Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., has drawn criticism from progressive media outlets for her recent remarks dismissing the rhetoric of the "Woke 1" era as "crazy." The comments, made on ABC's "This Week," have sparked debate about the Democratic Party's evolving messaging and potential repercussions for future elections.
In a recent broadcast, Ocasio-Cortez stated, "I have a local city councilman that has this saying, 'Woke 1 was crazy.' And I think that what’s important is that we have to assess what a candidate is saying now." This attempt to distance herself from past progressive beliefs, which she also characterized as "crazy," has led to pushback from publications that typically align with her political stances.
The Atlantic, in an article titled "The Democrat Can't Just Laugh Off 'Woke 1,'" critiqued Ocasio-Cortez's approach. The publication noted that while other Democratic candidates have also sought to distance themselves from past stances, such as "defund the police," these efforts could prove ineffective as progressive movements continue to gain traction within the party. The Atlantic warned that an unwillingness to confront or "extirpate wokeness" could lead to its resurgence, potentially shaping future presidential primary contests.
Mother Jones echoed similar concerns, viewing Ocasio-Cortez's comments as an effort to appear more moderate, possibly in preparation for a 2028 presidential run. The outlet questioned what these remarks signal to voters who have engaged with the struggles associated with the late 2010s and previous decades, suggesting that simply moving past such discussions may not be a winning strategy. "One can win votes without laughing off progressive discussions," Mother Jones argued.
CNN reporter Aaron Blake also weighed in, describing Ocasio-Cortez's dismissive tone as "bad for our politics" if it implies that politicians' past statements were not genuine. He raised the question of whether such an approach could lead voters to doubt current pronouncements, advocating instead for politicians who hold and defend their beliefs over time.
While Vox largely defended Ocasio-Cortez's tonal shift, it acknowledged a broader trend of politicians stepping back from previous language. The outlet observed that core progressive ideals like diversity, equity, and fairness continue to resonate with Democratic voters, but the "way of talking" associated with them has fallen out of favor. Vox suggested that what has changed is not the underlying principles but the chosen mode of communication.
NewsBusters Executive Editor Tim Graham commented that liberal outlets are criticizing Ocasio-Cortez for potentially undermining the broader goal of electing more Democrats. He suggested that these outlets want the progressive wing of the party to recognize that "cartoonishly extreme positions" can alienate voters in swing states, even if they are popular in deep-blue districts. Graham stated that the message from these critics is, "we agree on our shared goals, but we don't like your lingo or your rhetorical poses." He added that the "Woke 1" era, if it ended, was effectively countered by the 2024 election of Donald Trump, who sought to dismantle related ideologies within government institutions.