A Democrat has opened fire on Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez as the New York lawmaker is headlining a nationwide political tour with Bernie Sanders.
Sen. Elissa Slotkin, D-Mich., who was a representative in the House like AOC until November, doesn’t appear to believe that the progressive ‘Squad’ founder has made a meaningful impact and instead has ‘a lot of words.’
During a town hall the senator hosted this week she was peppered with questions asking why she was not standing up to Donald Trump more fervently like Sanders and the squad leader.
The pair have traveled across the U.S. to Arizona and Colorado to speak to arenas full of supporters on their ‘Fighting Oligarchy Tour.’
Slotkin told a crowd: ‘Things require me to be more than just an AOC.’
‘I can’t do what she does because we live in a purple state and I’m a pragmatist.’
During another exchange with a constituent that included references to Sanders, AOC and Rep. Jasmine Crockett, D-Texas, Slotkin shot off another dart toward the progressives and self-proclaimed democratic socialist.
‘Everyone you mentioned has a lot of words, but what if they actually done to change the situation with Donald Trump?’ the new senator said.
The Democratic Party infighting is emblematic of wider soul-searching.
While AOC and Sanders are on tour, California Gov. Gain Newsom has launched a podcast where he regularly argues with Republicans and is seemingly reforming his hyper-liberal stances to more moderate positions.
Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer, meanwhile, has recently fallen from grace after not opposing a Republican-led spending package in recent weeks.
Many in his party, like AOC, have ripped him for not stopping the bill, an action that would’ve forced a government shutdown.
As for the previous administration, Biden and Harris have gone quietly away, for now.
Amid this tumult AOC has become a favorite in the polls to lead the party.
The latest CNN poll asked Democrats and Democratic-leaning Independents which person best reflects the core values of the Democratic Party today.
Ocasio-Cortez, 35, came in first place among all respondents. She beat out Kamala Harris and, Sanders, Barrack Obama, Crockett and more.
Ocasio-Cortez, 35, came in first place with ten percent while Harris was second with nine percent.
Newsom, former Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Slotkin and Schumer were all tied at two percent.
Ocasio-Cortez and Sanders will host another tour event Saturday in Tucson, Arizona.