The End of the Honeymoon: AOC and The Liberals

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortes's incredible rise to national political prominence is one of the highpoints against the shock of  Donald Trump's presidency . In the immediate aftermath of her stunning grassroots victory over Democratic Establishment stalwart Joe Crawley, grassroots liberal activist and leftist- who rarely get excited with democratic candidates- were both thrilled to see her in Congress. That enthusiasm by liberals is starting to fade. Libs are generally motivated by a type of "identity politics" where often the style and projection of a candidate is the motivating factor and scrutiny of the candidates actual policies is, at best, secondary. To leftist, identity politics is an anathema. Leftist are driven by governmental policy that results in reduction of class stratums and, therefore, how a candidate projects oneself is unimportant. AOC has rejected the identity politics mold. According to capitalist-class logic and our country's celebrity culture, AOC was suppose to use her immediate popularity, youth, and beauty to "brand" herself and to ultimately become part of the celebrity liberal elite. To the consternation of liberals, she has endorsed Bernie Sanders, hasn't shied away from her support for democratic socialism, and is offering big government proposals to fix our decaying institutions. All this and her outspoken criticism of other democratic presidential candidates with their "market solution" approaches is starting to end the romance of the moderate democratic class. If Bernie and AOC's political revolution can continue to empower the working-class and transform America away from the reliance of super philanthropist, non-profits foundations, and return the Federal Government to an institution that serves the needs of the people, maybe identity liberals will renew their romance with AOC.