Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is slated to deliver the opening remarks at Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani’s inauguration, with Senator Bernie Sanders administering the oath of office. The inauguration will be a public block party on Broadway, unlike past ceremonies, and is meant to include all New Yorkers. Mamdani, who campaigned on a platform of affordability, also faced criticism during his campaign.
Following the release of a poll suggesting a close race between herself and the Vice President, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez asserted she would “stomp” JD Vance in a presidential election. While downplaying the significance of polls conducted years in advance, the congresswoman made this bold statement as she departed the US Capitol. This claim positions her as a potential frontrunner for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2028, alongside other prominent figures like Kamala Harris and Gavin Newsom. Public perception considers Ocasio-Cortez to be an important political figure.
A new poll indicates a close race in a hypothetical 2028 presidential matchup between Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and JD Vance, with Ocasio-Cortez holding a slight 51% to 49% lead. The poll, conducted between December 5 and 11, shows a statistically tied result within the margin of error, suggesting a highly competitive election. While Vance is favored by white voters, Ocasio-Cortez leads among Black and Hispanic voters and college-educated individuals.
In a controversial turn of events, New York City Council member Chi Ossé will not challenge Representative Hakeem Jeffries in the 2026 Democratic primary, despite earlier considerations and the support of some. This decision followed intervention from Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, influencing a narrow vote against Ossé’s candidacy at a Democratic Socialists of America forum. The article argues that Jeffries is a weak leader with problematic stances on key issues and a record of suppressing socialist candidates, and that the lack of a primary challenge will be to the detriment of the public. Ultimately, the article posits that even if a challenger is not victorious, a primary election is a valuable exercise for socialists.
Laura Ingraham of Fox News has cautioned Republicans that Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is strategically building a powerful political operation, potentially setting the stage for a presidential run in 2028. This speculation is fueled by Ocasio-Cortez’s fundraising efforts, growing social media presence, and visits to key battleground states. Several political analysts and figures, including Senator Bernie Sanders and political commentator Chris Cillizza, have acknowledged her potential as a strong candidate. The congresswoman’s decision regarding her political future is poised to significantly impact her party’s trajectory in the coming years.
Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has stated the federal government should not bail out the artificial intelligence industry, citing potential economic instability mirroring the 2008 financial crisis. Echoing industry concerns, she noted the AI investment boom may be a bubble, and a bailout would be unconscionable while denying essential resources to everyday Americans. Similar concerns were raised by Senator Elizabeth Warren regarding potential plans to use taxpayer funds to support AI companies. There are worries the Trump administration may be favoring AI executives with regulatory changes and public funds.
Amidst growing dissatisfaction, some Democrats are urging Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez to challenge Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, despite his re-election not being until 2028. This push is fueled by frustration over Schumer’s leadership, particularly after several Senate Democrats voted with Republicans on a recent government shutdown. Furthermore, low approval ratings for Schumer in New York and Ocasio-Cortez’s rising popularity have contributed to the calls for a change in leadership. Some strategists believe Ocasio-Cortez possesses the dynamism and communication skills to successfully unseat Schumer in a primary.
In a recent exchange, former President Donald Trump criticized Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, alleging she possesses a low IQ and challenging her to take a cognitive test. Ocasio-Cortez responded on social media, mocking Trump by alluding to the clock drawing test, a component of cognitive assessments. This follows Ocasio-Cortez’s strategy of using mockery to address perceived insecurities within the Republican party, which she views as a tactic to counter what she considers authoritarian tendencies. She encourages her supporters to utilize this approach.
Senator Bernie Sanders suggested that Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez could be a potential presidential candidate in 2028, citing her authenticity and strong political skills. Sanders observed her effectiveness on the campaign trail, particularly during their recent “Fighting Oligarchy” tour, which drew large crowds. The progressive wing of the Democratic Party is looking for a successor to Sanders. While she currently has a 12% chance of clinching the nomination, she has been involved in the public conversation, and has recently suggested mockery as a way to counter the MAGA movement.
In a recent YouGov ranking, Donald Trump’s popularity has fallen below Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, with Trump now in 13th place and Ocasio-Cortez in sixth. This shift represents a significant change, as Trump previously held a higher position than the New York Democrat. While Trump’s ranking improved, his popularity slightly decreased, and Ocasio-Cortez experienced a considerable surge in both ranking and positive opinion. Experts suggest this is due to his policies being divisive, along with Ocasio-Cortez being a strong media player who is gaining public attention.
John Q. Hosedrinker