Democrat Congressman Blasts AOC, Says Her 'Ignorance Is Beyond Belief'

Matt Margolis | 9:54 PM on July 11, 2019

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., attends a briefing in Rayburn Building held by Power 4 Puerto Rico Coalition, that calls on Congress to help Puerto Rico grow and prosper in the wake of Hurricane Maria on Thursday, May 23, 2019. (Photo By Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call via AP Images)

On Thursday, Congressman William Lacy Clay (D-Mo.) blasted Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez for starting a civil war in her party over identity politics after suggesting that House Speaker Nancy Pelosi was singling out her and her “squad” of fellow freshman because of their race. “It was such a weak argument to say she was being picked on and that four women of color were being picked on by the speaker,” Clay told Fox News on Thursday. “It tells you the level of ignorance to American history on their part as to what we are as the Democratic Caucus.”

For what it’s worth, a poll from earlier this year found that nearly three-quarters of Democrats would vote for AOC for president if she were old enough.

Clay also took another swipe at Ocasio-Cortez and fellow freshman Congresswomen Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.)., Rashida Tlaib, (D-Mich.), and Ayanna Pressley, (D-Mass.) over their inexperience. “It’s going to take a process of maturing for those freshman members. They will have to learn to be effective legislators,” he said. “It shows their lack of sensitivity to racism. To fall back on that (trope) is a weak argument. It has no place in a civil discussion.”

I wonder how he feels about Democrats haphazardly calling every Republican by default racist?

It appears that for Congressman Clay, while he definitely is on target in calling AOC ignorant, his motivation for attacking her and the othre freshman congresswomen seems to be out of concern for party unity. “It shows they have no sensibility to different members from our caucus. Some come from red districts and those are the ones who gave us the majority. We need them all,” Clay said. “It shows they have no sensibility to different members from our caucus. Some come from red districts and those are the ones who gave us the majority. We need them all,” he said. “Their ignorance is beyond belief.”

No doubt about that.

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Matt Margolis is the author of the bestselling book The Worst President in History: The Legacy of Barack Obama. His new book, Trumping Obama: How President Trump Saved Us From Barack Obama’s Legacy, will be published on July 30, 2019. You can follow Matt on Twitter @MattMargolis