General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: AOC and other new House progressives are tweeting their dissatisfaction with orientation at Harvard [View all]Tom Rinaldo
(22,912 posts)I don't blame AOC. She not only is doing what virtually all politicians do to increase their leverage (maximize their public footprint) and she is using her celebrity to shine light on issues of income inequality and corporate dominance that otherwise receive too little media attention.
We line in a celebrity oriented media environment and culture. That worked to our advantage when it boosted the public standing of Barack Obama before he ran for president - because he is such a force for good in our nation. It worked to our disadvantage when it boosted the public standing of Donald Trump before he ran for president - because he is such a force for evil in our nation.
AOC became a celebrity because she 1) is the youngest female ever elected to Congress and 2) she unexpectedly defeated a very powerful Democratic incumbent in a primary and 3) acts like a breath of fresh air compared to most politics as usual (she is not alone in this regard among the freshman class of new Democratic Representatives.)
There are others who are very well equipped to share this new spotlight with her. I'm seeing some indication (this latest statement among them) that AOC is making some moves to share her new stage with others. That is a good move that will help make them all more powerful