A lot of us progressives are upset at the decision of the DNC to offer a speaking slot limited to a pre-recorded 60 seconds to Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.
In response, others have reacted angrily, suggesting that progressives get upset if it isn’t all about AOC, and that she is lucky to have any speaking slot at all.
Here’s the thing. The anger on the progressive side is not just about the slight to AOC, although it very definitely is that in part. It is about the fact that this decision weakens the chances of securing the maximum possible victory against Trump in 2020, and then building on that victory in subsequent elections — something which I assume everyone on this site wants to see.
Biden’s main weaknesses are with progressives and young voters. Obviously, there is quite an overlap between those two groups. The progressives and young people within the party will vote Biden/Harris come what may. But there are progressives outside the party who are looking for a good reason to vote FOR the Dems. There are young people who don’t get as caught up in party politics as we political junkies do, and need to see evidence that the party cares about the issues that matter to them, here, now, in the 2020s, and will actually act on those issues.
Of course, many of those people will vote Democratic anyway, because they recognise how vital it is to rid the country of Trump. But some of them may not. And of those who do, what about 2022, 2024… It is not just that we don’t want them thinking that the job is done once Trump is gone. We need them positively to see that the Democratic Party is the solution and is worthy of their support.
Giving AOC more of a platform would be a clear signal to progressives both inside and outside the party, and to young people who are fighting on individual issues and not for politicians or parties, that the Democratic Party offers an absolute promise to address the issues that are so important to them. AOC herself is an incredible asset the party has, who can inspire those groups and solidify them behind the Democratic ticket.
Sending that clear signal that the Democratic Party has solutions to the issues they care about, and is serious about implementing them, would mean that some of those non-party-political people who might otherwise not bother to vote will vote. Some of those who might have voted but done nothing else, will campaign as well, and encourage their friends to vote because they can see reason to believe that voting can make a difference. Some of those who vote in 2020 to get rid of Trump but would not trust the Democratic Party enough to vote for it in subsequent elections will see the value in continuing to vote consistently for Dems.
Across the piece, AOC inspires part of the demographic that nobody else can get to like she can. Giving her a higher profile will increase the Democratic vote and make Trump’s defeat more certain and more heavy.
Against that, there is literally zero downside in the DNC giving AOC a more substantive speaking slot. None whatsoever. She is unequivocal in her support for Biden/Harris. She is well disciplined to keep on message. She is telegenic so will get that message carried on more mainstream and social media, in a way that the likes of Bill Clinton, Chuck Schumer and, God help us, John Kasich cannot hope to do.
It is therefore a strategic error, and contrary to goal of securing the biggest possible win against Trump, to treat her as the DNC has, rather than as the coming star and huge asset she undoubtedly is.
