Ocasio-Cortez emerges as key Biden surrogate for progressives, young people
by Alex Gangitano - 04/24/24 6:00 AM ET
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) is emerging as a key surrogate for President Biden’s reelection campaign for young people and progressives, pushing his climate agenda as a win for those critical voting blocs.
Ocasio-Cortez’s surrogacy comes with parameters. She said she supports Biden’s reelection bid and will stand by him during a climate event, but she has also put pressure on him as an outspoken critic of the Biden administration’s handling of Israel’s war with Hamas in Gaza.
The support from AOC — as Ocasio-Cortez is widely known — lends Biden star power and left-wing credibility as he faces an uphill battle in getting young voters, as well as left-leaning voters in general, to the polls.
“AOC has immense and sustained visibility with young voters and progressives of all ages,” said former Rep. Steve Israel (D-N.Y.), who chaired the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. “She can play a very impactful role in helping to unite them to stop Donald Trump. She can remind them about Biden’s success in funding climate initiatives, reducing student debt, and more.”
As Ocasio-Cortez stood by Biden to back his climate agenda, students in her hometown of New York City were protesting Biden’s pro-Israel policy.
Ocasio-Cortez has argued that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza and has called on the Biden administration to halt military aid to Israel.
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https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/4616255-alexandria-ocasio-cortez-aoc-joe-biden-israel-hamas-gaza-climate/
