose]

19. Right!

We need AOC in our Party more than Biden needs her on the ticket. She's the future of our Party, along with Pete Buttigieg and a few others.

[MFM008]

5. um

im still hoping for Harris.

[Celerity]

6. What does Harris as VP have to do with AOC getting on board and helping Biden?

She is too young to run for POTUS/VP until 2024 (she makes it then by 99 days.)

[Watchfoxheadexplodes]

7. Often mistaken for a dogmatic ideologue

Eh maybe

Not a fan of her fire branding bullshit.

[murielm99]

8. I don't think she meets the age requirement.

She is also quite divisive.

[Celerity]

12. the article is not talking about her as VP (she only qualifies for 2024 by 99 days btw) nt

[grossproffit]

9. AOC is still wet behind the ears. I also don't believe she's as popular as some think she is.

She's very popular on social media but that doesn't translate to real-world votes.

[Hortensis]

10. :) Meh, she's realigning with the strength. Normal, of course,

for previously opposing politicians. Even Sanders is currently calling VP Biden "my friend, Joe." While his attack dogs try to swiftboat him, of course.

Biden is fighting to save our democracy, to restore our nation and our values -- to keep it from being destroyed by RW corruption and the insurgent movements that always arise in dangerous era. He needs Ocasio IF she realigns with the VALUES and IDEALS of liberal Democrats, disagreements on goals within those limits fine, and commits to working with her colleagues to achieve the goals they all decide on.

If that's not in her, then Biden needs others who are speaking up for the special interests of younger people, and he needs her in congress, one vote among those of 235 Democratic colleagues until her district decides to replace her with someone else.

Btw, since we're on the subject, who's the real Ocasio being offered to VP Biden going to be? I'm far from sure.

Ocasio has shown both promise of potential for good but also deeply flawed judgement, alarming associations with extremists, and serious ethical problems, both in who she associates with and some of her own, direct behaviors. Biden would know about all those that conflict with his own values and goals, of course.

More of us should always have been asking, what kind of person would have approved Sanders' promises to try to steal the 2016 nomination away from the vote of the majority? Of plotting to flood congressional districts with distant money to try to subvert elections and put ideologues who do not represent local thinking in government? Many danger signs of contempt for the will of the people to date. Plenty of lofty expressed goals, but no signs, so far, that she's capable of of Elizabeth Warren's competent iconoclasm from within, even though she IS within. But, she's very effective on the dais.

[videohead5]

11. I heard on CNN or MSNBC the name

Val Demings congress woman from Florida mentioned as a VP candidate.

[Skya Rhen]

17. This would be a smart choice.

[quickesst]

13. No....

..... he doesn't.

[beastie boy]

14. On its face, the headline is loaded with huge implications that are probably unintentional.

First, let's be clear: Biden doesn't need AOC in his administration. The header is not clear on this, even though the article goes on to clarify it. The author argues in favor of a political alliance of some sort between Biden and AOC, and suggests Biden should be the one to initiate it. Here is where the implications become huge: Biden allying with AOC implies that both would go behind Sanders' back to forge this alliance. They cant do this without excluding Sanders, which would be quite a Machiavellian maneuver. I am not convinced that either Biden or AOC are prepared to do this. While AOC can galvanize some of the young minority progressive vote, it is unlikely that her base is greater than that of Sanders. As weak as Sanders is now, the cooperation of a senior senator who is the leader of a dwindling but still populous movement is far more significant in an election than that of a junior congresswoman.

The only reason for Biden to ally with AOC rather than Sanders is if Sanders refuses to endorse Biden. Should AOC be open to this alliance (which I doubt), Biden is more likely use the potential of such alliance as leverage to compel Saners' endorsement rather than to actually take part in a virtual progressive leadership coup that replaces Sanders with AOC. Something tells me AOC is not going to go for it. Too much to lose and too little to gain.

I would bet against it ever happening.

[showblue22]

15. AOC is raising money to primary democrats as we speak.

She knows Bernie is the kiss of death for her, even in a blue district. She is distancing herself for herself.

[NCProgressive]

16. By pushing Biden further to the left they will make Biden unwinnable.

Biden's strength is his centrist geography which will attract a lot of independents and moderate republicans. He has gone enough left already with concessions on the bankruptcy bill and public college tuition of "in-state" students.

Going further left will earn the support of people who don't show up to vote at the expense of sure-fire votes from moderate people.

[OnDoutside]

18. 1000% correct.

[onetexan]

20. Exactly. AOC has become toxic and controversial. I'm beginning to dislike her more & more.

Joe is winning everywhere WITHOUT her help. The idea that Biden camp needs a controversial freshman member of the House to win is ludicrous, and i'm surprised someone would pose this as a statement. Ludicrous!
The girl needs to keep her ego in check, keep her mouth shut and learn from senior members, and eat some humble pie.

[NCProgressive]

22. Slate is nearly as bad as the intercept, jacobin, commondreams etc.

They think the whole world is socialist and that is the way to win elections.

[comradebillyboy]

21. Outside of the bluest enclaves AOC is a liability.

People keep telling me she's the future of the party. I'll believe it when she can build a bigger coalition than the Squad and actually get legislation passed. All those moderate she wants to primary certainly won't rally to he cause. She's as divisive as Bernie.

[Demsrule86]

23. Sorry bullshit...if said young voters cared about issues, they would vote for Sanders...no to this

we need to reach out to moderate voters at this point as the young as always don't show up.