More liberals want AOC in charge.
In a recent broadcast of Inside with Jen Psaki, the former Biden press secretary scolded Democrats for missing an important opportunity to revitalize their party after their disappointing 2024 election loss. Psaki argued that by passing over Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) for the top spot on the House Oversight Committee, Democrats failed to embrace the lessons they should have learned from the election results.
Instead of selecting Ocasio-Cortez, a young, dynamic, and media-savvy member who has become a symbol of the party’s progressive wing, Democrats chose Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-Va.), a much older figure backed by former Speaker Nancy Pelosi. “Why does this matter?” Psaki asked. She pointed out that the House Oversight Committee is one of the few congressional panels that receives significant national attention, making it a prime platform for media engagement. Under Rep. Jamie Raskin, the committee became a major avenue for countering Republican narratives. Yet, rather than placing a rising star like Ocasio-Cortez in a key public leadership role, the Democrats opted for Connolly, who, at 74 years old, represents the old guard of the party.
The vote was seen as a blow to the party’s younger, more progressive wing. Ocasio-Cortez, at just 35 years old, has emerged as a prominent voice within the Democratic Party, yet was sidelined in favor of a more established figure. This decision has sparked frustration within the party, with many criticizing the refusal to embrace fresh talent. Some have even argued that this rejection of youthful leadership is a symptom of a larger problem within the Democratic Party—a deepening divide between the older establishment and the younger, more progressive members.
Rep. Dean Phillips (D-Minn.), who is soon retiring from Congress, voiced similar concerns, lamenting the party’s failure to elevate young, ambitious talent. He warned that by keeping younger leaders on the sidelines, the party risks losing a generation of capable individuals who could help lead the nation forward. “When we lose that kind of talent, we’re in trouble,” Phillips said.
While Democrats may dismiss these concerns as a “false narrative,” as Connolly did in his defense, the tension between the party’s older and younger factions is growing. This divide could have serious implications for the future of the Democratic Party, especially as the GOP continues to build momentum with its more youthful, energetic leadership.