Ocasio-Cortez called Trump a racist. The White House response may have proved her point.

[Eugene]

Source: Washington Post

Ocasio-Cortez called Trump a racist. The White House response may have proved her point.

By Eugene Scott
January 8 at 1:43 PM

In a “60 Minutes” interview that aired on CBS on Sunday night, Anderson Cooper asked freshman Democratic Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, “Do you believe President Trump is a racist?” The New York congresswoman didn’t even pause before responding: “Yeah. Yeah. No question.”

The Trump administration hit back almost immediately by dismissing the 29-year-old’s intelligence. A White House statement said that Ocasio-Cortez’s “sheer ignorance on the matter can’t cover the fact that President Trump supported and passed historic criminal justice reform,” adding that the president has also “repeatedly condemned racism and bigotry in all forms.”

It’s a telling response, one that displays the White House’s lack of awareness about why nearly 6 in 10 Americans agree with Ocasio-Cortez’s opinion that the president is a racist, according to a February 2018 Associated Press poll.

For starters, the fact that the Trump White House — an administration known for its lack of diversity — accused a young Latina woman of “ignorance” on the matter of racism didn’t go unnoticed.

Link to tweet

-snip-

Read more: https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2019/01/08/ocasio-cortez-called-trump-racist-white-house-response-may-have-proven-her-point/

[EffieBlack]

1. CBC Members - among others - have been calling him that for years

So, I'm a little puzzled at people treating comment as if it's a first.

[Voltaire2]

4. I was wondering how this could possibly

be reframed as somehow a negative for Ocasio-Cortez. Thanks!

[EffieBlack]

7. How is this a negative against her?

[Voltaire2]

8. Lulzd.

[EffieBlack]

9. In other words, you can't justify your comment.

Thanks.

[Caliman73]

10. I don't think people are treating it as a first.

There are likely some people who are devoted fans who marvel at AOC's every word who are promoting this as a revolutionary act. The majority of people are likely somewhere in the middle.

I think that their is some surprise and concern regarding an incoming freshman representative being interviewed on a national news program with the history of 60 minutes coming out so plainly and without equivocation calling him a racist.

The CBC has clearly been calling Trump a racist for years. Maxine Waters has been at the forefront of holding Trump and the administration accountable. I think it is the combination of the "rising star", "youngest House member in history", and AOC's general outspokenness that has propelled this story into the national attention.

I also think that the media is banking on some kind of "flame out" by AOC which is why they are giving her so much air time.

[EffieBlack]

11. Interesting take

You make a lot of sense.

I admit I'm a little frustrated watching some folk dismiss and demean CBC members as sellouts, has-beens and jealous, establishment, etc (example, Rep. Cleaver being told to go away and "do policy" after he had the temerity to gently object to Rep. Tlaib's comment about Trump) when they've been on the front lines fighting for progressive policies and ideals (muffin with liittle help or support from white progressives) - but then when a new Member says something CBC members have been saying all along, it's treated as if she's the first politician with the courage to say it.

This isn't a knock against Ocasio-Cortez - despite the assumption by some of her fans that any comment that doesn't rave about her awesomeness is an attack. This is a criticism of those who are so selective and forgetful when it comes to the contributions, sacrifice and progressivism of other Members of Congress, especially the CBC.

[Caliman73]

12. I think that the art of discussion has diminished on DU since 2016

Not that it was always a sterling example of polite debate before then. People were shaken to their core by the hacking, the trolls, and the divisions within the Party regarding candidates. People seem to always be on high alert for any perceived attack and criticisms seem to trigger a feeling of attack.

I was out of town and off of DU for the Tlaib comments and while my opinion is that Tlaib didn't really do anything shocking, wrong, "disgraceful", etc... I can see how people, especially people of color, who have been targeted and criticized for even addressing issues in a polite and non-swearing way might react with surprise and not condone the use of foul language. It is every person's right to address the matter in a way that makes sense to their own convictions.

Keep fighting the fight Effie.

[chimpymustgo]

13. We were all on the same team, it seemed, after B*sh stole the Presidency (remember that?).

Now, not so much. But it's primary season. Hopefully we will unite to defeat this cancer in the White House.

[Caliman73]

14. Yes I do.

The good ole bad days


There have always been divisions within the Democratic Party between people who think that there is too much corporate influence and those who think that the big tent approach has worked. I think that started in the 90's ironically, with the Clinton's.

I think that trolls have seized upon that division and have sought to exploit it to weaken the party. I too hope that people can come together against a larger more visible and destructive threat which is Trump and his corrupt administration.

I think that we can have disagreements about policy and even candidates but people resort WAY too quickly to name calling and become very emotionally involved rather than taking a look at the situation.

[RAB910]

2. I think Trump's words and actions prove her point

[ProudMNDemocrat]

3. AOC: 1, WH: 0

Never underestimate a person such as AOC,who sees the injustices taking place. Age has no monopoly on experience or intelligence.

I know way too many people who are old, but have little intelligence or experiences in living life.

[Shell_Seas]

5. I don't remember ever once hearing Trump or his administration condemn racism or bigotry....

[Basement Beat]

6. Attacking the intelligence of women/poc ALWAYS seems to be their go-to strategy.

Hmmm...

[Hermit-The-Prog]

15. trump's always been a racist

See the DoJ attempt to end discrimination in Trump rentals.