General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsAOC - you are a breath of fresh air
Intelligent, informed and unafraid. That was terrific.
apcalc
(4,461 posts)malaise
(267,823 posts)when the young person has done the home work. She is going to drive some of them insane.
Her Puerto Rican connections make it even more delish because they'd love to treat her the way they treat immigrants from the Southern Border.
Damn she is good! You go girl!!!
chowder66
(9,011 posts)malaise
(267,823 posts)She killed it indeed
InAbLuEsTaTe
(24,110 posts)A true rock star in the making!!
dhill926
(16,234 posts)first time I've really seen her speak. Dayum!
malaise
(267,823 posts)InAbLuEsTaTe
(24,110 posts)watoos
(7,142 posts)Something that is extremely important.
slumcamper
(1,603 posts)The GOP is exhibiting serious AOC derangement.
She's already EFFECTIVE. Good on her!
InAbLuEsTaTe
(24,110 posts)lunatica
(53,410 posts)It was a thing of beauty.
BlancheSplanchnik
(20,219 posts)druidity33
(6,435 posts)both times i tried to watch that video it shut down my browser (Safari).
I'll try and find another link i guess.
bdamomma
(63,657 posts)Marie Marie
(9,999 posts)DeminPennswoods
(15,246 posts)nt
Roadside Attraction
(238 posts)Kicked that muthfukah's ass.
MontanaMama
(23,239 posts)theyre afraid of her. If they werent afraid, they would ignore her. AOC is bold and unafraid. Will she make mistakes? Yes. Who among us didnt make mistakes as a twenty something? Glad the eyes of the nation arent on me, Id probably sorely disappoint and Im 54 freaking years old. I look forward to seeing what AOC brings to the conversation. She was wonderful tonight.
lunatica
(53,410 posts)Response to malaise (Original post)
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Response to Post removed (Reply #14)
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George II
(67,782 posts)...the 4th largest state in the country.
"Institutional misogyny at play."? What exactly is that? What does "misogyny" have to do with that at all?
EffieBlack
(14,249 posts)Last edited Wed Jan 9, 2019, 11:14 AM - Edit history (1)
downplayed his rock star status, made a point of collaborating with his colleagues, and consistently pointed out how far down the seniority list he was. Hillary took the same approach her first couple of years.
Response to EffieBlack (Reply #28)
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RandiFan1290
(6,206 posts)Ani Yun Wiya
(797 posts)Exactly what is it about being in Congress that requires years of learning ?
Or do you think this women needs to be taught how it is that things are done ?
And exactly what experience did the First Continental Congress have ?
dansolo
(5,376 posts)Her job is more than just be an advocate. I'd like to see her actually author some bills, get co-sponsors, and work to get the bills passed. That is what people are asking her to do. She is no longer campaigning for the job. She has it. Now she needs to do her job. It seems like she'd rather criticize what other people are not doing and lavishing in all the media attention. She is a member of Congess now, and now she has the special priviledge of being able to write legislation and work to get it passed.
Ani Yun Wiya
(797 posts)To me that indicates that she is also capable of writing.
There is so much that has NOT been done for so long, perhaps there is much criticism due.
EffieBlack
(14,249 posts)Otherwise even close.
ehrnst
(32,640 posts)It's different than campaigning, and I think that really surprises some people.
EffieBlack
(14,249 posts)Last edited Wed Jan 9, 2019, 11:16 AM - Edit history (1)
And s/he's absolutely right. Being in Congress is more than being a public advocate - much more.
As Dansolo said, legislating is a huge part of it. And that doesn't just mean proposing ideas. It means actually writing creating legislation, which requires tremendous work even before a bill is actually written which can take months and then even years. Legislators work with other Members, guide and oversee their legislative staff as they work with other Members' staffs, meet with experts and constituents, work with the Legislative Counsel's office to develop draft after draft to ensure the bills are constitutionally and legally sound and consistent, conduct extensive outreach to and coordination with outside groups and individuals to build support, and engage with other Members to gather co-sponsors and votes, among other things.
And that's just one aspect of legislating. It doesn't even touch working with other Members on THEIR legislation, creating a mechanism for sifting through and determining which of the thousands of OPBs (other people's bills) to co-sponsor. Not to mention getting up to speed on all of the bills on the floor and in committee that she has to vote on.
And speaking of committees, most new Members serve on two. Committee work is very grueling and requires a steep learning curve for even the sharpest and most intelligent Members.
Then there's work to be done on behalf of her district, such as business development, environmental protection matters, tax issues and bringing home money for local projects through appropriations, grants and other funding mechanisms, many of which require great knowledge and skills to to find, apply for and secure.
And that's on top of delivering prompt, thorough and expert constituent services, without which, regardless how big a superstar they are, a new Member will likely be voted out of office by voters who couldn't care less how often their representative is on national television or how popular they are with the base or how much they piss off the opposing party, if they can't help them get their veterans benefit snafu resolved.
Good constituent services requires a strong infrastructure in their DC and district office - in fact, that infrastructure is essential to the success of any Member and that requires management skills and extensive oversight. Managing a Congressional office is tantamount to running a multi-million dollar business and Members who have never run a business or managed a large staff or 7-figure budget have a lot to learn and need lots of advice and guidance from their colleagues, leadership and House staff to do it effectively.
And on top of all that, there are the day-to-day matters such as ethics rules, financial disclosures, House rules and procedures, the bell systems, voting procedures, what can and can't be done with the frank, scheduling, how to get from your office to the floor in time to vote,
So, to answer your question, there's plenty a new Member needs to learn.
ehrnst
(32,640 posts)There is a substantial learning curve for the administrivia.
Those with no patience to learn the boring part of the job that doesn't involve cheering crowds, and cameras won't do very well.
The occupant of the Oval Office is exhibit one in the case against confusing legislating with self-promotion.
Ani Yun Wiya
(797 posts)Though you give a more complete answer I would ask how hard or complex it is to simply say yea or nay, which in essence is what voting is.
You make what those in Congress do seem like some arduous task, like mining gold or coal.
In that the congresswoman ran a successful campaign, it would appear that she is capable of running an office.
The manner in which she expresses herself tells me she most likely already knows how Congress has been working.
And it looks to me that she may have a different view as to how to get things done.
EffieBlack
(14,249 posts)you really need to learn much more about how politics and governing works.
Perhaps you can start with learning that there's more to legislating than just saying "yay or nay" when it's time to vote. Sure, there are probably some Members who do only that. But they're idiotic backbenchers and certainly not the bold, groundbreaking leaders you think that Ocasio-Cortez already is.
ehrnst
(32,640 posts)ehrnst
(32,640 posts)Writing legislation is complex - it follows a format, it must cross reference any other laws that it impacts, and must be approved by commitees. One must work with a committee to draft legislation - so teamwork skills are essential to create legislation.
One must learn the procedures and protocols of Congress.
One must hire staff - ideally ones that are familiar with and experienced in Congress. A legislator's choices in hiring are often scrutinized, because hiring less than competent staffers not only hinder one's ability to function effectively, they can be considered indication of poor judgement of the legislator.
Legislation is not written in plain language. It is written for the audience of judges and lawyers and law enforcement, who have to determine if the law has been upheld or broken. Legislation must also be in line with the Constitution, and not oppose or violate it.
If legislation is poorly or sloppily written, it may be rejected by the courts when challenged.
One also must know and follow ethical guidelines for congress, and avoid conflict of interest, even the appearance of conflict of interest.
Is that clearer?
tymorial
(3,433 posts)She is 29 and new to the house. Where is the offense in expecting that she requires time to learn her position and how is it sexist to state as such?
EffieBlack
(14,249 posts)And I'm even more puzzled that some people actually believe she has nothing to learn.
tymorial
(3,433 posts)in one's role models never ends well. Its damaging to her because it imposes expectations that she simply cannot ever meet immediately.
Mariana
(14,849 posts)their terms would be much longer than two years.
Have there been any serious proposals to amend the Constitution to make Representatives' terms longer, to accommodate all that time that has to be spent learning the job?
ehrnst
(32,640 posts)Avoiding gaffes as much as possible is a good strategy early in one's career, while one is learning the ropes. It's also best to avoid the appearance of dividing one's coworkers into opposing teams the first month on the job, even when one feels one knows more than their more experienced peers.
Being team players benefited both HRC and BHO. They avoided public self-promotion, despite what must have been numerous requests for interviews and appearances, and gained the respect of their peers.
She and Obama earned the respect and regard of their peers - rather than demanding it from day one - and were widely and enthusiastially endorsed for higher office among those they worked with. They were team players who didn't consider themselves to be the smartest person in any room they were in, even when they were the smartest. They listen to people with the idea that what they learn from that person might change their viewpoint. Being humble is the hallmark of genuine self-confidence.
They have the ability to listen, absorb advice and know who to take counsel from, be open to new data that might change their mind on the best way to get progressive policies in place. I hear that Obama, like Bill Clinton, admired and followed Lincoln's practice of hearing from advisors who disagreed with him, in order to get a larger view of an issue. Hillary would have done the same in the Oval Office.
Unfortunately, some consider those practices to be signs of "weaknesses" or "corruption" or "beltway insider sellouts." And unfortunately, legislators who think that don't get nearly as much accomplished. Then again, there are many who, after a short stint in office realize that they prefer activism, which has very different expectations, timelines and measures of success than political office, which is overwhelmingly managerial, with all the minutiae and tediousness of meetings, paperwork, policy guidelines, etc.
It doesn't pay as well, but tends to move faster than the machinery of Capitol Hill.
EffieBlack
(14,249 posts)A former colleague worked for a prominent DC organization that wanted to give Obama an award shortly after he went to the Senate. When they contacted his office to notify him of the award, his chief of staff called back to politely decline because, he said, while the senator was appreciative of the recognition, he didn't feel he had yet earned it and also didn't want to appear to be leapfrogging over his hard-working, more senior colleagues who had accomplished more than he had but weren't getting the kind of recognition he was. They actually suggested names of some other senators whom the group could recognize instead.
ehrnst
(32,640 posts)EffieBlack
(14,249 posts)And pretty much limited their media appearances to joint press conferences with other senators to talk about legislation or other issues important to their states. You rarely saw either of them in solo interviews or appearances in their first couple of years.
Much to learn from them.
ehrnst
(32,640 posts)they displayed.
Unfortunately....
EffieBlack
(14,249 posts)Right after Katrina, many politicians were scrambling to go to New Orleans. Obama quietly called people involved in the rescue and asked if he could be helpful in New Orleans or would he just be in the way. He was told the people in New Orleans didn't need elected officials coming in from out of state - they desperately needed help from the rescue teams and his bring there would only be a distraction. They suggested instead that he go to Houston to meet with and encourage the people who'd been evacuated. And that's what he did, meeting with the disaster assistance teams and then going to the Houston Astrodome where he spent the rest of the day walking through the cots, hospital facilities, play areas, etc., quietly talking with people, listening to their stories of trauma and promising to work for recovery money (which he did).
FYI, Hillary also spent time in Houston during this time.
They didn't give speeches or spend all their time doing interviews. They just quietly reached out and helped people.
ehrnst
(32,640 posts)See also: Hillary doing listening tours instead of booking stadiums near universities.
Crowds are easier when there are students nearby with flexible schedules, and meeting with the Mothers of the Movement didn't seem to be as interesting to the media as college kids, but that wasn't the point.
HRC and Obama were interested in being public servants, not celebrities. Substance over style, which unfortunately claims to be substance for many.
The age of the media darling is here. Unfortunately not many can be both that and an effective legislator, Like Obama was.
I'm thinking Kamala - but she's alread being savaged on social media for being a former prosecutor, which apparently automatically renders her a "corrupt enabler and supporter of prison industrial complex" by the Bernieorbust hashtaggers.
crazycatlady
(4,492 posts)AOC is ineligible to run for POTUS in 2020 (2024 is the first year she'll qualify on the basis of age) and all of the statewide offices in her state (including both senators) are already blue.
EffieBlack
(14,249 posts)President, Harvard Law Review
Lawyer
Community Organizer
Constitutional Law Professor
State Senator for 8 years
When Obama ran for president, he had considerablybmore experience under his belt than Ocasio-Cortez does. Of course, he was also about 20 years older than she is now, so he had a lot of time to build up that cache of experience - which she'll also have the time and opportunity to do. And if she takes her time and does it right - and doesn't try to jump out to far ahead of herself too early - she'll be unstoppable.
ehrnst
(32,640 posts)NoMoreRepugs
(9,260 posts)AlexSFCA
(6,137 posts)incredible political talent and not even 30 yet. RW is terrified shiltess of her cause she doesnt their lies go unchallenged. MeghaMcbitch loses her cool every time AOC is brought up in conversation. You wanna troll your RW friends, talk about AOC and they start burning. She is a literal lightning rod, antidote to RWNJ.
Cousin Dupree
(1,866 posts)myohmy2
(3,118 posts)...now that's a person that should, could and will be President someday...
...she's got a touch of Obama's magic, even better...
...she's got my vote...
InAbLuEsTaTe
(24,110 posts)she could actually run circles around the Mothafucka-in-Chief!! It wouldn't even be close enough for the Rethuglicons to cheat!!
TSheehan
(277 posts)InAbLuEsTaTe
(24,110 posts)YOHABLO
(7,358 posts)I worked in the restaurant business for many years, and yes the 'back of the house' as we say, is filled with latino and latina workers, prepping food, washing dishes etc. Without them a restaurant cannot survive. As long as they have something that resembles a green card, a restaurateur will hire them for low hourly wages, providing them with no other benefits other than a meal at the end of their shift. But it's better than living in the drug and gang invested places from which they come. None of these people are terrorists or drug dealers, they come to the U.S. to make money so that they can send it home to their families still living in dire conditions. That's why they come, and given the same circumstances, that's why you'd come. I understand what AOC's fight is all about .Anyone who has ever worked in a restaurant would get it. I hope her vigor and tenacity will be contagious for all of us. Young, outspoken, rough around the edges? All the better.
H2O Man
(73,328 posts)Oh, she is a powerful force!
MaryMagdaline
(6,849 posts)American being more American than we are. I would not like to have my character compared side by side with the average hardworking immigrant.
chillfactor
(7,566 posts)but not this time. In my professional experience that spanned 50 years...I found out when you come into an organization...you not come into a new job swinging a hammer...you come in first learning about an organization, head the advice of people a whole more knowledgeable than you, and slowly rise to the top. AOC may be a breathe of fresh air, but she is going to learn that in the long run, you learn to survive by being smart, by learning from those with the experience, that you wisely learn when to pick your fights and when to back down. Know "when to hold them, no when to fold them." AOC needs to learn that lesson.
EffieBlack
(14,249 posts)Round these parts, that's viewed as a direct attack on AOC.
Wait for it ...
greytdemocrat
(3,299 posts)Ani Yun Wiya
(797 posts)This new congresswoman was not "hired", she was elected.
And for rather specific reasons which appear to include doing this differently.
This nation is in dire need of a new direction and will not go there if we go by way of baby steps, compromise and fear.
And why should anyone who is rightfully representing those who elected them back down ?
I really dig her fierceness...
malaise
(267,823 posts)She was elected - as H20 man says she is a force.
She will have lots of work to do. I am betting she is studying the inner workings of the House.
I am very impressed.
ehrnst
(32,640 posts)Some are hired by a large % of their constituents, others by a small turnout, but they are indeed "hired" to represent their district.
If the district is happy with her performance, and no one challenges her that her district likes better, then she'll be rehired for a second term in 2020.
OnDoutside
(19,908 posts)whistler162
(11,155 posts)racist neo-monolithic crouton and probably a lousy cribbage player so poopoo on you.
Agree 1000+ with your post.
malaise
(267,823 posts)She can walk and chew gum
womanofthehills
(8,584 posts)I hope all the new women keep swinging that hammer. People have different personalities - don't try to put them all in the same box. AOL is a live wire, who speaks well, and obviously has done her homework. It's what we need.
Pluvious
(4,278 posts)TSheehan
(277 posts)If the Party shuts the door to the likes of AOC and other newcomers because they are "swinging hammers", it's finished.
suffragette
(12,232 posts)malaise
(267,823 posts)suffragette
(12,232 posts)malaise
(267,823 posts)Happy New Year sis
InAbLuEsTaTe
(24,110 posts)bdamomma
(63,657 posts)the PEOPLES work. Something that has been has forgotten by the repigs filthy party.
suffragette
(12,232 posts)Stellar
(5,644 posts)InAbLuEsTaTe
(24,110 posts)Cetacea
(7,367 posts)Future president.
Ani Yun Wiya
(797 posts)Is what this nation needs.
The submissive acquiesence needs to cease.
whistler162
(11,155 posts), written and is helping sheperd them through the House?
malaise
(267,823 posts)Spare me please
hueymahl
(2,415 posts)Just a transparent smear, to be honest. You should be ashamed.
Response to hueymahl (Reply #76)
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womanofthehills
(8,584 posts)A few days in Congress - 60 minutes, Rachel Maddow - very impressive. Her personality is so refreshing - she will be writing the bills because she is passionate.
whistler162
(11,155 posts)unless she produces results. She has one year until she has to start campaigning.
She can be either
https://babbletop.com/the-nfls-15-most-successful-heisman-winners/
or
https://www.foxsports.com/southwest/gallery/most-disappointing-heisman-winners-in-nfl-history-091415
Voltaire2
(12,626 posts)RandiFan1290
(6,206 posts)It proves she is doing her job and doing it well!
malaise
(267,823 posts)bdamomma
(63,657 posts)repig traitors.
hueymahl
(2,415 posts)Very interesting.
Doremus
(7,261 posts)ehrnst
(32,640 posts)Drag Queens would be the best legislators EVER!
Hands down.
kentuck
(110,950 posts)....and she is passionate about it.
It's unfortunate she cannot run for the Presidency. She is too young.
She is very smart.
malaise
(267,823 posts)She does have to succeed here first. I am impressed so far.
kentuck
(110,950 posts)But she could become the first woman President? It is difficult to predict history.
She could and it would be very very significant give her Puerto Rican links
Quixote1818
(28,904 posts)Vinca
(50,170 posts)Maybe it's the hint of 60's-like rebellion.
malaise
(267,823 posts)TSheehan
(277 posts)Response to TSheehan (Reply #106)
TSheehan This message was self-deleted by its author.
Mariana
(14,849 posts)I think it's hilarious to see people who post here dozens of times a day, pretending to believe she spends so much time composing a few tweets that she has no time to do anything else.
lkinwi
(1,477 posts)She is bold, well spoken and has charisma. I wish that my mom was still alive. She had an uncanny knack of picking out new politicians that excited her. It would be interesting to hear her thoughts about AOC.
malaise
(267,823 posts)For your mom.
RandiFan1290
(6,206 posts)disillusioned73
(2,872 posts)Quixote1818
(28,904 posts)instinct. Not only a leader but on the right side of the issues which is just what we need. If she continues to build a powerful grassroots and changes major policy, she could one day be seen as someone like Mandela, or MLK Jr. I personally see a grain of greatness in her but I could be mistaken. Time will tell.
jalan48
(13,798 posts)incoming Freshman Congressional Reps. I didn't even know about the corporate sponsored orientation. How many other little "perks" take place out of the public eye?
malaise
(267,823 posts)no union or worker representation. Go AOC!
zentrum
(9,865 posts)She's a great one.
malaise
(267,823 posts)Power 2 the People
(2,437 posts)Hopefully her passion will be contagious all the way through November 2020.
malaise
(267,823 posts)Voltaire2
(12,626 posts)ZX86
(1,428 posts)Couldn't care less about what conservatives think of her.
Eko
(7,170 posts)but I'm certainly not going to let someone call you a republican. F dat.
lordsummerisle
(4,649 posts)is that she is a breath of fresh air. Her passion and energy are sorely needed right now.
BTW has Trump given her a nickname yet...?
PatrickforO
(14,516 posts)I have to ask why.
Yeah, she'll make mistakes, but this was brilliant. She actually ELEVATED THE DIALOG, which is something some of the people with longer tenures are hesitant to do.
We need the changes AOC is advocating. She's not radical, she's reasonable. Why not stop paying for huge defense and border boondoggles and use our tax money that we pay in for stuff that actually helps us. That's all AOC and the rest of the people who have been labeled 'radical' are saying.
Nope. I hope, like Teddy Roosevelt, AOC turns up the fires and goes after the POB vigorously every day.
By elevating the dialog, she is educating the Americans who are listening to her in ways the mainstream media doesn't want. After all, they make all that money from superpac ads during campaign season. Their corporate owners LOVE Citizens United, slow internet, the giant, irresponsible tax cut for billionaires and corporations and pretty much all else the way it is.
That's why that NBC guy left.
Nope. AOC needs to turn up the volume, if anything, and the other younger members of the House need to get behind her. I suspect Pelosi is wise enough to see this, and help mentor these young people without pulling in their reins.