One thing that bugs me about the anti-AOC/Squad discourse is the implication that left-leaning liberals should vote for their own representatives based on what will appeal to people in moderate or right-leaning districts.

I understand that politics has been heavily nationalized and that Democrats have structural disadvantages that have to be accommodated, but it’s a bit much to insist that NYC voters can’t vote for lefty candidates they agree with because people in other states won’t like them.

I’m also not sure what’s stopping these moderate Dems from establishing larger profiles? AOC’s not a sorceress, press outreach and PR are things moderates can do too. And frankly the Democratic bench is kinda lacking in people who could run for president and win swing votes rn