Far-left Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez sees a bright side to the progressive movement that has chosen not to vote for President Biden in the Democratic primaries due to his handling of the Israel-Hamas war. Despite hundreds of thousands opting for the “uncommitted” option in protest, Ocasio-Cortez believes that this movement shows a refusal to give in to cynicism and walk away from the political process. She acknowledges that those involved could easily have chosen to disengage but sees potential in their continued engagement within the Democratic Party.
President Biden faced backlash in February when over 100,000 voters in Michigan chose the “uncommitted” option in the Democratic primary as a form of protest against his support of Israel following a Hamas attack. This trend continued in other battleground states such as Minnesota and Wisconsin, with significant numbers voting “uncommitted” or “uninstructed.” Despite this, Ocasio-Cortez believes that many of these voters also understand the threat of a Donald Trump presidency and are likely to support Biden in the general election.
Ocasio-Cortez emphasizes the importance of addressing the concerns of those involved in the “uncommitted” movement in order to bring people together within the Democratic Party. She believes that allowing people to feel seen and heard is a crucial step toward unity, especially in preparation for the general election in November. By acknowledging and engaging with these concerns now, Ocasio-Cortez hopes to prevent potential voter disengagement in the upcoming election.
While President Biden has adjusted his stance on Israel in response to criticism, he continues to face scrutiny for his handling of the conflict. Ocasio-Cortez has also been vocal in her criticisms of Israel’s actions during the war, going so far as to accuse the country of carrying out a genocide in Gaza. Despite facing backlash for her strong rhetoric, she stands by her statements and believes that highlighting the humanitarian crisis in Gaza is essential for addressing the situation.
Ocasio-Cortez commends Biden for his increasing urgency on the Israel-Hamas issue and describes him as a man of tremendous empathy. She notes that she has spoken with him on the matter and believes that he is beginning to understand the gravity of the situation. Ocasio-Cortez is part of a group of progressive lawmakers known as the “Squad” who have been vocal in their criticisms of Israel. Some members of the Squad are facing primary challenges motivated by their views on the conflict, highlighting the division within the Democratic Party on this issue.
In late March, Ocasio-Cortez and other members of the Squad participated in a fundraiser for Biden, demonstrating their continued support for the Democratic Party despite their disagreements. The fundraiser, moderated by Stephen Colbert and featuring former Presidents Obama and Clinton, raised $26 million for Biden’s campaign. Ocasio-Cortez’s commitment to engaging with the Democratic Party and advocating for progressive causes within the party reflects her ongoing efforts to create change from within the political system.
