Joe Scarborough, host of MSNBC's Morning Joe, on Monday decried what he described as a failure by top Democratic Party leaders to sufficiently rebuke members of the party's more radical factions. His remarks followed a segment discussing New York Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's comments regarding Wisconsin gubernatorial candidate Francesca Hong.
Ocasio-Cortez had stated her understanding that Hong, a democratic socialist, had moved away from past controversial stances, such as calls to "cancel Thanksgiving" and abolish prisons, a sentiment Ocasio-Cortez herself echoed regarding her own past. Scarborough found this response unsatisfactory.
"I swear to God! It’s really – it’s crazy that we’re even having this conversation!" Scarborough exclaimed during the broadcast. He specifically referenced remarks made by Assemblywoman Darializa Avila Chevalier, a democratic socialist who faced criticism for her initial refusal to condemn Hamas and her attendance at a pro-Palestinian rally shortly after the Oct. 8, 2023, attacks. Scarborough asserted that "90 percent of Americans" would find such positions "abhorrent."
Scarborough suggested that this lack of clear condemnation allows conservative campaigns to exploit such instances, drawing a parallel to advertising spending in past election cycles. He urged Democratic leaders, including Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, to address these issues directly.
"The Democratic Party has a choice to make," Scarborough stated. He differentiated between core Democratic platform points like economic justice and universal healthcare, which he considers legitimate, and what he termed "hate speech." He argued that voters would not support candidates who overlook or downplay controversial statements, particularly those related to events like the Hamas attacks.
Jonathan Lemire, another commentator on the show, used a football analogy, stating that "Democrats have the ball at the two-yard line, now they have to call the right play."
Francesca Hong is endorsed by the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) and holds a significant lead in polling for her gubernatorial race. Avila Chevalier won the Democratic nomination for New York's 7th Congressional District, and Claire Valdez, also a DSA member, won the primary for New York's 7th Congressional District. Hong is expected to face presumptive Republican nominee Tom Tiffany in November if she wins her upcoming election.