What is the significance of Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez?

This is the 28-year-old socialist who beat the heir to the throne for Democratic Congressional
leader in New York.

Are the Democrats experiencing a 'tea-party of the left' moment where the establishment is shaken up by radicals? Could it be even more significant in that American politics is set to experience real structural changes years down the line? Certainly, there will be replacement Bernies, if nothing else.

For those who don't know, I'm a British political activist and very much involved in the movement around Jeremy Corbyn, Britain's Labour Party leader. I see the DSA (Democratic Socialists of America) as a US version of Momentum, so I kind of feel a kinship here.

It strikes me that the Democrats are united in opposition to Trump but in little else. There seems to be a division between party elites who accept corporate donations and have classical liberal policies and a more progressive radical base. I don't think most American Democrat voters are socialist in the classical sense but nonetheless, I think there is a political message here which will resonate.

I also think that Ocasio-Cortez is extremely impressive as a candiate. She has excellent politics, as well as charisma, authenticity and self-confidence. If I was an activist in this room, then I would walk through walls for that person:

[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lAb2QMw9h_w]

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Northwest · M

She is one of the smartest "politicians" to hit the scene. She's an expert on economics, with the degrees to back it.

I am not sure her election signals a shift to the extreme left though. The bulk of her agenda, was adopted as part the DNC's platform that Hillary ran on. Notably, the single payer, free education parts.

She's not going to lose the elections in November, and she is one of the few people, who will be seen as an extremist, but are effectively help move us to where we should be: a humanitarian society, with everything that entails.

Burnley123 · 41-45, M

@Northwest It depends on what you define as extreme left. It's a social democratic platform, much like Corbyn's manifesto in the UK election.

I do think that there is a huge difference though between what she represents and what Hillary represents(ed). Hillary had a plausibility problem with progressives, because of her background and because of the corporate money she accepted.

I agree that the Democrats need to take this agenda on more, but with money in politics, it seems like there will be some reluctance with the status quo. Pelosi has said that her election 'means nothing' and I am sure most elected Democrats would have preferred the incumbent.

I do think there is sometimes a gap between what center-left politicians say and what they do. This is certainly true in the UK, where it took people from radical left backgrounds to push Labour back into what is historically centre-left territory. Perhaps we don't disagree.

Northwest · M

@Burnley123

I am talking relative to Europe.

Hillary was not going to switch to the Bernie platform overnight, but she would have pushed two of his primary issues: education and healthcare.

The third: two state solution and full rights to the Palestinian people, would have been a tougher sell for the Democrats.

I support Bernie’s platform fully, and I caucused for him in 2016 (our state uses the caucus system). What turns me off though, is that some of his supporters are just as blind as some of the Trump supporters.

Burnley123 · 41-45, M

@Northwest Radical left intensity can be off-putting. People from all persuasions lose the right to be self critical. I know the American political situation is different so its good to get people's views.