Former Vice President Joe Biden had some harsh words for Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.), calling her Medicare for All ambitions “irrational” and suggesting that she doesn’t represent Democrats as a whole, even though she’s “bright” and “brilliant.”
He made these comments and more in a Friday interview with CNN’s Chris Cuomo in Des Moines, Iowa.
Biden is facing a tough Democratic primary with the progressive wing of the Democratic Party increasingly unwilling to support moderate candidates.
Now, it appears Biden is ready to go on the offense.
Related: Biden Blasts Trump for Salute to America
While AOC isn’t running for president (she’s actually not old enough to run), her “way Left” political brand appeals to many Democrats.
Biden, on the other hand, subscribes to a more centrist-oriented brand of politics.
And while many Democratic candidates have been veering Left in an effort to appeal to the progressive wing, Biden has stuck to the middle road.
Biden believes he best represents the Democratic Party.
And he argues that by sticking close to the center, he can set himself apart from the other candidates.
Related: Kamala Harris Stars in Her Own T-Shirt Ad While Joe Biden Fades
Biden noted that in the 2018 midterms, many of the Democrats’ victories were actually secured by more moderate Democrats, not left-wing firebrands like AOC.
Biden also admitted he was unprepared for the challenge by Sen. Kamala Harris (D-Calif.) over his previous opposition to busing.
Biden has seen his support in Iowa polls and other polls decline following his poor debate performance.
Some donors are also abandoning him, demanding that he perform better before they’ll invest in his campaign.
Left-wing voters appear to be divided among Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Sen. Kamala Harris (D-Calif.), and other candidates.
For now, Biden remains the frontrunner, and it appears that it’s largely because centrists continue to support him.
Meanwhile, left-wing voters appear to be divided up among Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Harris, and other candidates.
If progressive voters were to rally behind one candidate, that candidate might be able to overtake Biden.
Brian Brinker is a political consultant and has an M.A. in global affairs from American University. This OpsLens piece is used by permission.
Read more at OpsLens:
Pilot Testimony of F-35 Combats Doubts
Mississippi Triples Consequences for Anti-Police Crimes
FDNY Employs Fire Drone in a First for Urban Firefighting Operations
The opinions expressed by contributors and/or content partners are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of LifeZette.
Join the Discussion
COMMENTS POLICY: We have no tolerance for messages of violence, racism, vulgarity, obscenity or other such discourteous behavior. Thank you for contributing to a respectful and useful online dialogue.