Several far-left media figures are expressing their disappointment over Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s defeat in her attempt to become the ranking Democrat on the House Oversight Committee.
Virginia Democratic Rep. Gerry Connolly won the position in a Democratic caucus vote on Tuesday, securing 131 votes to Ocasio-Cortez’s 84. The day before, the Democratic Steering and Policy Committee had also favored Connolly over Ocasio-Cortez, with a vote of 34-27.
As reported by Mediaite, numerous Democrats and progressives voiced their frustrations regarding the decision made by House Democrats.
MSNBC’s Joy Reid reacted to the outcome by stating, “At this point, almost nothing the Democratic Party does makes any sense. They are clinging to their gerontocracy and consultant class at the expense of their most loyal voters. Let’s be clear: they’ll be fine while our communities suffer.”
Progressive YouTuber Brian Tyler Cohen remarked, “Democrats refuse to learn their lesson. They refuse to take generational change seriously and to highlight the party’s most effective communicators.”
Dan Pfeiffer from Pod Save America agreed, saying, “Prioritizing seniority over political and messaging skills is exactly how Democrats ended up in this predicament.”
Another left-wing podcaster, Matt Lech, responded to Pfeiffer’s comments by asserting, “It’s misleading to frame this as a matter of ‘seniority,’ which wasn’t the deciding factor last time. Are we going to mature and confront this blatant corruption, or just engage in shadowboxing?”
The New Democrat Coalition, the largest caucus within the Democrats, endorsed Connolly for the Oversight ranking member position prior to Friday’s vote.
“New Dems proudly endorse our colleague, friend, and fellow New Dem Rep. Gerry Connolly for Ranking Member of the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability. Rep. Connolly is a strong communicator and a dedicated workhorse ready to lead the committee in defending our Democratic priorities and opposing the extremist actions of the Trump administration. He is the right choice to advance the interests of our entire caucus,” the coalition stated.
“Throughout his sixteen years on the Committee, Rep. Connolly has been a courageous and formidable force against extremist GOP conspiracy theories and has promoted thoughtful, commonsense legislation. As we prepare for the new Trump administration and a Republican-controlled Congress, the Oversight Committee Democrats will play a crucial role in safeguarding our democratic institutions and countering bad faith actors. We are fully confident that Rep. Connolly will lead the committee with a steady hand and a no-nonsense approach,” the statement continued.
According to a report from Punchbowl News, Ocasio-Cortez’s candidacy was being actively undermined by former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif.
“Pelosi is making calls on behalf of Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-Va.), who is running against AOC for the ranking member position on Oversight,” the publication noted. “Pelosi has publicly expressed her support for Connolly, but her behind-the-scenes efforts indicate the level of political capital she is willing to invest in this contest, which will be decided next week.”
From Punchbowl News’ newsletter: “Former Speaker Nancy Pelosi is actively working to thwart Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s (D-N.Y.) bid to become the top Democrat on the House Oversight Committee. Pelosi is making calls on behalf of Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-Va.), who is competing against AOC for the ranking member position. Pelosi has made her support for Connolly publicly known, but her behind-the-scenes maneuvering shows the extent of political capital she is willing to invest in this contest, which will be decided next week.”
Pelosi and Ocasio-Cortez have had a contentious relationship for several years. Several far-left media personalities are voicing their discontent over Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s loss in her pursuit to become the ranking Democrat on the House Oversight Committee.
Virginia Democratic Rep. Gerry Connolly triumphed in a Democratic caucus vote on Tuesday, receiving 131 votes compared to Ocasio-Cortez’s 84. The day before, the Democratic Steering and Policy Committee had also favored Connolly over Ocasio-Cortez, with a tally of 34-27.
Mediaite highlighted that many Democrats and progressives expressed their dissatisfaction with the decision made by House Democrats.
MSNBC’s Joy Reid commented on the situation, stating, “At this point, almost nothing the Democratic Party does makes any sense. They are clinging to their gerontocracy and consultant class at the expense of their most loyal voters. Let’s be clear: they’ll be fine while our communities suffer.”
Progressive YouTuber Brian Tyler Cohen added, “Democrats refuse to learn their lesson. They refuse to take generational change seriously and to highlight the party’s most effective communicators.”
Dan Pfeiffer from Pod Save America echoed this sentiment, asserting, “Prioritizing seniority over political and messaging skills is exactly how Democrats ended up in this predicament.”
Another left-wing podcaster, Matt Lech, responded to Pfeiffer’s remarks by stating, “It’s misleading to frame this as a matter of ‘seniority,’ which wasn’t the deciding factor last time. Are we going to mature and confront this blatant corruption, or just engage in shadowboxing?”
The New Democrat Coalition, the largest caucus within the Democrats, endorsed Connolly for the Oversight ranking member position prior to Friday’s vote.
“New Dems proudly endorse our colleague, friend, and fellow New Dem Rep. Gerry Connolly for Ranking Member of the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability. Rep. Connolly is a strong communicator and a dedicated workhorse ready to lead the committee in defending our Democratic priorities and opposing the extremist actions of the Trump administration. He is the right choice to advance the interests of our entire caucus,” the coalition stated.
“Throughout his sixteen years on the Committee, Rep. Connolly has been a courageous and formidable force against extremist GOP conspiracy theories and has promoted thoughtful, commonsense legislation. As we prepare for the new Trump administration and a Republican-controlled Congress, the Oversight Committee Democrats will play a crucial role in safeguarding our democratic institutions and countering bad faith actors. We are fully confident that Rep. Connolly will lead the committee with a steady hand and a no-nonsense approach,” the statement continued.
According to a report from Punchbowl News, Ocasio-Cortez’s candidacy was being actively undermined by former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif.
“Pelosi is making calls on behalf of Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-Va.), who is running against AOC for the ranking member position on Oversight,” the publication noted. “Pelosi has publicly expressed her support for Connolly, but her behind-the-scenes efforts indicate the level of political capital she is willing to invest in this contest, which will be decided next week.”
From Punchbowl News’ newsletter: “Former Speaker Nancy Pelosi is actively working to thwart Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s (D-N.Y.) bid to become the top Democrat on the House Oversight Committee. Pelosi is making calls on behalf of Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-Va.), who is competing against AOC for the ranking member position. Pelosi has made her support for Connolly publicly known, but her behind-the-scenes maneuvering shows the extent of political capital she is willing to invest in this contest, which will be decided next week.”
Pelosi and Ocasio-Cortez have had a contentious relationship for several years.