I think AOC handed herself admirably on Rachel's show tonight

[al bupp]

She made a reasonable case for significantly upping the infrastructure bill's price tag, while remaining respectful of and giving ample credit to the administration's stated vision and goals for that legislation.

[aocommunalpunch]

1. Mature and uniting.

Crack on.

[al bupp]

5. She is an extremely impressive politician

who understands both the on-the-ground the needs of her constituents and as well as the political moment. No to to mention why not up the ante on this BFD? Government spending money of its citizens is beeping popular.

[George II]

101. Except that President Biden's plan wasn't presented accurately. As noted elsewhere here on DU:

The plan is EIGHT years, not ten
With the second phase it brings the total to $4 trillion
With dollar for dollar private investment that doubles it to $8 trillion

PLUS, only $4T of that $8T is public money, the rest is private money.

That's a far cry from what was being discussed last night, and President Biden's Administration backed it up with specific funding and spending details.

With every action and proposal he makes, I'm more and more impressed with the job President Biden is doing, and so happy we elected him.

[onecaliberal]

2. It's the right tone. It signals that she understands where we are at the same time

She makes sure to explain where we need to be and how this legislation will not get us there. It will be one hell of a big fucking deal to get this done.

[brush]

3. I thought Joe Biden was clear the 2 trillion is a first step.

Why is that so hard to understand? Get started with what's doable.

[sheshe2]

6. He stated that it was a two phase project.

Thanks, brush.

[al bupp]

18. OK, then let's make it a 5 phase project

Go big or go home.

[sheshe2]

21. I would prefer accomplishments at containing COVID first.

Instead of a 5 stage infrastructure.

We are well on the way to a forth wave. Cases and death rates going up. More are going to die because they are to selfish and stupid to follow simple rules.

Without that being done, not much else will. Ya know with half our population dead there will be no one left to benefit from the infrastructure.

I am for Joe's plan.

[PatSeg]

80. Actually, I think it is a matter

taking the first step(s) and doing what you can with what you have. Then you can build on that. Your long terms goals can be much bigger, but you can't get there without the first step AND if you overwhelm people with talk of $10 trillion, people could just tune out and shut down.

No, you do what you can NOW, so you can do what you can later down the road. One bridge today is better than no bridge at all. If we viewed everything as, "Go big or go home", then there would never be any progress.

[SheltieLover]

32. +1,000!

[ColinC]

23. It will be the best not step if more politicians don't push the fact that alone

It will not be enough.

[Nixie]

4. Actually, it revealed the shallowness of the brand building.

The messaging is the priority and is forced to get more extreme ad infinitum.

[Celerity]

20. or, alternative take, it may simply show the shallowness of the criticism of her

Much of the US infrastructure is in serious need of repair. The highest profile report of infrastructure 'crumbling' comes from the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE). In its 2017 Infrastructure Report Card, ASCE gave the US infrastructure an overall grade of D+, and it estimated it would cost $4.59 trillion over a 10-year period to rectify this.

https://www.infrastructurereportcard.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/2017-Infrastructure-Report-Card.pdf

[Nixie]

28. I was talking about the brand building and the rote

talking points. To stay relevant, they must get more extreme and unrealistic no matter how much progress is undertaken. No worries, though, there’s always those who like the shallowness of complaining things aren’t perfect.

[betsuni]

30. +1000000

[sheshe2]

34. Whoa.

[PatSeg]

82. I suppose it is inevitable

I don't envy Biden right now, but after decades in government, I suppose he is prepared and expects these reactions. I imagine that if he had proposed a $10 trillion plan, there would be some saying it should be $15 or $20 trillion. Meanwhile, it could be difficult to get his $2 trillion proposal through congress. Maybe that is where the focus should be. Then we can work from there.

[NurseJackie]

99. Damn!

[George II]

78. Biden formally released his plan late afternoon. It's only the biggest plan in the history....

....of the United States. He gave details on where the money for it will come, and where the money will be spent.

Within hours it's being criticized as not enough, but no details on where it's lacking.

[Celerity]

81. If you watched the Maddow interview, examples were given.

For instance, 40 billion usd total over 8 years (5 billion per year or so, depending on the speed that the funds are depleted) for public housing infrastructure repairs on a nationwide basis. But just NYC alone needs around that much by itself to bring it fully up to code. Other examples were given as well. Just watch the interview, it is only 9 minutes. Links are in this OP thread.

We also need to see what is funded in the 2nd part of the rollout later thus month. I posted on that the day President Biden announced the first part.

Cheers

[George II]

114. Biden's plan is, in fact, a total of $8T, not $2.2T. There's a second phase that will bring it up...

....to $4T, and there's a private investment dollar-for-dollar match.

Plus it isn't over 10 years, it's over 8 years.

Biden's plan, criticism notwithstanding, is right on the mark.

[PatSeg]

83. I suppose it has always been like this

No matter what a leader proposes, there will be some who complain that it is not enough. Meanwhile, this president has been around long enough to expect such reactions and I'm sure he won't allow it to cause him to lose his focus. He has so much on his plate right now, he can't be distracted every time someone criticizes him. He is no stranger to criticism, but he knows he has to stay the course and move forward. There is no time for insecurity and uncertainty.

[sheshe2]

106. Slow and Steady wins the race

Slow And Steady Wins The Race

Meaning:
Hastily jumping into an activity, job, or something else can cause problems; sometimes a more consistent approach, even if it is slower, can be ideal and give better results.

Example: I worked out at the gym for the first time in years. However, I think I overdid it because I’m really sore. After I recover, I’ll try starting with lighter exercises next time and gradually build up from there—slow and steady wins the race.

https://knowyourphrase.com/slow-and-steady-wins-the-race

[PatSeg]

109. Excellent example!

Biden has been around far too long to be hasty and reckless, plus he knows how important the stakes are. There probably isn't too much that he hasn't seen or heard in his long career, though the Trump administration was likely unprecedented.

Maybe he was a little hasty and reckless roughhousing with Major when he broke his foot though!

Cool site! I'll have to remember that one.

[sheshe2]

111. Ha.

Slow and steady. Preach and Teach, Mr President.

Thank you.

[PatSeg]

112. Oh well

Maybe Major was an overzealous play partner! Also I have a feeling that Joe is a pretty indulgent dog-daddy. I'll bet those dogs walk all over him!

[sheshe2]

115. Good to see you!

Thought I lost you.

[Nixie]

116. Hi she! So good to see you, too!

Sometimes I’ve seen your response, but I’m late back to a thread and didn’t want to kick it again or say something that might draw, well, you know...

But you’re one of my all-time favorites here. Thanks for saying hi!

[sheshe2]

117. I only found out tonight that you had changed your name.

Don't confuse me! I am trying to keep track of you all.

You are one of my favorites. You really are and I love you dearly.

Keep up the good work.

[Nixie]

118. That really made my day, she!

Thank you, same to you, and love you, too!

I hope all is well in your world. I’m starting the journey of taking care of my elderly mother now, and it’s a huge change in daily personal time. We’re in the process of selling her house so she can move closer to me, emptying her house, and she just got out of the hospital. Wow! Very little quiet time anymore.

So glad you said hi. I am really smiling over here. Thanks!

[sheshe2]

119. I have been doing that for three years now.

24/7 care.

Going to PM you.

[Tbear]

7. I would prefer she refers to President Biden

as President Biden, not Biden. Respect please.
She brought specific reasons for why more is needed I like that. Specific ways to pay for it would be nice, too. Or did I miss that part?

[Me.]

9. This!

[brush]

10. Yes, referring to him as "Biden" is deeply disrespectful.

As if she's on the same level as him. She should have the decency to call our Democratic president "President".

[al bupp]

15. Fair point

But I think in total, she gave clear respect. Not to mention she did the work both during the general and during the GA run-off. Let's give AOC a break, she's doing what her constituents wants, which means pushing the party to be more progressive. Despite moderate doubts to the contrary, I believe it's the right course. and, even if it's an over-reach, it ultimately serves the admin's agenda, by giving them more room for negotiation, it that's even necessary, as Joe M has also indicated support for a larger spend.

[sheshe2]

37. With all due respect, you are her constituent?

You frequent meetings and town halls in her district. If you are and do, good for you. Amazing that you know they are united as one.

However if you are not how can you possibly speak for all her constituents.

[al bupp]

42. With all due respect, I think her vote results speak for themelves

71.6% in the 2020 election.

[sheshe2]

48. So you are saying you are not her constituent.

Yet you speak for them.

Okay.

PRESIDENT Joe Biden won by 81 million votes. Not a small district, the entire United States. I will listen to the man and woman I voted for.

[al bupp]

50. I am saying that over 2/3 of voters in her district reelected her

That's a super majority, so no I am not speaking for them, they spoke for themselves.

[PatSeg]

84. Excellent point

President Biden represents not just the 81 million people who voted for him, but all Americans, not 2/3rds of one congressional district. He has to do what is best for the entire country.

Meanwhile, this is probably bothering a lot of us more than it is the President. He didn't haphazardly throw together an infrastructure plan and just throw it out there for kicks-and-giggles. A lot of time and work went into this proposal and he still has to get it through congress. There will be plenty of debate in the House and Senate and I'm sure there will be changes made. Perhaps criticism should be held back a bit until then.

[sheshe2]

102. You are 100% correct.

[div class="excerpt"He didn't haphazardly throw together an infrastructure plan and just throw it out there for kicks-and-giggles. A lot of time and work went into this proposal and he still has to get it through congress. There will be plenty of debate in the House and Senate and I'm sure there will be changes made. Perhaps criticism should be held back a bit until then.

Thank you, PatSeg.

[PatSeg]

105. You're welcome sheshe!

[Callado119]

91. Biden/Harris won more votes in her district than she did..

..That certainly speaks for itself...

[sheshe2]

103. Excellent point, Callado.

[pnwmom]

41. Her constituents don't want her to refer to him as President Biden? I doubt that. n/t

[Wanderlust988]

16. It's very disprectful. She doesn't really like Biden

And it shows. I guess he pissed in her Wheaties or something. But she needs to show proper deference if she wants to get her policies put in a bill.

[George II]

100. Yes, it's PRESIDENT Biden.

[Cha]

19. Oh, she doesn't call

him "President Biden"? I wonder why?

Thankfully 81 Million Americans Voted for him & Kamala Harris.. or we would be having a much Different Conversation now.

It sure as hell wouldn't be about how President Biden's "infrastructure" is..

Biden's Infrastructure Plan To Be The Biggest Since The New Deal

https://www.politicususa.com/2021/03/30/biden-infrastructure-biggest-new-deal.html

https://www.democraticunderground.com/100215287383

And, I've read it's only the beginning.

[sheshe2]

25. Thank you, Cha.

Plus a million.

81 million of us voted for President Biden and VP Harris. They are the ones that I will listen to.

[SheltieLover]

35. Mahalo, Cha!

Well said!

[Cha]

44. Aloha & Mahalo backatcha, Sheltie!

Important things to consider.. how hard President Biden & Team worked to get here & how fortunate we are to be right here with them!

[SheltieLover]

45. Absolutely!

Aloha. 🌺

[al bupp]

54. Did you see the interview?

If not, it's here:

https://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1017&pid=649241 (at ~29th minute).

I did, and counted three references to our president, and in 2 of them she, in fact, did say his title when referring to him. In same segment Rachel also made reference to him w/o the title once. So, this critique of her seems like a deflection from what she said, which is that the nation needs more than 2.5 billion over 8 years to address the immense needs we face, and that as the wealthiest county in the history of the planet, we can afford it and moreover, that it will be a popular and welcome thing.

I think this can be called constructive criticism.

[Celerity]

60. and the time she just said Biden first, she used President later on in the sentence (she says 'on

this really inspiring vision that the President has laid out' at the end of that long sentence). There was zero distrustful tone the entire interview, despite what some are trying to falsely claim.

here is the whole video (the segment, from MSNBC itself, so no one can claim YouTube shenanigans)

https://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow/watch/ocasio-cortez-hails-biden-infrastructure-bill-as-good-start-pitches-bigger-investment-109474885646

and Rachel herself starts out just saying Biden, not President Biden, as you already said

[Voltaire2]

85. The need to be butthurt overwhelms rational discourse

get used to it. Every damn time.

[Bettie]

98. It really does

doesn't matter what she says, the nitpickers will be all over it.

Just her existence seems to enrage some around here.

[sheshe2]

22. +infinity!

[LetMyPeopleVote]

52. I agree

I found something else to do while she was on Rachel

[chillfactor]

8. not an AOC fan

some of her demands are just plain ridiculous!

[oasis]

11. A trillion here, a trillion there, pretty soon we'll be talking real money.

[al bupp]

12. Yes, real money that the voters will thank us for! /nt

[Cha]

53. And Before you know it.. it's the biggest Infrastructure..

since FDR.. & only the beginning..

Biden's Infrastructure Plan To Be The Biggest Since The New Deal

https://www.politicususa.com/2021/03/30/biden-infrastructure-biggest-new-deal.html

https://www.democraticunderground.com/100215287383

Aloha oasis!

[oasis]

55. I put my trust in Biden's plan. His team of advisors have a better

idea on what can work and how to pay for it. If others wish to toss around alternate plans amongst themselves, be my guest. Just stay the hell out of Joe's way unless he calls on you.

Good seeing you Cha! Aloha to you.

[Cha]

56. Exactly, oasis.. Well done!

We're fortunate to have so much Experience & Qualifications on President Biden's TEAM!

Mahalo & Backatcha!

Aloha

[PatSeg]

86. Exactly

There are years of experience and knowledge behind this infrastructure plan, put together by people who really know what they are doing. Undoubtedly there will be changes made and not everyone will agree, but this is an outstanding beginning. I'd like to see MORE Democrats publicly praising the proposal, not nitpicking it the first day. There will be more than enough criticism from republicans and conservative media. Democrats need to reserve their disagreements for the floor debates.

[questionseverything]

113. According to the constitution, all spending must begin in the House of Representatives

Biden is a good man but congress is a co equal branch of government

“Waiting til he calls” is insulting and unconstitutional

[oasis]

120. Speaker Pelosi will not stand in the way of Biden's agenda.

Loyal Dem House members will jump at the chance to take part in Biden's vision of a "New Deal"

[al bupp]

13. Not ridiculous, rather expanding the Overton window

She's actually doing President Biden a favor by saying this, b/c it adds cover for the inevitable Repub complaints about the cost of the proposed plan.

[KPN]

46. I agree.

The rest of this is just noise.

[Celerity]

14. yes, it is ridiculous to say 40 billion usd (over 8 years, so 5 billion a year) for public housing

infrastructure repair nationwide is not enough (especially when JUST NYC's public housing alone needs 40 billion just to simply bring it up to code)

how ridiculous!

[al bupp]

17. Sarcasm aside

If NYC's estimated cost for this alone is 40B, then how is close to enough nationwide?

[Celerity]

36. 400,000 live in public housing of some sort in NYC, which is 1/3rd of the 1.2 million

nationwide, so I assume 120 billion usd max would fully fund it. Obviously that is not a precise number as it might be less expensive to sort a lot of it. The New York number is probably the highest per capita cost due to the nature of the physical plants themselves (high-rise, crazy high labour cost, etc).

Seems like a doable number.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_York_City_Housing_Authority



https://www.hud.gov/program_offices/public_indian_housing/programs/ph

[brush]

26. No doubt the need is there but to expect a bill to make up decades of neglect...

to the infrastructure is nor realistic. Be on the side of the president and work with him...perhaps lobby Manchin and Sinema because we know they are going to be problems just to get 2 trillion through, not to mention 40 trillion.

[Celerity]

29. in the interview, she did strike a 'I am behind Biden' pose, she just is going to push for more

to be done, whether it is in this bill or the 2nd one. She certainly was not being some 'I want it all now now NOW and this bill is shit' bomb thrower. If anyone is trying to frame that as what transpired, they are engaged in pure false framing (DEFFO NOT saying you are at all, brush, I know how words on a post can come across as unclear at times).

[brush]

31. Sometimes it's best to just say nothing and work behind the scenes.

It still upsets me that she calls him "Biden". WTH is up with that?

[Celerity]

39. People operate in different fashions and manners. The ultimate behind the scenes Senator is Sinema,

(see below) and she is a trainwreck (for instance she wants a 60 vote threshold on ALL Senate actions, smdh) waiting to happen for us. The one time she popped up onto the radar was that flippant thumbs down/curtsy tosh on that vote, which is impossible to spin as anything but a PR disaster.

As for your other issue, I can recall AOC calling him President Biden on many occasions. This board is littered with 100,000 (at least) posts/replies that use 'Biden' without the President. Perhaps start calling out every poster who does it. I have neither the time nor the inclination.

The most influential Democrat you never hear from

Kyrsten Sinema's defense of the Senate’s age-old rules is likely to frustrate progressives eager to use every tool at their disposal to advance their priorities.

https://www.politico.com/news/2021/02/12/kyrsten-sinema-democrats-468768



snip

[brush]

57. I think Sinema can be overcome. Manchin has signalled that he may be...

willing to "adjust" the filibuster rule and she will probably follow as AZ has turned slightly blue.

As for calling Joe "Biden", I do that here on this discussion board all of the time myself for brevity as I imagine many others do too. But if I were a Democratic Congressperson discussing the president, the head of my party on national TV, I would never ever show such disrepect to call him by his last name without the honorific he has earned through years of service to his country and a hard-fought election win...why it's as if I, a second-term congressperson, considered myself on the same level as the president.

It's an unpleasant display of arrogance toward the head of the Democratic Party. One expects that from republicans but not from a Democrat.

[Celerity]

58. I nust went back and re-watched the whole interview. You are so overstating what she did in terms of

what you are claiming. She was zero percent disrespectful in the slightest.

She called him President Biden and then in the rest of the interview once she said Biden, but then latter on in the long sentence called him the President. That was it.

Nothing else, nothing remotely like you are trying to paint it as. She came across as extremely knowledgeable and respectful.

Watch it for yourself

https://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow/watch/ocasio-cortez-hails-biden-infrastructure-bill-as-good-start-pitches-bigger-investment-109474885646

[brush]

61. Ok, I watched it. I had just seen the clip of her calling him "Biden" before.

Last edited Thu Apr 1, 2021, 11:37 AM - Edit history (1)

She called him "President Biden", "Biden", and "the president". I did overstate it, but she should be more careful to never call him by just his last name anymore publicly.

And pragmatism is the watch word on this. Get done what you can get done in the present climate. Fixing decades of neglected infrastructure issues is not going to happen with this one bill (and he has said this is the first part. Why is she forgetting that?). Joe has two years before mid-terms so he has to act fast as who know if we'll hold the House and Senate. If we do, then he has two more years and possibly four to try to upgrade as much of the decades of neglect as he can.

[Celerity]

62. fair enough, and thanks for the reply brush, I apologise if I came across a wee bit argy bargy

[KPN]

51. "Public housing" needs to go beyond bricks and mortar as well. The middle class is quickly being

priced out of home ownership, into dependence on private, profit driven landlords.

I don't know about where you all live, but where I live, home prices have increased 100% in less than 2 years. Most of that increase has happened in the past year -- a time period in which the stock market also saw astronomical increases from the lows of the Feb/March 2020 Covid crash. Hard for me not to think that somehow these are connected. ... Bottom line: people are being essentially evicted from already high priced rental homes because they can't afford to buy them when the renter has decided to sell them. Rentals are all being put on the market now based on the profit margin. How will this end for the little guy? I can't say, but I don't know how it can end well without some kind of intervention -- whether that be publicly subsidized low interest (2-3%) loans and grants to people who need them in light of escalating home prices together with incentives to encourage more home construction or public policy along those lines. Younger generation working class people are being totally screwed.

[msfiddlestix]

24. She's possess a brilliant mind, she seems know math exceptionally well

And I feel like I'm seeing a level of wisdom in the context of this pretty effed up political system she landed in.

All this to say, i totally agree with you. I've always admired her, even if at times I felt she wasn't seeing the importance of unity with the party prior to the election of 2020.

I've always really liked her. Loved her views, her energy, always impressed with her intellect, her wit. Sort of have a grandmotherly fondness for her in a virtual sort of way. She always delights me.

Jan 6th came and and my already broken heart, broke more for her. I felt so afraid for her. I wished I could do something to protect her.

It was a joy to see the resilience in her spirit tonight on Rachel's show. And you know, I think she had a damn good point!

[NJCher]

43. all you say plus

she has the most beautiful facial skin.
Ahh, for the days of being wrinkle-free.

But on to her point. I saw a thread where people were crabbing about saying it wasn't enough and that she should shut her mouth. I think she explained about the amount and it being over 8 years.
That cleared it up for me.

[msfiddlestix]

66. Exactly

I had not until her interview last night, even considered the scope of the bill was under financed at the amount proposed.

She opened my eyes on that front. I'm pretty bad at math, plus I'm not even close to understanding the costs required to say building one bridge, never mind the thousands of bridges alone, requiring rebuilding or repairing. And that's just bridges.

Forgetting completely about our own new Bay Bridge finished just a few years ago, and the deconstruction of the old Bay Bridge following the completion of the new one. It's a beautiful bridge, I have no idea how much that cost at the end of the day, cuz I can never wrap my mind over any amount of money reaching a billion, much less a trillion.

[BobTheSubgenius]

27. Good to have team players, when your team is worth playing for!

[demmiblue]

33. Didn't catch it, but she certainly has elderly white folk in a tizzy.

Strangely, many of which are women.

Off to look for a clip!

[Cha]

38. Oh Really? And just why

are you singling out "...elderly white folk & Strangely, many of which are women.."

And, what does that have to do with anyone who disagrees with her POV?

[betsuni]

40. Wait, I thought the scripted personal insult was elderly white WEALTHY women.

Remember the days when we were paid by David Brock?

[Cha]

49. Oh that's right! I Was

kinda surprised to see ".. "...elderly white folk & Strangely, many of which are women.." called out for having a difference of Opinion!

Is no one allowed to have a different opinion without their age group & gender being questioned?

[betsuni]

59. Some kind of "identity politics" insult thing?

It's weird.

[PatSeg]

88. Yes, that was really a very peculiar thing to say

Maybe I should just go sit in the corner and shut up?

Ah well, that's not going to happen!

That said, I didn't become more moderate as I got older. I am just as progressive as I was when I was young, actually more so. I have a better understanding of history and government and I know we can't change the world with idealistic intentions alone. Our greatest leaders were pragmatic visionaries, who knew how to actually make things happen in the real world. I think we have such a person in the White House right now.

[Cha]

92. Exactly, Well said! We learn

how to get things done as we grow older.. if we're lucky!

[PatSeg]

95. Yes, if we're lucky

Not all I'm afraid.

When I hear young idealistic people talk about progressive change, it takes me back to my own youth. I knew how I felt and what I thought was right or wrong, but I really didn't know how to make things happen. A Cat Stevens song pops in my head frequently:

"I was once like you are now
And I know that it's not easy
To be calm when you've found
Something going on
But take your time, think a lot
Think of everything you've got
For you will still be here tomorrow
But your dreams may not"

And:

"Oh very young
What will you leave us this time"

Now I see it all from a different perspective and I think we need both perspectives.

[betsuni]

107. For a while it was fashionable for some people to call themselves "FDR Democrats"

as if FDR/LBJ were revolutionary democratic socialist heroes and not the pragmatic Liberal Democratic "establishment" who knew how to compromise to get things done that they were, and more recently, President Obama was. Now Biden.

It's a shame anyone fell for that nonsense that only divides us and helps Republicans.

[PatSeg]

110. And you know,

when I was much younger, I didn't realize what skilled and pragmatic politicians they were. In my idealistic youthful exuberance, I only saw revolutionary liberal reformers. The same with Abraham Lincoln. I saw a philosophic, inspired president, a gentle giant, not realizing what an incredible politician he was. Without his extraordinary political skills, he would have never become president in the first place.

Unfortunately the ugly side of politics IS politics. You can't achieve your goals for the country if you can't get elected.

[RandySF]

47. AOC was glowing like my wife did when she was three months pregnant.

[Tbear]

63. I like to think that President Biden is restoring the White House

honor.
I like Representative Ortega-Cortez.
I really like her response to the Texas snowstorm emergency.

[Rhiannon12866]

64. Here's the video for those who missed it:

AOC Hails Biden Infrastructure Bill As Good Start; Pitches Bigger Investment - Rachel Maddow - MSNBC
https://www.democraticunderground.com/1017649265

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez talks with Rachel Maddow about the Biden administration's proposed infrastructure bill and why she thinks it needs to have a more immediate impact for voters and make a significantly bigger investment. Aired on 03/31/2021.

[jcmaine72]

65. Our future President n/t

[Demsrule86]

70. She won't be president. She is smart and more than capable but she can't win a statewide or

national primary/election. She won't make it out of the primary. I like her usually, but she won't win statewide in New York IMHO. She will be very useful in the House and will have significant influence in time. I hope that in the years to come we are able to move in a more progressive direction...but it hasn't happened yet. The best way to do this it keep winning elections and passing good policy. We must remain united. I felt that AOC's words were not helpful in this regard.

[PatSeg]

89. Well said

"The best way to do this it keep winning elections and passing good policy. We must remain united."

We need to remember our priorities. Republicans will use any weakness we show against us.

[Demsrule86]

94. They will...next we will here how the left is abandoning Biden...fact is we have a50 50

majority. Biden has done wonderfully well...he accomplished important policy we have been trying forty years to get.

[PatSeg]

96. I keep hearing the same thing over and over again

"He keeps exceeding all my expectations." That applies to me as well and my expectations were already very high. There is more to come, but we have to pay attention to the midterms and keep majorities in the House and Senate. This is no time to get caught up in distractions and petty disagreements, which can and should be addressed more on the floors of congress and less in the media.

[Demsrule86]

122. He has exceeded mine also. I would be annoyed with any House member that went on

MSNBC and complained about what is the largest bill since the depression... which I believe will cause division.

[PatSeg]

123. Yes, it is counterproductive

Democrats should be praising and celebrating this proposed bill today, then built on it or make adjustments later. Show the public that Democratic lawmakers are focused and united for the American people, not constantly squabbling among themselves. Our message needs to be clearer and more consistent.

Obviously, we are not mindless sheep like republicans, but not all our disagreements need to be aired on cable TV every day. It gives the impression to many that we are a party in disarray, even though I don't think we are. Debate the differences in committee or on the House or Senate floor. Taking them to a television audience first comes across as political opportunism and showboating. Meanwhile, republicans love it and will exploit it every chance they get.

So many politicians get so enthralled with the sound of their own voice, they fail to hear what the voters are hearing.

[Demsrule86]

127. This sort of thing is one reason we lost in 2010,2014 and 2016.

[PatSeg]

129. Yes, I'm afraid you're right

Hopefully this time, a clearer message from the top might make a difference, plus I think four years of Trump may have shook things up enough that perhaps Democratic lawmakers can stay focused. Our democracy probably wouldn't survive another administration like Trump.

[Demsrule86]

131. I am optimistic also.

I think if we get some policy, we will win.

[Autumn]

90. No one can ever win a statewide or a national primary/election. Until they do.

Don't give up your day job to become a seer. You are one person. Others, like me, thinks that she did a great job taking up Biden's plans and her words were inspiring, not harmful. To me she showed unity.

[Demsrule86]

93. I disagree. And no need to insult those who's opinion differs from yours.

Look at the states and how elections are won today. She could not win a statewide race in NY IMHO much less a presidential primary. Her district is deep blue and she can win that easily. You like her I get that but this is at best a center left country. I like her too...she is smart. Perhaps if we work hard enough at the grass roots and keep electing Democrats no matter what, we will be able to elect more progressive candidates...but I look at the states and it is pretty depressing.

[Autumn]

108. You make that statement often that AOC can't win an election outside of

her district whenever mention is made of her winning a higher office. That is your opinion, not a fact.

[Demsrule86]

121. She can't at the moment. Could that change? Sure. But right now she can win only in

a deep blue district. New York is a liberal City. New York state is not. You have to be able to win statewide. Sen. Gillibrand started as a moderate/conservative in upstate New York you know. Now, I used to live in New York...lived upstate and in the city.

And ask yourself this...let's suppose that AOC ran for president in the next few years. Assume she wins a primary. Do you think she could win the blue wall states which are essential in order to win the presidency?

[Kid Berwyn]

75. I'm hoping so, too.

Lots of charisma, energy and intelligence.

No wonder so many don’t like her.

[George II]

67. "Upping" it? That was 5X what Biden is proposing. I hope she has some numbers on:

Where the money will be spent
Where the money will come from

$10T is a LOT of money - double the Federal budget right now.

[al bupp]

72. She's proposing it be 10T over a period of years

I believe that the admin's proposal is 2.5T over 8 years.

[George II]

73. Did she say what the money was to be used for or where it would come from? Biden did.

[al bupp]

77. She thinks the President's proposal is impressive & inspiring

She wants to expand the monies available for a number of its initiatives, such as bringing public housing stock up to code and addressing climate change. She did not in here 5-10 minute interview say where she thought the money could come from, though she does think there's significant appetite for increasing the amounts among the caucus. I say good for her for pushing the envelope of the discussion. If anything it gives the admin some breathing room on the politics.

[George II]

79. In other words she didn't say what the money was to be used for or where it would come from. Tks.

[al bupp]

87. Your reply, sir, tells me are not interested in a discussion of the details

Let me know when you'd like to do so.

[George II]

104. Not true, but perhaps others aren't? Here are some unmentioned details of President Biden's plan...

The $2.2T is a first phase, to be followed by another phase raising it to $4T total
There is dollar-for-dollar private investment included, which would raise it to $8T
It's not a 10-year plan, it's an 8-year plan

That's entirely different from what some are talking about, and the "not enough" claim is inaccurate.

[Demsrule86]

68. There is only so much we can get. AOC does not understand that...not every has her

views. I think it is a great plan. And I am disappointed in AOC, honestly. She is smart and all but surely she can count votes.

[George II]

71. And only hours after President Biden released his proposal.

[Demsrule86]

126. Yep, the timing was quite interesting indeed.

[George II]

128. It wasn't even time enough people to see what was actually IN the proposal. This has been posted....

....several times in the last day or so.

Biden's proposal:

ISN'T over 10 years, it's over 8 years
ISN'T just $2.2T, it's that plus the second phase to be announced in a couple of weeks, total $4.0T
There is a private investment dollar-for-dollar match, bringing the total to $8.0T

So, which is better?

$10T over 10 years, ALL taxpayer money or $8T over 8 years, only HALF being taxpayer money

[Hortensis]

124. Problem is, she DOES understand that.

How many vulnerable to disappointment and disaffection, who've often not voted because they didn't think there was anything to vote for, heard the insidious old message that, "Democrats could do what we really need if they only would, but they won't."

What they badly need from Ocasio-Cortez is reassurance that Democrats are doing big things. Convincing them that we can do more than is actually possible makes them unhappy and look for something else to believe in.

[Demsrule86]

125. You are right. And that is exactly why I was unhappy about the interview. Surely, she can see

there are limitations to what we can do. I am not sure she could even get such a bill passed in the House. Such sentiments discourage Democratic voters.

[CrackityJones75]

69. It is a two phase program...

did she go into that?

[al bupp]

74. She did mention that the plan is to implement program over a number of years

She was quite laudatory regarding the proposal's scope and breathe of vision. She simply thinks the circumstances we're in & challenges we face warrant an even bolder program of government spending over the coming years.

[CrackityJones75]

97. I get that but this is the biggest in a LONG time.

[Autumn]

76. AOC has Biden's back. And ours. I'm always happy to see her talking up what needs to be done. .

[tonedevil]

130. She did a great job...

despite what the naysaying committee says here.