Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, The Rising Star in American Politics

European Straits #104

Dear all,

The rise of Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez in the desolate landscape that is today’s American politics is rapidly becoming the stuff of legend. Last year, in June, she unexpectedly beat a 10-term incumbent in a safe Democratic district while proudly calling herself a “socialist” (her NY district includes large parts of the poorest boroughs in New York: Queens and the Bronx). Lifted by the 2018 blue wave, she cruised to an all-but-guaranteed victory while becoming a national sensation. Today she’s the youngest member of the 116th Congress, and at 28 the youngest woman ever elected to Congress. More importantly, she’s become the most powerful ideological force in the Democratic Party.

The rising star in American politics

Ocasio-Cortez’s rise happened in large part online. From the start, she’s been an Internet sensation, masterfully using Twitter and Instagram to bond with her followers, quip at her opponents, and bring her ideas forward. Today, with 2.4M followers, she drives as much …