Democratic socialist darling Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who is running for a House district seat in New York, has been a lightning rod in American politics since her candidacy first took off. (Time will tell whether or not she’s a flash in the pan.)
But after a number of instantly classic gaffes — such as her view that unemployment is so low in the Trump economy because people are working “two jobs” — she’s grabbed more attention than she bargained for, perhaps.
Editor Ben Shapiro of The Daily Wire, for example, riffed on a CRTV faux interview with Allie Beth Stuckey in his own satirical take on Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s awkward interviews.
And Shapiro offered her a challenge earlier this week: If she would appear with him for a one-hour discussion on his podcast, “Ben Shapiro Sunday Special,” he would donate $10,000 to her congressional campaign — or she could use the debate as a vehicle to donate to charity.
Ryan Saavedra of The Daily Wire tweeted about the $10,000 challenge to the Democratic candidate, noting she had so far refused to accept it.
Just like catcalling, I don’t owe a response to unsolicited requests from men with bad intentions.
And also like catcalling, for some reason they feel entitled to one. pic.twitter.com/rsD17Oq9qe
— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@Ocasio2018) August 10, 2018
And then Ocasio-Cortez responded: “Just like catcalling, I don’t owe a response to unsolicited requests from men with bad intentions. And also like catcalling, for some reason they feel entitled to one.“
The tweet skyrocketed by Thursday night, garnering over a 118,000 “likes” within 12 hours.
It’s obvious why: She drew an unflattering analogy to being tweeted.
Liz Wheeler, a One America News host, fired back:
You know what's bad faith? Accusing conservatives of not wanting to debate you, then pretending @benshapiro sexually whistled at you… because he asked you to debate.
FYI my team has also asked you multiple times to come on my show & debate. And you won't. https://t.co/kTh7v4x64y
— Liz Wheeler (@Liz_Wheeler) August 10, 2018
And Free Beacon reporter Natalie Johnson had her own fiery retort.
For one, this statement is the biggest disservice to women who want to be taken seriously in politics, but more importantly, you’re undermining women who have been sexually harassed. How dare you.
— Natalie Johnson (@nataliejohnsonn) August 10, 2018
Erielle Davidson, a contributor to Townhall and The Federalist, gave a fierce rebuttal.
Crying sexism in order to avoid a debate of ideas is not a feminism I want any part of.
— Erielle Davidson (@politicalelle) August 10, 2018
Allie Beth Stuckey also weighed in on the matter.
It’s not about “owing” a response. It’s about stepping up to the plate and defending your platform against someone who doesn’t agree with you. If by “bad intentions,” you mean @benshapiro wants to have a civil debate, then sure. How evil. https://t.co/ulb5L7HAYm
— Allie Beth Stuckey (@conservmillen) August 10, 2018
Ben Shapiro issued his own blunt response.
But sure, go with “the Orthodox Jew who has never catcalled a woman in his life is ACKSHUALLY a sexist catcaller for asking for a discussion or debate.” I’m sure your media sycophants will eat it up.
— Ben Shapiro (@benshapiro) August 10, 2018
If this is the direction the Democratic Party is taking, expect Ocasio-Cortez to remain a rising star for all the wrong reasons.
Related: Filmmaker Apologizes for Calling Conservative Ben Shapiro a ‘Genuine Person’
It’s not just that she is prone to extravagant language. She also appears to have little grasp of how to defend her ideas in the face of intellectual opposition.
(photo credit, homepage and article images: Ben Shapiro, CC BY-SA 2.0, Cropped/Collage, Gage Skidmore)
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