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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsMO-01: Ocasio-Cortez to raise money, knock on doors tomorrow for Cori Bush against Rep. Bill Clay
WASHINGTON Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, the self-described democratic socialist who knocked off a powerful New York congressman in a primary last month, is coming to St. Louis on Saturday in an effort to repeat that result on nine-term incumbent Rep. William Lacy Clay.
Clay, D-St. Louis, faces a Democratic primary in which his principal opponent is Cori Bush, a community activist, nurse and pastor who is part of the same phalanx of challengers that Ocasio-Cortez comes from.
Ocasio-Cortez and Bush will campaign door to door together Saturday afternoon, after a morning breakfast fundraiser. The two will appear, along with state Rep. Bruce Franks Jr. at a 7 p.m. Saturday rally at the Ready Room, 4195 Manchester Avenue in St. Louis.
Bush says Ocasio-Cortezs appearance is huge for us, and that the two share common traits and ideas as community activists with real-world struggles. Bush said she cried like a baby the night Ocasio-Cortez defeated Rep. Joe Crowley, who many thought would be the next Democratic leader in the U.S. House.
Having Alexandria come here to stump for our campaign, I think, is on so many levels a perfect fit, Bush said.
Clay says he welcomes Ocasio-Cortez to the city to contrast his record from Bushs.
St. Louis, he said, is not the Bronx.
https://www.stltoday.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/incumbent-slayer-from-new-york-headed-to-st-louis-to/article_d3fcf203-1726-5c1d-b864-d8372edc3490.html
Cha
(297,322 posts)a sitting Democratic Congressman as respected as William Lacy Clay.
I am a progressive Democrat, whereas my opponent is a democratic socialist, Clay continued. I have a record to run on, unlike her and my other opponent, and I have results in the areas of health care, of housing, of voting rights, the environment. I can point to that. The people in the heartland in St. Louis, they know that this is not the Bronx.
Cha
(297,322 posts)contain my fury.
She's not making any friends in Congress who hold William Lacy Clay in esteem.
joshcryer
(62,276 posts)She's a nobody who has run for federal office for years with no results. Like many of the Our Revolution candidates.
Cha
(297,322 posts)a highly respected, experienced member of the CBC, with that.
Mahalo, Josh.
joshcryer
(62,276 posts)Did you know that Our Revolution didn't even endorse her until 20 days before the primary?
We cannot ignore that she literally went through two sets of shoes canvasing for that seat. Without any outside support.
And good old Our Revolution, after seeing that she'd put in so much effort, decided to endorse 20 days before the primary. Out of nearly two years of canvasing. Knowing that Crowley had neglected the district and knowing that her face was every fucking where there.
I think since Our Revolution and its backers essentially gave her free travel money and free advertising she's gone with it. I really don't think she's for Welder over Davis, I saw the speech she gave last night, it was underwhelming at best, she really didn't come off as sincere, as if she was fighting a battle.
I feel as if she's being duped by this larger organization and as a campaigner she had an excellent model. But I also feel she thinks she owes something to Our Revolution, so she's running around campaigning for losers.
oberliner
(58,724 posts)She ran against him in the primary, though, and ended up winning.
Doesn't it make sense for her to try to help other primary candidates with whom she feels an affinity, such as Cori Bush?
Cha
(297,322 posts)I'm sure he'll be there for the debates.
oberliner
(58,724 posts)I am just saying that the claim to fame of Ocasio-Cortez is that she beat a respected established Democrat in a primary - so it seems logical that she would support other Democratic primary candidates in similar circumstances.
joshcryer
(62,276 posts)Ocasio-Cortez wasn't even endorsed by Our Revolution until late in her campaign, as she had spent the better part of two years campaigning for that seat, on the ground.
Our Revolution endorsed Ocasio-Cortez a mere 20 days before her primary. They didn't even know who she was until it was seen that she was gaining traction.
GaryCnf
(1,399 posts)stands with them now?
I wonder what it is about her that makes her so gullible?
Disgusting
thucythucy
(8,069 posts)It's never a good idea for any Democrat, socialist or otherwise, to assume you're going to win just because you're running in a blue state or district.
Voters have a tendency to resent the idea that their constituency is a stepping stone to some other, more important goal.
oberliner
(58,724 posts)My point is - she challenged Crowley and won, so why wouldn't she support other Democrats in similar situations?
joshcryer
(62,276 posts)She's a nobody. When you look her up you know what you find? AOC articles. Cori Bush herself? Her biography is a blank slate, outside of the fact that she's been running for federal office for two terms now, and has had no success, and if anything, it's been mediocre at best.
obamanut2012
(26,080 posts)thucythucy
(8,069 posts)My experience is that voters don't like people taking them for granted. Even in solidly blue districts, it's not a good idea to assume you'll win without paying attention to your own potential constituency. For instance, Martha Healy (I think it was) against Scot Brown in Massachusetts.
Don't count your chickens etc.
TeamPooka
(24,229 posts)sheshe2
(83,791 posts)It was Martha Coakley ( she ran a crappy campaign and thought she/we would not lose Teddies seat). You are thinking of our incredible Maura Healey that we elected as AG.
You are so right.
Martha counted those chickens and lost.
However we are good now with Elizabeth Warren in that seat.
PS...she is up for reelection this year and is out there campaigning hard. She is taking nothing for granted in a blue state.
thucythucy
(8,069 posts)I LOVE Elizabeth Warren.
And you're right--she's not taking anything for granted. Which IMHO is the wisest course to take.
Best wishes.
sheshe2
(83,791 posts)Best to you as well.
Me.
(35,454 posts)more OR disruption through a surrogate
Cha
(297,322 posts)Qutzupalotl
(14,317 posts)Ocasio-Cortez seems to be focused on undermining established Democrats instead of unseating Republicans.
oberliner
(58,724 posts)Specifically, Joe Crowley.
I'm not sure why it would be surprising that she would want to help out other Democratic primary candidates in similar circumstances.
joshcryer
(62,276 posts)And lost, accordingly. AOC spent the better part of two years canvasing on foot for that seat. She earned it well. Crowley was caught sitting.
Response to joshcryer (Reply #13)
RandySF This message was self-deleted by its author.
oberliner
(58,724 posts)He didn't take her seriously and lost.
She is trying to help bolster other Democrats whom she feels an affinity towards that are underdogs in their primaries also. I don't see why people would find this to be objectionable.
joshcryer
(62,276 posts)It was the freest seat the Democrats held. It will remain a guaranteed seat for the Democrat.
RandySF
(58,911 posts)Why haven't we heard a single peep or seen a tweet in support of Danny O'Connor?
Qutzupalotl
(14,317 posts)octoberlib
(14,971 posts)they dont think a DemSoc is as likely to win against a Republican as. Dem. Its called ratfucking.
Qutzupalotl
(14,317 posts)Cha
(297,322 posts)Link to tweet
Comedian Thrown Out of White House Press Dinner for Supporting Heroic Assange
https://sputniknews.com/us/201805011064045655-randy-credico-thrown-out-white-house-press-dinner/
Mahalo for that tweet, Qutzupalotl I'd never heard of this one.
Qutzupalotl
(14,317 posts)His concept is, hes a comedian ... but hes not funny.
That label gives him wide latitude to say anything with plausible deniability, making him an ideal ratfucker operative. But people take him at face value, and thats dangerous ... so Im not laughing either.
Cha
(297,322 posts)Not laughing, either.
Cha
(297,322 posts)We'll see how that goes.
My money is on the Democratic Candidates
Indepatriot
(1,253 posts)oberliner
(58,724 posts)From what I am reading on her campaign website, she seems pretty great.
joshcryer
(62,276 posts)Barely hit 13% of the vote.
Compared to Lacy Clay she's a nobody, and is likely to lose.
Arazi
(6,829 posts)And name recognition.
We need to be bringing along the next generation. I'm ok with this effort, even if its a certainty she'll fail this time because I'm looking at the long haul
joshcryer
(62,276 posts)And I think that elder states people should mentor and try to bring on new blood. But I am not ageist. If they think they can represent their constituents adequately, who am I to demand they step down or be replaced?
Nancy Pelosi broke the record for the longest time a House speaker stood in debate. At 78 years old: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/onpolitics/2018/02/07/nancy-pelosis-marathon-speech-sets-record-longest-house-history/317411002/
Yes, we need new blood, time demands it of our mortal souls. Yes I think that some congresspeople have longer terms than necessary. It is what it is. Why can't we have mutual respect for the elders?
One thing, that really struck me talking to elder people, is that they've told me they don't feel old. That they think their minds have not changed since they were in their 20s. And that is the dilemma of the human condition. Once you hit 25 or so you are unchanged. As long as you don't have dementia or another disease, you are you. Until you die. From 25 until death there is little change in your mind. Your body? Yes, it goes to crap... but you are you until death. It sucks. It is the human condition.
If you were to tell me Nancy Pelosi should step down I would say sure, maybe she should retire, but then I look back at her record breaking speech, and I see that youthful mind there. Go watch it. CPAN has the entire thing. I think I watched at least 5 hours of it. She's capable. Thoughtful. Her age should not be a mark on her. (But again, I think we should advocate mentoring new younger generations, I don't know that Pelosi isn't doing that, though.)
Arazi
(6,829 posts)They must gain experience somewhere. These are good things. AOC has some mojo right now and is using it. I think thats good too
JustAnotherGen
(31,828 posts)That's not realistic -
She has good domestic ideas but we are dealing with a tyrant that is owned by another country.
IF it's not Pelosi - we need someone who has gone up against Bull Connor IE - faced head on the tyrannical Jim Crow governments in the USA. That leaves us very few options - AOC is not one.
Celerity
(43,415 posts)she wanted that or anyone else did?
Your quote is talking about Crowley as being in line.
TheFarseer
(9,323 posts)Hes doing a good job, then theres nothing AOC can do to unseat him.
pnwmom
(108,980 posts)before the general election.
When we have a good incumbent, we shouldn't make that person face attacks from both the R and from other D's.
TheFarseer
(9,323 posts)Trump ran against 17 people all saying hes not a real republican and hes a nut. Now they were right but it didnt stop him. Obama ran against a strong field in 2008 and it didnt hurt him.
As long as everyone stays positive - I would have a big problem with negative campaigning - then I would have to say a primary is just part of th process. You want to live in a country where the old representative has to die before we can get a new representative? Ive never heard of a monarchy republic.
pnwmom
(108,980 posts)There is no comparison here.
Anytime you divide a party you weaken it. We have a strong incumbent, a productive member of the Congressional Black Caucus, and dirtying him up in the primary will hurt him in the general election.
TheFarseer
(9,323 posts)If they are spreading ugly rumors like John McCain having an illegitimate black baby or even that hes in the pocket of whoever, thats one thing. Do you have evidence this is happening?
pnwmom
(108,980 posts)two fronts at once -- both from the left and from the right.
If the whole party doesn't band together to support an incumbent, then that person loses the "incumbent advantage" over the R. It's not worth doing that when the original Democrat is solid in the first place.
This is Missouri, not NYC. Clay has been good for his district.
TheFarseer
(9,323 posts)If there wasnt so much dissatisfaction with her as a candidate, Bernie would never have gained any traction. This dissatisfaction carried over into the general. If Clay is doing a good job, then a primary challenge is just a joke. Let me stress I have no idea if hes doing a good job, I just get sick of people saying voters shouldnt get to hear out both candidates and then decide.
pnwmom
(108,980 posts)lose 80,000 votes over three states.
There wasn't SO MUCH dissatisfaction with her as a candidate. She won by almost 2.9 million votes.
I don't understand why Bernie and Alexandria are going after good incumbent Democrats with good records instead of supporting Democratic candidates running against Republicans, or in open districts. It's a stupid use of their time -- unless they'd rather hurt Democrats than win the general election.
EffieBlack
(14,249 posts)Until then, the media recognized most of the attacks on Hillary's moral as a partisan smear coming from Republicans. But when Bernie started saying it, they picked up on it and started with the "It's not just Republicans saying it - even Democrats are questioning her" narrative.
TheFarseer
(9,323 posts)As someone that primaried an incumbent, feels like she should help other candidates in the same position who have similar ideas about national policy.
As for the 2016 election, I dont know if youre old enough to remember the 90s but Bill Clinton was attacked mercilessly by politicians, media, you name it and he was still very popular and could have easily won a third term because most people agreed he was doing a good job and most people just liked him and nothing anyone said or did could change that.
pnwmom
(108,980 posts)in reaction to the election of Barack Obama.
Hillary was the victim of the backlash against progressives that came after Obama's consecutive wins.
obamanut2012
(26,080 posts)A Democratic Native American LGBT woman.
I do not even live in Davids' state and I donated to her historic campaign.
Kaleva
(36,312 posts)There are 6 candidates in this race so it's a a big stretch to say that Ocasio-Cortez is there campaigning against just one of them. Do you even know their names? probably not.
Cha
(297,322 posts)Link to tweet
And, they are Running Against Sharice Davids in Kansas District 3.. she's the one I want to Flip it BLUE!
Link to tweet
Kaleva
(36,312 posts)AOC isn't campaigning just against Davids.
You prefer Davids out of the 6. That's fine.
Cha
(297,322 posts)the Esteemed William Lacy Clay in Missouri, too.. as well as Sharice Davids in Kansas District 3.
Link to tweet
Kaleva
(36,312 posts)Davids isn't the incumbent. It's an open seat.
As for AOC supporting a qualified candidate running against an incumbent, this isn't Free Republic where open and fair elections are frowned upon.
Cha
(297,322 posts)are running against Sharice Davids in Kansas District 3..
Link to tweet
Link to tweet
I'm supporting Sharice Davids from Hawaii
Kaleva
(36,312 posts)Cha
(297,322 posts)snip//
June 18, 2018 03:45 PM
Updated June 18, 2018 04:56 PM
A Kansas congressional candidate apologized Monday for sending out an email about the deaths of two Wyandotte County sheriffs deputies that led to a fundraising page.
Brent Welder, who is vying for the Democratic nomination to challenge U.S. Rep. Kevin Yoder, sent out a campaign email Saturday that sought to link the deaths of two deputies in Kansas City, Kan., to the larger gun control debate and to use it as an opportunity to criticize the incumbent Republican.
More..
https://www.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/article213405709.html
mcar
(42,334 posts)obamanut2012
(26,080 posts)I know who all of them are. I know they are campaigning against Davids. What I stated is factual and true.
I promise to do my best to learn to be as wrongfully condescending as you are in the future, in honor of your wrongfully condescending and obnoxious post. Go insult someone else, bucko.
Kaleva
(36,312 posts)It's a fact they are all running against each other. To say Ocasio-Cortez "is campaigning against Sharice Davids" isn't entirely accurate.
Here are the candidates:
Mike McCamon
Tom Niermann
Sharice Davids
Jay Sidie
Brent Welder
Sylvia Williams
oasis
(49,389 posts)Loyalty and trust still have value there.
Takket
(21,577 posts)That someone from another state, not even elected, that should be worried about running her own campaign in her own district.... thinks she knows who I should be voting for in MO. if this is someone with an established progressive record of votes in Congress or Obama that is different. But all she has done is won a primary. I want an endorsement to come from someone with a track record.
She's won one primary and she's suddenly campaigning across the country for other obscure candidates like she has some political clout?
LMAO.
oberliner
(58,724 posts)Certainly Cori Bush seems pleased to have her presence and support.
B2G
(9,766 posts)Go AOC!
pnwmom
(108,980 posts)get elected over the Republican opponent, which is the bottom line.
Why aren't Bernie and Alexandria concentrating on going after districts currently held by a Republican, or that will have no opponent? Why are they going after perfectly good Democrats like Adam Smith in Washington? There seems to be a pattern here and I strongly disagree.
oberliner
(58,724 posts)She already won the primary and has no significant challenger in the general.
Clearly, Cori Bush is very happy that she is coming to campaign for her and raise her campaign's profile.
She is an underdog in the primary (like Ocasio-Cortez was) so she could use whatever help she can get.
Takket
(21,577 posts)JCanete
(5,272 posts)California are we supposed to be insulted by it? Where and when do you personally draw the line? I mean, I can certainly take a guess, but maybe you can clear up my confusion.
Lee-Lee
(6,324 posts)While as groups we share many of the same ideals, we also as groups have a lot of differences.
So its not surprising that a person who chooses to identify first as a Democratic Socialist instead of as a Democrat first is not necessarily going to act on a manner thats in the best interest of the Democratic Party. Because thats not what she sees herself as. The party makes a convenient system to use and take advantbe of when needed to advance her goals, such as running in the partys line in the primary, but thats it.
There is a separate Democratic Socialist Party, the DSA. But they dont have the infrastructure or ability to be on most ballots nor the name recognition to generally win any races where they are on the ballot, so a lot of candidates who openly describe themselves as Democratic Socialists choose to use our party as a vessel to use to get elected, but they dont actually consider themselves Democrats first and have significant differences on political philosophy in many areas (that they usually attempt to downplay or not talk about, but if they really just had the same philosophy as Democrats they would run as and identify as Democrats)
So when you view her actions trough the lens of her being a Democratic Socialist first, who feels no loyalty to the Democratic Party, this all makes sense.
ucrdem
(15,512 posts)Clearly it's to their advantage to remain Democrats up until that point, but let's say one or more of them wins their seat, as it seems Ocasio-Cortez is likely to: is there anything to prevent her from changing parties and becoming an Independent? Likewise with the Democratic incumbents whose JD/OR primary opponents she's endorsing and in some cases actively campaigning for: if the Justice Democrats have never held office, how do we know they won't, as their mentor Sanders has done more than once, shed the the D and become an I once they're safely elected? For this reason alone it would be imperative to support incumbent Democrats over their JD/OR challengers.
JCMach1
(27,559 posts)she hasn't won anything yet...
Cha
(297,322 posts)Celerity
(43,415 posts)unanimous Republican support on a resolution of support for ICE (a Bush era agency riddled with abuse) and condemning efforts to abolish it (which is a big thing for many progressive sitting Democrats plus AOC as well).
18 House Democrats Voted To Condemn The Abolish ICE Movement And Support The Agency
https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/lissandravilla/almost-20-house-democrats-voted-to-express-their-support
Nearly 20 House Democrats voted to express their support for the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency Wednesday, distancing themselves from the "abolish ICE" movement and pointing to President Donald Trump not the agency as the problem.
The resolution that passed the House Wednesday expresses the Houses continued support for ICE officers and personnel, denounces the calls to abolish ICE, and supports the efforts of all Federal agencies, State law enforcement, and military personnel who bring law and order to our Nations borders.
It passed by a vote of 24435, in the GOP-controlled chamber, with 133 Democrats voting present, denouncing the vote as a political game offered by Republicans solely to embarrass Democrats.
The vote comes after weeks of growing calls by progressives and some Democratic members of Congress to abolish ICE. The calls hit the mainstream at the end of June, when Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez beat a powerful House Democrat on a platform that included abolishing ICE. While other progressive Democrats quickly aligned themselves with the movement, rank-and-file Democrats declined to join those calls and pointed to Republicans ability to attack the party with the line.
snip
18 House Democrats supported the resolution
Rep. Tom O'Halleran (AZ)
Rep. Kyrsten Sinema (AZ)
Rep. Ami Bera (CA)
Rep. Jim Costa (CA)
Rep. David Scott (GA)
Rep. Charlie Crist (FL)
Rep. Al Lawson (FL)
Rep. Stephanie Murphy (FL)
Rep. Peter Visclosky (IN)
Rep. Stephen Lynch (MA)
Rep. Jacky Rosen (NV)
Rep. Josh Gottheimer (NJ)
Rep. Thomas Suozzi (NY)
Rep. Kurt Schrader (OR)
Rep. Matthew Cartwright (PA)
Rep. Conor Lamb (PA)
Rep. Henry Cuellar (TX)
Rep. Ron Kind (WI)
RandySF
(58,911 posts)Cha
(297,322 posts)TeamPooka
(24,229 posts)to do in MO.
panader0
(25,816 posts)Power 2 the People
(2,437 posts)Now the Dems of NY14 are sure they made the right decision.
I can't think of any Democrat that would want that SOB's endorsement. It's like being endorsed by Benedict Arnold and Goldman Sachs.