As Jane Banks states, capturing the emotion across 50 years, 'Mary Poppins, we thought we'd never see you again!', so Nancy Pelosi, prim, proper and simply poised, gavel in hand and surrounded by a passel of exuberant children, dropped into the chamber again ready to look after the Banks children and all of us 'too' as she sets about to restore order to our American House. With AOC 'stepping in time', the sentiment holds fast that only a little imagination will be needed to inspire us back to civility.
Time to snap our fingers and get to work, America. The Jolly Holiday is about to begin!
118
The freshmen Dems in the House are an impressive lot, with AOC shifting into leadership gear. She and her fellow freshmen have an opportunity to learn from the best, so I hope they will watch and learn, as Nancy Pelosi conducts daily master classes in the wielding of power, and use of restraint.
117
Institutions institutionalize; over time, if the A.O.C.'s of this new Class even last longer than an election cycle or two, these new "colourful" progressive liberals, or liberal progressives, are going to become the Wlbur Millses and Adam Clayton Powells and other jokesters, clowns, et.al. of the House.
Especially in this 21st Century era of quick tear-downs and an impatient electorate, the A.O.C.'s and her counterparts, colleagues and peers are the fast-fused bright lights that flame out quickly. A lot of smoke and fire for a moment and a discarded piece of carbon ash at the nxt moment. This is especially true of anyone who comes out of the New York City Metropolitan Area. We have been there, seen this, heard this and done this before.
We already know the A.O.C. story is going to end. She is already as much of a target as President Trump has become. Targets are made to be aimed at. They quickly become tattered --even moving ones like CongressionalDanceGirls.
The old guys and guard were not and are not any good and neither are the new girls and guys. Congress is simply a deteriorated relic of an institution which no longer functions in any way, shape, form, fashion or manner. At this point, Madison Avenue, and the streets of the Bronx, Queens, etc., is simply trying to put pink, and other shades, on pigs and pigesses and pigettes.
The voting, and even the non-voting electorate will not be fooled again. The citizenry is tired of the ballot box.
15
Have a day of fun and self-congratulatory excitement. Then buckle down. We need to win wars and not just skirmishes, soundbite swordfights, and awards for best costume. Hillary's colorful pantsuits lost her more votes than gained her. Did they look presidential and serious? Not to my mind, and I overlook that kind of stuff fairly readily. Win over your full audience, not your choir. Now more than ever.
26
Ms. Dowd,
Your vocabulary is so exclusive as to veil the inherent insults therein. As well, cultural referencing generation X is as ineffective at the wobbly perch you've taken on the proverbial fence which is obviously falling right...into the realm of those threatened by truth, equality and passion. Good luck with this meager attempt to brand those greater than the status quo.
21
Democrats don't fall for the Republican claims of any morality. The Republicans have no moral high ground or position to take seriously after their enabling of Trump. Their is no christian right or evangelical Christians and nobody in the republican party who can claim to have principles. Ladies swear as much as you like, it would take you a year to match 15 minutes of little hands Trump's vulgarities.
56
Behind closed doors, I suspect Speaker P's language to her fractious brood was even stronger than Rep. Tlaib's. Neither Rep. Tlaib or Rep. Ocasio-Cortez has doped out that their voices won't count until they prove themselves wise. Until then, they are just the Left's version of the Tea Party - loud and ignorant.
No one should be elected to do politics. They should do politics to get elected. Ms. Tlaib may not be aware that the people in Flint need clean water. Flint's not in her district, so the infrastructure can wait until after the impeachment, right?
AOC can, perhaps, be forgiven her youthful exuberance. She'll grow out of it or become a marginal caricature. But Ms. Tlaib is older, and, like it or not, she is a Muslim and must "represent." Ill-temper is not the trait she should be conveying. (No, it's not fair, but it IS life in these United States.)
37
Very uplifting to watch a 29 year old woman behave boldly and then deftly deflect the vulgarity thrown at her. But, we all must keep in mind that Donald Trump's demise will turn on whether or not the Democrats can bring out new voters, young voters, and independents. Trump's "base" is hard core and will not be switching to any Democrat. But, flim flam rarely wins and if given enough rope, Donald Trump may very well oblige by creating his own political noose. Think of Billy Jean King vs. Bobby Riggs.
27
Vulgarian and villain is a good place to start. We will have no problem collectively framing Gen. Bonespurs as what he is now that he is responding to women - people is he used to buying or discarding with denials and abandon. Pelosi's accurate comparison of his belief The Wall is somehow connected to His Unit is too true. So sad this is considered a representative of "manhood".
16
When, dear god, can we start reporting on AOC's political work/detailed policies/skills etc. instead of how adorable/beautiful/fierce/saucy she is, her dancing, lipstick, jewelry and the most Bronxy-Bronx-x-tra-BX girl that has ever not grown up in the Bronx she is. Oh ya and how young and extra youthful she is.
She is an awesome speaker, direct and committed- I think... she has been working hard on collaborating and developing progressive and outstanding policy...though I never read anything about that. I hope the media starts to shine the light on these new representative's work - not just their looks, dance moves and social media blitz's. Thanks.
70
This is a great, understated line: "They should focus on the big picture: Trump is doing such an amazing job as a vulgarian and villain, it would be a shame to get in the way." . . . Democrats should "go high", while letting Republicans "go low" . . . the contrast will speak for itself . . . Democrats should speak truth and facts . . . and speak to the country in a way that does not necessarily identify something as Republican or Democratic but rather as right and moral or wrong and immoral . . .
21
AOC is the ONLY Democratic politician who understands why Trump got elected: reality show production expertise. American politics is now one big reality show and the most important thing in a reality show is: CONFLICT. If AOC is smart, and we know she is, she will continue to play the underdog Rocky from the Bronx and create a compelling narrative of relentless conflict with as many members of the white Republican male caucus as possible throughout the three branches of the federal government.
There is nothing that American reality television fans (read: the People) will like more than an underdog dancing, floating like a butterfly, throwing punches and giving it to the Man. And Donald Trump, Mike Pence and all the rest are the definition of the Man. Go get 'em AOC!!
29
Leave it to a young, brash, populist-socialist, woman of color to ignite naked fear on the right! They will dig in their heels and oppose her with everything they have because she represents the thing they fear the most: change.
Conservatives are what they are because they don't want anything to change. They dreamily worship the "good, old days", when in their idyll things were orderly and predictable. But of course they weren't - things never are - but they did behave in the ways those mostly white, male masters wanted them to. But these dinosaurs, and those who tremble at change, cannot hold back these forces, any more than the real dinosaurs could deflect the comet that annihilated them.
And there is no use in trying to compromise with hem, or convince them that change is inevitable because they are incapable of accepting that reality. So the only left to do is to "dance like nobody's watching", and know that in fact, many are, and their feet are doing what their minds won't let them.
15
Republican faux outrage regarding A.O.C.'s antics serves to remind us, once again, that professed GOP attitudes about morality and decorum apply only to the other guy, or in this case, the other woman. If you were looking for consistency, look elsewhere.
17
Republicans have the unique ability that mirrors a chameleon. They will say anything, anytime, anywhere depending on the political usefulness. Pointing out the contradictions is an utter waste of time.
15
Maureen Dowd, all gossip, no policy. I LIKE AOC's 80% tax rate for the super rich. I LIKE she said if there is any kind of shut down, no one in Congress should get paid either. Can we look at policy? line item? One policy at a time? AOC may get many many things right. Trump may stumble upon one or two things right. Pelosi may guide us into a moderate stance that is un needed.
7
If all the GOP can point to is OAC dancing, she is doing really well. It is laughable that they chose this to mock. Perhaps it is because they are so tightly wound and judgmental that pure fun looks like sin to them. As for Tlaib's curse word, it was inappropriate no matter what her age given the time and place and the presence of her family including her son. However it is the height of hypocrisy for the GOP to pounce on that given Trump's many public transgressions with language and attitude.
The GOP will have to get used to having lots more women around, most of them Democrats. OAC is especially young and so may have the smug righteousness that goes along with that, but she will progress and learn to navigate the politics of the Congress. Tlaib will likely curb the potty mouth. What is important are the ideas and perspectives that the women will bring to the table. Old WASP right wingers beware. They will rock your world and it is about time.
Time to think about more women's loos being built.
24
Forget about the dancing, this is just another Orwellian distraction brought to you by the GOP propaganda office.
Just read the many Republican comments to AOC's tweet and you will understand that these people are truly terrified by her "communist" ideas.
The Dems must do a better job of explaining that their policies, even the most progressive ones, are not "communism" but simply a necessary readjustment of fiscal and social policy to address the devastating inequality that is literally destroying American society. Even AOC's most "outrageous" ideas such as the "green new deal" and the taxing of extremely high incomes up to 70% are nowhere close to Communism.
They are actually common sense policies. Anyone with any level of understanding of how badly rigged the system is would be wise to embrace them. It is time to educate the public and eradicate the right-wing brainwashing that I see in too many Americans, who continue voting against their interests without any clue about what they are doing, or why.
15
Republicans better rethink their attacks. Their man in the White House has more "stumbles and lacunae in political knowledge" than any other politician in history. There is nothing they can throw at A.O.C., or any other Democrat that Trump has not already topped.
16
Rashida Tlaib forgot - if she ever listened - to the advice of Michelle Obama, who said "when they go low, you go high." It would have served the Democratic party and the women who have been victorious, including herself, if she had vented her spleen in private. The object is to politically defeat Donald Trump, not to become like him.
27
Ocasio-Cortez is on the side of working people—when she opens her mouth and really gets talking, even conservative working folks will start to listen. This is what bothers the republicans about her, and it is her genius too. It is the republicans who need to heed the warnings, not her.
15
Michelle Obama said "when they go low we go high"
well do you see a justice Garland?
a President Clinton?
the GOP and Trump have left us no choice
going high does not work with immoral opponents like McConnell
the DNC should be airing commercials with Trump saying
"we are going to build a wall"
who will pay?
Mexico
FIGHT FIRE WITH FIRE
these are desperate times
25
I am a liberal democrat. I was offended by Tlaib's crude remark. If we are going to retake the Senate and the White House in the next election, we are going to need a bigger share of the center of the country. Tlaib just made that challenge much more difficult. At the same time she just made the it easier for the right wing to paint the new wave of women in Congress with one brush. Just because her remarks can be compared to some of Trump's ignorant statements doesn't make it right. You don't get even by wallowing in the slop, you get even in the election booth.
31
I do not agree with everything AOC says, but good luck to her! If this is what people want to pick on, they’re pretty desperate. I do not like the verbiage Rashida Tlaib chose, but her intentions are clear and hopefully the report from the special counsel will provide the appropriate evidence.
Isn’t this what the United States is about? The House is beginning to look like it represents the populace.
It’s 2019 - not 1920 - and the country is different. The Congressional map shows clearly how divided the country is in its political makeup, but it’s not about the acreage, it’s about the people. Please get with it. I’m going out for dancing lessons.
12
We have a president who upon taking office knew nothing about governing. Some would say he still doesn't. Maybe a wee little by now. Soooo many people said: give him a chance. OK, fair enough. He's had two years, and it appears to me that he is still as focussed on himself as he was the day he took office. My verdict is in with respect to Trump. He cares little about our nation. As to the new freshmen reps...give them a chance.
12
the republicans and their conservative media liars have been so successful in moving policy in the direction of permanent war, low taxes for the rich and crumbs for the rest of us? that a 70% tax rate on the wealthy sounds radical. i say 90% until they give up their permanent war and invest in our country.
7
The Party of Snark has been at it for more than 25 years ever since Newt Gingrich took the advice of GOP strategists like Frank Luntz who suggested the use of pejoratives to denigrate and insult the loyal opposition — the Democrats. The use of "unpatriotic" and "treason" became a common tool of the former party of Lincoln ever since.
The Republicans have hidden behind the skirts of right-wing gasbags since Limbaugh, then Fox News, took to the airwaves. Shameless name calling, bending the facts, lighting a match to the facts, and creating their own "reality" has marked a terrible turn for right-leaning American who simply saw the facts through difference lenses.
This turn from reality and the facts, has reshaped the Republican Party into a group bent on party power over what is best for the nation. And this is a direct reflection of The Heritage Foundation's mandate for imperial, autocratic power far into the future. A recent NPR interview with their CEO confirmed such a mission of total control of all three branches of government, all for the sake of what is best for the 1 percent and corporate America.
Thus, I think it is fair to say, the current Republican disdain for tough talk and tough negotiations from the Democrats, exposes their hypocrisy and selective memory of their own transgressions.
12
Look, everyone knows that half the country or more expects Trump to be held accountable for his serial venalities. In fact, if he is not, the current House membership will be primaried in 2020.
But with the legal profession debating whether a president can be indicted, the only clear alternative is a political stroke.
That is impeachment. It's not a coup. It's a coup de grâce
4
Don't worry about AOC and her social democratic colleagues, Maureen. They won because of their views. There is a great awakening occurring in America about the absurd and disgusting level of inequality that has developed under the reign of the GOP and its right wing free marketers. Their day of reckoning has begun. Their death wish has come in the form of Donald Trump, the natural extension of who they are. When the white working stiff wakes up and begins to see what really caused their demise (it wasn't immigrants, Black and Latino people and women) they will naturally gravitate towards AOC and social democratic views because it is simply in their self-interest to do so. Once they see the truth of how rotten Trump and his enabling GOP really is they will flock to AOC. So don't temper these social democrats and worry about them over stepping the bounds, encourage them and be thankful they have emerged to help lead us out of this GOP created mess we are in.
8
There are 325.7 million people in the USA. AOC represents about 700,000 (49% Hispanic/Latino). She represents a very small portion of Americans. Not all Americans agree with her Marxist-Socialist-Leninist ideas, I wonder how many in her district actually agree with them, much less understand them. I imagine many of them are too busy working to immerse themselves in left-wing radical politics. But she has boiled them all down for them in one simple message: raise taxes to provide you with free services, free education, free healthcare, and open borders; vote for me and you will no longer have to work, the government will take care of you from cradle to grave, and you may move across the border unrestrained. That may appeal to a small minority, but not all Americans. It will be interesting to see how her agenda sells in the heartland of America. Thank you.
10
Don't know how you did it, Maureen, but putting fun back into politics is exactly what the misanthropic, self-serving, humorless Republicans can't stand--and can't compete with.
Love the way you showcased together the irrepressible young Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and the astute, spunky older Nancy Pelosi.
The petite, stylish, tough, 79-year old Pelosi dealing with the crass, petulant, out-of-shape and out-of-control bulbous 72-year-old Trump is thoroughly delightful to witness.
Step aside, you Republicans, the Democrats are back--in all sizes, ages, genders, and colors, and in feisty spirits.
12
This is something different from the past. It’s not going away, and it will change the future. Keep cheering it on, Maureen.
3
This will be the year of the woman. They are not brats. My daughters are both from this fearless generation. They are very intelligent and very careing and empathetic. They are not alone. They will all kick the MFs out of our White House.
Ms. Dowd , they do understand your large words and uncanny sarcasms. And they are great dancers, my daughters and too all the new and happy elected dems in our hopeful new congress.
They will save us.
5
Can we please have a temporary ban on "AOC." Yes, she's photogenic and social media savvy, but to compare her to Pelosi (The Speaker of the House) and Obama (The former POTUS) is beyond silly.
She's a freshman congresswoman who didn't even flip a district, just caught a middle-aged, white guy napping in a safe blue district that was shifting demographically.
We need the energy of young, determined newly-elected women and men, but let's not turn AOC into D.C.'s Lady Gaga until she's actually achieved something beyond name recognition and the antipathy of the right.
31
One of the definitions of being “smart” is to recognize what’s going on around you, and take advantage of the opportunity. While she was smart enough to recognize the ideology of her constituents and get elected, She doesn’t quite have it with the workings of the real world. She advocates for a $15 minimum wage, but can’t recognize that it was precisely that policy that put the restaurant out of business that she would as a bartender at? Her answer to the 33 trillion dollar cost of “Medicare for all”? “I don’t understand, just pay for it”. Yikes. She wants to abolish ICE. Double Yikes. The This is the New Democrat Party folks. Own it.
7
I loved AOC’s dancing video!! Fun, good music, & all her friends seemed to be just great kids, surely now too as young adults.
Where they danced was on top of Boston Univ. sports complex, built 20+ years ago on the site of the old Commonwealth Armory.
Halloween night, 1972 Spiro T. Agnew held a fund raiser there. We marched then, a couple of miles from Coply Sq to the front of the Armory, about 10,000 of us, mostly students. I remember it well, many decades later.
Commonwealth Ave, a wide boulevard with street car tracks & fence dividing the in & outbound sides, most of us found ourselves on the side closest to the Armory entrance. That is, until the Tactical cops cleared that side effectively aided by German Shepherds. Many hopped the fence, many crawled under the loose sections held by others. I held a fence section until all but a few remianed, snarling dogs inches from my tush.
Spiro & Nixon won the election a few days later, a 49 state landslide.
Soon enough, Spiro was removed from office - for corruption as gov of MD, followed by Nixon resigning before an imminent impeachment.
The fun & joy AOC & friends showed while dancing certainly exorcised whatever leftover demons remained from Spiro.
I am looking forward to this Congresswoman, along with her colleagues in Congress to choreograph the dance that gives Trump the hook, removes him & cronies from the stage.
Getting under the GOP skin, AOC certainly has shown us the moves!!
Let’s dance!
12
Ah, the new House. So many outstanding women to review and frightened men to note. I miss Larry Eisenberg.
11
She is a great dancer.
She probably should have put her efforts into dancing rather than running for Congress. Now, she is the JLO of DC.
She'll be gone before you know it. Not important. The GOP should relax.
She knows how to play the media. She'll have a talk show or some such thing down the line with a great big payday attached to it.
The Che Guevera from Westchester pose will go out the window with last years nail polish.
This is nothing new.
The key is for her to go to the gym every day. Maintenance is very important. She's a beautiful woman. I wish her good luck in her endeavors.
5
Why do they still have elevator operators?
3
'AOC' used to be an acronym for 'area of concern'. Come to think of it, it still is.
5
These ladies will show the world how it's done right.
9
I'm liking this column, Maureen. Remember the old lapel pin, Today Tennis, Tomorrow the World? that was in vogue when Billie Jean did her number on that guy...Bobby Riggs.
Tomorrow took a good long time to get here, but here we are.
Hallelujah!!!
4
She may be a flash in the pan, but it sure is fun to finally have someone in the Democratic Party give as good as she gets. Maybe better. Something we never heard from a certain someone whose name is mentioned in hushed tones who lived in the White house from 2008-2016.
2
I love AOC and the other liberal newbies. It is about time the Democrats get a good dose of reality that represent the real voter's needs. The howling of the Fox propaganda machine is music to my ears.
9
AOC has contributed one crucial tactic--laughing at the hypocritical GOP scolds and Trump's go-to phrase 'disgraceful' after he continues to disgrace the office of president every day.
Bolton had to bolt into damage control on Syria, but McConnell is too chicken to redirect POTUS on his national shutdown.
We knew the Emperor had no clothes, but can even the GOP agree to let him strip us all of sound governance ?
10
The dregs in the Republican Party feel deeply threatened by a young, vibrant, lively and intelligent human being who can actually dance. They are so wrapped up in mean-spirited negativity, they end up with faces like Anne Coulter, Dick Cheney and Mitch McConnell. A sad lot, indeed.
12
How this intellectually challenged new member of Congress has become the darling of the media is perplexing. If young Conservative member of Congress said the same dumb things she states they would be vilified. (see Matt Gaetz)
10
Finally, Trump's skill-set can be applied in Washington. He's expert at building projects that involve installing many toilets. Get going Donald, your legacy project awaits-- big beautiful 'golden' toilets.
5
Yes, the new Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is from the Bronx/Queens. And she will be the the coronated Queen by the people themselves - in 2018! She will have everything going her way then. Except for age and experience right now, 2018 would have met the requirements for the highest Office in the land too. She would be a legit President winning both the popular and Electoral votes!And now another fact added to her resumé - the BU dancing boogey-girl. Democrats should stop pushing for a woman to be President. The people are not ready for that yet!
1
You're absolutely right Maureen. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez will be known as just A.O.C. Just Another One-term Congresswoman.
8
The Republicans are offended by the Boston University Brät-Pack. Mashup with the fine dancing, including that of the Honorable Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez? They are offended by accurate language chosen by the Honorable Rashida Tlaib?
Yet silent on the constant of indecency and racism of the Republican White House?
This 70-year old man says, we are all happy as women grow in power. Women‘s power is good for us all.
As a husband, a dad of two beautiful daughters and an independent, much-loved granddaughter, I believe men worthy of the name think: Go, Girl Power!
11
Get used to it America. Ocasio-Cortez is the new face of Congress and with each succeeding Congressional election the body will become more multicultural and provide more empowerment to our more multicultural country. The days of Congress controlled by rich white men is coming to a rapid halt.
7
A.O.C. - A One-term Congresswoman
5
After being it punched and disrespected by this bully president it’s high time we had a little fun. We deserve a break! Things will settle down. For now, thanks new members, and rock on!
9
Full blown socialists who would destroy the American dream of self reliance, hard work, and pay your own way come and go on a regular basis. This woman is just the latest iteration of the same old song of the left. They demand more and more from people who are successful so that they can buy the votes of those who prefer to live off the sweat of others. That type of government and thinking didn't work in in the Soviet Union, Cuba or Venezuela. And it sure won't work in the United States.
7
No, Ms Dowd, Congress members cannot "say what they please." They have to stay within democratic norms in their speech and actions.
Like many Americans, I too dislike the con-man in-chief; but I wholeheartedly condemn Ms Talib's profanities. What kind of role model is she for her son and American Muslims?
8
Republican strategist, Ed Rollins, just called Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez "little girl" on the Fox Business Network. Several Republicans boo'd her when she cast her vote for Nancy Pelosi. Yet another critic, unsuccessfully trying to embarrass the new (young, female, Latina) congresswoman posted a very cute - and old - video of her, parodying a dancing scene from the 1985 hit film, "The Breakfast Club." Can anyone see a theme running through all of these efforts to put down or shake up this Congresswoman? The perpetrators of each of these efforts are ultimately hailed as losers. Rep. Ocasio Cortez is witty, she's saucy, and, most obvious, she's triumphant, firmly putting each offender in his place. Nice work, A.O.C.
20
The #ITMFA crowd even has a site where enthusiasts can purchase ITMFA hats and t-shirts. Nice antidote for the MAGA hats (and especially for what's under them!).
https://www.thestranger.com/slog/2017/03/22/25037831/get-your-itmfa-gear
1
Trump who has deservedly become "old news", not even worth a "What's he done now?" morning internet search, must be seething with jealousy: someone more newsworthy than himself, and admired by all but the most jaded Conservative misogynists.
9
How about a dance contest between Ocasio-Cortez and Mitch McConnel? I’m sure Mitch can boogie down if needed. Or get a heart attack.
3
I am a 60+ white male I have only one comment: Bravo AOC!
13
For all Democrats, Pelosi and AOC included, there is only ONE goal: make sure trump is a one-term president. We do have a national security emergency, and it is that trump is the Commander in Chief. Under his moronic "leadership", the world keeps getting more dangerous as he cedes power and influence to our enemies. He's also too incompetent and unhinged to try to solve domestic problems like immigration, instead he exacerbates them, without an ounce of concern over who is hurt in the process. Don't waste time with impeachment, let's dispose of him the old fashioned way, at the polls. Get it done ladies!
9
Methinks AOC's political career will be a brief one. She's not cut out of the same material necessary to pursue higher office.
She may claim she's Bronx tough but really she's Westchester lite.
6
Republicans have until 2028 to try and make AOC toxic enough to lose the general.
1
Not only can AOC really dance and have fun, but she is hot. The old boys club, the priests and ministers and all fundamentalists, Christian, Muslim, Jewish or Hindu are equally terrified of one thing, female sexuality, and they will try to go to any extreme to hold it down and control it.
7
I love it when a creaky old GOPer tries to start a tweet fight with some young, hip, flame thrower. The exchange usually lasts for two at most. (LEH)
I note Trump himself backs off nearly immediately when somebody really get through to him, surprisingly like Arnold S. did. Trump tried to get a couple in on Ahrnholt and both times walked away with a bloody nose. Hilarious!
3
Note to the bullies and their leader: we are not afraid of you anymore. With Pelosi and AOC on our side, you should be very afraid.
9
I loved how Nancy Pelosi waved her gavel like a magic wand
when she took over the leadership of the House.
12
When a superstar spikes the ball fans accept it. When an adolescent spikes the ball, not so much. Voters don't send legislatures to Congress to gain social media acclaim. They expect them to demonstrate a demeanor worthy of the office. If one feels compelled to retort to every criticism how does one have time to govern? That's Trump's MO. Sit down, shut up, and do your job. If you're wondering I'm a third generation Democrat.
6
I think you're missing the real issue here. These men are so upset with her because she's attractive, young, and quick of mind. Certainly she has a lot of wisdom to gain but the attacks on her have little to do with her opinions, they sound childish. They are personal. They are blowing up in the faces of these fools like a clumsy 13 year old boy trying to be cool in front of girls. She's going to run the tables on these guys. And this has nothing to do with her opinions.
11
“If I can't dance, I don't want to be part of your revolution.”
- Emma Goldman
7
The Congresswoman from Bronx/Queens. Can't wait for her in 2018 when she will be coronated Queen/President by the people themselves. By then age and experience besides the other requirements for the highest Office - the Presidency! And another loving attribute to her resumé - the BU boogey-girl dancing away with abandon just like every teen! And everybody can identify themselves with her.
Until then Democrats stop pushing for a woman President. Americans are not ready yet!
I am not so much concerned about the language used but about the fact that, in these abysmally critical times, someone drunk on freshly acquired power perhaps, spews without thinking, without a battle plan or at least intelligent counsel.
6
Bread and circuses. Sooner or later, probably sooner, things are going to get real. Diversity and racial/gender/sexual identity politics don't matter. The only identity that matters is who is an American and who is not.
Enjoy stuffing your mouth full of bread, enjoy watching the circus. It will be over sooner than you think. Get ready folks, it's going to get real.
2
Why insult Neanderthals? They were certainly much smarter and empathic than The Nightmare of Penn. Ave., even if they did have (natural) reddish hair.
3
An aside:As Dylan said: the times they are...Except maybe memes from private schooling like Saturday detention. Incongruous?
Republicans do not like dancing. Here te new logo of the Republicans: GOPP Grand Old Party Poopers.
3
AOC is "Bright Shiny Object Time." Only question re Nancy is when, with all that Work, will her face fall off. Insipid effort here.
The fact that people of color can vote, let alone serve in Congress, is offensive to the all white Southern Fried GOP.
When Republicans talk about Making American Great, they mean a return to the antebellum South.
5
Be honest folks. "A.O.C." gets all this attention because she is a young attractive woman. No other reason. Donna Shalala is a freshman congresswoman too but her face is not plastered all over the news media and she won't be appearing on 60 Minutes tonight. Why do you think that is ?
9
It's so fab that Maureen is enamored with AOC's youth and hipness. How hip that she loves all of the cool colors that have appeared on the new socialists - I don't disagree on that point, they are better than Castro & Che's olive fatigues.
Dowd should be worried though about AOC's deep lack of understanding of business, tax, economics and national affairs. The nation should be worried that a heretofore prestigious university conferred a cum laude degree upon AOC when she clearly learned nothing in college.
Dowd should be worried that AOC has already proven herself unfit for her office as her only policy views are high taxes and even higher government spending. Dowd should be most worried that AOC probably also views her as part of the bourgeoisie who must be brought into line.
11
I wonder if those criticizing AOC here for not knowing enough about economics (but see Paul Krugman's column today) and for being unabashedly enthusiastic had the same criticisms of those Tea Party nuts who came to rallies with weapons, wearing tri-cornered hats and buckled boots to elect untried and foolish Tea Party congressmen. Come on guys--you enjoyed your first days of power and enthusiasm for changing government. Give the other side a break. Plenty of time for policy debates once the dotard rrealizes he leads a government and probably should open it back up.
6
After reading Paul Krugman’s “Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and the Economics of Soaking the Rich” and Maureen Dowd’s
“Boogie Down, Bronx Girl”, I recognize the value of the NYTimes space for readers to react to opinion pieces. What could be more democratic? But the very strong emotions that determine reader’s reactions give me concern. Can progress in 2019, which our country desperately needs, be forged in an atmosphere of such rigidity, which doesn’t permit compromise?
4
Too much news about AOC, both from Fox and WaPo. But the elevator story about McKinney was funny.
2
After years of supporting a very male and somewhat gray flannel Democratic party, it's energizing to see the dramatic changes brought about in a single midterm. Whatever it ends up being, the future of Democratic politics will need to attract more such candidates, and keep the ones already elected.
That said, Ms. Dowd's advice seems wide: keep your promises to voters about healthcare, jobs, and justice reform, and let the crazy guy in the WH blow himself up with his trash talk.
4
I feel a refreshing breeze beginning to blow out the foul air of the GOP. It is growing. The leaky, rotten, Republican scow can't stand even a gentle ripple. I think its going down just as the last of the rats have jumped off. The problem is that if the Captain goes down with his ship, the water pollution might be intense.
3
First of all, no progressive needs advice from Maureen Dowd on how to stay focus on the big picture.
Second, Tlaib's "vulgarism" is pretty mild compared to what I call the so called president on a daily basis.
As to republican snowflakes: it is amazing how this so called man in the White House has given permission to so many so called men to whine; all the time; about everything and anything.
Sad
6
Re: " joining forces to fight the 72-year-old Neanderthal in the Oval Office."
I am 2 1/2% Neanderthal.
We Neanderthals are sensitive.
I resent being insulted.
5
"Liz Cheney, part of the Republican House leadership, complained about “foul language."
She didn't bother to talk about her father's language or Trump's when he called the Chinese motherf------ in a Los Vegas speech.
https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/watch-trump-call-chinese-motherfuckers_us_5c3172a6e4b0bcb4c25c6046
8
Thanks, Maureen, for including the link to Barack Obama doing the tango to the melodious strains of Por Una Cabeza. Barack may not have been Al Pacino or Colin Firth doing the tango with elan but he showed us what we all wanted to be, someone comfortable in our skins willing to accommodate others with simple friendship.
When the righties complained so loudly about AOC doing the dance video with her college buddies, many of us, like me, thought back to some of the knucklehead things we did when we were younger, less risk averse, and realized why it is we like having the young ones around. The right-wing ought to be at least a little circumspect about complaining when young guys and girls get up to some good-natured fun, because it simply shows what a bunch of really dull old farts they can be.
3
Why is anyone surprised that a woman can use the same expletives and explosive language as the president of the United States? There should be no double standard. This president is not deserving of respect from anyone.
11
I agree that there is already enough evidence to impeach Trump.
But, ultimately, impeachment is as much a political problem as it is a legal problem.
So I would prefer to talk impeachment after Mueller's report.
And even if the House impeaches Trump, it takes a Republican senate to convict.
The American people will support impeachment if there is evidence of serious wrong doing.
Then it becomes the Republicans' problem.
9
My guess is that Ms. Pelosi is already planning on passing on her years of experience and knowledge and savvy and wisdom to the incoming generation.
5
Girls just want to have fun. Maybe more politicians should learn to dance. On the serious side, how many suburban soccer moms will vote for people who want to radically raise taxes. Trump's rude and crude, but Dems need to stop being cute and deal with the guy. Give him some money to build a wall in some places and get DACA and some migrant worker visas in return. Where did "Never give an inch" get the Stampers.
1
>>> "On the serious side, how many suburban soccer moms will vote for people who want to radically raise taxes[?]"
On the richest among us? A great many, I hope and expect.
Why wouldn't they?
9
These new members are doing Pelosi a great service. They are going to make her look moderate in comparison, which will make it much harder to paint Pelosi as a socialist extremist. They will ask for single payer health care, and she will be able to get a public option passed as a compromise. And so on. It's the good cop/bad cop game, only with congresspeople.
6
I can understand why people are excited about Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, and I do believe that her heart is in the right place. However, to lavish so much praise on a congresswoman who has yet to serve a full month in public office, the way many on the left have done, only contributes to our society's unsettling trend towards deifying politicians (as seen with Trump and Sanders).
Getting elected is arguably the least challenging part of being a politician--how one fares in office is far more difficult, and infinitely more impactful on our country.
15
@Autumn: She won a primary against a Democratic Speaker-in-Waiting in a primary where 12% of the eligible voters participated.
13
In response to comments that criticise "raising taxes" I have a question: Is there any human being on the planet who needs income of more than 10 million dollars per annum? Is three million after taxes somehow inadequate? Ms. Ocasio-Cortez is not recommending sweeping tax increases but tax increases on the extremely wealthy. It is a sound policy.
Krugman has a few things to say about that.We should listen.
Ms Pelosi has much to teach the new cohort, and she can also earn from them. It is a matter of style and each has its own admirers--all are needed to begin to repair the damage done to our country.
16
@Karen DeVito: The economic law of diminution at the margin is equivalent to the second law of thermodynamics in physics.
The more of anything aperson has, the less each unit of it is worth to that person.
About the GOP reps booing AOC—English poet William Blake once wrote, “Listen to the abuse of a fool, for it is a kingly title.”
19
Great. A newly elected Dem member of congress uses public profanity, a locally newly elected MOC applauds her, and the dog whistle crowd of the liberal media cheers.
You now no different than that which you despise.
And repeat after me- because no one in this thread seems to speak to anyone off Manhattan Island:
Four more years.
Rep AOC and Tleib have done more to advance DJT's re=election campaign that he could have ever done by himself.
When will the angry left learn.
14
@Jonny: When will fools who believe everyone is evil quit following fakes like Trump?
6
Jonny, one thing to keep in mind.
The midterms were just a tuneup. See you at the polls in 2020.
5
Regarding Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib's comment, truth is a defense. One Trump cannot employ for his rants.
12
a phrase comes to mind from Japan, `The nail that sticks up gets hammered down`
4
But white men get to do locker room talk.However, little ladies need to watch their language and be seen but not heard. Its always been this way. Its the American way!
17
@RichardHead: Traditionally in the US, use of coarse language marks a woman as a prostitute on the prowl, with liberties to be taken.
Kansas isn't Kansas anymore, Republicans.
9
While I don’t disagree that the freshman class should not get over their skis, another part of me is thinking who cares? Why are Democrats always naval gazing and self-censoring while the current GOP is canoodling with Nazis and Russians? Maybe we need to sit back and let these elected officials represent their constituents as they see fit like the freedom caucus and Steve King et. al. have done for years. If Trump only cares about his 38% of the entire US population, why is ASO expected to clutch her pearls over Kansas?
The sour look on Kevin McCarthy’s face said it all. He knows he has reached his sell-by date. Let ASO be ASO as Trump has been Trump.
5
@JMM: Everybody who finds themselves in Washington faces a steep learning curve.
Too bad the Democratic Party doesn't own its own hotel-residence in Washington so people of lesser means could afford to become congresscritters.
4
I know facts aren't in fashion nowadays, but the facts are thus:
Not a single Republican politician --- from water commissioner to Senator --- said a negative thing about this video. It was delightful.
A couple of Twitter nitwits (no doubt posting from their Moms' basements) released it with a couple of snarky comments, and suddenly, those Evil Republicans™ are hating on an old video.
But hey, facts are no longer popular, are they.
16
No, but they booed AOC as she was sworn in. That did not convey respect for a fellow member of Congress who was duly elected by her constituents. Not sure what the GOP was trying to signal with their disapproval, but I did not think it was the time or place. Let them disagree with her votes, sure, but not the fact that citizens sent her there to represent them.
17
I think the GOP has underestimated the quiet, sustained, unforgiving rage that many of us felt in seeing a corrupt, incompetent, sexual predating, foul mouthed, mean, Stone Age cretin occupy the highest office in the land. Thank you (not!) GOP and Putin.
But the old boys never anticipated our response. We haven't burnt down the House; we've rebuilt it to better suit our needs. And it is just the beginning.
Women have deep networks. All those moms that I knew from my son's preschool days coalesced by Thanksgiving of 2016, bringing large groups of friends. We have been involved in campaigns in over 20 states: researching candidates, writing postcards, phone banking, texting, knocking on doors, donating, holding house parties; in short, whatever it took. Women work as volunteers all over America.
We were thrilled to see so many women run, but in general, so many extraordinary candidates. What a silver lining to an otherwise unmitigated disaster.
Lovely to see all the GOP family values upright citizens gnashing their teeth over a woman cursing, wailing about bringing disgrace to her family. Even better is the scandalized hyperventilating over dancing in college.
But having sex with a porn star while your third wife is at home with your infant, then secretly paying her off and lying about it is okay because why, remind me? Oh never mind. Did they really ever think Donald was capable of acting Presidential for a millisecond?
30
@NJLatelifemom: It is all about populating the federal judiciary with judges the founders would call “anti-federalists” to make the US an archipelago of Snakebit Hollers.
1
Well, I thought Trumpites and Trump's poodle-puppet lapdog GOP loved him for telling it like it is. Which, of course, he never has and never will.
Rashida Tlaib was just telling it like it is, calling Trump what he really is, except substitute "mother" for "the American people".
11
"A Change is Gonna Come" --Sam Cooke, 1964
10
A.O.C. is aware that in the real world, we are not all equal and Donald Trump is the President of The United States. Access to most opportunities are subsidized by access to wealth. This is followed by how much of the sciences, engineering, technology, management and skills of labor an individual possesses coinciding with an individual's ability to learn, understand and articulate effectively these areas of study. The fourth and final step is to make the application and utilize our aptitude and abilities on things within our power. It’s also very common for people to change the narrative they tell themselves regarding economic philosophies based upon experiences, education and self interest during their lifetime. During good times, how we shape our narrative help us deal with the trauma we confront in life. Trauma rewires the brain and changes the way people experience the world. So in essence, we are and become the stories we tell ourselves. Our internal narratives can also be dangerous if we’re narrow minded, disregard constructive criticism and ego driven. In such instances, the stories we tell ourselves are just labels that put us at odds not just with reality, but with the real strategy that made us successful in the first place. From that place, we might think that success in the future is just the natural next part of the story-when really it’s rooted in work, creativity, persistence, and luck. Hopefully, the number of A.O.C.'s supporters who know this keeps growing
2
loved it! Best column in ages. She really is real.
5
You don't need a weatherman to know which way the wind blows.
7
Funny, you call her boogie down Bronx girl when she is actually from Yorktown.
8
Why did I know that this column would end up "tut-tutting" the Democrats?
5
A.O.C is from the brat-pack? Why because she was being a normal college kid who dances with abandon having fun with her friends at Boston University? Come on, Maureen lighten up. What that video proves is how normal she is! What about you? Did'nt you dance in your college years and had fun? Stop making A.O.C your pinâta with your snark just like you did President Obama being professorial, cool, distant etc. etc. the whole time of his Presidency. A.O.C. is surely Presidential, 20 years from now. Please don't sabotage that. We've seen her happy dance moves. But let's wait for her political moves as she climbs up the totem pole.
9
I can’t stand Trump but I wouldn’t call him a motherf**er. It doesn’t capture the essence of the man or the time. I call him the Moronic-Grifter-in-Chief. He trumps all the other morons and grifters in the White House, the SCOTUS, the Congress and Wall Street. Why add the term moron to the descriptor? Well, how can these grifters continue to satisfy their insatiable greed for profit and privilege if it means destroying the essential, finite resources that sustain life like air and water, while simultaneously destroying the very democracy that sustains “Liberty and Justice for All”?
2
What Rashida Tlaib said was only female locker room talk.
21
Lindsey Graham used the word crap during the Brett hearing on the Senate floor. Nobody but me appeared to be offended.why not?
5
Gee, even the sainted Jimmy Carter said (and The Times did indeed print), "I'll whip his ass." And that was 40 years ago.
So now, in the 21st century no less, it's only fair that any exuberant person who finally has taken a well-earned but long-denied seat at the table in historically challenging times be cut a little rhetorical slack.
4
Ms. Dowd's fever must have broken - not one mention of HRC. But still a dig at BHO. This Saul-on-the-road-to-Damascus moment is years too late.
Ms. Ocasio-Cortez is probably aware of the irony of being endorsed by Ms. Dowd.
BTW - it's Suffragist, not Suffragette.
7
Midichrorian and lacunae. Ms. Dowd never fails to send me scurrying for a dictionary. Nice.
5
The energy of this new group of democratic women is refreshing although I agree with the author that they may want to reign in their exuberance a tad and remain resolute in their focus to highlight Trump’s corruption, incompetence, implusiveness and authoritarian disregard for democracy. Stay positive, resolute and defiant.
Although I do have to confess the “mother f******” comment made thIs old lady laugh out loud for a long time. I thought it many times myself (and found myself muttering the f word frequently, more than I have in my entire life) and to hear someone say it out loud was too rich after all the insults Trump has doled out in his verbal diarrhea rants and twitter tyraids.
15
If AOC reads your columns and the comments, Mo, I'd like to ask her to rethink her Congressional website. There is no way via the site for ordinary people to email her on the issues. Ask for an appointment to see her, yes. Ask for an appointment to a service academy, sure. Ask her to appear at an event, check. But no option for simply submitting an opinion to her. How can Alexandria, who may be the most populist member of Congress, not have included on her site a way for PEOPLE to weigh in?
4
My red-headed girlfriend is lively in her Sunday column today with her vivid recall of gold and pinks and reds appearing with more frequency on the House floor, her summoning the movie "Breakfast Club" to welcome the new 29 year old Congress member, AOC, and Edwin Starr's antiwar anthem "War". I'll have to forgive her for making me stretch. She soaks every sentence in pop culture.
But those familiar with Star Wars would not have stumbled over "midichlorian", a measure of one's strength in The Force. And "lucanae"? I'm sure it cropped up somewhere a few years ago. So with epithets right on the tip of my tongue, ready to join others, her reminder was timely to let Trump be the leader as vulgarian and villain...paul in bessemer
2
This is the first time, to my knowledge, since the Civil War, that a major American party, has supported a known traitor as President. This is what comes, ultimately, of the Republican Richies (Kochs, Mercers, et al.) who have created myths to sustain Fox News and a 24/7 media barrage by radio across the country. About 40% of us live in an alternate reality - with Liz Cheney, et al., in which any form of help to ordinary people is treated as socialism or communism. This includes Medicare, Social Security, and food stamps for the poor and hungry.
There is only one solution to this quagmire: Democrats need to train the incoming new House members to use their energy and access to media for the causes they want to promote, not irrelevant memes.
I don't criticize any one, male or female, for using vulgar words - it's a personal choice.I celebrate people who dance for joy. But I don't think calling people names is effective use of a young woman representative's power. Power is something you use up if you don't replenish it constantly. So use power wisely - read Nancy Pelosi's book on power.
This Congress will be stalemated because Democrats hold the House (the money distributors) and Republicans hold the Senate and the Presidency (appointments to the judiciary, ability to declare war - see Constitution). The President will veto anything that helps people unless the House approves by a 2/3 majority. So those new House members will look like they are doing nothing.
5
Listen and learn from your elders? Since when?
The new guard did not get to where they are by playing it safe and staying in their chairs. Let them be themselves and act out.
We want an honest fight - if they fail, so what? Let them rise or fall on their merits and let the new thinking replace the old guard along the way.
Progress is always more important than tradition.
6
@Fourteen i for one do not want this to be a grand but futile hurrah..... the anti trump if you will. i believe that a lot of trump voters used the same logic as you and it has not been productive to say the least. let their voices be unrestricted and heard loud and clear. let their ideas be put to use..... but let's be smarter than the opposition and build something lasting.
2
Well said MD, but I would turn your last line around. Those skeptical of AOC, RT and 100 female freshmen should note Mr T has brought more plain language to the Hill than any modern day president. BK was advised to get passionate during his SC confirmation. I would advise new members to keep their passion and turn the dial way up. Fight fire with fire. Lead us into transparency of the human spirit which after all is one major source of power that has brought you to power this year.
4
I'm torn between favoring a strategy of getting in the gutter with Trump and punching him in the nose (like A.O.C and Tlaib) versus rising above his classless vulgarity.
I think Nancy Pelosi struck the right tone--it's not for me, but given the utter crassness and coarseness of Trump and his backers about anyone who does not kowtow to him, who am I to criticize them?
The risk, however, is that moderates who are leaning Democratic because of Trump's behavior get turned off by this tat-for-tat response.
377
@Jack Sonville If moderates get turned off, then they are missing the point of being a Democrat and promoting the Party's issues and philosophy. Stay focused on what is important and the basic reality...that is, unlike Trump, these women of the 21st Century are our future and have souls, hearts, and moral compasses. It is time for us to pass the torch. We messed up in 2016...big time. I have confidence that if given time to mature as House members this freshman class will graduate exponentially.
84
@Jack SonvilleProblem is trump loves the fight. Its what he is best at. He like to keep a good fight going to control the media and excite his base. Bottom line, get him but use methods that he would not choose. Example dangle a hook such as lower taxes versus higher taxes and the effect on GDP. He will go for it and now the discussion can get away from name calling and into facts and education.
31
@Jack Sonville I'm tired of pandering to moderates. The mid-terms showed us that progressive messaging and policy gets more people out to the polls, which would more than make up for the fence-sitters.
We did not win the mid-term elections with milquetoast messaging.
58
It’s refreshing to see AOC and Tlaib take to the floor of the House. But, now get to work. Take HRC as your model. Mrs. Clinton did the hard work, was always prepared, and listened as much as she talked. Wait for Mueller to finish before getting carried away with impeachment. I have a feeling that Trump, being the coward that he is, will cut and run and resign before the year is out. Good luck and Godspeed.
769
You lost me (and probably a majority of readers) at the suggestion to use HRC as a role model.
34
@Rico Versalles
RV, she was talking about her expertise and preparation in her various public service jobs, not her campaign. HRC was, indeed, always prepared. This and whether we voted for her are absolutely disconnected.
106
@RogerJ I am happy that you recognize Hillary as a role model. She did the hard work and was always prepared. She was a good senator and Secretary of State. And I would have been proud to have her as my president.
112
I read with amusement that AOC's and friend's dancing on a roof when in college had some type of negative connotation. To me it represented a young woman showing her joy and companionship while expanding horizons from her Brooklyn upbringing. How many other's of us can look back at your own experiences and see the same outpouring of emotions and growth when learning and growing? How many of those trying to make this a negative event? Instead, I say a young person enjoying her place in the world, and not being afraid to share it with others. While some have tried unsuccessfully to use this experience as a demonstration that AOC is not qualified to be in Congress, I look at her exuberance and enthusiasm and her youth as an advantage over the many 70 somethings that now sit in Congress seats. She will be a voice for the future from someone who will be still alive in the future. While AOC will still learn and gain from her new experiences, she now has a position and voice to provide new direction for what many in her generation want the future of this country to be. Let's give her the respect she deserves for taking a huge chance and change in her life. And let's hope that others will listen and take some leadership from her for a better future for our natural resources, our national health, the federal debt, and the education of all.
10
So I get that AOC is new shiny object for the right to focus their permanent hysteria and anger on but she has very little impact on our government.
Bright lights need to be shone on the Republican Senate. They can protect our democracy or allow Trump to ruin it.
Mitch McConnell has traded our country's security and status for conservative political gains.
If he is a patriot he must feel that pulling the judiciary right and sending more wealth upwards are noble goals and will lead to the betterment of the country.
I don't think he is a patriot. I think he is a creature of power and cannot connect with the higher principles of this great country. He is our true problem and Trump is a symptom.
11
So AOC is expert at social media, has a rapier-like wit, can rally her base, and is hailed as "fresh face" based on her lack of exposure to government. And that worked out so well with POTUS.
2
POTUS does not have a rapier like wit. He is utterly humorless.
10
As a constituent, I assure you AOC knows the issues that concern us.
1
What a sad state our country is in. Pelosi is 3rd. in succession for the Presidency. A.O.C. is a lawmaker. How far we have fallen as a Nation.
10
@vic weinryb
Nancy Pelosi, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Rashida Tlaib would all be a giant step forward in the Oval Office over the current Dirty-Diaper-In-Chief.
He just stopped paying 800,000 American workers and ruined their economic lives for a stupid wall that he refuses to pay for while handing out a trillion in tax welfare to billionaires.
Coherent is better than incoherent.
41
@vic weinryb
Actually, you'd be surprised that women outside of Utah have actually been allowed to leave to home for decades now, Vic - and they don't typically share husbands with each other, either!
The Nation has been in a free fall from grace a long time now.
22
@vic weinryb You forgot to add the obvious, an ignorant, lying con-man buffoon is president. It doesn't get much worse than that.
9
I'm old enough to remember similar exuberant, hubristic energy from Op-Ed columnists from many news outlets who, over the years, have lauded every new, young, diverse class elected to Congress.
Over the years, I've also witnessed the efforts of these young members trying to wade through the deep and thick muck of Capitol Hill, and their ultimate dilution, exasperation, and ultimately "inclusion."
They either sink or quit altogether.
Government remains an antediluvian bog that will swallow the most promising, inexperienced, new, young, diverse champions who mean to solidify and change its composition.
My advice: "Curb your enthusiasm"
6
Here's the difference - these young, educated idealist have numbers today when they didn't in the past. Because of numbers look what the destructive tea party has been able to. I say let's take this ride.
3
I have two words for both AOC and Ms. Tlaib - both of whom I support: Howard Dean.
5
@thebigmancat Howard Dean was the Bernie Sanders of his day. It's not that what he was saying was incorrect, it's that the public was not yet ready to hear the message.
Timing is everything.
9
We can only hope that the charismatic AOC and her Freshman cohorts will be wise enough to know what they don't know and allow themselves to learn from the Master, Speaker Pelosi!
She's a National treasure.
31
@fred
National Treasure? Maybe for the Republicans, and her corporate donors.
Since 2003 when she took over, House Democrats have run for election 7 times; won 2 and lost 5.
1
And let’s hope Pelosi learns from them.
1
Expletives, dancing, and general "we're not taking it anymore" attitudes are an incredibly refreshing blast of authenticity Washington DC has not seen in--well--forever. As cool as President Obama was, he was not a wave-maker. The "when they go low, we go high" mantra is a good one in personal interactions, but when it comes to politics, we need to embrace grappling in the mud. The GOP certainly does. I care not how things are worded as I do about the fiery resolve behind them. I care not that established norms are being thrown aside; that ship sailed the minute McConnell stole a Supreme Court seat from President Obama.
Let's stop pretending our ears are so delicate. And let's also stop pretending that civility supersedes real progressive action. We are in the fight of our lives for the legitimacy of our democracy. We are in the fight of our lives to save our planet. We are in the fight of our lives to claw back billions from the rich and corporate entities to fund universal healthcare. That these newly elected women care more about getting stuff done than they do about how they are perceived, that in itself is progress. Go get 'em, ladies. I'm with you 100%.
56
@Sabrina Well said. Very well said.
6
@Sabrina
my only correction:
claw back trillions -- they's scammed that much.
3
AOC seems an unlikely villain to me.
I struggle to understand why she's anathema to conservatives.
Is it, perhaps, that she's a harbinger of the majority minority demographic wave on our national horizon line?
21
@MCW
She's female and outspoken.
That's the clear, unmistakable sign of the devil in the cult of Republican ideology.
27
@MCW
Female, Unapologetic, Smart, Not Subservient-
lots for the McConnell Kranky Krowd to holler about.
11
@MCW
Conservatives don't like uppity. Neither do oldsters or centrists. It's anti-Establishment.
2
Today's A.O.C. puff piece is once again entertaining but when do we move on. 100,000 people in her district live with lead tainted water in City Housing under deplorable conditions ( that is the population of Flint!), the schools in her district - with a few exceptions are a disaster. The mass transit system in her district is on the verge of collapse - the economic and opportunity lifeline for her constituents. Both sides of her family have been American citizens for generations and she had an entirely middle and suburban upper middle class upbringing. I like her spunk, but her celebrity and frankly big mouth are going to get nothing done for 14th district.
14
@Mkm: New York City has sacrificed enormously to build the world's most potent military capabilities.
6
@Mkm
Wait...you mean she was sworn in last Thursday and hasn't yet solved all the problems in her district!!?!? Oh, no!
9
Gosh, you must be right. I mean, she’s been sworn in since Thursday and hasn’t fixed everything yet.
2
Wonderful column. Good advice, too. I only did cross-country but I am told that if you want to learn downhill, you have to get over your skies once or twice.
Rashida Tlaib did that though it's hilarious that Trump and Republican men who talk that way all the time in private (where Tlaib was also) complain loudly, no doubt using foul words. .
The serious issue is impeachment. Speaker Pelosi has it right. Democrats need to see how Muller comes out, unless our "man of recklessness" (2 Thessalonians) does something so patently monstrous, e.g., make American soldiers to shoot unarmed migrants at the border in violation of U.S. law and the laws of war which America helped write. In that case, as the constitution prescribes, impeachment and removal would be followed by criminal charges.
7
@Frank McNeil
Frank, Nixon killed 4 kids at Kent State. He went unpunished. So let's be realistic about the situation the country is in.
@Frank McNeil: Trump has established himself as a hostage-taker. This policy is abhorrent.
so this is it. we have to sink to new lows in order to be heard.
it's a sad state of affairs when the winner becomes the one who reaches the lowest common denominator first.
7
@hrieut We sunk to new lows two years ago.
1
New lows? Nobody has sunk lower than Trump. AOC speaks out on issues that concern me.
1
What is amazing is the idea that this dimwit is worth one line of commentary from anyone. Does Ms. Dowd really think this fluff about Ocasio-Cortez is of any real significance? Apparently it does not matter that Ocasio-Cortez is horribly ignorant of even the basics of her government (the three branches are the president, the House, and the Senate), let alone about the nation's history (it was good, she said, that Kansans got to vote on slavery in the 1850s, which was exactly what Southern slave owners felt). I guess if you live in the world of fashion and pop culture patina, as does Dowd and Ocasio-Cortez, none of that matters. That reflects on all those who think that way. It does not reflect well.
15
I have heard her speak and that’s why I voted for her. Americans want and need Medicare for All and free college education. We need money out of politics. We need clean air and clean water. And why shouldn’t everyone who is able to work have a job? Tax the rich at 70%. Or 90% like Eisenhower did. We don’t need a bloated military.
And you think that’s stupid.
2
The three branches of the government are
1. Legislative- House of Representatives
2. Executive- President
3. Judiciary- the Supreme Court of the United States
What does this video have to do with governing? The video proves neither that she will be effective or ineffective. Maureen Dowd should get her entertainment from Netflix.
6
@MM The point is that it was the Republicans who released the video, in an effort to prove that she would be ineffective.
3
Ms. Dowd, dependable for at least one dig at Obama per column. Ah, consistency!
10
@trblmkr At least there was nothing about the Clintons!
"When Ocasio-Cortez, a leader of the brat pack that has put the old guard on notice, voted for Pelosi, it was an electric visual: two fierce women, a controlled 78-year-old capping her career and an uncontrollable 29-year-old starting hers, joining forces to fight the 72-year-old Neanderthal in the Oval Office."
One of your best lines in years.
21
Well! Well!! Well!!! Who’da thunk the flight of the young, diverse Valkyries into the beforehand increasingly unrepresentative People’s House would have the subsidiary benefit of breathing a reinvigorating breath into the wordsmithing of Maureen Dowd? Let the congregation say Amen!!
7
My DNA shows that I am 2% Neanderthal. So I am offended that you disparage Trump as being one. I would like to think that we real Neanderthals are better than that.
29
I appreciate Ms. Dowd's point of view, but aren't we paying too much attention to just a very few people? What about the members who are keeping their head down doing the work it takes to make legislation happen? Introducing bills, getting cosponsors, etc?
Also - thanks for making me look up lacuna.
7
AOC is also doing work.
@PLombard, How about "midichlorian" - in the same sentence?
1
Republicans are puritanical sanctimonious hypocrites. and truly, they have no sense of humor. in fact I think it's the secret way 2 spot a republican in a crowd. they're the ones who can't laugh.
30
@Bill
My observations are that they have the sense of humor on par with all the dead people from Grover's Corner in Thornton Wilder's "Our Town".
Dowd, you are doing exactly what the GOP is — telling these young women of color to be quiet, sit down, and know their place. You close by saying, “They should focus on the big picture: Trump is doing such an amazing job as a vulgarian and villain, it would be a shame to get in the way.” Why don’t you take your own advice and write columns about things that matter, rather than talking about a swear word used by a congresswoman while talking about, you know, the big picture.
(Note to NYT: I submitted a comment a couple minutes before this one. It’s similar but I’d much prefer this one be published over the other if possible. Thank you!)
8
Gee Maureen writes about women in politics and doesn’t fund a way to bash Hillary.
What’s the world coming too?
10
Well, the bomb just went off in Bluewave-land.
Someone should advise these obsequious newbies not to light the cherry bombs until July 4th
2
If Trump complains about Rashida Tlaib’s “salty language” all he is doing is proving that he can dish it out but he can’t take it.
18
The more folks like AOC surface, the more the remnant disease known as the GOP is exposed. Tick tock.
13
Maybe we should give AOC Nobel Peace Prize like Obama was given, before they did anything substantial.
Prepare to be underwhelmed.
10
As one of her constituents I am enormously pleased with the attention she is getting for the issues that are important to us.
3
Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, 2019 remake
7
Whatever AOC or Tlaib do will be a distraction. My money is on Mama Pelosi to knock Trump off his game. For the foreseeable future the Twitter maniac will not know what the Democrats have up their sleeves or what they intend to do. It doesn't matter that the Senate won't impeach. Trump doesn't want to go through the humiliation of indictment proceedings. The man actually believes he is the best President ever. He believes all the nonsense he concocts in the entanglements created by his brain or perhaps the lies FOX privately feeds him. I'm leaving it up to Mama P to take him down inch by inch, foot by foot such that by 2020 only a carcass is left. Only she has the intelligence, ability, and fortitude to do this. The rest including a pathetic and disappointing Schumer will sit by and learn. At last, we have a real leader. Go Mama P.
11
Nancy Pelosi showed what she was made of in the meeting with Schumer and Trump. She deftly and calmly took Trump on when she told him not "to define her". No malice, no snide remarks, unlike Schumer or Trump. She now has the Republicans running scared. Good for Nancy.
As For AOC, give 'em hell AOC. The Republicans are showing just how petty they are and AOC uses her sense of humor to great advantage. Republicans lack a sense of humor and irony.
Speaking of irony, it is ironic that it is the women who will take Trump and his cohorts down in the press. We now have three women who have managed to handle Trump very deftly. Pelosi, AOC and the one who first did it, Warren. Pure delight.
19
@Jean Let's not forget Stormy...
70% tax rates did not crush incentives for the young Steve Jobs or Bill Gates or even the Beatles, who responded to Britain's 95% top tax rate with a hit song, Taxman ("There's one for you, 19 for me, 'cause I'm the taxman.") and who came to the USA to make 30% instead of 5% at home.
But what we also need is a wealth tax. Start with a top income tax rate at 50% for people and for those corporations (who, after all, judges tell us are people), plus a 1% annual wealth tax not just on brilliant entrepreneurs, but on their trust-fund baby heirs. Even at 50%, Warren Buffet would pay low income tax because his wealth is from capital gains, but his wealth tax at 1% would be hundreds of millions per year. (He is That rich.) Wealth taxes are even collected on monies that were previously sheltered from income tax.
9
Yes Maureen! Spot-on as always!!
I pray that the Democratic Party doesn't screw it up especially with such a historic representation of women and minorities in the House. At the same time, here we are again: The bar high and the margin for error so minuscule when it comes to people of color in positions of power. A young, outspoken, smart Latina gets voted into Congress and her mere presence gets scrutinized. An old, offensive, belligerent white man runs for the highest seat in the country and nothing he says or does stops him from winning.
10
Thank you, Maureen, for finally writing a column that is positive and fun to read! Alexandra is young and has much to learn; but she is smart, smart and smart, and has the NY street smarts to deal with stodgy old white guys in the House who clearly don't know what to do with her. And, frankly, her tweets are the best! She will grow and learn in the job-as all freshman Congresspeople do-and she will do her district proud. Let's just hope she remains true to herself and is not co-opted by the system.
14
You GO, A.O.C, you please go and say everything all of us invisible women have no voice to. Rout the fluffy chickens cowering behind their Fox New Hairdo; please shine a light on all the puffy old white cowards that numbly repeat the hateful mantra of Republicans: "We hate the poor, people of color, and women in particular.. for no reason other than they take money we could squirrel away with the rest of our vast fortunes"
16
Change is, indeed, afoot. I have never been a fan of AOC or Pelosi and, frankly, Ms. Dowd usually rankles.
Now here I am on a Sunday morning, sipping my coffee, and appreciating all three a great deal. Pelosi's interview with Joy Reid showed a side of her I'd not seen before; AOC (my rep in the House) is shaking up all the right things and Ms. Dowd is appreciating them both.
Maybe that *is* light at the end of the tunnel and not a runaway train.
8
To our new Congress people, I caution you to walk softly and carry that big proverbial stick. You'll have plenty of opportunities to use it. Just the same, calm down and learn first.
13
Word.
3
Hey Maureen, the term is SUFFRAGIST!
4
I want to be on Bronx girl’s team!
Those old white male fossils in Congress are so humorless; maybe even a little jealous at her combo sandwich of beauty, intelligence and hipness!!
Count this old-ish white boomer lady in.
21
Please don't disrespect Neanderthals by comparing them to the corrupt blowhard in the White House. Better simply to call Trump out for what he is: a person with zero moral principles and no hesitation in playing on people's fears and bigotry to exercise power no matter what the cost. Neanderthals never had mirrors in which to gloat over their bloated self-images while the world around them went up in flames.
14
Please do not use "Neanderthal" as a derogatory word. The more we learn about them, the brighter they shine.
15
Screaming You Lie at the 44th President during his first state of the Union verged on treason. Where were the esteemed republican leaders who should have checked Joe Wilson?
38
It's condescending that you refer to her as "girl" (or that your headline writer does; whoever it was). It's not any more okay coming from a woman than from a man.
5
@EMYou mean like "the good old boy's club"?
2
Why are you insulting Neanderthals? Most of us have some Neanderthal DNA so we are related to them. But there is no way we can relate to the narcissistic sociopath to whom you refer. Please, describe him by using his various personal mental disorders rather than by casting broad, unfounded ethnic aspersions.
10
Is it just me or does it look like in the photo that accompanies Maureen's column that Nancy Pelosi wants to strangle A.O.C.?
2
The Force, Maureen, is clearly with you! I had to look 'midichlorian' up.
4
I did too, but perhaps would not have if the word "force" had been capitalized in that paragraph.
Just perusing through the comments.
So this is the New Democrat Party- Vulgar and completely devoid of any business sense whatsoever.
Soak the rich, berate success, raise taxes, open borders, amnesty to illegals, get the government to provide”free” healthcare, and use whatever vulgarities you can to achieve it.
Keep talking Democrat’s. While you’re all Yukking it up amongst yourselves here at the Times, there’s a real world out there that recognizing what an ignorant radical bunch youve become.
12
Most Americans want and need Medicare for All and free college education. A 70% tax on income over ten million (I repeat: TEN million!) will not hurt the rich. Eisenhower’s tax rate was 90% and American prospered.
3
@Sports Medicine You've been in Staten Island too long, pal. Anyone calling the Dems "vulgar" given the current occupant of the White House must have avoided all news sources but Fox for the last three years. Why not just bask in the pleasure of the tax cut for billionaires that your Great Leader passed? Take delight in the number of deaths your Great Leader will cause by lowering health care access. Celebrate the voter suppression, the support for murderous dictators, the climate of racial hatred promoted by your Leader. Glory in the daily lies broadcast from the White House. This is your moment.
3
@Sports Medicine The "real world" here in America just voted overwhelmingly for Democratic candidates across the country two months ago, which is how the Dems took back Congress in the first place. Sorry you seemed to have missed that.
2
I must object to your typifying President Trump as a "72 year old Neanderthal. That's very unfair to Neanderthals.
14
Rashida Tlaib represents inner city Detroit. This is how we talk about Trump. She said this on her first day, so buckle up. Babies are in cages, our healthcare & climate is in peril and 800k families are soon to miss their mortgage payments. Hand your pearls to Stormy, we got [expletive] to do.
28
I just love the newbie congresswomen and the old white wealthy misogynistic racist outraged GOP males are going to be taught in their old age what women are all about. Some of them are as degenerate as Trump yet they are pursing their sphincter mouths in disapproval just for exercise.
It will prove interesting. Too many of the GOP are all self-involved in their self interests and those of their billionaire and trillionaire donors and these new congresswomen are for we, the people.
A battle of 'thrones' is about to take place.
12
I don't like the MF expression either, except when it's in reference to one particular MF. There's much to worry about in American politics these days but the notion that President Trump will "become, of all things, a sympathetic figure" is hardly one of them.
There will be strains in the emerging Democratic coalition for sure, but is that not what robust politicking is all about? Surely we should embrace debate, contention and struggle over ideas in an ongoing civil and constructive discourse.
All we have had over the past decade is fact-free vilification and ad-hominem insult. We profess outrage at a young congresswoman's use of a particular expletive while we tolerate a Commander-in-Chief who routinely talks, walks and acts like a middle school child, and an incurably nasty one at that.
22
@John lebaron
Comparing the Apprentice -in - Chief to a middle school child is the understatement of the day. He acts like a temper-tantrum throwing toddler in diapers and spells like third grader, which might even be an insult to most third-graders.
In case you or your readers missed it: "Impeach the motherfucker!"
before he causes serious damage to our country and world.
24
Americans seem to be lazy, using far too many acronyms during conversations.
After moving here, English being one of two foreign languages I was fluent in - with a heavy side dish of studying Latin for years - I could often not follow a certain parts of a conversation.
People talked about a CPA, the Dod, and once when a man referred to a person as being a SoB, I asked what profession that is. Yes, that resulted in quite some laughter around me.
It happened again when some supposed gentleman said after a golf outing that should a friend playing in his foursome use more than three MFs, he would be disqualified. Is asked at the dinner table what an MF is, thinking it was akin to a mulligan to the great amusement of all. His answers was that he couldn't explain it in mixed company, yet was upset when I told why use an acronym then.
Personally, I do not like the far too often used raunchy language here, but for heaven's sake, guys, better shut up than attacking women when they use the same.
11
@Sarah
The old double standard is alive and well here.
1
Should not Trump drink some of his own profanity?
Let's paraphrase Trump's own words, 'Take that son of b*ch out of the White House'.
Please stop blaming congresswoman Tlaib, she is learning from the President.
How does it taste Mr Trump?
16
I am from the era where the f-bomb became everyday language as in 1 2 3 4 we don't want your f... war. It has since pretty much joined the lexicon of normal language. This is after all the 2lst Century whether the Republicans have noticed and it is time for change once again. Think "pedophile priest" and see how that runs out of the mouth of prissy Pence of the hidden male gender. So, folks it will be a bumpy ride with the clash of the ole worn out white men and new vital youngsters. I sit back and intend to enjoy the show.
15
She’s no “Bronx girl”. She may have been born there but she was raised from an early age in Yorktown Heights, a quite pleasant exurb of Manhattan with better schools and safer streets and a lot more high-net-worth residents than the Bronx or the rest of her district contains. She’s just a poseur, like Trump. They’re both authentic in the same inauthentic way, as creators of a false image for media consumption and ultimately personal advancement. Social media idiot savants. Purveyors of simple-minded policy nonsense with no intellectual grasp of any related facts. And don’t get me started on her claims to be a “person of color”. Spanish surnames do not make one a “person of color”. In many cases, their bearers are as European as I am; their ancestors merely took an indirect route from Europe to the US.
12
@Mark T
She didn't campaign for and win her job from Yorktown Heights. She was in the district she aimed to represent, talking to voters, hearing their concerns, making her case. She won fair and square. It's time you threw away the sour grapes.
27
@Mark T Are you complaining about the fact she can move between different parts of America and understands different parts of America as a result of her upbringing and experiences? You should not. Further, I agree with you that AOC knows how to cultivate an image for our 21st century reality show politics. Again, this is a strength which no one else in the Democratic Party appears to possess. If she can create a compelling narrative by taking on the Man, she could well end up as the Presidential nominee in one of the next elections. Stranger things have happened (a la Trump).
9
I’m in her Bronx district and I voted for her. Many people in the Bronx move to middle class suburbs. We don’t hold it against them. Especially when they speak out for the issues that concern us such as Medicare for All.
5
Great vignette of A.O.C.'s and Nancy Pelosi's position, Maureen. My feeling is that, even though Right Wingers attempt to vilify progressivism, when trump is removed from office, there will be a swing to progressivism. Trump will have failed the Republican Party, of which he is the leader. Republicans better understand that.
But, as you write:
"But Madam Speaker will need a few fancy dance steps of her own to keep her exuberant freshmen and her socialist wing in line, so that the centrist Democrats in the country’s middle are not alienated and President Trump does not become, of all things, a sympathetic figure."
Take as an example, Ohio. Speaking of dress colors, it's purple. It can go Democrats, but there are a lot of people with that centrist, common sense that our parents always told us that we should have. Dems have to recognize that.
I'll interject a comment about language: If rhetoric conveys a great, positive spirit, then it glows. Trump's rhetoric is meant to be destructive.
But we are indeed a younger world, with different (I won't say younger) ideas, some of which could take us forward. Ms. Cortez could help take us there, all of us, from babies to aged seniors.
20
In a vacuum I like this piece about AOC and I also think AOC brings a fresh energy to congress. However, I also believe that it is an example of how successful the right wing media is at directing the attention of the main stream media. The right wing media wants AOC to be the face and voice of the Democratic Party in a hope to scare off independents and moderate voters and to continue to motivate "the base".
24
Really, really don't like the title which feeds the generally condescending attitude we're getting for A.O.C.
13
Only Ms. Dowd could take a word that biologists use to describe the microscopic chambers in which bone cells (osteocytes) reside (lacunae) and use it to reference holes in someone's
political knowledge. Despite instances in which I may have disagreed with her positions, I never tire of admiration for her writing.
6
@Vincenzo: The use of the word "lacunae" is well taken; it's her reference to the controversial term in Star Wars, "midichlorian", which spell check doesn't recognize, but which comes with its own debate as to just exactly what it is.
As the great Jimmy Durante would say, "Ya got me there, Maureen!"
2
@Vincenzo
The word "lacuna" is tame to me, but what the heck is "midichlorian"?
For crying out loud, unless you’re Freud it’s a simple Star Wars geek reference to the little mites that allow Jedi to express the Force. It’s never clear if they’re exactly inherited or they just move in when they feel like it.
And Neanderthal is an old-fashioned way for women to call some mindless jerk a mindless jerk. So what.
And by the way, cisgender is kinda dopey, except for the way it flips out cisgendered guys.
Oh, and could we please stop calling people we dunno by their firstname? It’s lousy manners.
Cripes, now I’ll have the circus geek community on my back.
O.A.C. signifies the dummying down of our elected officials.
9
@Hedley Lamarr
Get her off your lawn!
6
@Hedley Lamarr Yes!! Because Trump elevated the Presidency to such a high level!! Blinders, much?!
2
And Trump doesn’t?
1
FDR.
JFK.
LBJ.
AOC?
Come on. This is getting silly.
9
@Ed L.
Some would say it got way beyond silly with DJT.
2
Might be good if Ms Dowd had some facts on her side. There is no indication that Republicans mocked AOC for dancing. Please site some evidence of that before running with a story that is wrong on its face.
9
@Michael
You think maybe the poster of the video on Twitter was Democrat?
https://theslot.jezebel.com/alexandria-ocasio-cortez-exposed-as-extremely-corny-in-1831466351
1
@Michael "Here is America's favorite commie know-it-all acting like the clueless nitwit she is," read the tweet from AnonymousQ1776, who posted and described it as a video from her high school days. Sounds like an attempt at insult to me that thankfully backfired. The right has tried to discredit her as a phony from the clothes she wears to her childhood upbringing. This is rich when you think about the actual clueless nitwit currently occupying the WH.
2
@Michael The dance video was apparently originally posted on Twitter by someone who has posted pro-Ted Cruz tweets. https://twitter.com/AnonymousQ17763 Wild guess, but this person is probably not a Democrat.
2
Wow, "midichlorian" and "lacunae" in the same lilting paragraph -- thank you, Maureen. Covering A.O.C. seems to bring out the force in you! Fun read.
24
@mary
I looked up "midichlorian" in the OED: no definition found. Care to share its meaning?
Foul language in a public figure is distracting and ineffective. It betrays those who share your cause and gets attention to the wrong thing, for the wrong reason. It is small and dumb.
22
@Frank
Then why does the President keep using this language with HIS base? It evidently doesn't repel them AT ALL. While I mostly agree with you, I'm offended by the notion that the girls must behave and mind their manners while the guy in charge gets to act out whenever and against whomever he likes.
10
@Frank: Not, apparently, if you're an old white guy like Dick Cheney or Trump. Then you're merely "authentic" and "telling it like it is." Double standard all the way, dude.
3
As the internetz so brilliantly put it into perspective, it is just lady locker room talk. Get over it. For the times, they are a changing.
39
Post a Congresswoman at the door of one of the Men's Rooms, take over the bathroom until all the women are finished, and then give it back to the Congressmen.
Been there, done that at many formal events.
It takes women longer in the bathroom because they have more complicated clothing to deal with!
8
Every time the Fox News and similar media blows up at the activities of this new class of reps they are drawing attention to their ideas and very real platforms. Yay! And so fun to see them getting hoisted by their own petards.
17
Pelosi's daughter said it better than anyone could: “She’ll cut your head off and you won’t even know you’re bleeding.” Conversely, I don't think the new wave of fresh, young rebellious brat packs of Democrats invading the capitol is in our country's best interests. If we think we've been subject to enough dysfunction, discord, suspicion and in-fighting going on in D.C. under Trump's administration, my guess is we ain't seen nothin' yet.
2
@November-Rose-59
Read up a bit on causes and reasons of the American Revolution all those many years ago. "History repeats" is an aphorism coming at us. I for one am enjoying it.
13
Dems let Trump continue to dig a hole so deep he can not climb out of. There will be plenty of time to dance on the grave he will have dug himself with some help from his party. Keep an eye on how fast the Republicans will be shoveling dirt into Trump's grave as we move closer to the next election cycle. Romney has taken the lead.
13
I agree that the mental image of the Republicans clutching their pearls in faux outrage is amusing. Especially with trump's trash mouth being praised as 'straight shooting' and 'telling it like it is'
49
As neither a Trumpian, nor Clinto-Sandersite, I foresee difficulties for Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. She, a socialist Roman Catholic Democrat, has inserted herself in the predominantly male, Judeo-WASPish, worshiping the Golden Calf leadership of the Democratic Party.
1
Vulgar and inappropriate as Tlaib's comments may have been, let us not overlook the fact that Stormy Daniels has a daughter.
4
@rifotay Trump's 3 wives also have children.
2
So, the new gang is hear, put away the party hats, there's work to be done. Soon, the question will be asked. "Where's the beef?" Nancy, crack the whip.
4
**RESUBMISSION** It's not just A.O.C., or Rashida Tlaib and Ilhan Omar--both Muslim women, or Sharice Davids and Deb Haaland--both Native American women, or Jahanna Hayes and Ayanna Pressley--the first black Congresswoman from Connecticut and Massachusetts, respectively, but 82 other Democratic women have sent a resounding message to the Republican white male patriarchy headed by an alpha-male philander-in-chief. Led by Speaker Nancy Pelosi this is an historic turning point where, now with the House Democrats, we have a political party that represents all America, and plans to govern in the way that really will Make America Great Again as immigrants and minorities always have. And that certainly is worthy of a boogie or two along with some trash-talking in-your-face "vulgarian" words to the vicious "vulgarian" who's holed up in The White House demanding they pay him a $5.6 billion ransom to free the 800,000 federal workers he's holding hostage.
30
@Paul Wortman, Care to see the misogynistic old men in gray suits soil their pants? Get a video of AOC and those other minority Congresswomen firing AK 47's at the local gun range. Those old dudes would think real seriously about gun control.
@Paul Wortman Wouldn't it be something if Trump goes down in history as the president who started the second American revolution? After all, his image is that of Patrick Henry in front of a fun-house mirror . . .
Trump calls women dogs and says countries in Africa are Dung Holes. Trump called females looks into question and called a few Black Women stupid. Now The Left is running around trying to tame the youngsters the people elected to shake things up. Everybody knows The Left is salivating at the chance to impeach 45 but The Left's senior and aged leadership wants to pretend like that is not the case. A new member used a profanity to describe impeaching Trump and The Left is having convulsions trying distance themselves from her comments. The Left has not learned that Trump's willingness to Go There and Hillary's reluctance not to Go There. Is the reason Hillary is doing book tours and Trump is wrecking the world. Trump;'s 16 Republican opponents refused to Go There and Trump wiped the floor with them. To beat Trump or his likes in 2020 The Left is going to have to stop acting like prudes and elitist and learn how to get down on the deck and punch. I love that it takes a few women to teach the weak-kneed men that Sticks and Stones may break Their Bones but names will never hurt them. The Left should know that most of its base loves what the Congress Lady from Michigan said about impeaching 45. I would suggest The Left stop trying to make Trump's base happy and think about its own base. If more of The Left's base had of turned out in 2016 we would be in this mess we are in now.
15
Speaking of offensive dancing have we forgotten Trump doing the Saudi sword dance and orb ceremony.
39
These women are capable of taking the headlines away from the narcissist in chief. I'm sure that is what really offends him. Go ladies go!
39
Time to spice things up ladies - all those steaks and potatoes are downright boring.
5
Rashida Tlaib wants a one-state "solution" in Israel, with a Palestinian right of return, and cutting off aid to Israel until this is "achieved".
These are all policy changes after she secured the Democratic nomination, with no Republican opposition in the general election.
So what does a muslim majority mean in Israel? As a hint, In the Palestinian National Authority, selling land to Jews is a crime punishable by death
Then there are the anti-Christian riots, the fake charge of selling land to Jews in the case of a man who converted to Christianity, Hama's enforcement of Islamic dress and honor killings.
It breaks my heart to see this woman sitting in the House of Representatives. Defiling all we stand for in America
9
Here are some of my thoughts on the situation.
https://medium.com/@gaspertheresa/the-women-you-love-to-hate-bd7fd650fe60
The problem isn't dancing or cussing, it's the women are in the halls of power - and now there is a new generation of them.
4
I’m with Tlaib.
25
The release of this video was no accident. It is mindless trash like this that appeals to this women's constituents and the millennials across America. She is totally unqualified for her position. No worries. That did not stop Obama from becoming President and running our country into the ground for 8 years.
7
@Steve
Dancing is mindless trash? Holy Footloose, Batman!
6
@Steve-
Obama took over a sinking economy teetering on collapse into another Great Depression. Bush ‘s Republican Party did that to us. Obama and Fed Chair Ben Bernanke saved it — and us — over partisan Republican obstructionism in Congress that many still find truly shocking. “Disloyalty” is the first word that comes to my mind describing it. Disloyalty to the American nation.
So, if you’re still bound-&-determined to regurgitate tired old Republican canards at least get your facts straight.
3
@Steve
Her detractors released it hoping to disparage her.
Your portfolio is thanking Obama whether you do or not.
Dont y all have newspapers in Long Island?
3
Thank you Maureen.
You stumped me with "midichlorian"and "lacunae". Not even the right click on midichlorian yielded a definition but sent me to a you tube video in a foreign language. But the definition of lacunae, "an unfilled space or gap", may perfectly explain this column.
A.O.C. is A-OK. And, I’m a life-long, long-lived (72 yrs) Democrat from the rural mid-West. I’m always a little worried that she might step in it, but she hasn’t, so far. Keep dancing, Sandy, as if no one is watching!
9
So if your a man and your resume includes sexual assault you are welcomed in the White House, The Supreme Court and the Congress of the United States, where sexual grievances have been settled to the tune of millions of tax payer dollars, but if your a women and can be convicted of dancing exuberantly in college that should, somehow, diminish your effectiveness in that august chamber. Because we all know what dancing can lead to...voting Democrat.
37
@Rick Gage-
That’s because “Family Values” Republicans dance to a different tune. The Hypocrisy Tune.
2
"Trump huffily called Tlaib’s vulgarism “disgraceful” and “highly disrespectful to the United States of America.”"
I am surprised he didn't call her a traitor. . .
6
Ocasio-Cortez for President! Now!!
11
@even Steven
No!!! A thousand times, no! She's a first-term Congresswoman. She knows nothing. Maybe one day but not now. Let's get serious.
1
@even Steven-
No. Not ready for Prime Time.
Well said and totally hits the mark. AOC knows where we should go but isn't conversant enough with the financial system to really know how to get there. Warren is perhaps the most knowledgeable as to how to govern but hasn't shown great strength in campaigning. After what any honest person would view as a total failure to accomplish by Obama supporting any newly elected senator who lacks a track record on the national stage is foolish and probably a loser.
I believe Amy Klobuchar or Sherrod Brown would make the best candidate. Both understand what is needed to win in Midwest-Rust Belt and have demonstrated support for policies that would benefit the 90%
As to Tlaib who appears to lack the social media savvy of AOC she fails to understand when you are in a hole stop digging. Many Ds made it known that her conduct is benefitting Trump and the Rs and that alone should have made her reconsider her path instead Tlaib prefers to be a Useful Idiot for the opposition
10
It was the Democrats who first treated AOC as a celebrity. When she was elected, she was all over the liberal media. And it wasn’t long before the TImes declared her gorgeous, despite her prominent overbite.
The liberals took a freshman Congresswoman and made her a superstar. They promoted AOC far beyond her accomplishments. To put the weight of this nonsense on the Republicans is a gross distortion of the truth.
4
@michjas
What you see as a "prominent overbite", I see as a wonderful. beautiful smile !! And it's infectious.
1
Since we’re playing childish personal insult because we’re too lazy to come up withanything substantial, okay by you if I note trump’s prominent paunch, lousy posture, oddish complexion, generally sullen demeanor, propensity for lying and cheating and stealing, mind-boggling ignorance, sneering disdain for this country, over-kissy relationship with Vlad the Putin....
3
@michjas "To put the weight of this nonsense on the Republicans is a gross distortion of the truth"??
1. Non sequitur
2. Pot-Kettle
1
I will openly admit it, I am in love. And as for the woman who swore at the pig in the whitehouse, so what.
18
@Paul
Cool. That is not belittling to young strong female politicians at all. Do us all a favor, and try getting politically involved and supporting her championed policies" instead of objectifying her as an object of your love. It is really the flip-side of GOP "hate". I'd love to hear your comments about HRC!
2
If the GOP had any self awareness they would see what everyone else sees :
that every time they get their tails in a crack they go after some female. A “witch hunt” as It were. It is so knee-jerk you could set your watch by it. Donald especially. AOC is their new obsession.
At least these young women take no garbage from the Geezer/Scrooge Party. Pelosi’s spine is making McConnell’s sycophancy stand out like a sore thumb.
28
Everybody knows...Republicans can’t dance.
16
These new breed of congresswomen will demonstrate that Trump and his minions are stale bread and his followers will be left with the crumbs.
10
"True Wit" from Congressperson Tlaib (D-Mich) suggests "What oft was thought but ne'er so well expressed."
11
Nicely written!
2
I’m down with A.O.C. America needs new fresh smart and yes sassy blood.
11
Rashida Tlaib's use of a coarse epithet for Donald Trump -- much as I wish that adulterous, mendacious crook a really painful comeuppance -- was unnecessary and demeaning, not to him but to her. She needs to save that sort of talk for her buddies.
As was the obscene epithet that Trump's cheering white grunt-men at his rallies used for Hillary Clinton -- the same epithet used a year later in regard to Ivanka Trump. Are we reduced to see people as body parts?
Our country is in big trouble.
Especially since both our homegrown new-Nazis and self-righteous leftists take pride in saying whatever they want about Jews -- and those who believe in the saying, "Nothing in excess."
How will Nancy Pelosi keep her dignity when members of her party have no sense of their own?
Both sides are blinkered.
4
So raising taxes on the wealthy means you're a commie. Didn't know President Eisenhower was a secret commie. I guess everyone on Fox is a commie too, since they're such masters at manufacturing and disseminating propaganda. When Republicans resort to calling liberals nasty names it should be taken as encouragement since it just means you're doing what's right and they're scared you'll succeed.
15
Give me a choice between suffering the incoherent rantings of the obviously demented president and this sparkplug dancing barefoot on a roof and well, I don't have to think long about that one...
16
Orcazio-Cortez for President! Now!!
7
The 2nd Editorial today about AOC. C'mon! Enough fawning and gushing over her already.
4
@B AOC has only begun to fight. As for the fawning and gushing, may it continue and only grow in intensity.
1
What she said
1
A self-admitted serial adulterer who implies an incestuous relationship with his oldest daughter isn’t a disgrace to the nation?
17
Amazing, how the Republican Clown Boys complain about Ocasio.
These were the same "Big Macho Men" who complained last year that Women refused to date them because of their pro-Trump beliefs. Of course, we are talking about Women with working brains and not Eastern European female escorts.
Well Boys, you still have Mom.
14
Thank you MD for doing your very best to spare us the horror of Hillary Clinton as president. What could have been worse?
2
Stop with the Bronx stuff she left when she was an infant and grew up in Westchester Co. , ask her for more details on her Green Energy project.
4
Wow Mo, best column you’ve written in five years.
4
This woman was a bartender last year, with those credentials, why should we question her ability to govern.....what a joke.
4
@There You obviously haven't met many bartenders.
1
Why do Republicans feel the need to demonize people? All Ms. Ocasio-Cortez did was dance on a roof top several years ago. What's their point? Because she's Puerto Rican, a woman and a Democrat? Now that Michelle Obama is gone, does the party of crusty old white men need another woman to kick around?
10
@silver vibes
Why do they demonize? Because it rallies their base and attracts campaign dollars, pure and simple.
2
99.9% of Republican Congressmen... Can't Dance!!!
5
AOC's amazing!
Young , smart accomplished!
Critics are zealous ,for she will do the people's work.
No Russian sympathizer here !
7
Hallelujah! For all my 61 years I have watched women be beaten down with shame. Powerful men can commit adultery, lie, cheat and steal and they are glorified as assertive leaders. If a woman so much as lets down her hair she is a brazen hussy, shamed back into silence. The old guard is standing agog that these young women laugh in their faces at any attempt to shame them.
Haters gonna hate so Shake it Off!
17
Maureen, you’ve got to remember: it’s only bad if Democrats do it!
4
Nature vs Nurture
The current integration of Congress with women will sure to prove one thing: we will no longer be able to ascribe political asininity to gender...
Please do not insult Neanderthals comparing them to Individual 1.
7
I must confess that I was forced to look up the meaning of “midichlorian”—the first time after years of perusing newspapers. I am not a fan of Star Wars nor the genre of adolescent fantasy in general. Star Trek, yes.
The typically urbane Ms. Dowd chooses to focus on congressional fashion systems as markers of feminine difference—rather than on matters of policy and behavior—finally cutting to the chase with her concluding insight: “They [the brat pack] should focus on the big picture.”
Ms. Dowd might have emphasized Nancy Pelosi’s calm demeanor when she rebuffed Trump by suggesting that he not “characterize the strengths [she] brings to this meeting as the leader of the House Democrats,” or Amy Klobuchar’s equally unruffled manner when the newly appointed Supreme Court Justice tried to intimidate her.
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez probably has very little idea how bad it can get for her if the GOP and its allies in Russia decide to sabotage her career.
As for Rashida Tlaib, she will probably soon realize that you cannot win over voters by mouthing vulgarities, but you can certainly lose many voters that way. Oafish behavior is no defense for oafish behavior.
Dignity, gentility, and graciousness will always prevail.
I would gently suggest to Ms. Dowd that she minimize her references to popular culture—for example, “snowflake”—as it diminishes her stature as a columnist for the New York Times.
By the way, it sounds as if 41 had a serious crush on you!
5
@Silver Surfer
Dignity, gentility, and graciousness will always prevail.
soon ?
@Silver Surfer
Silver Surfer, I wish "dignity, gentility and graciousness," could always be the manner in which politicians work when trying to correct rampant injustice, and rampant injustice is happening now, to the environment, to the poor and middle class, to the vulnerable members of our society.
Unfortunately, throughout our history [and perhaps you need to do some (re) reading], those with "gentility and graciousness" did not help women get the vote, did not help blacks who were strung up on trees, and raped and persecuted because of their color, did not help
Jews who starved to death in the Warsaw Ghetto, did not help whistleblowers and journalists, whose most important character traits were not "gentility," but anger and courage, and helped change the course of US history (eg Daniel Ellsberg, the Wash Post and the NYT).
However, one could make a strong case that the new young beautiful and energetic Democrats, who disagree with the prevailing politicians, many Democrats, and MOST Republicans (who engage in pathological lying, silence and are mostly wealthy with a secured financial income), are trying to bring a sense of "dignity,... and graciousness" into politics, by reminding everyone that the Emperor (Trump and the entire Republican Party) has no clothes.... Kol Hakavod to AOC, Rashida Tlaib and all who have read history, and work towards a more humanistic and fair society.
it is simply remarkable how few but white columnists can write an article without sneering at president Obama. Does is a leader in this group. The thick stench of racism is pervasive.
3
@Rhporter Regardless his color, Obama was too often a shrinking wallflower. I agree with Dowd on that. And what did we expect from a Clintonian Rockefeller Republican?
This article reminds me of a very clever Rachel Maddow monologue making fun of partisan Republicans, suggesting that U of Mich, playing OSU, would put "Suckeyes" instead of "Buckeyes" on its scoreboard, and she used it as a refrain in her monologue for petty name calling. Whenever the Rs would use a name the Ds didn't like, she'd say - "Suckeyes!"
And Rs are that petty, but so are Ds. They all do pretty much the same thing and then scream "It's those guys, not us. They started it." So, for a columnist on the left (even a great writer, like this one) it's not so bad that a congresswoman calls the president a word the NYTs won't print because Rs have done it before. It's those guys, not us. For a writer on say, townhall.com, it would be the opposite. Those guys. They started it. Suckeyes! Like at a U. of Mich against OSU game, it just matters whose side you are on whether it's funny or not. Remember when calling the pres. "a liar" was condemned? How quaint it seems now.
Go teams! You won't accomplish much. Not anything about the debt, or shutdowns, or immigration, etc. The opium epidemic? Don't be silly. That's nothing compared to the name calling the teams can celebrate. Ironically, the one important congressional accomplishment in 2 years might be the Trump era repeal of the Clinton era crime bill, for which both sides will undoubtedly take total credit in the next campaign. But, hey, there will be some great name calling in the meantime. "Suckeyes!"
The Dems. need a new look after the Democratic establishments major blunder in the Clinton 2016 debacle. The neo con infiltration of the Democratic party in their never Trump follies could empower Trump in 2020. Ocasio-Cortez is a harbinger of taking Trump and the Republicans on the field of ideas and energizing the voters.
6
A O Cortez looking for a 70% top tax rate and this makes her a wild eyed progressive in the eyes of the GOP? Does that make Eisenhower look a socialist? He worked with a 90% top tax rate.
8
It's not just A.O.C., or Rashida Tlaib and Ilhan Omar--both Muslim women, or Sharice Davids and Deb Haaland--both Native American women, or Jahanna Hayes and Ayanna Pressley--the first black Congresswoman from Connecticut and Massachusetts, respectively, but 82 other Democratic women have sent a resounding message to the Republican white male patriarchy headed by an alpha-male philander-in-chief. Led by Speaker Nancy Pelosi this is an historic turning point where we now with the House Democrats have a political party that represents America, and plans to govern in the way that really will Make America Great Again as immigrants and minorities always have. And that certainly is worthy of a boogie or two along with some trash-talking in-your-face "vulgarian" words to the vicious "vulgarian" who's holed up in The White House demanding they pay him a $5.6 ransom to free the 800,000 federal workers he's holding hostage.
7
May she dance on the grave of the GOP in the next few years.
10
According to the WSJ, there were 9 Democratic Socialists or far left progressives or whatever you want to call them who ran in "purple" districts-all 9 lost. This includes the 3 darlings of the left-O'Rourke, Gillum, and Abrams. Gillum dragged down Nelson with him.
Ever since the 1920s there have been socialists in Congress, their names are lost to history. The Bronx sent a socialist to Congress-who cares?
AOC won her election-no one questions that. She's a congresswoman who knows very little, that's ok she'll learn. The question is why she gets so much attention. Few Americans care what she thinks or what she says. There are qualified, intelligent, new female congresswomen like Abigail Spanberger of Virginia. Why don't we pay attention to them?They have something to say others are interested in.
Are young Americans so stupid they don't understand that socialism never works? Don't they realize that blinded by their own self-righteousness Socialists never give up power willingly? Are they deluding themselves in believing they won't come after their money? They always do. Check the news coming out of Venezuela and Nicaragua.
"Sandy" is a fraud, she grew up wealthy upstate. But it doesn't seem to matter any more than Robert O'Rourke is a millionaire white man and a graduate of Columbia University. He is not a Mexican named Beto.
The best thing for Republicans would be if the Democrats nominate these fraudulent minority poser Socialists for higher office.
77
@jkemp Social programs work quite well - right here, right now. SOCIAL security, for instance (or would you do away with that?) free education through high school, medicare, medicaid, unemployment insurance... these are all socialist programs.
220
@jkemp "Socialism never works." Oh, come on, get serious. Of course it does. What probably works best is a mixed economy, which is somewhat what we have (with Social Security and Medicare), but need more such programs to balance out the downside of capitalism.
*Everything* created by humans requires limits, capitalism and socialism included. Why do you not see that?
172
@Neil C. Some social programs are worth keeping around. Social Security, unemployment and Education are two of those. All too often though in places like NYC social programs become a way of life. Keeping the poor in poverty and tied to the democratic vote. That suits Democrats just fine, but it’s poor value to tax paying citizens and a system open to abuse by those running them.
When we hear about what leftists have in store it should scare every rational thinking person half to death. Guanteed Jobs programs, publicly funded healthcare, and taxing those who already pay over 70% of he entire taxes of the nation into obscurity to pay for it.
Their end? A socialist state and a kept populous. with a ruling class overseeing it that we are all reliant on and at the behest of. The giddy fantasy of the radical left.
5
Yes, Ms. Dowd, OUR U.S. Congress is starting to look a lot more like OUR United States of America. It's about time. It's way past time.
WE THE PEOPLE will bring the same kind of change to OUR U.S. Senate, state legislatures and local lawmaking in every election up to 2020 and beyond.
Meantime, in the words of one of my favorite songs, "I Hope You (ALL) Dance".
6
While I understand and applaud the exuberance, other government employees are still out of work.
So, people, get to it.
11
@CF
Actually, they've been on it, having advanced measures that the Senate had already passed--but the GOP (um, does that now stand for Gobbling Our Pay?) won't budge. It really depends on which Trump and which McConnell show up.
7
@Oy
Yes, I know, but I also mean that all this smiling and dancing and shouting obscenities might have been more okay if parts of the government weren't shut down. People are deeply worried about their livelihoods.
I would have felt the same if Barack Obama had started his presidency rejoicing over having been elected the first black president instead of rolling up his sleeves and dealing with the financial crisis dumped on his doorstep.
But, they'll all settle down soon enough. I like their attitude--they're going to push back hard on GOP drivel. Don't like our 'decorum?' Tough. I can hardly wait to see what happens when some Republican Congressman tells one of them to shut up.
@CF We know who has caused, owned, and prized this shutdown. None other than Mr. Trump (with the passive aggressive assistance of Mitch McCon(nell). If the Senate Majority could behave like statespeople, and not sandbox bullies, the problem would be fixed. So much so that I am a beginning to wonder if Mitch McCon(nell) isn't a Russian mole :)
2
"AOC" has been terribly mishandled by her Dem Party "elders". They have tried to make this untried, untested young girl the emblem of the party. Now they reap the right wing propaganda that such a move was sure to elicit. This gambit cannot be good for "AOC" or the party.
9
@Joe Runciter She's a young 'woman' not a girl.
8
@Joe Runciter Au contraire - this is exactly what the Democratic Party needs: someone who understands that American politics has become a reality show.
Dancing politicians, like actor-turned, professional wrestler-turned and yes, even reality tv host-turned politicians are popular because for too many people politics merely is entertainment, and these politicians are nothing, if not entertaining. But for those who take their politics seriously, if ultra-progressive, newly elected Democrats like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Rashid Tlaib do not curb their leftist lingo and leanings, each may be end up being referred to simply as A.O.C. - Another Out-there Congresswoman.
6
Ms. Dowd, I have been describing president Trump as a "verifiable vulgarian" in my local paper's comment section. You describing him as a "vulgarian" has reinforced my feelings that I hit the nail on the head.
Thank you.
2
@John Taylor It was Graydon Carter, past editor of Vanity Fair, who coined the phrase "short-fingered vulgarian" decades ago. But, it still works!
1
I for one am thrilled with AOC, both her standing tall, calling out the ridiculousness of the GOP, being smart on taxes and supporting NP. She is someone to watch. She will fumble but she will definitely get up and keep going. We need more like her everywhere.
17
The socialist Democrats should remember they need a majority of the Electoral College to accomplish real change, including some purple and red states. Nancy Pelosi must walk a number of razor edges. She needs extremely smart feet much more than happy dancing feet.
4
@Charles Zigmund since ultra-lovable Memphis congressman Steve Cohen has pushed to abolish the Electoral College, I would say AOC, Pelosi and the rest of the party may have sunnier horizons. In other words, we need to shut up and dance.
2
AOC's dancing in front of her DC office is hopefully a portent of how most of us will react when Donald Trump is no longer president.
As far as her proposal to tax the richest Americans with a 70% income tax, isn't that the tax bracket that was in place in the 1950s when Dwight D. Eisenhower was president? And didn't he fully support that tax policy?
Republicans have made a deal with a couple of devils in order to bolster their own income levels and drain the Treasury at the same time. Talkin' about George W. and the present con-man-in-Chief.
So keep dancing AOC. We'll be right there with you.
18
@Len
Read Paul Krugman's take on AOC where he stands with her assessment.
1
@Jim Gordon Yes, I read Dr. Krugman's article earlier today and it informed my comment above.
1
The Class of 2019 looks a lot different now. Diverse in so many ways and bringing life, color and reality to the House. Pelosi is a very smart and well seasoned Speaker. She will teach the incoming members how things get done.
102 Women! How wonderful. Women know that life is full of contradictions and often messy. Women will bring new energy to the house of white men in gray suits and it will be interesting to watch.
The hope is real too. Hope that 102 women will lead the way to a functional Congress. Notice how Trump, who has spent 2 years ripping into Nancy Pelosi, is now almost fawning over her. I smell fear. AOC may be the bright shiny ornament of the moment for the GOP gray suits - Oh! the horror of dancing in college - as they deal with change they didn't want and didn't see coming.
The GOP hypocrites will gather together to watch in agony as women take their place in the House. How will they cope with the devil they labelled and persecuted - Democrats, women, diversity - all rolled together and now in their faces in the chamber? My guess is not well.
10
“They should focus on the big picture: Trump is doing such an amazing job as a vulgarian and villain, it would be a shame to get in the way.”
Good point. Let Trump get in his own way. Sit back and witness his downward spiral and by 2020 he may not even run again.
5
@Oliver yes, never interfere when your enemy is destroying himself.
4
I am so sick of seeing AOC articles. This freshman class contained some very experienced and accomplished individuals, from a former HHS Secretary, to Vets and ex-CIA Officers among others. Yes, AOC is great at marketing herself. She is young and photogenic, but as stated in this article, she has a very steep learning curve, so can we just turn down the hype until we actually see how she performs in her new role.
8
I get the feeling that Nancy Pelosi knows her way around strong intelligent females given her remarkable prodigious daughter, Alexandra. Alexandria is unlikely to be a name she will easily forget. If AOC is representative of the 'new' America - young, fresh, smart, educated, informed - there is great reason for hope and optimism. May she never stop dancing.
11
ELK,
There is a very good article from January 4 on the NYTimes website about the dangers of marijuana by Alex Berenson. Maybe those states who have legalized it and are about to do so should take a second look about doing so. Are the risks worth it? I would say definitively not.
2
She is simply too inauthentic.
There is no shame in being comfortably upper middle class and well educated. But to evoke the Bronx as a persona? Please.
7
Born there, lived there her first five years onna planet, went back there and worked after college, ran for office from there. Seems a tad Bronxy to me.
I also don’t recall her drining on about living in a crate by the roadside, struggling to survive on the mere mil his sainted daddy left him...
1
@Jtk
Why are her early years in Parkchester irrelevant to her persona? You're really reaching here.
1
Pelosi has ruled out impeachment. AOC is following her lead. If the progressives have written off impeachment, how progressive are they really?
1
@michjas Speaker Pelosi is properly recommending that the House abide by the due process of law. She hasn't ruled out impeachment proceedings, she wants to hear and weigh all the evidence. Progressive policies are what we need, not an even bigger Constitutional crisis than we have today.
2
Members of the Trump Party Congressional caucus, many of whom appear not to have made it past the 7th grade emotionally, had better the enjoy the next two years as much as they can. If November 6, 2018 is any indication, there will be even less of them in office after January 2021.
3
Your saying sensible things today, and not one dig at Sec. Clinton or Pres Obama. New Years resolution?
4
Tlaib’s comments were no worse than any number made by Louis Gohmert, Steve King and a long line of GOP congressmen and Senators. Only a few voices count. As Dowd notes. Pelosi is one of them.
8
"When Obama got to the White House, Republicans trembled at his midichlorian count, but their fear faded as he grew more professorial and remote." This is absolutely true and represents THE worst shortcoming of the Obama years. We needed Harry Truman but we got Mr. Rogers.
2
Whyn’t you go back, look at the long, long, long list of Obama’s accomplishments, and think this through for real.
1
doesn't it rankle you, maureen, that you helped to elect trump to the presidency? every time i read you calling trump some dastardly thing, i remember how you mocked and chided hillary during the campaign. i suggest you refrain from doing this any more. you cannot erase the stain that you helped elect the worst president we've ever had, a man with no heart or soul, like that wasn't evident in the campaign.
11
How beautiful to see exuberance, life and joy in Congress instead of the fanaticism, fear and hate of the Old White Boys Club.
Keep dancing AOC.
9
How can female congress members be 'freshmen'? How about non-sexist terms from now on like 'frosh' for everybody which it should always be in any event.
1
O-C is a thorn in the side of the Democrats and a gift to the Republicans. Go lady!!
1
See, Maureen, you can do nice now that Mitt's demoted, Hillary's retired, and Trump's walled in!
2
The “Centrist-Socialist” split in the Democratic party is a completely manufactured myth created by the media.
Ocasio-Cortez is no more of a Bolshevik than Mike Bloomberg is a plutocratic, mustache-twirling Robber Baron. Both favor higher tax rates on the top 1%, and the application of tax revenue to fund education, health care and infrastructure. Both reject gerrymandering and voter suppression rules. Both want border security and smart, non-racist immigration policy and a ban on assault weapons.
Both would gladly support and campaign for Elizabth Warren or Kirsten Gillibrand. Both realize that the biggest obstacle to their agendas are Trump and the GOP.
While Maureen Dowd lazily gets her feel for the zeitgeist from a bunch of Twtter-trolls right and left, and opining on the fashion-choices and dance moves of people much younger than themselves in their desperation to be culturally relevant—the Ocasio-Cortez’s and Nancy Pelosi’s happily accept all kinds of differences of age, sex, gender ID and color and can work together.
5
The mark of an effective representative is the ability to get things done. Persuade others, command respect, pass legislation.
Think Lyndon Johnson, Tip O'Neil, George Mitchell, Edward Kennedy.
Talk is cheap. Coming from someone who's been in office for a few days, it's meaningless. Government is not about looking appealing or being a fresh face. It's about results.
Let's check back in 3-5 years and examine the track record of this new representative. Then we'll know if we have a real leader, or a flash in the pan.
And a friendly word of advice to "AOC" - don't waste a second responding to the lunatic fringe. See Exhibit 1, a/k/a Elizabeth Warren. It's the old adage of never arguing with a moron- they'll drag you down to their level, and then beat you with experience.
Instead, focus your efforts on the hard work of governing and building coalitions. The cameras will still be there when you have something substantive to announce.
7
This is thrilling! Don't worry about the middle class. We are loving it.
4
The Democrats must declare war on the Republicans, immediately. They must choose a General and an Adjutant to run this war. Now.
To spend months choosing a Democratic leader is tantamount to facing a ruthless enemy with a committee that only argues with itself. That would guarantee that we lose the war.
I suggest Kamala Harris as President and Beto O’Rourke as Vice President. Let these two great leaders take us into battle against the Republicans and Donald Trump. We can win the war with this sort of adult leadership.
We ARE at war.
Pull the trigger.
Now.
3
@Templ Emmet Williams
How Beto O'Rourke and Kamala Harris could be characterized as "great leaders" is beyond me. Harris has some chops but O'Rourke? He's a 2nd Lieutenant at best.
It’s fun to watch A.O.C. dance and Pelosi grasp the gavel, but the road ahead is much harder than rebuffing GOP social media. Democrats have majority influence in just one half of three branches of the federal government. They have achieved a foothold, nothing more. The questions now are how to use that to reach the next higher level.
Social media is the slipperiest of platforms yet invented. It’s easy for a misstep now or in the past (a la Kevin Hart) to threaten forward movement. A.O.C. has shown talent in using those tools and can teach Pelosi (and all others who started adult life by literally "dialing" a phone) how to use it. At the same time, Pelosi has shown her mastery of DC politics as she parries Trump’s whims. Today, sober policy development must be expressed with a hashtag in order to get traction.
Using the currently most popular hashtags: The #american #people #today need a #party that opposes #trump. If you don’t dominate the #news cycle on #twitter, you are #history.
Every English composition teacher and policy wonk may be cringing, but we all have to sacrifice.
98
Soon the fascination with AOC will fade and she will become part of the Establishment. Give it time, America, give it time. Thank you.
4
Maureen, the "Bronx Girl" is what the music business calls a "one hit wonder".
5
It should be pointed out that A.O.C.'s great election victory over the Democratic establishment was only 15,000 votes in a district with 700,000 people. She is just one little congrespersons.
5
@Roy Greenfield. And remember that the Supreme Court handed Dubbya the keys to the Oval Office with under 600 votes!
3
@Roy Greenfield
Really? I have it on good authority that she received 110,318 votes in the general election (beating her top opponent by more than 91,000 votes). If she won by that margin in the primary over a well-known and well-funded incumbent, that truly is remarkable.
election.https://www.nytimes.com/elections/results/new-york-house-district-14
2
She is fearless. The Republicans are feckless.
18
@bruce-
No. Actually, they’re determined to destroy her not only because who she is but what she represents: the threat that she and other intelligent young women like her pose to their plush, closed, cushy little world.
That she dethroned Crowley, a veteran House insider and hatchet-man in her district’s primary they hold against her, too, mainly out of fear; to be avenged. But she represents people whom Republicans disenfranchised and disparaged over many decades so, in effect, her greatest crime was to surmount their barriers, breach their battlement. That is an unpardonable affront. And they also seek to make an example of her simply out of narrow, partisan self-interest.
So, nothing about their wholly disproportional bursts of public mendacity should be taken lightly, why she should tread carefully. As much as Limbaugh and Fox’s Ingraham might rant and rave the worst among her self-proclaimed enemies will go a few steps further and employ smarmy operatives like Tuck or Stone to ruin her. Indeed, “walking the straight-&-narrow” might not be straight-&-narrow enough in her case simply because they’ll be aiming at her feet.
Fact is, she needs more than a small “kitchen cabinet” of old political hands to advise her now. A bulls-eye will be pinned firmly to her back everywhere she goes. To get through her first “learning curve” term without being brought down by some amoral elephant hunter she needs a phalanx of minders and keepers.
1
Style over substance - Ana reticle about dancing. A trillion dollar a year deficit, and the NYT is concerned over people’s thoughts about someone’s dancing.
We are doomed.
4
The ultimate "she-devil" was/is Hillary Clinton.
So horrible was she, even seemingly reputable columnists like Mo Dowd railed her while enabling a mad-man.
13
@Brad - Long may she live.
2
Memo to the old white men of the GOP - the dustbin of history is right outside, and Pelosi, AOC, Talib, and the rest have their brooms at the ready.
16
While the reporting in this piece is very vivid, well written and more enjoyable than Maureen Dowd has been in years - can she admit she’d love to be 29 right now, though ?? - how is this an opinion piece? What is the opinion? It reads more like the NewYorker version of a tabloid page six.
AOC strikes me as narcissistic as Trump.
8
Cynthia McKinney is a name from the past. Is AOC her reincarnation? She'd better hope not as CM flamed out pretty quickly.
5
Let the fun begin. Trump is not just a vulgarian and a villain, he is humorless, really, a loser!
AOC rocks, better yet, she rules!
12
As an old white guy myself, I could not be happier with AOC. I just hope reality and the ugly grind doesn't wear her down.
20
What could be more vulgar then using the Constitution as toilet paper with Article One has the first wipe and the Article Two emoluments clause as the second. Trump is as dangerous to our Republic as the call to secede by the Confederacy. The only element of his administration that is saving us is his incompetency in following thru with his hare- brained schemes.
12
Trump is Obscenity Incarnate. All the rest is a sideshow.
10
Mo, so glad you are happy about these women running the house. I predict soon you will turn on them just like you did Hilary.
10
Changing your tune Mo? Trump didn't give you the WH Press Sec job as reward for all those hit pieces you wrote about Hill, huh?
13
OMG. An Eighties Style O.M.G.(original mean girl) is setting her sights and sharpening her claws. Sure, it starts with a lighthearted, playful ode to screwball comedies, and ends with an obsession and near constant vilification. SEE: Clinton, Hillary R.. With friends like you, Madame, WE don't need enemies. The shtick is old, tired and boring.
14
Until they prove me wrong, the Dems ar always the people who can snatch defeat from th jaws of victory. AOC and her ilk are no different , they just listen to better music.
The Dems really believe that the USA is a 60/40 country - and Trump, well he can’t do any math because he believes 40/60 is really 70/30. Both are incoherent and stupid.
1
It's nice to know that Maureen Dowd finally found someone she can unashamedly swoon over after a very long post Obama drought. Alexandra Ocasio Cortez is the newest novelty to hit Washington DC since Donald Trump's bested Hillary Clinton 2016.
Trump has mastered that which his mentor Roy Cohn taught him. Shamelessly accuse your enemies of possessing your own worst qualities and it becomes hard to point the finger back without looking weak. So we hear the term snowflake tossed at liberals, it comes from the whiniest snowflake of all. This all seems petty, but whoever the Democratic candidate is will have to figure out how to deal with this and not allow themself to play anything but offense.
And let’s not forget when it comes to the Bronx, it’s the only borough attached to mainland USA. Compared to folks from the Bronx, rich boys from Queens are almost foreigners!
4
Where is there any evidence the troll account that’s first shared the dance video was right leaning?
2
Neanderthals were nice people and deserve more respect.
They wanted civil discourse but we killed them all.
4
Maybe the same Republicans that wanted to make her dance video an issue should have first watched the video of Eric Brakey, Republican who ran for the US Senate from Maine, dancing with himself in his underwear: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pBryD-ir3Yg
You done good on this one, Maureen.
2
I love A.O.C. She's a real New Yoorker. "Hey, I'm walkin' here." The fossilized Republicans are besides themselves. They are not used to women speaking their minds. They are consuming more Geritol. Yes, A.O.C. is a little green, but I like her energy, smarts, toughness, smile, and insouciant behavior. She makes it fun to view a new Congress instead of one where many men have one foot in the grave. Can I have the next dance, Ms.Cortes?
4
Terrific column MD
1
Is Maureen Down simply emotionally incapable of writing a column without taking a dig at either Obama or the Clintons? I like AOC too but she is NOT more adept at using social media than Obama was, and he was always professorial. That was part of his original attraction: the seriousness and playfulness combined.
4
Author, eligible for Medicare, seeks relevancy by pandering to youth, seeking her own second youth, and someone who was once fun to read, now identifies with the far left,is overtly political and tedious! AOC is having the time of her life,has found her place in the sun w/o ever being challenged. To say AOC is from the Bronx is misleading, as if she were a child of the streets, had grown up deprived, yet her father was an architect and she grew up in RIVERDALE! Who funds her? "Quien sabe?"Dowd does not mention that AOC backed down from challenge from Ben Shapiro to debate, calling him a heckler. How does that grab you, Ms. Dowd? Lost faith in Dowd as a credible journalist day an article appeared by her about a French diplomat whose sole claim to fame was that he was gay.Author has no regard, little sympathy for the down and out, those "en bas de la colline,"which is explained by the fact that she, grew up as a child of privilege, daughter of a D.C. police chief! I would rather see her write about the housing crisis in the Bronx,fire traps in which folks r forced to live, gangs which tyrannize honest folks, but such topics are not trendy enough for her, not worthy of her attention! Growing old is not easy thing to cope with, and identifying with the young is 1 way some cope with the advancing years.Had a neighbor once, Pat Mcgrady, brother of Mike McGrady,who wrote "The Youth Doctors,"about the never ending striving for youth by the old. Recommend it to Ms. Dowd.
2
Before Trump, others in Washington have used expletives and were held accountable. Trump used expletives and has been held accountable by almost all media not Fox. Tlaib used an expletive and has not been held accountable by the media. Hers has been rationalized and explained away. Double standard.
1
According to your link Ms Dowd, Mr. Trump did not use the MF epithet even though that is what you state. It was yelled by one of his supporters at a rally.
Big difference.
But if you are ok with a congresswoman using that kind of language, then so be it.
3
The Right beat Obama up every day for eight years while The Left sat on its hands seldom defending him. Obama's manhood nationality and loyalty were called in question. Sarah Palin questioned his manhood constantly. Now when The Left has a couple of women willing to give it back as hard or harder than they got it The Left hits the panic button? If the Right makes them their new whipping boys to replace Nancy and Hillary who really cares? I wish The Left could grow a spine and stop trying to look like your 10th grade English teacher.
10
The republicans need to lighten up — she’s young and hasn’t had enough time yet to massively cheat on estate taxes, be unfaithful to three spouses, brag about it, and pay off a porn star. Give her a little time — perhaps she won’t disappoint you as she sinks to your standards.
16
Looks like Maureen spent her month off looking for new female blood to put her carving knife into now that HClinton is history. Sad she can't find someone on the other side of the aisle or in the WH to carve into. Maybe her lengthy holiday stay with her Republican family dulled her sense of focus.
3
"Favorite Commie know-it-all".
That is the enemy folks: dirt ignorant and proud of it. Liberals cannot hope to reach dirt ignorant and proud of it people. I still think Liberals do a poor job exposing how many Americans are dirt ignorant and proud of it.
I honestly could care less at this point because Americans could care less. Women vote for anti-women candidates and "Blue Collar" folks vote Republican for the cult. America is mediocre.
8
The byline on this column says Maureen Dowd, but since there was no gratuitous attack on Hilary Clinton anywhere in the column, who really wrote this?
11
What! An entire Maureen Dowd column without any gratuitous swipes at "Billary" Clinton or "Barry" Obama?
Truly we have entered a new era of Dowdian rapprochement and good feeling. Let's hope it will last.
9
Maureen Dowd has become as tone deaf as Zsa Zsa Gabor sniffling on the Merv Griffin show about how she likes the energy of thee young people, but they need to get a haircut. Her condescension towards Ocasio Cortez is an embarrassment. Why has happened to the Times' opinion page? Every columnist has completely lost his or her orientation during the Trump presidency, spinning attitude and irrelevancies. Paul Krugman at least is almost always substantive. Can there be a new policy that if a columnist is just phoning it on the paper doesn't have to publish it? Can we actually hear from people with something to say -- from Democratic Socialists on the one hand and actual pro Trump conservatives on the other? Real scientists on Climate? Why waste our time with this lazy stuff?
8
Maureen has rehabilitated herself with the left wing commenters in the NY Times with the op-ed. At least for the short term they will forget her savaging of Hillary for the last ten years.
4
Whoa Maureen - unfair to Neanderthals.....
2
Ms. Dowd always nails it. oh that's the Breakfast Club too. she got nailed. goody goody!
@markhas U can call me a carpenter cause i did a lot of nailing every day multiple times, bang bang bang all day long.
Fact Check: Cynthia McKinney is not a freshman congresswoman. She’s was first elected in 1993.
3
I simply hate that you've chosen such a tired cliche as "brat pack" to characterize this new generation of representatives and civil servants. It's mean, not true, and lazy. And, you need to give up your tired snarky tone, Maureen. Go deeper. These difficult times require more from you. Give it.
9
So much this. Hey, anyone want to watch "Mystic Pizza"? I've got "St. Elmo's Fire" on VHS too!
1
Another patronizing, tiresome column from Dowd. Basically amounts to a warning to the young progressives to 'tone it down' lest they experience a backlash from the old guard. Maybe they care more about real change than lunching with the rich and famous. Where are Lindy West and Roxane Gay? Come on Times! Get with the times.
4
This is what making America great again looks like. Heck, this is what America looks like and will become more so unless wealhy old men start living to 150.
1
Nice thoughts from an "elderly woman GOPER columnist." Ms Dowd, if you don't like being called that, stop referring to AOC as a "girl."
8
The Brat Pack. An "uncontrollable 29 year old". Maureen, as
always, needs a target. I wondered what she'd do once Hillary was out of the picture, ending decades of profitable bashing for Ms.Dowd.
6
In a small part of this article Trump was referenced as using the F word at a public rally. I’m sure this mistake will be corrected* (I hope) But how silly to reference how the president uses salty language. The reality is, politically, the Rep from MI doesn’t gain our respect by doing so.
*(note the original article referenced does not provide any content that Trump used this word, and in fact says “a supporter” did, and at this time there has not been a correction)
Democrats like Rep from MI and those supporting political harsh anti-Trump impeachment rhetoric like this act as if they don’t understand what they are up against. They take vulgarity and extreme impeachment measures as the brute force needed for a win in their favor. Silly.
What’s needed (and I’m not a leftist nor a Democrat & I voted for Trump) is a person who can influence and lead as effectively as Trump. And if you think that’s a joke then you are part of the next failed Democrat election.
Kudos to people like AOC for getting it.
1
@Jay Gee
https://www.mediaite.com/online/donald-trump-drops-f-bomb-at-new-hampshire-rally/
http://thefederalist.com/2016/02/26/watch-trump-drop-the-f-bomb-5-times-in-74-seconds/
I don't really care what word he uses I care more about what he is doing to this country, but perhaps you should do more research.
1
I just love it that the vulgarian in the White House is going to be brought to his knees by a democratic congress filled with women. You go girls
7
The Republican reaction to the new House majority is revealing. The contrast is painful - for them. It is painfully obvious that they are nothing but a pack of hypocritical, sanctimonious frauds.
The only thing they have accomplished is a huge tax giveaway to the rich, and now the destruction of the government. Their ideas don’t work, and they are led by a corrupt ignoramus who only knows six things - 12 of which are wrong. (He can’t even keep his own lies straight.) To paraphrase FDR, they have nothing to offer but Fear itself.
Aided by a corrupt media propaganda operation, they don’t govern - they rule by fiat where they can get away with it. Their response to democracy breaking out is to throw a hissy fit and engage in vote suppression.
That undeleted expletive is one that they all have earned, many times over. Their open embrace of bigotry, sexism, racism, etc. to keep a stranglehold on the country is not to be tolerated any longer.
Let’s hope the new House can make a start on cleaning up our national house. The stench has become unbearable.
1
Absolutely nothing wrong and a helluva lot right about AOC's approach or politics. Her critics are grasping at straws, sound ignorant, jealous, misogynistic and of course rude. We need to get with the times and be open to the new. R's have been trying to destroy ALL gov institutions, constantly push a pro national security state agenda, and give to the lead in need - the wealthy. They don't care about the environment or the people who actually work for a living. Dems have an opportunity to re found themselves as the party of for and by the people. AOC is a shining example. I suspect it will be contagious... Look for more not less in 2020.
3
As far as college antics go, how 'bout recalling the behavior of that Bret Kavanaugh fella... Remember him?
A pretty girl dancing rather well on a rooftop sure beats a puking frat boy, let alone all the other stuff he seems to have gotten away with.
I should be inured by this time to Conservative hypocrisy, yet never cease to be amazed.
That said, I enjoyed reading this piece and hope that Ms Dowd has many more like it up her sleeve. You go, girls!
2
Trump demeaned all of American womanhood with his crotch-grabbing comment. He is a supremely crude individual and is fair game for the many insults being flung his way.
2
My generation held the first big wave of 'lady lawyers'.
Thrilled to be somewhat included (albeit for less money and less significant cases), we usually brought the pastry to the big meetings, and were thankful to the men for letting us sit at the table.
Forgot that.
Our daughter are now saying- "Excuse me buddy. You're in my seat."
Yeah. So just move over already.
(And bring your own pastry)
14
Regarding Tlaib's expletive, it would be helpful if the chattering class and cable talking heads would react a bit less like they were all 5th grade Catholic schoolgirls hearing that term for the first time. The real story is Tlaib's jumping the gun on impeachment talk.
Folks like Tom Steyer and, now, Tlaib are playing into a damaging narrative on impeachment. If it does happen, folks on the right can't be led to believe that the fix was always in, once the Dems took control. It has to have the look and feel of due process. Wait for Mueller, then act accordingly.
407
@Tim Pretty much agree, but there is no liberal voice feeding a constant outrage at the clear illegalities and frauds of Mr Trump and his family. It'd be nice if reminders about the self-dealing of the Inauguration Committee or the behavior of Individual 1 or even the fraudulence of Trump University weren't so rare. If such reminders were everywhere, Tlaib's jumping the gun would be less of a problem
33
@Tim schoolgirls? really?
10
@Tim - Agreed with holding off on impeachment. We should wait for Mueller and when there's a good chance of conviction in the Senate.
13
That’s giving Neanderthals a bad name Maureen!,
John M
6
Is it fair for me to have a hateful grudge against you for, say, as long as you sabotaged Hillary?
15
Hillary self -sabotaged-she was flawed on many levels- we need to move on and get back to getting a dem elected. Maureen did not create this mess-Hillary and her advisers ran a bad campaign-finish grieving and move on.
Isn't Putin trump's favorite know-it-all commie?
5
Well until the right wing sees the dancing that will ensue when the Evil Orange Clown goes down for the count.
8
K.J.C. Kill-joy conservatives.
4
Oh, Maureen Dowd, I (kinda)feel sorry for you, dealing with your irredeemable brother-who is old enough to know better-and your own snark. YOU helped lead us to this place! A pox and you, and Kevin!
6
The contrast between Ocasio-Cortez’s video and the ridiculous one with Trump trying to sing Green Acres couldn’t be sharper. Hers is deliciously insouciant, his makes you want to vomit. She is the best thing to come out of Queens ever and he is about the worst.
9
@Joe; second best; Joe, don't forget Johnny Mac.
President Grab 'Em By the Unprintable finds a naughty word disgraceful? At least she didn't commit sexual assault, sir. At least no one has to fear getting on an elevator alone with her. So there's that.
10
I am looking forward to the actual progress this high-potential class of new members of Congress can make. I hope the “verbal enthusiasm” is limited on the GOP side (I am aware of the double-standard). The goal is progress, not playground taunt king. A witty, Churchillian retort is far better than an expletive-laden proclamation from a newly-arrived Representative who’s claim to fame is a expletive directed at the President.
Carry on, let the GOP endure the negative consequences of their First Amendment rights. Show action, not motion.
2
The democrats for at least the last ten years have been virtual punching bags from all over the GOP media and legislative landscape. And for the most part, especially from no drama Obama---we have taken the punches. So...I am ok with a few rounds of payback. Yes, I agree, this is going to be a 15 rounder, and so, stick to the strategy from you experienced ring women...but, in the beginning of this fight, its ok to show the GOP that you have some punching power.
15
This whole thing reminds me of the old film classic, "It's a Wonderful Life", where all the little people come forth to rescue the life thought not to be worth saving. Cortez is one of those little people who decided to act to save our poor bankrupt country's life. They seem to be pouring through the door these days. If Trump has a legacy, then it's going to be that he woke up the better angels in our country. It will be the women who will save us. No doubt in my mind.
27
Love your prose Ms. Dowd.
And I love it more when you are brimming inside while typing (or so the gleeful turns of phrase cheered to me).
I hear your point and being of your generation the restraining urge is well learned, but to ski you must be willing to fall.
Sometimes you do and get up again.
Sometimes people won't even notice your fumble due to the 72 year old Neanderthal attracting all the attention.
I'll be watching these Freshmen ski and hoping for the thrill of victory.
12
"I loved seeing the splotches of bright colors, from Pelosi’s hot pink dress to A.O.C.’s gleaming white suffragette-inspired suit, in a chamber that was once a monochromatic sea of men in gray pinstripes.......Cynthia McKinney, a young black freshman wearing gold sneakers, slacks, braided hair... the brat pack may want to avoid getting too far over their skis while their learning curve is steep."
Is this the level of NYT op-ed pieces? Members of Congress might say what they want, but is that really connected to the color of their dresses or sneakers or braids? And if we want to know that, are there not other newspapers that specialize in information of that sort?
3
@Joshua Schw
I thought it was a pretty good observation. I'm long past tired of that "monochromatic sea of men" who look like me.
The comments about what we're SEEING are fully justified because they are symbolic of a necessary change.
6
@Joshua Schwartz This is a newsworthy comment, especially when the other side of the chamber differs so greatly in their heavily male, heavily white, monochromatic presentation.
2
These new voices bring with them their embodied understanding of Trump's impact on the lives of their own people, whether Palestinian American, Muslim American, Puerto Rican American, African American. When your identities are deemed un-American, and the president's policies demean, diminish, motivate hate crimes based on minority identities and heritage, you get to fight back. If the whitesplaining encompasses their resistance to or departures from congressional norms, that is white folks' liability. The work that needs to be done here remains that of the white press, news anchors, journalists and ridiculous talking heads on FOX. These women live under the Trump regime. Don't expect their discourse not to articulate truth to power in consequence. Critics should school their own, and stop flattening others' identities as if they are required to swim in the white mainstream of DC politics.
12
@CO Gal If you are referring to the criticism of the MF remark, we just don't want those women to take on the identitity of the republican male, who frequently speaks that way. If we can't speak differently than donald trump, what's the point?
1
Pence and the evangelical biblical glee club are feigning appalled outrage. Apparently an imperfect vessel who is a muslim congresswoman isn't their idea of God messenger. Shocking!
12
@jamistrot
Ouch. That was good!
@jamistrot
And what will Pence do when he is pressed into meeting with AOC alone for negotiations? Ask Pelosi to chaperone?
1
Boogie Down? Seriously Boogie Down? So now Congress is the 'Gong Show'? Because, so far, that's all A.O.C. has done is Boogie Down. Once upon a time an actual apprentice would sit silently and learn their craft. They would develop a care for their intended career and act accordingly. A.O.C. hasn't even demonstrated she can do that. A picture of Nancy Pelosi and Cortez should show the superiority of Pelosi, because that's what it is, and not some singing contest meet and greet.
8
@Richard Mclaughlin
This young woman has a lot of work to do, and is still wet behind the ears, but given the regressive and tired old men she will do battle with, I'll take the chance that she'll grow and be guided by wiser, older fellow members of her party.
I'm pulling for her, Pelosi and all who will oppose the extremist party on the other side of the aisle.
11
@Richard Mclaughlin
Oof, we might lighten up just SLIGHTLY.
3
The Democratic-Party or charity fund raiser of the century?
A dance contest between Sandy and Michelle.
Bring it on!
1
No need to worry, Maureen. All the Democratic freshmen in Congress need do is step back and gasp at the spectacle as Trump continues to gorge himself on well-done strip steaks smothered with ketchup and chased down by multiple scoops of ice cream at the hog trough in the White House dining room. Eventually, his excess of hot air is bound to metabolize with his triglycerides and vaporize him into the nothing that he is.
17
Donald Trump must really, really hate "Bronx Girl" for stealing headlines he believes are rightfully his.
Just another reason to cheer this young star on.
19
This white European Judeo- Christian American bigoted xenophobic misogynist patriarchal focus on the ethnic sectarian color aka race of these elected officials is typically tiresome trivial and troublesome. But it is very predictable.
The Palestinian American Congresswoman who expressed an interest in impeaching Trump accused him of having sexual intercourse with mothers. Which is demonstrably true. And some of those mothers he has even been married to.
Certainly there was more than a mother or two among Donald Trump's serial mistresses and adultery partners with whom he had Biblical knowledge or grabbed their lady parts.
One thing for certain is that Donald Trump is not a young smart hardworking soul brother, he can't dance and he has no rhythm. And neither Ben Carson nor Tim Scott nor Clarence Thomas can help him.
Boogie down has been replaced by hip hop black African American polyrhythms and double entendre. " Lift every voice and sing till Earth and Heaven ring."
6
Anyone who voted for a man who bragged about groping women in crude terms forfeited the right to clutch their pearls when a Democrat gets a little salty in describing the blight occupying the Oval Office. And that they were triggered because the speaker was the trifecta--brown, Muslim, and a woman--is no excuse.
19
The Breakfast Club was a movie about a bunch of misfits who took down the school's corrupt leaders. Let's hope A.O.C. can keep playing that role.
11
"... it was an electric visual: two fierce women, a controlled 78-year-old capping her career and an uncontrollable 29-year-old starting hers, joining forces to fight the 72-year-old Neanderthal in the Oval Office."
The 72-year old is out of control, not to mention out of his mind. When he is indicted or impeached, preferably the former, we can all dance like AOC.
11
My main hope for AOC and all the other minority women who have just joined Congress is that they manage to electrify the young and the minorities and get them into the voting booths. Congress is not just a collection of staid old white men who are as rotten, rank and rancid as week-old fish (and remember, the rot starts at the top). Fresh blood is what Congress need and these women will bring it. Who would you rather have at your party: Mitch McConnell or AOC?
11
Snowflakes are beautiful- they are part of magnificent Nature (the Magnalia Dei). I love to kiss snowflakes! WHY has this word been turned into an epithet? It makes me profoundly sad.
4
@Mike
Because they're beautiful but ethereal, they have no staying power. (Just explaining. Not calling anyone a snowflake.)
1
Tlaib’s vulgarism brought out the little old lady in Republicans. Too bad! AOC's "Breakfast Club" dance and saucy mouth has the old fun-killing humor and liveliness of Dickens' Uriah Heep. Too bad! The ladies are not around for just play, although they'll have their fun regardless, but whether it's fun or legislative ideas, they can sure upset the ever 'umble Republican caucus.
6
What a nonsense issue, except to point out that deadbutts who won't dance have no business criticizing those who understand the joy of moving the body to the beat. There's nothing political about it at all. For so long I have so pitied those deadbutts b/c they are so missing out! Hey, folks, try "getting up offa that thang" so you can enjoy this feeling too! One of the first obstacles to overcome (and it's not small) is not caring about the judgments of the sedentary (that's a little nicer than "deadbutts," right?) For ex, look at Obama managing the tango, which is a very difficult dance, even though it looks like he's never done it before!
3
These new House members must be driving White Supremacists crazy.
We've progressed from resistance to repudiation.
I absolutely love it!
14
I'd like to see more comments that acknowledge the valuable takeaway from this excellent column:
"The spectacle of Republicans as snowflakes is rich. But while the fiery spirit among the new Democrats is refreshing and members of Congress are entitled to say what they want, the brat pack may want to avoid getting too far over their skis while their learning curve is steep.
"They should focus on the big picture: Trump is doing such an amazing job as a vulgarian and villain, it would be a shame to get in the way."
4
Indeed, the freshman class need to learn to ski the moguls by keeping their balance and watching the master of control, Nancy Pelosi. Our speaker had wise retorts, and she will keep us focused about the dangerous demon coming down the mountain at full force to harm us all. My paen to Pelosi in her first days returning to take over the gavel.
10
It is baffling when republicans denigrate a democratic woman for joyfully dancing as a college student but ignore the abusive and misogynistic behaviors of white males like Trump, Rob Porter, and Brett the beer lover Kavanaugh. AOC- keep dancing and using your brains and voice.
14
"Trump huffily called Tlaib’s vulgarism “disgraceful” and “highly disrespectful to the United States of America.” ".
Certainly take Trump's word for it here...he really knows all about "disgraceful" and "highly disrespectful to the USA".
7
The more I hear about the GOP and it's problems with people who don't look and vote like they do, the more I'm convinced the party has no future in modern America.
Bye, Felicia!
8
Yes, it was a splendid and comforting day after two years of GOP greed, lies and venom, but now Rashida, AOC and every last Democrat really need to get. to. work.
Don't you think it's time you learned
Not to walk so proud, talk so loud
When you're comin' on?
- Bonnie Raitt
3
This is the Party of dismembering families, prescribing etiquette? If AOC had curtsied to Kevin McCarthy's belt buckle on arriving in the House, the Murdoch thugs would have flailed her for threatening a white male with suspicious society. Listen to Timothy Egan, who got it right a day ago, here. Laugh, and keep it up.
6
Wow, hearing from the boo birds of the Kavanaugh chorus. Not surprising really, what else could you expect? You go, girl.
8
Fun article. Willit be a fun congress?
3
"a raunchy word that made many Democrats cringe."
Anyone who cringed should get out of the way. Time's up.
4
89 female Democratic house members and 13 Republicans. Any questions?
13
Agreed Maureen! And I rarely agree with you. I just hope this new breed will be professional. They certainly have demonstrated they are deft with a turn of a word and the click of a button.
7
I love the title of this article, "Boogie Down, Bronx Girl." AOC was raised and educated in a fairly affluent town in Westchester County, Yorktown Heights. Who are we kidding?
4
Correction - "a monochromatic sea of *gray* men in gray pinstripes".
1
In my view Ms. Dowd strikes just the right balance. I hope A.O.C. is listening.
5
The Republicans have high level women too. They’re not using profanity; they’re busy explaining dead children in our custody at the border and helping us understand why civil servants are working without pay.
There are obscenities. And then there’s the simply obscene.
38
@Victor
Excellent post. Thank you.
4
“It is unsurprising to me that Republicans would think having fun should be disqualifying or illegal,” she told The Hill.
Sexless sinmeisters -devoid of the capacity for irony or satire -it's the Mike Pence Syndrome.
If they ever gain enough mental marbles to undersand nuance and we see late night comedy shows (other than fox news) - We'll know help is on the way.
5
Being a Bronx resident myself I can tell you Alexandria is tame compared to some of the round the way girls from Da Bronx. I suggest the prudes leave her alone. Please don't get her to start playing the Dozens.
6
She is the Left's version of Sarah Palin - often short on specifics, wrong on issues of law and the constitution, and feels she has the right to belittle and scorn others in her party. And the odd thing is, her "celebrity" is driven by the thing that feminists hate - good looks.
8
@Chris
Please; you have no evidence of this fox smear. The fact that she is a better Twitter counterpuncher than the inept wing nut bubble you live in only proves her courage and strength.
2
How would you know if she's short on specifics, wrong on issues? Is that what fox told you?
3
@Chris
Lordy. What used kleenex is this stuff? Throw it away!
Jealousy is the wrong kind of Going Green. AOC's youth
and beauty are welcome contrasts to the moldering going on right now in the crypt-like GOP.
So, essentially, Dowd, you’re just another person telling them to sit down and be quiet. You veil it by saying, “don’t distract from Trump’s vulgarity” but still, you’re just another white woman (I’m also a white woman) telling these women of color that they’re going too far and they should just be quiet and know their place. Well, I’m now respectfully asking you to be quiet and stand down and know your place.
6
The new Democrats are a breath of fresh air but they would be wise to let Trump self destruct.
11
>
Nothing in past experience shows any of this foolishness to be a good idea as to winning elections.
It may be fun...remember who refreshing and fun it was to have the dream with a little old gray hair socialist gentlemen running around saying "millionaires and billionaires".... How is that working for us.
Are the GOP pathetic? Absolutely, and in so many ways.
They are also better at politics than Dems: their ability to continue wedge down tax rates for the wealth; their ability to place a NYC con man into the WH and before that a frat boy; their ability gerrymander the House; their ability to control the courts; their ability to win elections without winning the vote!!; their ability to convince poor people that they are for them; and last but not least their ability to get a majority of women to vote for them are just a few of their political skills.
These accomplishments are NOT to be underestimated.
So laugh and fool around as you please. Our democracy is at risk. Politics is chess not checkers or some girls night out.
Dems have proven to be bad at politics.
You may not be interested in politics but politics is interested in you.
We need to be cunning, we are fighting a deformed & malignant collective ego.
"Experience is a good school, but the fees are high."
Heinrich Heine
4
Those who danced were thought insane by those who couldn’t hear the music .
15
A.O.C. dancing an all-American classic is scandalous, but Donald Trump doing an awkward sword dance (bone saw dance?) with a group of Saudi men is just fine.
Tlaib using profanity is a threat to our sacred institutions. Trump swearing like a sailor, ridiculing his opponents, mocking the disabled and generally behaving like a bully on a preschool playground, that is just fine.
Nope... no hypocrisy here.
34
You go girls and boys! If our future is dancing dems, great!
Look where the ,serious’ Reps got us: deficits, fear, wars, slander, lies, toxins and greed.
Time to cut the ties off those vainglorious ,conservative’ elites and get serious about We, the People!
8
How many blown out Republicans have tried to rehabilitate their image on “Dancing With The Stars?” America was forced to watch them week after week getting pity votes while not a one of them can actually dance? This smacks of pure envy.
5
So, the calcified old plutocrats in gray flannel suits don't like women who dance, and the self-professed sex-offender in the White House is suddenly offended by "locker-room talk."
Tough.
Get used to it.
As someone else who wasn't afraid to offend the right people once sang, "The times they are a-changin'."
16
It is nice to see the demise of the white stuffed shirts masquerading as legitimate representatives in the House. Now we have younger, multicultural, female reps who are progressives and not locked into old conservative, antediluvian ideas about running the country. Tradition, with reason, has its place. Tradition just for the sake of tradition does not.
3
LOVE the new energy of these young spirited women! Such a needed change. These women can dance and swear (wow!), they are not afraid to show us who they are. They are not afraid of nor intimidated by the patriarchy. In fact they seem inspired to show the gray pinstriped stuffed shirts how it's done. In their first days in office they are showing they have the courage, individuality, creativity, smarts, and empowered voices to be effective, to make true, desperately needed change. And do so with penache and style --
(Gold sneakers, colorful clothes, braids, yes!).
Hey guys, take a seat. Stuff it. The new generation is here just in time (I pray) to save us from the damage you have done and are doing to our beloved country and planet.
AOC, Tlaib, et al, and Madam Speaker, thank you. You rock!
10
Ms. AOC comes off to me as a non-threatening American Congresswoman of Puerto-Rican descent.
What is it about her that makes her so dangerous to Trump’s crazed male supporters?
I blame most of it on her bright red lipstick, which for some reason is always threatening to insecure men.
9
All the best to AOC. I watched Nancy Pelosi take the oath. Tears were in my eyes. Yes, this is now the house of the people again. It not longer belongs to all of those white men in business suits on the other side of the isle. Especially Kevin McCarthy, the new minority leader. What a joke he is!
9
Come on Maureen, stop with the mysogynistic language. AOC is a motivated, talented, intelligent woman. Her strength of character and determination do not make her a "she-devil".
1
Is "Boogie Down" a reference to Boogie Down Productions, a hip hop group also from the Bronx, or am I reading too much into this title?
@Kevin Dickert
"Boogie Down" is a really old saying for "dance" that has been around since the Jurassic Period (yes, I am that old).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nD-f8BxgqPI
Hope the brat pack keeps it up...dancing, sit=ins, vulgarities and all. And that all their doings are widely publicized. Works great for R's.
1
@JPE
Please tell me what it has done for R's so far? The attempt to embarrass AOC only raised her profile and popularity.
@JPE
The R’s who agree with you are literally a dying breed, thank g-d.
Listening to Trump Toadie, Kevin McCarthy express faux outrage and betrayal of the “how can we believe Democrats want bipartisanship now?” kind, and his taking Pelosi to task for not slapping down her scrappy female freshman, I wished I was a reporter who could ask: “Minority Leader McCarthy, will you be publicly condemning your republican colleagues who boo’ed Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez during her first vote when she stood to vote for Speaker Pelosi? That seems far more juvenile and rude in such an important moment in her life than an obscenity expressed with like-minded people in a bar afterwards. Did anyone publicly condemn Joe Wilson R-SC for shouting “Liar” during Obama’s first SOU address? C’mon, republicans. Spare us your judgment and lamentation about civility.
17
@Michele Rivette
They miss the quiet dignity of a Dennis Hastert. They even have a "rule" named after that pedophile.
3
The way to re-elect Trump is to descend to his vulgar level.
Take it easy.
5
Being vulgar is not something unique to Trump Marueen.
The reason he was so appealing to a lot of people was precisely because he talked more like "us" then anyone else.
America is vulgar. And, Republicans like Hannity and Rush are both vulgar.
But, they will definitely use OCA's limitations against her very well.
She should be on guard.
2
There is another article in today's Times's wondering if a woman could beat Trump in 2020.
AOC has deftly shown in the past few days and months that she can run (dance?) rings around him.
If Trump has done one thing by becoming President, he has blown the doors off what was the prior established norm for rising to the top of the political dung heap. The 2020 race is going to be fascinating, because if Trump can get there - then so can a 29 year old avowed socialist ( or for that matter, so can anyone else.)
We live in interesting times.
2
Avowed democratic-socialist, not socialist. BIG difference. And very important distinction.
10
@Allan B
She will have to wait till she's 35 though. Dems need to be very thoughtful about appealing to a broad spectrum of Americans. Trump was an anomaly.
2
The Republicans in Congress are jealous and resentful that they have to toe the line and do what their wacko wealthy puppet masters ask of them, while the Dems are liberated to swear their oath of office and then actually do it.
8
As an old white guy, I love seeing the young raise a little ruckus among old stodgy pinstripes across the aisle.
10
Trump and the Republicans are scared of these women. It is why all the supposed Republican outrage is nothing but pure deflection.
It is truly pathetic to watch Trump and the G.O.P. try to delegitimize women elected to office. The leader of the First Branch of the U.S. Government (Pelosi) is now actually fulfilling the role required of that First Branch by the US Constitution. In sharp contrast men, (Ryan and McConnell), totally subverted that same Constitutional mandate in enabling a narcissistic, foul-mouthed, and incompetent madman (Trump).
As to those attacking a congresswoman for using a profanity, where have you been for the last two years? Trump can't seem to speak a single sentence without using profanity, expletives, and degrading insults, yet you're suddenly shocked, just shocked, that a woman used a profanity once?
Finally, as to attacking Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez for dancing in college, can anything be more pathetic and desperate? Only in Trump G.O.P. crazy-world is it suddenly somehow wrong for a woman to actually do something perfectly normal, like dance with her friends in college. I guess once you decide that joining a bunch of prostitutes in urinating on a bed in the presidential suite at Moscow’s posh Ritz-Carlton Hotel is the new normal, then having good clean fun with your friends becomes impossibly decadent and depraved.
Trump and the Republicans certainly act as if they're afraid of these women. They should be, but not because they're dancing.
12
Love the energy that these young women bring. They are saying what many of us have been saying, colorful language and all.
Trump is a low life, a criminal and a traitor and deserves to be disrespected.
8
All this pearl-clutching by Trump supporters is hilarious.
Guess the old Baptist joke was right. Voting might lead to dancing!
13
One thing these episodes have demonstrated: DO NOT let the hypocritical Republicans, who are a blight on this country and have damaged millions, intimidate you. Do not cower when they attempt to smear you.
If they criticize you for dancing or anything else, do it some more and in their faces! If they feign indignation when you call an abomination of a man a profanity (many of us have done so in front of our TVs as we viewed children in cages) do it again!
If they call you a socialist, show them your membership card.
But most of all, if they ridicule your positions in support of the common man, press on all the harder and with impunity.
Defy them. Forget the polls and their overrated base. Do the courageous thing.
Stop cowering, Democrats.
7
I am 64 and I cringed with sour disbelief, when I heard Representative's Tlaib's remark after a great day, when I was so charmed by her exuberance, and her family, at the swearing-in ceremony. I know the risk, professionally, of such remarks, by too many women in power. I was aghast at her lack of understanding that, she, and all the new, young democrats, who just worked their tails off to become elected, will be painted by the same brush, because of her remark. We are not there yet. Women voted for Trump. Millions of women voted for Trump. But, I also slowly recognize that my views are outdated. With Pelosi's calm perspective, I remain hopeful. This nation is being tortured each day by tweets and shut downs by a President who could care less, but was still elected.
If Democrats carelessly discard themselves, we discard each other. Representative Tlaib has so much potential, but Trump and his ilk will use her remark for the cheap votes they will always attract. That's my sadness today. It was all so unnecessary.
7
Critical mass! That is what we have now in Congress with this bloc of women.
I study women's issues in STEM education and when there reaches a critical mass of an under-represented group in a male dominated niche, that group begins to feel comfortable and confident enough to participate fully.
Pelosi has made her way without becoming a queen bee. Instead she welcomes and nurtures the new generation that will replace her. How strong and wise she is, compared the the GOP schlumps.
This critical mass of women will change the tone and texture of Congress for the better, and get things done.
I am dancing with happiness here at home.
12
Let’s face facts. Statistically speaking, the current congressional leadership doesn’t have much time left on life’s clock. Rather than ignoring the incoming generations and blocking their ascension, why not nurture them and breathe in their energy? It is past time for a handoff to AOC and her colleagues, on both sides of the aisle.
2
Go get them, Bronx Girl! Millions of women across the country and around the world have your back!
The pasty old white men that are the GOP have no clue why so many people, especially women of all ages, are rooting for Ocasio-Cortez and all of the other freshmen women in Congress.
I have been a business professional since the mid-80s. Like millions of other women who fought to get where we are, I cheer on the young women who are committed to making a difference for their constituents and our country.
My "gender generation" suffered through horrible pay inequity at every level, in every profession, so that these women could represent us. We watched male counterparts get promoted ahead of us because "they have a family to support" so Representative Ocasio-Cortez and her peers could take their seats in Congress. We live through the abuses, the slights, the toxic manure from male counterparts so that the next generations of women could dance on roof tops.
Every time those of us who have fought for equality see Alexandria or the other new female faces in Congress, we know our efforts were worth it.
16
@Sarah Patsy old white men is a gender/racist comment. Don't play in the same sand box with the people you criticize.
1
This photo made me cry.
I have struggled a lifetime, 58 years, of suppression and misogyny in a world ruled by men.
My only female role models growing up were Governor Ella Grasso (CT) and Gloria Steinem. Great collaborators and driven by compassion.
Here we have two compassionate, intelligent, women of different generations and ethnic origin, embracing one another, determined to repair the country. The power and finesse of women in action has never ceased to amaze me!
" There is nothing comparable to the endurance of a woman. In military life she would tire out an army of men, either in camp or on the march." - pg. 116, Mark Twain's Autobiography, [1924 ed.] Vol. II
14
None of this has or will change anyone's mind about anything. Republicans "outrage" over AOC dancing is phony. It has nothing to do with being "old" or "white" or "Male." Eventually, even their supporters will get it. The blurt by Tlaib is just that. Not much different from some of HRC gaffes in coal country. It is unfortunate and better left unsaid. It is unhelpful and if she does not recognize that, she will suffer the consequences. No need to get your underwear all bunched up. In the meantime, I can't wait until we crank up the Salsa music and/or start a Soul Train line in the well of the House of Reps. If only the American people would go for some good clean fun, perhaps their taste for guns, opioids and chants of "lock her up" would be less fulfilling.
6
New York City is clearly a microcosm of America. Within its borders you can find any type of food from around the world. I have walked streets where a series of stores sells nothing but buttons. Buttons!
For any who doubt the range of its residents, I give you the prime example: Queens has given us both DJT and AOC.
QED.
4
@Douglas McNeill New York may be a microcosm, but of urban, not rural America, A voting map divides the nation by coastal cities and a north-to-south swatch of midsection and rural pockets. Lacking the diversity, the global perspective and high-speed resources, there's another populous that can't relate to the outrage of advantage. When jobs are scare, educational systems failing, poverty rampant, healthcare unaffordable and Main Streets dying, Fox News et al has ample territory to pit one against the other and use a young, female, rising star from The Big Apple as a weapon. The same concerns may exist in both environments, but they are central to the "heartland", and not buried in the richness a confluence of cultures. Until someone can bridge the divide with solutions to those most pressing problems, we are all wasting energy on blame.
1
@CathyS
Also, half of those red counties on the map trump likes to keep around like a tourist placemat have more livestock than voters. Many of them could not fill a hs gym. But they claim to be in charge.
3
It looks like some at the freshman orientation class, which was literally funded and staffed by banks and lobbyist, failed to be enlightened by their hosts. Probably they were out on a dance break. As Goldman Sachs Gary Cohen "condescendingly told the freshman members, 'You guys are way over your head, you don’t know how the game is played.'"
When a representative isn't bought and paid for by corporate donors it is terrifying to the establishment on both sides of the aisle. It's revealing watching them, from Fox News to Sen. Claire McCaskill, struggle to wrap their minds around how someone in Congress can not be beholden to their corporate masters but rather to the people who actually voted for them. This will be entertaining to watch. Let the dancing begin.
10
"they should focus on the big picture: Trump is doing such an amazing job as a vulgarian and villain, it would be a shame to get in the way."
My thoughts too
9
Fashion is coming to Congress, including religious garb. There may have been reasons for the boring styles of yesteryear.
1
Insulting Trump from his own populist toolbox is essential.
It may be the only thing that counts in the absence of an impeachment or a resignation.
It's about time at lease one Dem knows how to pick the mud up and heave it back over the fence. Her use of language was way overdue.
And Trump being insulted by women will be the most potent insults ever.
10
@cfc. Way, way, way over due.
3
There is nothing anyone can say about Trump that is worse than the reality of his behavior.
8
Extremes of bad behavior by the President will inevitably lead to extremes of descriptive language.
3
Where were republican House members when Trump disparagingly tweeted about their colleague Adam Schiff, calling him "Adam Schitt"? I still can't believe that not one republican said a word about that. Their hypocrisy is startling.
12
A joyful dance is wonderful! Just like seeing all the children- of all colors- around Speaker Pelosi standing proud with her gavel. That reminded me of the little Black boy touching Obama's hair, or a young Bill Clinton meeting Kennedy.
But Ms. Tlaib's comments made me sick. If the Democrats are to be different, they have to ACT different. Going off script with a vulgarity and insinuating using Government against your political opponent because you can, is not why I voted for them.
"When they go low, we go high" remains the more respectable position. And provides a stark contrast to Trump.
4
@profwilliams. You can be respectable and lose, lose, lose OR you can get down in the dirt and beat them up and win, win, win!
@David S Great. So don't complain about Trump's "behavior."
But forgive me if I'd rather see folks win with ideas and good behavior.
"Trump huffily called Tlaib’s vulgarism “disgraceful” and “highly disrespectful to the United States of America." Notice he did not say disrespectful to the President of the United States. Because of his narcissism, Trump seems to think that any comment against him personally is unpatriotic and the same as a comment against the United States. Sorry, Donald Trump you are president, but you are not the United States. This coming from a man who only seems to care about the citizens who support him even though they represent a minority of people in this country. Dismissing the problems Federal workers will face in the shut down because most of them are democrats. How disrespectful is that! As for Tlaib's comment, although I do not personally have a problem with it, I hope comments like that do not prove to be counterproductive. Hope the new members in Congress keep in mind that the main goal is to restore democracy to our country. As for Ocasio- Cortez, please continue to "dance on". Her response to the video was priceless!
4
I remember reading an article a few years back that talked about Hillary Clinton's education when she first joined the Senate. She would go to the gym with all the old guard Senators and attend their after hours whiskey sipping sessions. Now one could argue that Hillary lost, so what was actually gained by "demeaning" herself? I would argue she never would have even come close if she hadn't figured out HOW to beat them. So with that being said, I think the new members of Congress should bite their tongues, open their eyes, and spend a great deal of time watching those that have come before them and are still standing. After all they are dealing with a president who has become an expert at kneecapping anyone who gets in his way both in his private and business lives. So if I were Ms. Ocasio-Cortez, I would ask Ms. Pelosi over for dinner once a week. And pick Ms. Pelosi's brain to find out how she has been so successful. And if I were Ms. Pelosi, I would invite Ms. Ocasio-Cortez to go to the White House, attend a negotiating session as a silent observer, and then critique the session together after. And I would make absolutely sure Pelosi says at the session: "Mr. Trump, this is Ms. Ocasio-Cortez. She's here to see what it is like to sit down across the table from you" . "She is not going to participate, yet." " She is eager to learn how to deal with people like you." And cut Trump off when he, the spider, tries to lure Ocasio-Cortez in to his web.
565
@walking man Brilliant analysis! I totally agree.
26
@walking man
Disagree. There is no need for the new Dems to shut up. Its their voices that got them their. Its what their constituents demand of them!
Did Trump shut-up, sit back and listen and learn? Nope. So why the standard for the incoming dems, or even the few new Repubs?
That old Dem guard has not been very effective the last 6 years. They lost the WH, the last midterms in Obama's term, they lost the whole of Congress.
I don't question that old-guard Pelosi has the chops for this new class, and to challenge and check Trump all at the same time. She can clearly walk, skip, talk and chew gum at the same time.
But so can the incoming Dems. Rookie ballplayers dont stop playing the way they did when the team picked them up. They simply tweak a few things to become a contributing player on the team, under a new unfamiliar system. But they still play with rookie vigor, and grit.
Plus we need these new Dems to keep the old Dems on their toes...as they tend to roll back on their heels and mess the bed when Repubs push back.
That said; We're in a new game with Trump. A whole new game, and it needs a new approach. The old, "welcome, come in, now sit down and shut-up, and we'll tell you when its your time!" days are over.
More voices need to be heard!
63
@Boregard Then you must include President Obama as part of Democratic old guard. It was Obama care that led to Dems losing the House and Senate.
8
Maureen, you write SO brilliantly when you're not doing your mean girl routine.
Thanks for pointing out that NDP's "still got it." She's unfazed by being caricatured as the boogeyman.
Speaker Pelosi will mentor the exuberant freshmen and groom her successors into leadership roles of their own.
11
Big ideas change the world.
They don't change it immediately, and not even fully as they get watered down and homogenized. But, they change us.
Women who burned bras - an odd gesture - gained attention for their message, and allowed me to get a job in a stuffy corporation. Greenpeace boards whalers, and other stunts, but they have made all of aware of broad issues of extinction and pollution. Civil rights leaders march on Selma, or refuse to sit int he back of the bus, and we are changed forever.
Representative Ocasio-Cortez is bringing our attention to inequality, taxation, poverty, opportunity, social responsibility - and doing it with joie de vivre, a quality we don't attach to, say, Mitch McConnell or Kevin McCarthy.
Even watered down, her ideas merit inspection. And maybe, just maybe, we will regain some of our national soul.
19
The last paragraph is the most telling. Watching toddlers try to run before learning to walk properly always involves crashes, wailing, and tears.
1
@TLibby...but rarely results in long-term damage and is a necessary part of the process.
16
@TLibby
These freshmen Congresswomen are hardly toddlers. to make the comparison,the writer reveals her own ignorance and inability.
OTOH, these newly-sworn MOC knowl what they mean and mean what they say. Please don't try to be cute: the silly commenter is merely enabling those who would attempt ;to hinder legislators and their progressive ideas from doing good for the majority of Americans, instead benefiting only their rich donors.
One last lesson to the enablers, "Lead, follow, of get out of the way!"
3
@TLibby...Life is wisely about the getting back up which we were so passionate about as toddlers. The falling down was at equal scale in this primal learning process, a necessary element. It would be amazing if we accepted falling down as a full-on positive and cheered even harder as we rose back up. Ahh, youthful exuberance reminding us that life is a dance. Clear the floor boys!
2
Combined with Krugman's column about the heyday of this country occurring when it had tax rates for the wealthy in the neighborhood of what AOC advocates now, perhaps the effort to educate the public (and not just the middle class) as to the real reasons for its demise since Reagan can be renewed in earnest. Here in North Carolina, far too many people are still drinking the GOP Kool-Aid.
Income inequality isn't a euphemism for the 1950's fear of communism, the dog bark that the GOP typically employs. It's a monster, reflected in the salaries of CEO's and the slopping at the trough of high powered lobbyists, even moreso since 2010, when money became speech. The 0.1% vs the bottom 90% - it's time to see who will win.
I hope AOC has a long and prosperous career in politics, and speaks truth to power until she becomes that power.
50
The young ones must calm their euphoria and remember to breathe hard. Must learn to model the finest press interviewers in
history, and pinch themselves to remember that they are not the stars, the person being interviewed is, in this case POTUS.
5
Seriously? POTUS is the “Star”? You just provided a clue to why Trump is the way he is. We knew HE considered himself the “star” but blind (and uninformed) followers do also?
A reminder that members of Congress are separate AND equal representatives of our federal government. The POTUS is no more than the highest ranking member of ONE of the three branches. Not a star.
4
@Rico Versalles
Thank you your excellency for setting me straight. I appreciate your civic lesson.
Brilliant pacing in this piece. Intertwined is Pelosi’s tactical enjoyment of the whole and AOC’s spirited take on it all, while relegation of Tlaib’s adjective, which derailed us temporarily, is given its cautionary due at the end. I read this piece thrice for pure enjoyment of its crafting.
31
@MaryLou
I have been enjoying Ms. Dowd's pieces since the early 90's
. They are all like drinking a very old Johnny Walker Blue Scotch, and inhale! One piece I remember, she begged the late William Safire to go with him to a Republican Jewish gathering, where her only credential was she dated a Jewish guy once! It was hilarious.
Before her conservative brother's death, every Christmas time she will write a conservative column. I am very saddened for his untimely death, and miss that (satire) now. The only one I did not enjoy was a piece in pure Latin. I could not understand it. I have been meaning to ask Ms. Dowd to publish that again in English for me, her #1 fan.
1
@Rasika
Or, for me, an Elijah Craig Single Barrel Bourbon. Thank you, I will search for the column you mention. I found myself tiring of Maureen’s writing during the Trump-Hillary campaign, or maybe I was simply tired of that period itself. Lately, have been tuning again into the finer points of her columns.
How much is just envy? She is exuberant, joyous, unfettered. She is at the beginning of her adult life, her future spread ahead of her, they are nearing the end. I envy her joyousness, her uninhibitedness, and yes, her youth. And I'm only sixty. She reminds me of our youngest daughter who lives life to the fullest, who without thought would sing at a school assembly of 1200 students when called up on a whim, while the thought of doing anything nearing that would have filled the 16 year old me with dread. AOC embraces life while these withered prudes try to control our youths' exuberance and their anger at the condition of the world they are entering as young adults. They are "woke" and this scares the right wing to death. Thus the dismissive attitude toward our children's aspirations and fears. They can't stand the fact that woman and youth won't abide by a patriarchal society run by bitter old and not so old men who think they are the only ones who get to control the narrative. They can't stand the thought of ceding power to women or youth. Both are second class citizens to be seen but not heard. Enough. Women are no longer chattel, youth is no longer silenced and unheard. Let both roar! Time for the withered old and not so old men (and women) to step aside. We don't want to live in your puritanical, backward, hate filled world. It's time to move forward. And Alexandria Ocasio Cortez will lead the march.
77
@sharon
As an older white man thank you for considering me a second class citizen. Is that tactic a good way to get me on your side?
The fact is, I am on your side. I'm a liberal Democrat who would have happily voted for Ocasio-Cortez if I lived in her district. But I'm getting sick and tired of being demonized because people who look like me act badly. I read your comment and thought, well, if AOC shares your sentiments that I'm a second class citizen then both she and you have lost my support.
Please be more judicious in your criticisms and try to separate out the individuals who are the bad people and who are the good people, even if they share the same physical characteristics.
38
Please reread the original comment. She said "Both are not second class citizens" - referring to women and the young. No where did she say that old, white men are second class citizens. This is not a zero sum game. Men and women, white and POC, young and old can all be first class citizens without diminishing anyone else.
75
@Ralphie - you're "sick and tired of being demonized because people who look like me act badly"? And you're feeling like a "second class citizen"? Please reread the paragraph about Congressman McKinney's denial of the Capitol elevator based on her looks, despite the effort of a lifetime to get elected. Then read the series on the first page about fetal rights and the way these right are creating second class citizens out the of women gestating them. Second class citizen? We gals are still fighting uphill against that reality that men statistically earn $1 to our 80 cents. You think you're sick and tired of the wounds you're feeling due to your race and age? Perhaps you should avoid the spontaneous heated rhetoric of Congressman Rashida Tlaib and her ideas of "truth to power."
43
It will be interesting to see what the committee assignments are for many of the high-profile, newly elected.
Those assignments may tell us just how much the House has or has not changed.
15
Excellent column Ms Dowd, thank you.
The combination of the young Dems and Pelosi really does give an old white man hope. I am so tired of the dour, angry faces of the old men in Congress and the White House and in the fossil fuel and financial sectors.
And the best thing of all is to see some joy and hope as well as real policy discourse being brought back into all our lives.
This may actually work to truly MAGA !!!
56
@Bill Wilson
"The combination of the young Dems and Pelosi really does give an old white man hope."
Me too and I'm an old white man who has only voted for 2 Republicans in my life. They were moderates. Moderates don't exist in the Republican party of today.
3
Dowd reflects on the fact that the “chamber once was a monochromatic sea of grey pinstripes.” It still is on the Republican side. As a Republican strategist recently said, the House Republicans look like a corporate boardroom from the 1950’s, whereas Democrats look like America. Although the fearful old white men of the Republican Party may use every method of maintaining their power through gerrymandering, voter suppression and obstruction, they cannot stop demographics or the future.
54
AOC--French for fine wines!
24
I'm excited about the increasing role of women from diverse backgrounds in elected offices across the nation.
I caution all representatives to "act justly, love mercy and walk humbly" (Micah 6:8). This was John Adams advice to a family member seeking wisdom.
I was appalled by Rashida Tlaib's impromptu and recorded use of gutter language the evening after being sworn in to office in Congress. She seems demeaned herself and the office she holds, in my opinion.
Being an elected official is a weighty responsibility.
17
@Cindy while I agree it is shocking and definitely not how I would want my daughter to speak. I know that there have been times that I have been excited and spoke without thinking of the ramifications. I want to believe that we women cannot do any worse than the established philandering and condescending male behavior of the past decades.
39
Question - if your son used similar language in the same situation, would you have a problem with it? I note that you only called out your daughter. The comment in question was made in a bar, at an after hours event. As Michelle ably points out, GOP males and their guests have been using such "salty" language in in Congress and in the Oval Office, in front of cameras for decades. By the logic expressed here, that should demean the office much more!
4
@Cindy Rep. Tlaib uttered that expletive at a private function. Trump trashes virtually everyone in sight that disagrees with him - in public - and even uses so-called expletives at public rallies.
Yet he gets away with it while Rep. Tlaib is criticized?
This is no time for purity. Let's focus on the real threat: Donald J. Trump, his administration, and the complicit Republican Party.
7
In the past two years, nothing was sadder than watching the grown men whom we had called leaders, Paul Ryan, Mitch McConnell, Lindsay Graham, actually the whole Republican Congress, cower in fear and become lap dogs for Trump.
Watching Nancy Pelosi, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, and all the strong, intelligent, fearless women now in Congress, hope has returned. They are not intimidated by the corrupt, incompetent bully in the White House.
Our country and Constitution needed guard dogs not lap dogs. Now we have them.
160
@Janet
Men like to characterize other men as "lions" of whatever. They forget that it is the lioness who does the killing.
6
@Janet
"Guard dogs not lap dogs." Great meme!
3
"The spectacle of Republicans as snowflakes is rich." Yes, yes it is.
Women are half the world, and 51% of the United States.
In 2019 we're going from around 20% to around or a little over 30% representation in the House, and only around or below 25% representation in the Senate.
We're making progress, for sure, but there is still much work to do.
Meanwhile, the tawdry toddler in the White House (whose vulgarities are so copious the congresswoman from Michigan could never match) just can't stand any of it, though, and that is just a pitiable thing to watch as he continues to psychologically de-compensate.
48
@Jude Parker Smith
We are beginning to approach the tipping point in Congress. When legislative bodies reach a certain point in gender parity, and it is below 50%, programs that benefits living people (as opposed to corporations or zygotes) get funded. Funding wars of aggression and vanity projects (the Wall, anyone?) are passed over in favor of reducing violence against women, protecting the young, disabled, elderly, and abused, and making sure the food, water, and environment are healthy.
We are overdue for a change. Heaven knows, none of those things have been able to get attention during the GOP reign of terror.
She is the best thing since the Colombian sculptor Botero displayed giant figures of fat people (his specialty) along the streets of D.C. what, 20 years ago? That was fun! A shame they didn't remain. This place is so uptight.
16
I support the younger generation and would appreciate if the media were to support female politicians. Placing old school constraints on the younger generation isn’t helpful, Maureen. Place the constraints on the pedophiles, woman haters, racists, we’ve got PLENTY of those.
35
@Melanie Testa
Might want to re-read the piece. Maureen is all for this new wave.
Dancing.
Trump dissembles democracy daily and dancing is the primary concern of Republicans.
Vote.
81
Alexandria, I'll dance with you!
It is silly to make this into such a big deal: People dance, whether they did so in college or continue to do so. People show their exuberance, and when we see people who are excited or enthusiastic, their mood can be catching. Watch out, GOP, you might find yourselves infected.
24
More ladies rooms in Congress! Build em now. Wasn’t it a campaign promise by the esteemed one?
15
@Regards, LC wonder how many ladies rooms $5billion could build ? Or schools it could upgrade !!?
1
Tlaib's comment made Republican strategists very happy.
6
And yet no republican knickers were in a twist when Kanye West uttered the very same word in the Oval Office, in full view of the press which made it public. Rep. Tlaib dropped her bomb at a private (if that's no longer possible) rally. I think that might have been naive on her part. Hopefully she's gained some wisdom from this.
3
@PaulSFO. And a lot of Dems, and independents, happy too.
2
@PaulSFO. Republicans still have working strategists?
1
The last sentence is perfect!
18
We Canadians hate socialism like Americans, but we sure love our Democratic Socialism. If AOC is a democratic socialist I support her, but if she's a socialist(I'm not sure) then I don't!
5
@Bosox rule
I see the confusion over the terms "socialism" and "communism" exists on both sides of our border. It really is a shame that we allowed the terms to become conflated. They are different things entirely.
1
She does something that aging Republicans have virtually zero ability to do, help motivate younger generations to rise up, campaign and vote. I really don’t see many elderly white men getting motivated to spring out of their wheelchairs in twenty-twenty, all primarily to vote against the party of “that dang dancing young congressperson from New York”.
14
Forget about the boogie down Bronx girl. The real story is that "49er" from SF, the gutsy, brilliant political tactician who makes Trump look like the fool that he is.
Pelosi is power, third in line for the Presidency. Let's hear more about her.
45
@cherrylog754 Actually second in line.
1
She'd make a great president!
@cherrylog754
I loved the way Pelosi, in an off-the-cuff manner, demeaned Trump's wall by calling it "I don't know, a bead curtain or something".
We will not appropriate over five billion of our tax dollars to Trump's "bead curtain"!
By the way, if it is such a great idea and so necessary, why aren't Trump's billionaires ponying up the money for it? They can afford it.
Love to see Mitch McConnell try to bust those moves!!
19
"Will they overstep?" - I. Hope. So.
2
What have we learnt about Ocasio-Cortez so far? That she is an air-head (listen to her try to answer a policy question off the cuff; it's embarrassing), and that she has the Trump-like ability of self-promotion without actually accomplishing anything.
As for Tlaib, what she did was tactically stupid, regardless of what one thinks about her vocabulary choices. Many voters, even Trump supporters, expressed dislike of the tone politics now takes, especially from Trump. Tlaib's outburst makes people think "The Dems are just like the Repubs." So all that hard work and staying on message about inequality, affordability of health insurance, and corruption gets overshadowed.
Also, how many votes did that cost us? People like Cortez, Tlaib, and Ayanna Pressley did NOTHING to help us re-take control of the House; they won already safe Democratic seats. But the people who beat incumbent Republicans will surely be questioned about this, taking time away from more important things.
As Obama was fond of saying (and pretty much lived up to), "Don't do stupid stuff."
11
@Danny
Keep telling yourself that, the GOP the party of cowardice, fear, and fiscal irresponsibility is headed with Donnie for free fall, it’s entertaining watching the churn of indignation in response to these remarks while you give your jefe a free pass on everything , Independents,and Dems get the joke, you better clue in Trumpty Dumpty , that he is going to take a great fall on his wall. Cheers : )
3
@Danny
Hey pal, spare us your high horse mantra of good behavior.
It's called fighting fire with more fire.
Germany-actually-have a long documented history of doing just that.
Danny,
Just what should our young, new representatives have accomplished at this point besides getting elected? They were sworn in just a few days ago, you fool!
1
Imagine the shock and outrage coming from the Democrats had a white Southern representative said the same thing about President Obama.
We have enough hypocrites on one side of the aisle in Washington. We don't need them on the other side as well. We elected adults to recapture the House. It is way too soon to start having second thoughts.
Grow up.
5
Tom Q,
The difference between them is that a similar comment to Trump is not hypocritical, because it fits his personality and behavior.
2
On point as usual. Keep it up.
4
It would be nice to see some Democrats with ideas instead of unfocused outrage
6
@Mike Livingston
Mike - let's start with 1,3000,000,000 to actually improve border security. You might like to look into proposals to make Medicare available to all in one form or another. Consider the idea that ending the tariff war might help American manufacturers and farmers.
Those are a few of the ideas the Democrats have. You can find out more in this very publication.
2
@Mike Livingston: Want ideas? Read up on the Green New Deal. Want focused rage? Look up “EPA scientists’ recommendation to ban pesticide rejected” for just ONE example of what we are angry about.
4
@Mike Livingston
You don't read much, Mike?
Rep. Tlaib did campaign on a platform that included impeaching Trump. Her coarse wording about impeaching him likely didn't surprise her supporters. Her words were not my words, but that's what happens to some of us when we speak from the gut. Caught up in the moment, I reckon.
For the Republican hierarchy, including Trump himself, to call her remarks disgraceful and disrespectful, is hypocritical on its face. They elected and continue to support this con-man who curses, swears at, and demeans others for their presumed weaknesses. And he talks this way at press conferences and public addresses! Educated elected officials celebrate him for his remarks, and the cuss-talk of Bush, Cheney, and their kind. Yet they belittle in incoming congresswoman for using a fraction of the nasty-man talk that we get from the White House. Then, there are his lies, but there's not room for that here.
Republicans of a generation ago said it was terrible that Harry Truman swore in the White House; but I'm sure that Harry would gasp to hear what comes out of there now. GOP hypocrisy is so thick that it would take a chain saw to cut through it.
Thanks, Mme. Speaker, for choosing your words wisely. There's a lesson in that for everyone.
34
"But Madam Speaker will need a few fancy dance steps of her own to keep her exuberant freshmen and her socialist wing in line, so that the centrist Democrats in the country’s middle are not alienated..."
This is the most important line in this article. Rashida Tlaib did the party and herself a disservice by choosing to use vulgar language. Leave that for Trump. Remember the words of our former first lady, when they go low, we go high.
10
And where exactly has that gotten us? I say, stop holding back and show some passion. Even if occasionally vulgar (Trump is vulgar without passion or compassion), we need to inspire the young and disillusioned progressives.
3
Ms Dowd: Your description of AOC as "uncontrollable" is a form of Republican -lite- fear of this magnificent new presence in American politics.
11
If you want to look into Republican fun you should check out the Jeffrey Epstein / Alex Acosta case. There seems to have been a lot of reference and proximity to Mar-a-Lago...
Hard to believe Donald wouldn't have been partaking in that fun!
Which wasn't what we'd call fun at all, but something else altogether.
1
70% tax on the “rich”? I can’t think of a better way to get Trump re-elected than putting forth a proposal like that. If you want 4 more years of Trump, Just keep banging that 70% tax drum.
1
People forget to talk about this as a marginal tax rate. That 70 percent would apply only to something like your ten millionth dollar. How many people are concerned about what happens to the ten millionth dollar they earned for the year?
Meanwhile, that change would bring in a trillion dollars over ten years.
20
@Stuart M
Why? Because some fraction (not all) of the 1% will vote against raising taxes? There remain 99% who might think and vote otherwise.
3
Guarantee Trump will say something about blood and women and GOP old men will just shrug. As will their wives
11
Nancy Pelosi can handle her freshman in the Democratic Party...
have no fear....
Exuberance is refreshing.....although rough language or acting out
can defeat the intended message, which can be most effective if done with deftness and good taste.
12
So from the perspective of a self identifying NYC Republican moderate/progressive (remember "self identifying"...take it as you will); we have1)a House Speaker, Nancy Pelosi who understands how government is supposed to work (frequently comes down on the wrong side but sometimes on the right side...but recognizes that compromise is necessary),2) a President who tweets and huffs and puffs and mostly gets it wrong at this point and should know better because he lived/lives in NYC, did business here and has at least a theoretical idea about how to close a deal but doesn't seem to remember/care that he used to do that, 3)Rashida Talib, a brand new Member of Congress from Michigan whose chief (only) claim to fame is using an extremely foul-mouthed and offensive adjective in referring to the President of the United States (All hail free speech but her language is not acceptable in NYC and probably not in the 13th Congressional District of Michigan...but that is up to the folks in Michigan 13CD), 4) Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (no opinion yet but is lively, has interesting ideas and likes to dance...all to the good).
And those of us who read the NYT know (and trust) Ms. Dowd to keep us informed. Keep on keeping on!
1
@Steve K
Pretty much with you there, Steve.
All except the "Trust Mo" part. We're not there yet. Not really even close.
1
Wait wait wait. I’m confused.
Are you telling us women now can vote and exuberant women be elected to office?
Golly! Has anybody informed Mitch McConnell?
20
@Deborah Excellent comment, Deborah. Come to think of it, I don't think Mitch knows. Maybe Speaker Pelosi could let him down gently.
The newly energized Democrats "...should focus on the big picture: Trump is doing such an amazing job as a vulgarian and villain, it would be a shame to get in the way."
This is the real reason why Trump should not be impeached unless there is a bold black mark of guilt on his performance. Much like the 2018 election results it will be Trump's continued brainless and vulgarian performance that paves the way to complete control of the government in 2020 by Democrats.
Patience, Bunky. Do not get in the way.
I
7
Republicans have for years tried to undermine, block, belittle and demean Pelosi because they’re afraid of her, and rightly so. And now they are going to have to kiss her ring. I love it.
I predict Ocasio-Cortez will be a quick learner apprentice, along with a number others from the new class.
Robin Hood Nanci Pelosi and her band of Merry(wo)men. This is going to be fun to watch.
23
When I was preparing to become an American citizen I read that Congress represents the people of the United States.
Trust the stable full of dried up old Republican men and their faithful servants to assume 'the people' are all mirror images of themselves.
And that goes for you too, Russia.
15
Interesting to hear a woman's perspective of two powerful women - one near the sunset of her career, the other just beginning. I was not in favor of Ms. Pelosi becoming speaker again, but with no other contenders and general acceptance she does seem to have all the tools needed to take charge of the house.
Ms. Ocasio-Cortez, OTOH is a welcome new fighter on the left. Yes, she will anger the so-called 'centrists' but they are not nearly as centrist as people think. Nor is Rep. Ocasio-Cortez the leftist whacko she is painted as. She is exactly what the Democrats need, to be reminded of what they really fight for. The people.
Besides, she clearly knows how to have fun!
12
No please, get in the way, it’s the only language that accurately describes him. If your from Queens, there’s a p word that also does the trick.
6
Beyond the the fashion, dancing, and swear words, the old guard is more worried about the ideas these women stand for. Ocasio-Cortez pitches a 70% tax cut on the very wealthy, and Tlaib wants to sanction Netanyahu's Israel while impeaching Trump. Gold shoes, Mickey Mouse watches, Breakfast Club dances -- all just decorations, camouflage even. The Trojan Horse has entered the Capitol, got them all in a huff about trivialities. Now, while the twitter-sphere worries about memes, and the trolls defend their egos, and the pundits parse every breach of decorum, look for the women in power to legislate for the children, to ramp up equity in favor of the people on the streets. The grey suits will not know what hit em.
21
Ocasio-Cortez and Sarah Palin - two people with similar capabilities, but vastly different treatment from the media.
4
I don't agree with that, but let's for the sake of argument, grant your assessment.
AOC was elected to a House district, as Palin was elected as Governor.
No one talked about her until she was selected as VP. At that point, she became something far different, a potential leader of the free world. Her mind blowing ignorance of the most basic elements of policy and the world made her a disgraceful choice. She beclowned herself daily, and was scrutinized purely for those reasons, as well she should have been.
Palin showed her dedication to public service as soon as she lost, quitting the governorship and getting on a reality show.
Really, she was Trump before Trump, just with better hair and slightly less proclivity for gold.
3
@William Collins
No they are not similar. Alexandra is smart. Sarah is dumb.
3
Brilliant article. Only objection is to the comparison of Trump to Neanderthals. Neanderthals were smart folks who just happened to run into Homo Sapiens who were better off at being the lone human species standing.
4
"Trump huffily called Tlaib’s vulgarism “disgraceful” and “highly disrespectful to the United States of America.”"
This citizen is grateful for Rep Tlaib expressing openly and accurately what I believe is long overdue.
14
Today, we are $22 trillion in debt, facing a resurgent Russia and a looming China, and suffering through an incompetent, unfit president. In the midst of all that, the political and chattering classes spend their time attacking and defending the newest “it” girl—a new representative with few real life accomplishments beyond a twitchy twitter finger and getting elected to Congress.
Don’t we have better things to do than obsess over a person that is exactly one 435th of 1/2 of 1/3 of the federal government??
3
Republicans had to cast their incredulous eyes around the Democratic side of the House chamber last week, resplendent in its gender, ethnic, and racial diversity, and feel one galvanizing emotion: FEAR. It's only the beginning, only the beginning, for the shrinking world of white guys.
9
Mr. Trump calling anyone "disgraceful" for their rhetoric or almost any other behavior is hilarious. A poster boy for chutzpah.
22
While the pundits write pithy articles of opinion and speak 24/7 on the cable war, I just keep feeling the same thing: No one is protecting us.
OAC's charming dance and smart retort to the silly R's trying to make her the newest left wing loony is appreciated. But, please, maybe just let them be and concentrate on protecting us from Mr. Trump's irrationality. Spend 24/7 figuring out how to do that because it is our highest priority.
He is a liar who makes things up just because he can't do otherwise. He doesn't care to know how to govern and protect us - he only causes us need for protection. No one can negotiate in good faith with him, he's proven that on numerous occasions. Why are Americans putting up with this charade? He cares only for himself and saving his own skin - and not getting his thin skin punctured. A man who lies and can only blame and can be persuaded by the likes of Ann Coulter has proven he cannot govern this country.
Yet no one is protecting us. The Senators are not. The Vice President and Cabinet are not. Will Nancy and her diverse crew be the ones to assist us? Will it be Mueller? I do not know, but am growing more panicky by the day and these kinds of 'normal' op-eds in abnormal times are almost too much to bear.
I don't care if his base loves him. He's a malevolent liar who cares not a whit about our country and, somehow, the Congress must protect us.
Goddess speed, Nancy.
15
Well said. And I as a septuagenerian say to my young Democratic "nieces" in the House, "You go, girls, and show your stuff! But listen to your mom Nancy. She has moxie, savvy, and wisdom most especially when handling that fool Mr. Trump and his ilk." Alexandria and her diverse sisters and colleagues are the future. They are the ticket to progress in the 21st Century. Heavens they are America... women, and African American, Latina, Native American, Muslim American, Gay American. What more can I who came of age in the 60's and 70's ask for? I see hope. I see a future where bigotry, fanatical religion, corruption, and greed will be replaced with equality for all, tolerance for all, compassion, justice, and....morality and ethics. Trumpism must end, and it will end. The forces are lining up against this notorious political paradigm, and they are mighty! They are singing, "I am woman!"
12
I know one woman really well who absolutely beamed when she saw Alexandria dance. Maybe this is the beginning of the change this country needed. The youts of America need to vote. Old white men have ruined virtually everything.
11
Can’t we have fun, once in a while?
2
Yay, the feisty M.D. is back! So far it’s one of O.A.C’s biggest accomplishments since joining Congress. Keep on swinging, both of you!
It’s quite likely that the average age of this Congress has suddenly dropped by a decade. This is akin to “The-Curious-Case-of-Benjamin-Button” Congress with members, who are reversing the aging of an out-of-touch, unrepresentative governmental body—by being younger, more diverse, and more feminine.
The Congressional “Breakfast Club” members—A.O.C., Rashida Tlaib, and et al.—are sizzling, sassy and spontaneous. Sparks are going to fly as an egotistical, impulsive and impatient Trump takes on a calm, classy and confident Pelosi. Meanwhile, stodgy GOP members will try hard to compete with the cool kids in the BC to remain relevant—"don’t you forget about me”—until the 2020 elections.
4
Welcome, Representative Ocasio-Cortez, to the team. These Republican snowflakes should get out of the kitchen if they can't take the heat. It's high time we put a stop to their feckless malfeasance. This Trump Republican Congress has abandoned its Constitutional duties. This White House has disgraced the office of the presidency. They have both done irreparable damage to our democracy. We will vigorously and loudly start work in the House on health care, infrastructure, immigration, voting rights, etc. At the same time, we will soberly and gravely investigate this White House. In short, we are the anti-Republicans. Godspeed, Representative Ocasio-Cortez!
11
I can't stand Trump and love AOC, but please let's keep our public discourse as civil as possible...using the MF noun degrades all of us.
5
Refreshing. Cheerful. Confident. Whip smart. Go Girl Power and use your powers for good.
6
Don't try to match Trump's level as you can't win that battle. He's got no basement.
5
As much as I share your joy at having sanity regain control of your House of Representatives the chance of having a democracy and healthy debate of policies to deal with American and world problems congressman Tlaib failed to capture how bad your President really is at his job.
I can think of any number of Senators, Congressmen and cabinet secretaries and GOP spokespeople worthy of Tlaib's schoolyard epithet but it is only in his utter incompetence that Trump proves his meritting all his attention.
2
“It is unsurprising to me that Republicans would think having fun should be disqualifying or illegal,” --Alexendria C.O.
Yes. Why ARE they so dour?
What makes the so sour?!
Is that what happens when
people worship Power?
6
Ocasio-Cortez sure seems to be living rent free in the heads of many a conservative. What is it with them and strong, smart women?
11
The old Republican guard and most of the media seem genuinely threatened by the brash young women and uppity minorities (in what they thought was THEIR Congress) who dare to insist that they too be represented, that they too have voices and that the reign of the old white power broker is coming to an end. They will feign outrage at at an obscenity they have all undoubtedly use and that Trump probably uses daily, or be aghast that a 29 year old adept at social media acts like one. I would love to be a fly on the wall when Ocasio-Cortez, Tlaib or the Somali Muslim Representative Ilhan Omar, have to deal with white supremacist dinosaurs like Steve King, Virginia Foxx or Louie Gohmert.
10
One Democratic woman (appropriately) uses one profanity and Republicans think that it's the best campaign news they've had in weeks. Pretty weak.
14
AOC-you go, girl! Handle politics as well as you dance!
2
I would much rather live with vulgar, profane language from a freshman Congresswoman, that live with a vulgar, profane person as President of the United States.
17
"And still she persisted..."
10
Please tell me something worthwhile this woman has done except shoot herself in the foot due with rantings due to lack of political and historical knowledge? She might be a quick learner, but she might also learn to speak if she knows what she's talking about and not just to hear herself speak. In the meantime my guess is that the Democrats are going to assign her to a broom closet.
2
Well she just conducted an upset election.
1
Seeing all these young, forward-thinking women elected to Congress does this old girl's heart good. They're not afraid to open their big mouths and speak their piece. I've been wishing for something like this for decades. Keep it real ladies. We're depending on you.
BTW, make sure there's money in the budget to double the size of the ladies' room.
713
@Carole A. Dunn Ditto, Carole. I'm 77. It was a pleasure to watch a beautiful, graceful young woman dance -- and know that she's also very smart, brave and compassionate and brimming with energy and ideas that can deliver on the promise of the American Dream. She and her sisters in this Congress have the best wishes and carry the hopes of those of us who've been waiting a long time.
47
@Carole A. Dunn
Swap the mens and ladies rooms should be easy.
22
Nothing wrong with flirting with communism or dreaming about what you’d do with an insane amount of money while you’re still young…
Actually what our liberal arts universities encourage and how our liberal arts universities indenture our eighteen-somethings…
Just waiting till she holds a town hall meeting with the Bronx part of her district – and her constituents want to talk less about free stuff and half-price Metro Cards, and more about when she’s going to get Facebook to stand up a 25,000 job gigaplex in Pelham…
Serrano’s probably already fast-tracking permitting for a Fordham Heights siting – and he’d been a Chavez fan…
I believe Donald is the one flirting with Putin’s communism.
Putin divorced communism a while ago - though he still blanches at the alimony payments...
Dear New Progressive Dem Congress,
Congratulations on the election. Now, you have to learn to govern. What worked on the campaign trail may not work in Congress, where you will need allies, mentors, and guidance to get all your noble legislation through.
Don't get side-tracked by impeachment--even though every day Agent Orange makes it more and more obvious that he's unfit to govern. Understand that the Republicans must start that process. They already are--not for any noble reason, but because Sen. Susan Collins, Cory Gardner, and others realize that they will be swept out of office if they remain tied to him.
Let Robert Mueller do his work. Start investigations of Trump for financial crimes. Follow Nancy Pelosi's wonderful speech about the Democratic agenda. Remember that the country is with you, but you must learn to compromise, reach across the aisle, and not let the perfect be the enemy of the good. To each an every one of you: be sure to get a seasoned mentor, someone who knows how Congress works. I had the honor of meeting Con. John Neguse, the first black congressman from CO. His mentor is civil rights icon John Lewis.
And, good luck!
19
I'm breathing a cautious sigh of relief at the sight of all the female Democrats. Cautious only due to what they are up against. Relieved because of all the brains, dedication and energy to take on the patriarchy.
We are counting on you to fight the good fight and move our country back to representing the needs and desires of everyone, not only the donor class.
10
Let's keep our powder dry here, Democrats. Having dropped their commitments to fiscal prudence and Constitutionalism and individual liberty and all the rest of their empty sales palaver, the Republicans have openly abandoned their oaths of office. They aren't just supportive now of Trump, they're complicit. Their malice is bottomless and their memories are long.
So get serious. This Green New Deal idea has legs but you need to show more imagination than just hiking taxes. People, companies, communities, and institutions all over the country--the Red States particularly--are showing that the next economy is built on profitable, practical, energy efficient, and measurably conservative capitalism. Republicans are protecting a dead system when they demand that fossil fuel-base waste get rammed back into the economy that is leaving them behind.
The GOP's Alamo claim is that it's the party of business. Their false god is a business failure and a serial cheat. Prove them wrong. Start now. Take over the profit motive. Own it where it's working already, fairly, empirically, and replicably.
301
@Next Conservatism-
I’m long used to the cynical blind-eye posturing of callow, ambitious, self-absorbed careerist politicians. But I find Republicans’ current misconduct (in supporting Trump) worse than cowardly. It’s inexplicable.
If Trump set fire to the White House would they silently stand by approvingly, some even defending it, and him? My sense is, yes.
26
@Steve Singer Yes. They're all-in, and they're losing, so their rules of engagement have changed. The GOP used to pretend to be statesmen and now they're openly anti-Constitutionalist and secessionist. They used to follow Lee Atwater's advice about discretion, and now the red meat they want is proud bigotry. They warn about a Civil War, but they're in one already, and they're losing it, so they're defending the indefensible, protecting a criminal, compromising their legacies, and abandoning every principle. Pride is all the base has left. The 1% are hoarding their opportunities and hiding their wealth.
The Democrats need to see this. The wins they need are already happening in technology, energy management, applied data...it's as fundamental and earth-shifting as the printing press was for society in the Middle Ages. If the Democrats get in front of this they can be the Party of Conservation in a way that these lying Conservatives never could be. They can be the Party of Capitalism 2.0 in ways these fossilized liars refuse to be. They need to show some imagination, that's all.
One more thing. It's apostasy to say so, but it's true: Trump is the best thing that could have happened to the Democrats. He's destroying the GOP brand from the inside in a way the Democrats couldn't ever have done. They need to move slowly, irreversibly, and coldly to drive this rusty nail very deep, and not assist the GOP by taking it out too soon.
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The attempted use of this video to cause some kind of controversy says everything about where the Republican Party has chosen to position itself.
Beware the civic-minded youth who actually enjoy life, because they might pass policy which improves the quality of your own.
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@ubique
I'm an old white male Democrat and watched the video to see what could be so objectionable to these old white male Republicans. Sorry, all I saw was an attractive young woman who knew how to dance and have fun.