Staff Reports
The newest tale to hit the bookshelves provides a juicy inside look at the tense tug-of-war between Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and the former House Speaker, Nancy Pelosi. According to a new book by journalist Ryan Grim, the two Democrats have locked horns numerous times during their shared time in the Capitol. Ocasio-Cortez, a prominent figure in the “Squad,” and Pelosi, a seasoned Democratic leader, found themselves butting heads from the moment the New York upstart unseated longstanding Rep. Joe Crowley in the Democratic primary for the 14th Congressional District.
Grim’s book unveils the nitty-gritty details of their first face-to-face encounter in San Francisco in 2018, where Pelosi apparently yakked “nearly the entire lunch.” Ocasio-Cortez was reportedly taken aback when Pelosi dismissed her “Abolish Ice” rallying cry as a Russian-influenced ploy and insisted that Democrats should stifle it. The New York firebrand was also peeved that she received no acknowledgment from the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee for her shocking victory over Crowley and her innovative approach to spot weaknesses within the party.
The book dishes out text messages from Ocasio-Cortez herself, revealing her frustration with Pelosi’s jabs about the significant age difference between them. Pelosi’s subsequent departure from the top Democratic spot seems to have eased the tension, as Ocasio-Cortez boasts that senior members now treat her kindly and show an interest in working together. It’s worth noting that Pelosi has stepped down as the Democratic leader but remains a member of the House and is seeking reelection in 2024.
The book paints a picture of a power struggle between old-guard Democrats and the fresh blood represented by Ocasio-Cortez and her Squad compatriots. With a dust-up over Russian influence and age-related gibes, it’s clear that the battle for dominance within the Democratic Party is far from over. And as the 2024 election approaches, the question remains: Will the progressive winds or the establishment forces prevail in the ongoing saga of Democratic infighting?
