Her first week in office, Ocasio-Cortez upset Democratic leaders and some fellow progressives when she tweeted her opposition to the Democratic rules package, arguing it would hurt liberal priorities like Medicare-for-all.
Ocasio-Cortez is a young, outspoken progressive Democratic Socialist who organized for Sen. Sanders' presidential campaign, speaking out against less-than-progressive incumbent Democrats.
And for that, some of her fellow Democrats feel she must go.
There is already chatter about recruiting a primary challenger to run against her.
One lawmaker, speaking anonymously, stated:
"What I have recommended to the New York delegation is that you find her a primary opponent and make her a one-term congressperson. You've got numerous council people and state legislators who've been waiting 20 years for that seat. I'm sure they can find numerous people who want that seat in that district."
Rep. Gregory Meeks (D-NY) denied the rumor, responding:
"I don't think that is something the New York delegation would contemplate. As you can see, we are totally united behind each other. The New York delegation sticks together."
Ocasio-Cortez was recently accused of calling for a primary challenger to take on fellow New Yorker Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, a charge Ocasio-Cortez denies.
Jefferies commented:
"I haven't seen a primary candidate emerge, so I assume when she denied it, she was correct that there was nothing to it."
A recent Politico piece articulated the frustration Democratic lawmakers nonetheless are with the 29-year-old congresswoman.
Rep. Emanuel Cleaver (D-Mo.) stated:
"I'm sure Ms. Cortez means well, but there's almost an outstanding rule: Don't attack your own people. We just don't need sniping in our Democratic Caucus."
This sounds like damning with faint praise.
Nonetheless, he is right.
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