US Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is trying to broaden her appeal within the Democratic base by reframing the party’s divide as a question of willingness to fight for progressive values versus caution around Republican President Donald Trump.
In a series of rallies with Senator Bernie Sanders, Ocasio-Cortez has addressed people who disagree with her and signaled openness to disagreement, saying that her movement is about solidarity with the working class rather than partisan labels or purity tests. She has also spoken in support of local Democrats in Congress, even those who do not align with her ideologically.
The crowd’s enthusiasm for Ocasio-Cortez, however, has been tempered by some elected Democrats, who see her as too confrontational and are calling for a more pragmatic approach. Senator Elissa Slotkin of Michigan, for example, said she had to be “more than just an activist” and that the Democratic Party needs leadership.
Despite this, Ocasio-Cortez remains popular within the party, with two-thirds of Democrats holding a favorable opinion of her. Her decision not to walk away from her progressive views signals openness to disagreement and has been well-received by many in the crowd.
Ocasio-Cortez’s efforts to broaden her appeal come as the Democratic Party faces internal divisions over its response to Republican President Donald Trump. The party’s failure to advance a spending bill led to a government shutdown, which further exacerbated the anger among Democrats. Ocasio-Cortez’s message of urgency and solidarity with the working class has been well-received by many in the crowd, who see her as a potential leader of the party’s progressive wing.
Source: https://apnews.com/article/alexandria-ocasio-cortez-bernie-sanders-democrats-trump-cbc249cc4de978acb1333adae5735404