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ProfessorPlum

(11,252 posts)
Mon Jan 21, 2019, 09:52 AM Jan 2019

OMG this is perfect - The Onion nails the AOC phenomenon

https://politics.theonion.com/presumptuous-congressional-freshman-thinks-she-can-just-1831842239

WASHINGTON—Strutting into the Capitol like she had some kind of electoral mandate, presumptuous congressional freshman Debbie Mucarsel-Powell (D-FL) thought Thursday that she could just come in and start representing her constituents. “I’m sorry, big shot, but that’s just not the way things work around here,” said House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, explaining that the Florida representative needed to spend at least her first three terms memorizing obscure parliamentary procedures, sucking up to party leaders, and groveling to corporate donors before she could even consider drafting a law benefiting her home district. “She can’t just waltz in here with a list of demands from her constituents and do something about it. Christ, the fucking gall, thinking she can just represent the beliefs and desires of the people who elected her. She’s out there holding town halls and tweeting about healthcare—who the hell does she think she is? Here’s some advice, Debbie: Wait until you’re a cynical, shallow husk of yourself, and only then will you be ready to properly govern. Otherwise, you keep your head down, you vote for what we put in front of you, and you fundraise.” Hoyer, who grew visibly agitated, recommended that the novice lawmaker quit rabble-rousing and get back to him when she’s 75 and a millionaire.
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OMG this is perfect - The Onion nails the AOC phenomenon (Original Post) ProfessorPlum Jan 2019 OP
Nail. Hammer. Head. Mr. Quackers Jan 2019 #1
The Onion was sold to Univision, they tried to monotize writers & most of their original staff quit. TheBlackAdder Jan 2019 #72
I have no idea what your point is hueymahl Jan 2019 #136
The Onion is only The Onion in name only. It's not the same writers, and have different motivations. TheBlackAdder Jan 2019 #141
It's a spooky tale you are spinning ProfessorPlum Jan 2019 #144
Yep. TheBlackAdder Jan 2019 #147
Univision acquired a 40% stake three years ago. onenote Jan 2019 #152
From what I am told, over the past year. TheBlackAdder Jan 2019 #153
Well, this certainly explains the RW bent to these unfunny lies. R B Garr Jan 2019 #167
+1 betsuni Jan 2019 #173
So they don't want to make us laugh the same way? Cary Jan 2019 #165
couldn't have said it better.nt luvallpeeps Jan 2019 #179
So that's what happened. betsuni Jan 2019 #148
So the Onion stopped being funny three years ago? onenote Jan 2019 #155
I didn't say that. betsuni Jan 2019 #172
Ditto! Nail, Meet Hammer! (n/t) corbettkroehler Jan 2019 #190
Perfect malaise Jan 2019 #2
LOVE IT!! InAbLuEsTaTe Jan 2019 #3
Straw man dansolo Jan 2019 #4
boo hoo ProfessorPlum Jan 2019 #5
Bingo!! Ferrets are Cool Jan 2019 #20
Seconding that Bingo! Messaging!!! calimary Jan 2019 #87
Thirding. This is absolutely critical for us to strengthen. JudyM Jan 2019 #154
Pithy - YETH! AOC is full of pith lagomorph777 Jan 2019 #159
Ha, she does, and it's great that our party is rallying together to pith off tRump and McConnell. JudyM Jan 2019 #160
thank you! Hermit-The-Prog Jan 2019 #29
Really? Every Democrat in the house and senate has "messaged" to accomplish. ... George II Jan 2019 #31
Right on!! Kerp it up ladies. We have enough business as usual people in the government. Left-over Jan 2019 #61
Yeah the message is the media. PatrickforO Jan 2019 #76
+1000 smirkymonkey Jan 2019 #99
balance qazplm135 Jan 2019 #103
That is a huge, valid point. n/t Beartracks Jan 2019 #171
Exactly! mountain grammy Jan 2019 #183
Straw man Tom Rinaldo Jan 2019 #6
Good points, Rinaldo! zentrum Jan 2019 #8
We need more tan a dozen. Texin Jan 2019 #25
Nice slip in your title. "Tan" mjvpi Jan 2019 #134
Motion carried to the floor, and I'll project passed with flying colors JackInGreen Jan 2019 #184
Did they move the election to 2021? George II Jan 2019 #33
Nope, my bad. Keen eye. Tom Rinaldo Jan 2019 #42
I know, just trying to lighten up the conversation. George II Jan 2019 #113
Yes, and the "list of demands" seem to be from Justice Democrats, R B Garr Jan 2019 #13
It would seem you think JackInGreen Jan 2019 #15
Are you one of her constituents? HopeAgain Jan 2019 #34
They voted for a freshman. nt R B Garr Jan 2019 #41
Because they wanted change HopeAgain Jan 2019 #43
lol R B Garr Jan 2019 #46
. HopeAgain Jan 2019 #49
My exact reaction about satire portraying AOC as a victim R B Garr Jan 2019 #50
I certainly don't see AOC as a "victim" HopeAgain Jan 2019 #52
Right. She is not a victim of House Democrats. nt R B Garr Jan 2019 #55
Never said she was...said she seemed to be representing her constituents HopeAgain Jan 2019 #57
No, you gave your personal observations that she wasn't a victim, R B Garr Jan 2019 #58
fine HopeAgain Jan 2019 #63
"behaves far from that of a victim". Really? George II Jan 2019 #83
Really HopeAgain Jan 2019 #85
I don't think the change they're seeing is what they thought they were getting. George II Jan 2019 #82
From where do you get that conclusion? HopeAgain Jan 2019 #86
Among others, from Democrats in the 14th District. George II Jan 2019 #88
Stories abound about their dissappointment HopeAgain Jan 2019 #92
Mine aren't blind heresay. George II Jan 2019 #102
Is this based on data or anecdotes? progressoid Jan 2019 #125
What do you consider anecdotes? I grew up in that area of Queens (after moving from Brooklyn).... George II Jan 2019 #126
Yes, that fits the definition of anecdotal. progressoid Jan 2019 #132
So we're talking about people HopeAgain Jan 2019 #135
Didn't you know melman Jan 2019 #150
An organized person mgardener Jan 2019 #17
That old "walk and chew gum" thing, y'know Tarc Jan 2019 #23
I was delighted by her - until I grew uncomfortable. Chemisse Jan 2019 #146
Love, love, love it. zentrum Jan 2019 #7
The Onion is actually a more reliable news source than FAUX News. llmart Jan 2019 #9
I can't wait for her to break down the fundraising. theaocp Jan 2019 #10
Oh, that is gonna be when ppl really disillusioned73 Jan 2019 #59
Perfection. TNNurse Jan 2019 #11
Millennials don't know anything IronLionZion Jan 2019 #12
AOC is great at messaging, which is necessary, but freshman can get legislation passed: Cairycat Jan 2019 #14
Thanks for posting this FakeNoose Jan 2019 #62
This is "perfect"? The Polack MSgt Jan 2019 #16
by all means, let's not criticize groveling to corporate donors ProfessorPlum Jan 2019 #19
You do realize, of course, that NO member of Congress can accept donations from corporations, right? George II Jan 2019 #38
You do realize angrychair Jan 2019 #112
At what point should we just start to shoot old Democrats as the running dogs of capaitalism The Polack MSgt Jan 2019 #70
your mileage may vary concerning the definition of corrupt ProfessorPlum Jan 2019 #78
Won't you please tell us which Democrats aren't "pushing for the will of the people betsuni Jan 2019 #178
I'm with you on this one Sarg ... this is kinda bullshit. mr_lebowski Jan 2019 #90
I don't think it would have been posted - Because Nancy Pelosi was bashed so much The Polack MSgt Jan 2019 #94
to be fair, Hoyer has played a special kind of role in the party ProfessorPlum Jan 2019 #97
To be fair populist Democrats in the primaries are trying to defeat Democrats in office The Polack MSgt Jan 2019 #111
agreed - in a way this is not surprising ProfessorPlum Jan 2019 #115
This onion piece is fiercely anti-Democratic Party The Polack MSgt Jan 2019 #119
yes, the Democratic party is the enemy ProfessorPlum Jan 2019 #133
This board had to establish a protected Barack Obama group The Polack MSgt Jan 2019 #151
I generally like the Onion, a lot, but this is way too virulently anti-Democrat for me to enjoy mr_lebowski Jan 2019 #100
heaven forfend that people should enjoy ProfessorPlum Jan 2019 #105
You say that as if you think I don't like 'good Democratic Messaging' ... you'd be wrong. mr_lebowski Jan 2019 #108
ProfessorPlum's Primer on Democratic Messaging. Part 1 The Polack MSgt Jan 2019 #114
this is the kind of thing I'm talking about ProfessorPlum Jan 2019 #96
Don't care, this is too anti-Democrat for me to enjoy the Onion's 'humor' in this case mr_lebowski Jan 2019 #101
ok, via con dios ProfessorPlum Jan 2019 #104
If they'd left the Corporation stuff, and Hoyer's name out, I'd have been okay with it ... mr_lebowski Jan 2019 #107
K&R your post, MSgt! sheshe2 Jan 2019 #149
+1 betsuni Jan 2019 #162
What House Democrats "grovel to corporate donors"? betsuni Jan 2019 #176
It was in response to this article ejbr Jan 2019 #21
Interestingly, the word "corporate' does not appear in that article ProfessorPlum Jan 2019 #32
What does "corporate" have to do with it? George II Jan 2019 #39
Link doesn't work n/t VWolf Jan 2019 #22
take off the trailing period ProfessorPlum Jan 2019 #30
Thank you - funny stuff n/t VWolf Jan 2019 #37
I agree - it also emphasizes that AOC's media reach has been ProfessorPlum Jan 2019 #40
Thank you. Well said. R B Garr Jan 2019 #24
Damn, they hit that one squarly on the head. nt Ferrets are Cool Jan 2019 #18
Great critique of cynicism and "pragmatism." David__77 Jan 2019 #26
oh snap shanny Jan 2019 #27
.... jalan48 Jan 2019 #28
k&r bigtree Jan 2019 #35
The thing is that her list of "demands" isn't from her constituents, its from.... George II Jan 2019 #36
Here's a radical thought Tom Rinaldo Jan 2019 #45
One wonders who her "constituents" are. George II Jan 2019 #48
If you are challenging whether she was a resident of her district Tom Rinaldo Jan 2019 #51
Post removed Post removed Jan 2019 #54
Another great find, George! This is a very interesting R B Garr Jan 2019 #56
Another interesting "coincidence" is that in her most recent filing, Cortez.... George II Jan 2019 #60
this is like the birther thing bigtree Jan 2019 #64
Nothing at all like the "birther thing". I'm just revealing facts, not "attacking".... George II Jan 2019 #65
you're refighting the primary. I have to say bigtree Jan 2019 #68
You can call it whatever you want. I've never had my Democratic advocacy questioned before. George II Jan 2019 #77
I called it bigtree Jan 2019 #89
Facts are facts. The "birther thing" was based on a false premise. George II Jan 2019 #91
I'll call it being a residency truther bigtree Jan 2019 #93
I agree, it's "residency truthing". Operative word "truth". George II Jan 2019 #95
more like truthiness bigtree Jan 2019 #98
Thank you for finding this George. murielm99 Jan 2019 #121
Yup.. disillusioned73 Jan 2019 #67
Too late. It's been done. Autumn Jan 2019 #81
Great find! It's interesting that the outside group Brand New Congress R B Garr Jan 2019 #71
Yes, I wonder if guide has been published listing those we can or cannot criticize. George II Jan 2019 #80
Yeah, do we get to post vicious satire about AOC, R B Garr Jan 2019 #128
This message was self-deleted by its author Act_of_Reparation Jan 2019 #69
Ha! progressoid Jan 2019 #44
No kidding - I swear some of that satire is direct quotes from the Faction here on DU! hueymahl Jan 2019 #138
ROFL ananda Jan 2019 #47
Oh my.. disillusioned73 Jan 2019 #53
after reading through this thread, i see Kurt V. Jan 2019 #66
only issue with this article is that someone named Debbie is not likely to be a millennial crazycatlady Jan 2019 #73
Oh boy is that great! PatrickforO Jan 2019 #74
This is hilarious! Tipperary Jan 2019 #75
At least The Onion didn't imply she has Russian ties because of her campaign Autumn Jan 2019 #79
Has anyone here implied that? George II Jan 2019 #117
I know, right? Hassin Bin Sober Jan 2019 #131
Lol. ronnie624 Jan 2019 #84
fantastic article ProfessorPlum Jan 2019 #109
+1 ronnie624 Jan 2019 #120
You nailed it malaise Jan 2019 #140
Excellent! mountain grammy Jan 2019 #185
I thought it was pretty funny. Kali Jan 2019 #106
A smear against Steny Hoyer, one of the top D leaders, and with made-up words stopbush Jan 2019 #110
Bazinga! George II Jan 2019 #116
don't clutch your pearls too hard ProfessorPlum Jan 2019 #118
??? sheshe2 Jan 2019 #163
Yup, total RW trash, and look who falls for it. R B Garr Jan 2019 #130
Let me explain it to anyone slow on the uptake: stopbush Jan 2019 #142
Exactly, great explanation. R B Garr Jan 2019 #169
+1 betsuni Jan 2019 #175
You are Hilarious! hueymahl Jan 2019 #137
THIS n/t Apollyonus Jan 2019 #157
I don't know much about Hoyer; treestar Jan 2019 #122
IMHO, progressoid Jan 2019 #123
In my opinion, yes he very much does ProfessorPlum Jan 2019 #127
What a horrible thing to say about Hoyer. Hoyer is a great friend of House Dems. SunSeeker Jan 2019 #182
What evidence do you have for that accusation? betsuni Jan 2019 #187
Beautiful! Power 2 the People Jan 2019 #124
Bookmarked. NT. revmclaren Jan 2019 #129
So spot on! K and R Quixote1818 Jan 2019 #139
Onion Steny sounds like real Whoopi n/t KayF Jan 2019 #143
Debbie is my Rep. bluecollar2 Jan 2019 #145
I don't like this thread at all Apollyonus Jan 2019 #156
Post removed Post removed Jan 2019 #161
In this case Apollyonus Jan 2019 #170
"didn't appear on the team from a neighborhood bar" melman Jan 2019 #174
LOL @ Not All Congresscritters. Iggo Jan 2019 #164
Phenomenon. NurseJackie Jan 2019 #158
Isn't that hilarious? n/t Apollyonus Jan 2019 #168
"groveling to corporate donors." betsuni Jan 2019 #166
One thing bothers me RandySF Jan 2019 #177
And one couldn't offer constructive criticism of HRC SixString Jan 2019 #180
"constructive criticism" betsuni Jan 2019 #186
Ha! NurseJackie Jan 2019 #188
I remember all that "constructive criticism" mcar Jan 2019 #189
+1 progressoid Jan 2019 #191
Isn't it amazing? Apollyonus Jan 2019 #181

TheBlackAdder

(28,076 posts)
72. The Onion was sold to Univision, they tried to monotize writers & most of their original staff quit.
Mon Jan 21, 2019, 12:30 PM
Jan 2019

.

These are not the same The Onion writers of the past, so I would not put stock in their motivations right now.


On that note, I like AOC and I think that she is a breath of fresh air, sorely needed in the party.

.

TheBlackAdder

(28,076 posts)
141. The Onion is only The Onion in name only. It's not the same writers, and have different motivations.
Mon Jan 21, 2019, 05:21 PM
Jan 2019

.

There was a major shakeup, when everyone jumped ship.

While they might write things that are OK, their goals and objectives should be met with scrutiny.


They might be co-opting The Original Onion and slowly change to another format or political objective.

.

ProfessorPlum

(11,252 posts)
144. It's a spooky tale you are spinning
Mon Jan 21, 2019, 06:03 PM
Jan 2019

but I think we can evaluate the quality of each piece of satire on its own merits - and any hidden agenda will become evident eventually. Or not.

TheBlackAdder

(28,076 posts)
147. Yep.
Mon Jan 21, 2019, 06:15 PM
Jan 2019

.

My point is that it's not the same thing now.

They tried to force the writers to write ad copy for all of Univision and branch away from satire.

.

onenote

(42,383 posts)
152. Univision acquired a 40% stake three years ago.
Mon Jan 21, 2019, 07:18 PM
Jan 2019

So when exactly did this jumping of ship and change in editorial content take place?

R B Garr

(16,920 posts)
167. Well, this certainly explains the RW bent to these unfunny lies.
Mon Jan 21, 2019, 11:51 PM
Jan 2019

Corporate humor — which you would think would be rejected by the very people smearing others with the evil corporate boogeyman tripe.

betsuni

(25,136 posts)
148. So that's what happened.
Mon Jan 21, 2019, 06:18 PM
Jan 2019

I noticed The Onion joined the former-Gawker sites like Jezebel, but wasn't funny anymore. I don't even bother reading articles at any of those sites, just go straight to the comments. They seem to hire kids right out of college who are boring, not witty enough to pull off snark, don't bother to get facts right and don't proofread.

onenote

(42,383 posts)
155. So the Onion stopped being funny three years ago?
Mon Jan 21, 2019, 08:29 PM
Jan 2019

I certainly hadn't noticed.

In fact, there are regular posts here of Onion stories that some DUers find quite humorous. So to each their own, I guess.

betsuni

(25,136 posts)
172. I didn't say that.
Tue Jan 22, 2019, 12:20 AM
Jan 2019

Somewhere along the line I noticed that the quality of content on the former Gawker sites I often read (Jezebel) had gone downhill but didn't know why, or maybe forgot that they'd been bought by Univision. A few weeks ago I saw a discussion about it in the comment section of a badly written Jezebel article, saying all the good writers had left, cheaper less experienced ones brought in who seemed unaware that most Jezebel readers weren't very young people obsessed with pop stars. That thread was deleted. And their political coverage, SplinterNews, often contains anti-Democratic misinformation that commenters have to correct, or something passive-aggressive like calling Kamala Harris' presidential run announcement a "remarkably bland statement." Guess it was last year that I saw The Onion was a part of the Gawker universe and seemed a shadow of its former self.

dansolo

(5,376 posts)
4. Straw man
Mon Jan 21, 2019, 10:09 AM
Jan 2019

I'd be more than happy if she actually was drafting laws, instead of trying to be a media darling and getting into Twitter fights.

ProfessorPlum

(11,252 posts)
5. boo hoo
Mon Jan 21, 2019, 10:15 AM
Jan 2019

when you get to the House, you can behave the way you feel is best. AOC is actually _messaging_, which is something Democrats do not do enough or well enough.

calimary

(80,700 posts)
87. Seconding that Bingo! Messaging!!!
Mon Jan 21, 2019, 01:00 PM
Jan 2019

Messaging!!!!!!!

Something the Dems DEFINITELY don’t do enough, or well enough!

MESSAGING!!! Hopefully AOC can help fix that. And lead the way toward much more strategically savvy and effective, AND catchy, memorable communication.

It’s not just what it is. It’s how it’s PACKAGED.

JudyM

(29,122 posts)
154. Thirding. This is absolutely critical for us to strengthen.
Mon Jan 21, 2019, 08:22 PM
Jan 2019

Our message is great, but it has to be packaged in catchy, pithy phrasing.

lagomorph777

(30,613 posts)
159. Pithy - YETH! AOC is full of pith
Mon Jan 21, 2019, 10:30 PM
Jan 2019

and vinegar, and I think she has great potential to motivate Dems.

George II

(67,782 posts)
31. Really? Every Democrat in the house and senate has "messaged" to accomplish. ...
Mon Jan 21, 2019, 11:09 AM
Jan 2019

...what she's accomplished - gotten elected.

But there have been 45-50 votes in the house since the session has opened. Only three Democrats have voted against their caucus in any of those votes.

Do you know who they are?

PatrickforO

(14,516 posts)
76. Yeah the message is the media.
Mon Jan 21, 2019, 12:39 PM
Jan 2019

People want to get behind a cause. That's unfortunate, but oh so true. Trump's 'cause' is making America Great (White) again, and his biggest goal is a stupid wall.

We need to TALK about our cause, which is healthcare for all Americans and a Green New Deal. AOC is on message.

qazplm135

(7,447 posts)
103. balance
Mon Jan 21, 2019, 01:20 PM
Jan 2019

sure she does some stuff most don't do well...but just like messaging has to be a PART of the equation, so does legislating and consensus building.


That doesn't mean you can't be a firebrand, but a firebrand is always limited in what they can accomplish. They get noticed, and they in fact can make progress but only if they find balance. It's way early, so nothing to say she won't find that balance, but right now, other than getting elected and being popular, accomplishments haven't come yet.

Tom Rinaldo

(22,911 posts)
6. Straw man
Mon Jan 21, 2019, 10:20 AM
Jan 2019

How many DAYS has she been in office? What inside information do you have as to how many laws she may be in the process of drafting, and how that rate compares to other congressional representatives?

And what about all of those Congressional Democrats who are courting media and making tweets to position themselves to run for president over two and a half years from now? Democrats CAN both walk (run) and chew gum at the same time.

Texin

(2,585 posts)
25. We need more tan a dozen.
Mon Jan 21, 2019, 11:01 AM
Jan 2019

Back when the Tea Party was rising like a malignant red tide, these MAGAts (sic.) were replicating like shmoos and running their rabid mouths non-stop 24/7, did anybody in the rethug party tell any of these cretins to sit down and shut up? Yeah, maybe Bill Christol and a few other so-called rethug pundits, but they took over the party by 2012 and have held it in a death grip ever since. As bad as that has been for America and the Democrats since, the Dems have been timidly trying to be mellow and *moderate* and their words have fallen on deaf ears. The Dems are not going to defeat these MAGAts by sticking to a middle-of-the-road approach. They're going to have to sharply define and distinguish themselves from the opposition or they will be losing the battles and the country will cease to be a democracy. The AOCs of the party have been the most distinguishing difference from the run-of-the-mill politicians, and they're winning. I believe they'll keep on winning if they stick to these messages and fight those battles within their own party and out.

mjvpi

(1,384 posts)
134. Nice slip in your title. "Tan"
Mon Jan 21, 2019, 04:00 PM
Jan 2019

As an old pasty white guy who wants my government to look more like my country, I’ll second tan.

Tom Rinaldo

(22,911 posts)
42. Nope, my bad. Keen eye.
Mon Jan 21, 2019, 11:22 AM
Jan 2019

But the point I was making remains the same, whether Dems are out there courting media for a Presidential run almost two years in advance or almost three years in advance. I trust they will still handle their legislative responsibilities.

HopeAgain

(4,407 posts)
34. Are you one of her constituents?
Mon Jan 21, 2019, 11:15 AM
Jan 2019

That seems to be the new angle of attack...that she is somehow representing something other than her constituents. Have you heard any of them complain?

She seems to be consistent with the message that got her elected.

HopeAgain

(4,407 posts)
52. I certainly don't see AOC as a "victim"
Mon Jan 21, 2019, 11:50 AM
Jan 2019

Victimhood frequently connotes a person's reaction to circumstances, and she behaves far from that of a victim.

HopeAgain

(4,407 posts)
57. Never said she was...said she seemed to be representing her constituents
Mon Jan 21, 2019, 11:58 AM
Jan 2019

Now that people are suddenly implying she isn't... You wanted to go off track just to be right, so congratulations.

R B Garr

(16,920 posts)
58. No, you gave your personal observations that she wasn't a victim,
Mon Jan 21, 2019, 12:02 PM
Jan 2019

and I agreed. She is not a victim of House Democrats.

HopeAgain

(4,407 posts)
63. fine
Mon Jan 21, 2019, 12:11 PM
Jan 2019

I only commented on thread because you implied she's not representing her constituents, but whatever...

George II

(67,782 posts)
126. What do you consider anecdotes? I grew up in that area of Queens (after moving from Brooklyn)....
Mon Jan 21, 2019, 02:35 PM
Jan 2019

...with all the redistricting over the years I can't say that I did or didn't live in that district. But I did live about a mile from the current district line. I know a number of people from there and people are not pleased with some of what they are seeing or hearing.

People are also not happy with the way the primaries were scheduled - many of the people I know (even from upstate) had no idea there was a primary in June - they were all pointing toward the September primary, when turnout was more than double the June turnout.

Is that "anecdotal"?

progressoid

(49,827 posts)
132. Yes, that fits the definition of anecdotal.
Mon Jan 21, 2019, 03:28 PM
Jan 2019
an·ec·do·tal
/ˌanəkˈdōdl/

adjective: anecdotal

(of an account) not necessarily true or reliable, because based on personal accounts rather than facts or research.


HopeAgain

(4,407 posts)
135. So we're talking about people
Mon Jan 21, 2019, 04:33 PM
Jan 2019

who didn't vote for her in the first place. After all, she won the primary, so people complaining about the date wouldn't have voted for her. I don't imagine the Republicans in the District are pleased with her representation either.

 

melman

(7,681 posts)
150. Didn't you know
Mon Jan 21, 2019, 07:08 PM
Jan 2019

that if a person lived (vaguely) near a place a (very) long time ago, that makes them an authority on that place forever and always?

Chemisse

(30,793 posts)
146. I was delighted by her - until I grew uncomfortable.
Mon Jan 21, 2019, 06:10 PM
Jan 2019

I can't fully put my finger on it, but I am wary of someone who becomes an instant celebrity. Maybe it's because when people fall in love with a political figure, they lose all objectivity.

llmart

(15,501 posts)
9. The Onion is actually a more reliable news source than FAUX News.
Mon Jan 21, 2019, 10:30 AM
Jan 2019

It's always uncomfortable when someone shakes up the status quo. This country needs the status quo to be shaken up.

theaocp

(4,223 posts)
10. I can't wait for her to break down the fundraising.
Mon Jan 21, 2019, 10:32 AM
Jan 2019

Show the world the time WASTED on making phone calls for dollar$ instead of legislating. Pull back the curtain, AOC. This local AOCP affiliate has your back.

 

disillusioned73

(2,872 posts)
59. Oh, that is gonna be when ppl really
Mon Jan 21, 2019, 12:03 PM
Jan 2019

lose their ever-loving minds.. I can't wait either, sunlight is the ultimate disinfectant

IronLionZion

(45,261 posts)
12. Millennials don't know anything
Mon Jan 21, 2019, 10:38 AM
Jan 2019

"recommended that the novice lawmaker quit rabble-rousing and get back to him when she’s 75 and a millionaire."

Cairycat

(1,697 posts)
14. AOC is great at messaging, which is necessary, but freshman can get legislation passed:
Mon Jan 21, 2019, 10:39 AM
Jan 2019

This is my new Congresscritter, who is ten months older than AOC, has a very different style, but both she and AOC are real assets for the Dems in Congress.

https://finkenauer.house.gov/media/press-releases/finkenauer-small-businesses-bill-passes-house-first-legislation-passed-new

FakeNoose

(32,356 posts)
62. Thanks for posting this
Mon Jan 21, 2019, 12:10 PM
Jan 2019

I wasn't aware of this bill, but now that I'm reading about it, I think this program will help us in Pennsylvania too.
Good stuff, and congratulations to Congresswoman Finkenauer!

The Polack MSgt

(13,159 posts)
16. This is "perfect"?
Mon Jan 21, 2019, 10:50 AM
Jan 2019

Last edited Mon Jan 21, 2019, 01:50 PM - Edit history (1)

“I’m sorry, big shot, but that’s just not the way things work around here,” said House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, explaining that the Florida representative needed to spend at least her first three terms memorizing obscure parliamentary procedures, sucking up to party leaders, and groveling to corporate donors"

If this is your opinion of how House Democrats operate - well what can I say... I cannot respond politely.

Here is an Onion piece that I found funny that lampoons Fox News' obsession with AOC, all without painting my party's leadership with the vile slander of the article you shared.

https://www.theonion.com/fox-news-debuts-premium-channel-for-24-hour-coverage-of-1831814505

Edited to fix link.
Thanks ProfessorPlum

ProfessorPlum

(11,252 posts)
19. by all means, let's not criticize groveling to corporate donors
Mon Jan 21, 2019, 10:58 AM
Jan 2019

I'm sure that no House Democrats, especially well known populist Steny Hoyer, ever do that.



angrychair

(8,594 posts)
112. You do realize
Mon Jan 21, 2019, 01:40 PM
Jan 2019

That is hair-splitting. You are definitely smart enough to know it.
The very first event they took freshman members to was a luncheon sponsored by a small group of corporations. They can’t contribute directly but they can contribute to PACs and SuperPACs and individuals from those corporations can contribute.

To be fair I like AOC but I am still forming an opinion. I think she deserves that. She did come in a little rough and tumble but she smoothed it out a little as she went. She has supported Pelosi from the beginning. Her goals are good and to be fair her proposals are not new to her or anybody else.

I think her pointing on a corporate-sponsored luncheon they were required to attend is what seemed to start all this. You can coach it however you want but there is little other way to interpret what that luncheon was meant to accomplish. It was clearly meant to give exclusive, behind closed doors, access to certain large corporate donors to incoming members of Congress.
Speaking for myself, I’d like to see a lot less (none) of that and a lot more discussion on 70% marginal tax rates and healthcare and student loan debt relief.

The Polack MSgt

(13,159 posts)
70. At what point should we just start to shoot old Democrats as the running dogs of capaitalism
Mon Jan 21, 2019, 12:22 PM
Jan 2019

that they seem to have become in your eyes?

When do the young good Democrats turn in to the evil Corporate tools? -2nd term? Third?

This satire plays into a bullshit narrative that pisses me off to no end, Steny Hoyer is NOT A CORRUPT POLITICIAN.

Painting him as one by building a false and intentionally demeaning contrast between him with a newly elected (Hard working! Honest!) House Rep. This is bashing our party's leadership, nothing more.

This article's whole purpose is to imply that most Democrats are anything but honest and hard working representatives to their districts.

So by all means baselessly insult Steny Hoyer - and by extension the rest of the Party leadership by posting "Satire" pieces that play up far right and far left wing caricatures of The Democratic Party.

Knock yourself out Professor

ProfessorPlum

(11,252 posts)
78. your mileage may vary concerning the definition of corrupt
Mon Jan 21, 2019, 12:46 PM
Jan 2019

and you may not be aware of all of Hoyer's putting his thumb on primary races in favor of more corporate candidates.

But I re-emphasize my support of the Democratic party in general, especially where they are pushing for the will of the people and not corporations.

betsuni

(25,136 posts)
178. Won't you please tell us which Democrats aren't "pushing for the will of the people
Tue Jan 22, 2019, 12:52 AM
Jan 2019

and not corporations"? If there is corruption, we should know! I'm sure you can direct us to proof of your accusations.

 

mr_lebowski

(33,643 posts)
90. I'm with you on this one Sarg ... this is kinda bullshit.
Mon Jan 21, 2019, 01:02 PM
Jan 2019

This point could've been made without bashing Democratic Party leadership in such fashion.

Imagine they used the name PELOSI instead of HOYER ...

NOW how much do the cheering throngs here LOVE this article?

The Polack MSgt

(13,159 posts)
94. I don't think it would have been posted - Because Nancy Pelosi was bashed so much
Mon Jan 21, 2019, 01:09 PM
Jan 2019

That many people on this board became an unofficial defense team -

Nancy Bashing gets posted and her defenders came riding over the hill to fight the battle...

Steny Hoyer is just another long term Congressman, he is rarely mentioned and has no mobilized group of defenders, so it's safe to slime him

The Polack MSgt

(13,159 posts)
111. To be fair populist Democrats in the primaries are trying to defeat Democrats in office
Mon Jan 21, 2019, 01:37 PM
Jan 2019

“Staying out of primaries sounds small-D democratic, very intellectual, and very interesting. But it was clear that it was our policy and our hope that, early on, try to come to an agreement on a candidate that we thought could win the general, and to give that candidate all the help we could give them.” Steny Hoyer says obviously trying to influence the primaries the system and attempting to crush democracy in the pursuit of evil outcomes.

Which is completely different than

"All Americans know money in politics is a huge problem, but unfortunately the way that we fix it is by demanding that our incumbents give it up or by running fierce campaigns ourselves," Ocasio-Cortez says in pursuit of influencing primaries and kicking out incumbent Democrats in pursuit of fuzzy kittens and wiggly tailed little puppies.

Holy hell it's almost as if politicians do political things.

ProfessorPlum

(11,252 posts)
115. agreed - in a way this is not surprising
Mon Jan 21, 2019, 01:44 PM
Jan 2019

politicians support some other politicians over others for different reasons, and they are free to do that, obviously.

you have to allow others to voice concerns over the business-to-human ratio in decision making though, and that that is a legitimate point of criticism, even for members of our own party.

The Polack MSgt

(13,159 posts)
119. This onion piece is fiercely anti-Democratic Party
Mon Jan 21, 2019, 01:51 PM
Jan 2019

It plays up a false narrative and paints the Democratic Party as the enemy. IMHO

BTW - Thanks for he tip on my link to the other Onion article. I fixed it.

ProfessorPlum

(11,252 posts)
133. yes, the Democratic party is the enemy
Mon Jan 21, 2019, 03:37 PM
Jan 2019

you can tell how anti-Democratic this piece is by how low the rec count for it is on Democratic Underground

The Polack MSgt

(13,159 posts)
151. This board had to establish a protected Barack Obama group
Mon Jan 21, 2019, 07:12 PM
Jan 2019

So his fans could have an area where they didn't have to read the incessant attacks on him.

This board needed to put digital sawdust on its floor to absorb all the blood from the knife fight that raged here in 2016

The fact that this thread has a lot of recs here in DU doesn't persuade me that the Onion article is somehow pro Democratic party.

As you said in one of your responses that accused Rep. Hoyer of malfeasance...

Your mileage may vary.

 

mr_lebowski

(33,643 posts)
100. I generally like the Onion, a lot, but this is way too virulently anti-Democrat for me to enjoy
Mon Jan 21, 2019, 01:15 PM
Jan 2019

I'd also add ... seems like we're developing our own little Cult of Personality here ...

 

mr_lebowski

(33,643 posts)
108. You say that as if you think I don't like 'good Democratic Messaging' ... you'd be wrong.
Mon Jan 21, 2019, 01:30 PM
Jan 2019

I'm totally cool with AOC.


Just don't like this piece from the Onion. Too Anti-Democratic Party/Leadership for me.

And I would HOPE it would be for most people here. But apparently not.

The Polack MSgt

(13,159 posts)
114. ProfessorPlum's Primer on Democratic Messaging. Part 1
Mon Jan 21, 2019, 01:44 PM
Jan 2019
that’s just not the way things work around here,” said House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, explaining that the Florida representative needed to spend at least her first three terms memorizing obscure parliamentary procedures, sucking up to party leaders, and groveling to corporate donors before she could even consider drafting a law benefiting her home district
Fake Steny Hoyer
This is good.

it was clear that it was our policy and our hope that, early on, try to come to an agreement on a candidate that we thought could win the general, and to give that candidate all the help we could give them
Actual Steny Hoyer
This is evil
 

mr_lebowski

(33,643 posts)
107. If they'd left the Corporation stuff, and Hoyer's name out, I'd have been okay with it ...
Mon Jan 21, 2019, 01:28 PM
Jan 2019

This particular satire also gives the impression that Dems are the only party that's 'this way'.

AFAIC, f-that.

Y'all feel free to enjoy it and chuckle, I just don't dig it. To each their own ...

ProfessorPlum

(11,252 posts)
40. I agree - it also emphasizes that AOC's media reach has been
Mon Jan 21, 2019, 11:20 AM
Jan 2019

greatly amplified by the non-stop freak out about her on Faux.

George II

(67,782 posts)
36. The thing is that her list of "demands" isn't from her constituents, its from....
Mon Jan 21, 2019, 11:18 AM
Jan 2019

....a PAC in Knoxville, Kentucky.

Tom Rinaldo

(22,911 posts)
45. Here's a radical thought
Mon Jan 21, 2019, 11:27 AM
Jan 2019

Maybe she herself believes in the views she professes and sincerely seeks to bring about changes consistent with those beliefs. And those are the beliefs she campaigned on when seeking the votes of her future constituents. They knew full well who they were getting with AOC, or at the very least they should have. She made every effort to make her beliefs known to them in advance.

George II

(67,782 posts)
48. One wonders who her "constituents" are.
Mon Jan 21, 2019, 11:31 AM
Jan 2019

When she registered to run for office, her address was in Knoxville, Tennessee, the SAME address as Brand New Congress and Justice Democrats.

Do you know where most of her campaign contributions came from?

Tom Rinaldo

(22,911 posts)
51. If you are challenging whether she was a resident of her district
Mon Jan 21, 2019, 11:42 AM
Jan 2019

Have at it. From all I have seen residents of her district have no problem accepting her as a women with long deep ties to their district.

As to campaign fund origins, that is rich to post on a place like DU where members are consistently organizing to raise big money to support Democrats running in States and districts that few of us actually live in. People with strong political viewpoints raise money to support candidates with viewpoints that seem compatible to their own. That is the way it long has been. The key variable is the view point, right or wrong, good or bad? The views AOC professes are her own, and they have not changed since she ran for office and was elected by her district.

Response to Tom Rinaldo (Reply #51)

George II

(67,782 posts)
60. Another interesting "coincidence" is that in her most recent filing, Cortez....
Mon Jan 21, 2019, 12:06 PM
Jan 2019

...now has a Corona, Queens address, and the Bank or Depository is an Amalgamated Bank branch on 7th Avenue in New York, NY.

Brand New Congress, although now registered in South Carolina (they've had several addresses), their Bank or Depository is the same Amalgamated branch in New York City!

George II

(67,782 posts)
65. Nothing at all like the "birther thing". I'm just revealing facts, not "attacking"....
Mon Jan 21, 2019, 12:15 PM
Jan 2019

....if those facts happen to be inconvenient, that doesn't change the veracity of those facts.

bigtree

(85,919 posts)
68. you're refighting the primary. I have to say
Mon Jan 21, 2019, 12:17 PM
Jan 2019

...this doesn't look at all like Democratic advocacy, George.

bigtree

(85,919 posts)
89. I called it
Mon Jan 21, 2019, 01:01 PM
Jan 2019

...spreading around this residency stuff here, particularly at this stage, is questionable.

And I'd argue that it portends to be disruptive with no apparent value, other than your own penchant for coming onto AOC-themed threads and using them as a platform for tripe like this.

bigtree

(85,919 posts)
93. I'll call it being a residency truther
Mon Jan 21, 2019, 01:06 PM
Jan 2019

...pathetic.

The primary is over, but you're still using this forum to attack this Democrat, once again coming onto an unrelated thread and using it as a platform for tripe like this from the campaign.

Don't ever talk about anyone else attacking Democrats again. You've lost all credibility on that line.

bigtree

(85,919 posts)
98. more like truthiness
Mon Jan 21, 2019, 01:14 PM
Jan 2019

...a less than commendable trait.

It looks like truthing has a different meaning than I intended to convey, but you know I think this line of attack is full of shit.

R B Garr

(16,920 posts)
71. Great find! It's interesting that the outside group Brand New Congress
Mon Jan 21, 2019, 12:25 PM
Jan 2019

targeted an incumbent Democrat like Crowley and his residency, but any similar questioning of other candidates isn’t considered “Democratic advocacy”.

R B Garr

(16,920 posts)
128. Yeah, do we get to post vicious satire about AOC,
Mon Jan 21, 2019, 02:39 PM
Jan 2019

or is this a one-way street of only random Democrats being lied about and sneered at.

edit, though neither is the correct answer for me.

Response to Post removed (Reply #54)

PatrickforO

(14,516 posts)
74. Oh boy is that great!
Mon Jan 21, 2019, 12:35 PM
Jan 2019

Who is that AOC anyway? Does she think she can just waltz in here and start representing her constituents!

That's priceless.

ProfessorPlum

(11,252 posts)
109. fantastic article
Mon Jan 21, 2019, 01:35 PM
Jan 2019

thank you


We’ve been living for decades in a universe where the basic tenets of supply-side economics — that there’s a massive and obvious benefit for all in dumping piles of money in the hands of very rich people — have gone more or less unquestioned.

Now we see: once a popular, media-savvy politician who doesn’t owe rich donors starts asking such questions, the Potemkin justifications for these policies can tumble quickly.

There is a whole range of popular policy ideas the Washington political consensus has been beating back for decades with smoke and mirrors, from universal health care to legalized weed to free tuition to expanded Social Security to those higher taxes on the rich.

stopbush

(24,378 posts)
110. A smear against Steny Hoyer, one of the top D leaders, and with made-up words
Mon Jan 21, 2019, 01:37 PM
Jan 2019

he never uttered nor would ever utter. Substitue Nancy Pelosi for Hoyer in this bs and tell me how it reads.

Perfect? RW trash is more like it.

sheshe2

(83,355 posts)
163. ???
Mon Jan 21, 2019, 10:58 PM
Jan 2019

ProfessorPlum

118. don't clutch your pearls too hard
View profile
I'm sure Representative Hoyer can survive such a vicious attack.

stopbush

(24,378 posts)
142. Let me explain it to anyone slow on the uptake:
Mon Jan 21, 2019, 05:39 PM
Jan 2019

we all realize this is parody, and that words are made up. To claim this parody is somehow “perfect” in identifying a political problem is dependent on characterizing a major D power broker - in this case Hoyer - as being a self-serving, craven political animal whose only concern is holding onto their own power and status at the expense of new members of the D Congressional caucus.

For parody to hit home, it needs to contain a kernel of truth that is illuminated by the parody. That’s not what is happening here.

R B Garr

(16,920 posts)
169. Exactly, great explanation.
Mon Jan 21, 2019, 11:57 PM
Jan 2019

A poster upthread has provided information that the Onion was bought out and may have some questionable motives (post #72). It looks clear that this wasn’t really a parody for the exact reasons you mentioned. I doubt many here would want AOC “parodied” so bizarrely.

progressoid

(49,827 posts)
123. IMHO,
Mon Jan 21, 2019, 02:20 PM
Jan 2019

Hoyer is just used as a representation of the politicians, tv personalities and armchair pundits who think these young whippersnappers need to learn their place.

ProfessorPlum

(11,252 posts)
127. In my opinion, yes he very much does
Mon Jan 21, 2019, 02:36 PM
Jan 2019

If you don't think that corporate money adversely harms the way we are governed, then you might think he doesn't.

SunSeeker

(51,378 posts)
182. What a horrible thing to say about Hoyer. Hoyer is a great friend of House Dems.
Tue Jan 22, 2019, 04:01 AM
Jan 2019

Hoyer is a prolific fundraiser for House Democrats. He has been the top giver to fellow party members in the House. That is why so many Dems love him: he helped put a lot of Dems in office.

I usually like the Onion. But this piece is so anti-Dem. It resurrects the bullshit "corporate Democrat" right wing tropes that were hurled at Hillary and helped get Trump elected. Not cool.

 

Apollyonus

(812 posts)
156. I don't like this thread at all
Mon Jan 21, 2019, 09:36 PM
Jan 2019

It attacks all the experienced and seasoned democrats with a broad brush as though they are all "corporate", old and rich. It also suggests that looking after constituents' wishes is mutually exclusive with looking after the interests of the democratic party.

No congressman, freshman or old, can accomplish ANYTHING without building a consensus and one will never build a consensus by attacking your own party on twitter day-in-day-out.

We cannot blow up the party and expect a better result. That is a Republican dream -- to cause a civil war between democrats.

Threads like these may feel good with that "all hail the queen" type feeling but we MUST support our party first. Especially if one uses DCCC's resources, mailing lists and GOTV support.

This thread makes me sad ... as though the republicans are winning by dividing and conquering.

Response to Apollyonus (Reply #156)

 

Apollyonus

(812 posts)
170. In this case
Tue Jan 22, 2019, 12:04 AM
Jan 2019

you are supporting some democrats over other democrats, none of whom are republicans or corporations.

Politicians supported by Justice Democrats are doing EXACTLY that by attacking long standing Democrats who have spent nearly lifetimes in fighting the battles.

It is akin to a rookie yelling from the bench in the last minute of a football game which is close to being won and telling hall-of-fame and pro-bowl players how to run the next four plays from the 5 yard line to score a touchdown.

(I apologize to rookies for this analogy. At least they have played college football before becoming NFL rookies and didn't appear on the team from a neighborhood bar.)

betsuni

(25,136 posts)
166. "groveling to corporate donors."
Mon Jan 21, 2019, 11:42 PM
Jan 2019

I still don't understand how and why Democrats are supposedly beholden to corporate donors.

RandySF

(57,661 posts)
177. One thing bothers me
Tue Jan 22, 2019, 12:42 AM
Jan 2019

I can’t even offer constructive criticism of AOC as a U.S. Rep. without getting swarmed here or on social media and accused attacking a woman of color.

SixString

(1,057 posts)
180. And one couldn't offer constructive criticism of HRC
Tue Jan 22, 2019, 01:34 AM
Jan 2019

without being accused of misogyny.

Go figure.

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