Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez a Rising Political Threat for 2028?

Former Trump official Monica Crowley warns Republicans about Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s potential 2028 presidential run, urging them not to underestimate the young progressive Democrat.

At a Glance

Monica Crowley, a former Trump Treasury official, cautions Republicans about AOC’s strong social media presence and grassroots support.
AOC, known for progressive policies like Medicare for All and the Green New Deal, has not announced a 2028 presidential run.
Crowley cites past underestimations of Democrats leading to victories by Clinton, Obama, and Biden.
Despite disagreeing with AOC’s policies, Crowley acknowledges her youth, vibrancy, and attractiveness as political assets.
The 2024 election showed a rejection of radical left policies, but Crowley still advises caution.

Crowley’s Warning to Republicans

Monica Crowley, who served as assistant secretary for public affairs at the U.S. Department of the Treasury under President Trump, has issued a stark warning to her fellow Republicans. Despite the party’s recent successes, including Donald Trump’s victory in the 2024 presidential election against Kamala Harris and Republican majorities in Congress, Crowley urges caution regarding the potential political future of Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC).

Crowley’s concerns stem from AOC’s effective use of social media and her strong connection with grassroots supporters. The New York Democrat, who gained prominence after defeating incumbent Joe Crowley in a 2018 primary upset, has become a leading voice for progressive policies within the Democratic Party.

AOC’s Political Assets

While Crowley fundamentally disagrees with AOC’s policy positions, she recognizes the congresswoman’s political strengths. AOC’s youth, vibrancy, and attractiveness are seen as significant assets in the political arena. Moreover, her adept use of social media platforms allows her to engage directly with a wide array of voters, amplifying her influence beyond traditional political channels.

“She was an early adopter of social media… so she’s connecting directly to voters.” – Monica Crowley

Crowley emphasizes that AOC’s appeal goes beyond mere charisma. She notes that the congresswoman has “real grassroots support” and represents the “revolutionary left,” which continues to hold significant energy and activism within the Democratic Party.

The 2024 Election and Beyond

The 2024 election, according to Crowley, demonstrated a clear rejection of radical left policies, socialism, and what she terms “cancel culture.” Trump’s victory and Republican gains in Congress are seen as a mandate against these ideologies. However, Crowley cautions against complacency, drawing parallels to past instances where Republicans underestimated Democratic candidates.

“The lesson of this last 2024 election and Donald Trump’s landslide mandate victory is that the country has had enough of the radical Left, it’s had enough of socialism, it’s had enough of cancel culture and wokeness, and it rejected roundly all of those things. So, I don’t think in four short years the country is going to say, ‘We need more communism.'” – Monica Crowley

Despite this assessment, Crowley reminds her party of the historical precedent where underestimating Democratic candidates led to the presidencies of Bill Clinton, Barack Obama, and Joe Biden. She urges Republicans to remain vigilant and not repeat past mistakes, especially given AOC’s unique position within the Democratic Party.

AOC’s Political Future

While AOC has not announced any intentions to run for president in 2028, her name is being floated due to her straightforward communication style and strong progressive credentials. Known for championing policies like Medicare for All and the Green New Deal, AOC has also shown a willingness to take more centrist positions on some issues during the Biden administration.

“However, just a word of warning to the Republicans, to my party: Do not underestimate AOC. She’s young, she’s vibrant, she’s attractive.” – Monica Crowley

As the political landscape continues to evolve, Crowley’s warning serves as a reminder of the dynamic nature of American politics. While the 2024 election may have signaled a shift away from progressive policies, the potential emergence of candidates like AOC in future elections underscores the importance of remaining attuned to changing political currents.