Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez takes aim at AIPAC after Jamaal Bowman's loss
By: Nick Robertson (The Hill)
S E E D E D C O N T E N T
by Nick Robertson - 06/26/24 6:50 PM ET
by Nick Robertson - 06/26/24 6:50 PM ET
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) slammed AIPAC for pouring tens of millions into Rep. Jamaal Bowman's (D-N.Y.) divisive primary race on Wednesday after Bowman lost the primary to a more moderate Democrat.
Bowman, a second-term progressive, faced tough opposition from the pro-Israel political advocacy group AIPAC because of his criticism of the Israeli government. The group, which has historically funded more Republicans than Democrats and rarely spent on Democratic primaries, spent at least $14.5 million against Bowman.
"This was about $20 million in big money being spent in a historic sum, unlike any seen in American history. Point-blank. Period," Ocasio-Cortez told reporters from the Capitol on Wednesday.
"I think we need to have a real conversation about the AIPAC," she continued. "I think that what we do need to have a real conversation about is how a Republican, primarily Republican and largely Republican-financed organization is playing and dumping money and playing an extremely divisive role in the Democratic Party."
Multiple mainstream Democrats lined up behind Westchester County Executive George Latimer's primary challenge, including Hillary Clinton. Israel policy was front and center in the race, with Latimer a strong supporter of Israel.
Bowman also faced redistricting this election cycle, making his reelection bid more difficult. His new district featured less of the deep-blue North Bronx and more of the significantly more moderate Westchester County.
Ocasio-Cortez remarked that beyond impacting primaries, AIPAC's influence on Bowman's race and others could also bear fruit in the general election.
"It makes it much harder for us to coalition-build and to create the winning coalitions," she said. "We need that energy and coalition of a progressive base in order to make sure that we win statewide and federally, and Republicans are pouring money to finance these [primary fights] for a reason."
"Because people and representatives like Jamaal Bowman can move and reach communities that many other areas of the Democratic Party cannot," she continued. "And so if Republicans can finance taking people like that off the board, they can also make it easier for themselves in November."
Rep. Cori Bush (D-Mo.), another progressive who faces her own primary challenge where Israel policy has played a key role, similarly denounced the influence of AIPAC on Bowman's loss on Wednesday.
"AIPAC and their allies — backed by far-right Donald Trump megadonors — poured a tidal wave of cash into this primary race showing us just how desperate these billionaire extremists are in their attempts to buy our democracy, promote their own gain, and silence the voices of progress and justice," she wrote in a statement. "There should be no question about the need to get Big Money out of politics."
After winning the primary Tuesday, Latimer is expected to be easily elected in November.
Tags AIPAC Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Cori Bush Israel Jamaal Bowman money in politics New York Progressives
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Sounds like AOC is just a tad miffed one of her fellow Squad member has met their political demise.
And to think it came at the hands of a fellow Democrat!
Coalition-build?
LMAO!
Yeah, but if they poured that amount of money into her campaign fund she'd have zero problem. She's as much a anti Semite as Bowman is. What a dweeb and a hypocrite AOC is!
As far as I'm concerned the whole damn "Squad" can lose their seats, and Bernie Sanders as well.
One down-- one to go.
(Ayanna Pressley-- and for similar reasons )
Why only one to go?
Wasn't this tactic used by DNC supporting PAC's in an election past to get the most radical MAGA candidates on the ballot in more moderate states and districts to insure a democratic party win?
Seems OK when they do it. Surprise surprise.
Yep.
It your basic case of "Do what I say-- not what I do!"
Well, yes, but that is totally different because Democrats always do that type of thing for such noble causes and are just trying to save democracy, don't ya know!
They loved to manipulate primaries. The problem with primaries is that not enough people take an interest in them.
In some states, presidential primaries are not open to registered Independents. In Arizona I cannot vote in primaries but I can vote in the general election. I have never been able to get a reasonable or logical explanation that makes sense for that.
That’s some mighty bullshit there.
I just found out that Arizona ammended it's voting regs a few weeks ago to allow Independents to vote in it's primaries.
Good.
Same here for me, doesn't bother me though, I figure let the parties vote for who is on the general ballot and I get to chose then , if I really think a candidate is worth it I can register with a party.
So in true democrat fashion, its somebody elses fault.
Hilarious that the Republicans are responsible for a Democrat losing a primary to another Democrat.
I am not confident any of her brain cells are actually connected to one another.
And what pathetic is they actually believe that.
I didn't know single cell organisms could connect like that.
Hopefully it will soon be time for AOC to update her resume to get another bartending job although I am not sure being a do nothing congressperson will help her get a job.
AOC can always get a job bartending at a bar frequented by Republicans, remember, they all want to date her!
Lol I saw a joke article posted somewhere touting the MABA movement
Make Alexandra Bartend Again.
I’m shocked anyone takes this hack serious but no more than her buddies Tlaib and Omar.
Complete wastes of oxygen ….. all
Agreed. But to be fair, the Republicans have their share of idiots also. Just look at MTG and Boebert.
"Ali? Hey Babe - there's some Crowley guy on the phone looking for you."
The AIPAC is primarily a Republican PAC? Since when?
They are pro Israeli lobby group that funds politicians who are pro Israeli. Most of their money goes to Democrat candidates- go figure.
AOC is correct that foreign money and influence must be removed from our elections; but she completely missed the mark again, like normal, with her comment.