How Dems’ Old Guard Beat Out AOC’s Progressive Revolution
For years, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and her squad of young, progressive lawmakers have been pushing the Democratic Party to the left, advocating for bold policies like Medicare for All, the Green New Deal, and free college tuition. But despite their energetic efforts, the party’s old guard has managed to hold onto power and stifle the progressive movement.
In recent months, the Democratic establishment has quietly outmaneuvered Ocasio-Cortez and her allies, using a combination of clever politics and strategic alliances to maintain their grip on the party. Here are a few ways they’ve done it:
First, the old guard has co-opted some of the progressive agenda, taking credit for policies that were once seen as radical but are now mainstream. For example, Joe Biden’s campaign promises to address climate change and expand access to healthcare have been seen as a nod to the progressive movement, even though they’re hardly as ambitious as Ocasio-Cortez’s original proposals.
Second, the party’s establishment has used its institutional power to block progressive reforms. In the House, Speaker Nancy Pelosi has repeatedly thwarted attempts to pass progressive legislation, such as the Green New Deal, by refusing to bring them to the floor for a vote. In the Senate, Chuck Schumer has done the same, using his influence to delay or water down progressive bills.
Third, the old guard has formed alliances with moderate Republicans to block progressive legislation. For example, in 2019, Pelosi struck a deal with House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy to pass a budget resolution that didn’t include progressive priorities like a public option for healthcare.
Finally, the party’s establishment has used its fundraising muscle to outspend progressive candidates in key elections. In 2020, for example, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) spent millions of dollars to support moderate candidates, while largely ignoring progressive challengers.
As a result, the progressive movement has been unable to achieve the kind of seismic shift in the party that Ocasio-Cortez and her allies had hoped for. While some progressive lawmakers have won elections, the party’s overall direction remains firmly in the hands of the old guard.
So what’s the future of the progressive movement in the Democratic Party? It’s unclear, but one thing is certain: the old guard will stop at nothing to maintain its grip on power.
