AOC, a steady hand

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Jul 11, 2024 View in browser   By Emily Ngo, Nick Reisman and Jeff Coltin With help from Rich Mendez Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, a hard-left Squad member often at odds with establishment Dems, has voiced firm support for President Joe Biden. | Andrew Harnik/AP Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has been a stabilizing presence for the Democrats in their time of turmoil. Less rabble-rouser and more resolute. She voiced firm support earlier this week for President Joe Biden as other Democrats of all shades of blue continue to equivocate. At the same time, her relationship with the Democratic Socialists of America is fraying. “The matter is closed,” the high-profile lefty declared to reporters. “Joe Biden is our nominee. He is not leaving this race. He is in this race, and I support him.” She then introduced articles of impeachment Wednesday against Supreme Court Justices Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito, drawing attention to the broader fight to check SCOTUS, which many in her party believe should be scrutinized in lieu of Biden’s political viability. “I believe that everyday Americans, independent of party or ideology, can reasonably conclude that Justices Thomas and Alito’s years-long pattern of misconduct and failure to recuse in cases bearing their clear personal and financial involvement represents an abuse of power and threat to our democracy,” Ocasio-Cortez said from the House floor. (The Supreme Court didn’t immediately respond.) Meanwhile, the Democratic Socialists of America’s national political committee announced Wednesday it planned to withdraw its “conditional endorsement” of her at the request of the New York City chapter’s steering committee — though she remains endorsed by the city chapter. (She is highly favored to win her seat in November.) In a release, the organization that was integral to her come-from-behind victory six years ago said many of its members “supported national endorsement while at the same time demanding that AOC demonstrate a higher level of commitment to Palestinian liberation, self-determination, and the immediate end to the heinous genocide in Gaza committed by Israel.” The release noted her support for a resolution conflating Israel’s right to exist with antisemitism. Back in Washington, the heated debate over whether Biden is the best candidate to defeat former President Donald Trump will wage on, the chances of the articles of impeachment passing in a Republican-controlled House are slim and Ocasio-Cortez will continue to be caricatured as too radical. But the stands she has taken this week alone may show that the Bronx Democrat embraces the duality of being a team player and movement leader. It’s a bit of an evolution — or a growing into the role, at least. “She has become, in her own way, a more statesperson-like figure,” said Jon Reinish, a New York-based Democratic strategist. “She has almost always, over the past several years, not gone as far with the rhetoric or radicalism or activism as her Squad colleagues have. She has become the cooler-headed, more strategic politician, who probably has a longer arc in her career.” The latitude that Ocasio-Cortez enjoys may come from the fact that she has more job security than other left-leaning House Democrats — and certainly other Democratic socialists. Rep. Jamaal Bowman, for instance, resoundingly lost his seat to a moderate last month after pro-Israel outside interests spent big to oust him. “She is in a safe Democratic seat and consistently and savvily playing the hand her district allows,” said Alyssa Cass, a Democratic strategist also based in New York. “She is able to champion more progressive policies, and she is picking political fights to galvanize and motivate the Democratic base.” Her vote of confidence in Biden, as an example, may carry more weight because she’s a marquee member of the hard-left Squad often at odds with establishment Dems. Progressive Democratic strategist Monica Klein said Ocasio-Cortez operates from a place of principle. “AOC is leading the fight against the far-right takeover of our institutions,” Klein said of the articles of impeachment. “Her North Star has always been fighting for working people and against corporate interests, and she’s been remarkably consistent in her efforts.” — Emily Ngo HAPPY THURSDAY. Got news? Send it our way: Jeff Coltin, Emily Ngo and Nick Reisman.   THE GOLD STANDARD OF POLICY REPORTING & INTELLIGENCE: POLITICO has more than 500 journalists delivering unrivaled reporting and illuminating the policy and regulatory landscape for those who need to know what’s next. Throughout the election and the legislative and regulatory pushes that will follow, POLITICO Pro is indispensable to those who need to make informed decisions fast. The Pro platform dives deeper into critical and quickly evolving sectors and industries—finance, defense, technology, healthcare, energy—equipping policymakers and those who shape legislation and regulation with essential news and intelligence from the world’s best politics and policy journalists. Our newsroom is deeper, more experienced, and better sourced than any other—with teams embedded in the world’s most active legislative and regulatory power centers. From Brussels to Washington, New York to London, Sacramento to Paris, we bring subscribers inside the conversations that determine policy outcomes and the future of industries, providing insight that cannot be found anywhere else. Get the premier news and policy intelligence service, SUBSCRIBE TO POLITICO PRO TODAY.     WHERE’S KATHY? Signing E-Bike safety regulations in New York City. WHERE’S ERIC? Hosting a reception celebrating Eid al-Adha at an undisclosed location. QUOTE OF THE DAY: “He regards this court as a pause button on his woes while he continues to live his life unbothered by creditors. If the case is dismissed, creditors will be able to hold America’s mayor accountable for the harms he’s caused.” — Attorney Rachel Strickland, arguing that former Mayor Rudy Giuliani’s bankruptcy case should be dismissed — something a federal judge signaled is likely, POLITICO reports. ABOVE THE FOLD Lt. Gov. Antonio Delgado called for Biden to withdraw while Gov. Kathy Hochul has showed steadfast support of the president. | Bebeto Matthews/AP WITH LT GOVS LIKE THESE: Lt. Gov. Antonio Delgado broke Wednesday with Gov. Kathy Hochul on the consequential question of whether Biden should remain in the race. Delgado’s support of the growing effort among Democrats to get Biden off the ticket — contrary to Hochul’s vocal support for the president — joins a growing list of No. 2s in state government who have sought a measure of independence. The difference of opinion between Delgado and Hochul is not so eyebrow-raising given the unhappier tenures of other lieutenant governors. Lt. Gov. Al DelBello — who ran on a separate Democratic primary ticket with Ed Koch — was largely ignored by Gov. Mario Cuomo. (Koch and Cuomo were bitter political rivals). Lt. Gov. Betsy McCaughey Ross was unceremoniously booted from Gov. George Pataki’s 1998 reelection campaign after she publicly disagreed with him on Medicaid, education funding and state debt during her sole term. The job is a thankless one and the office has precious few official duties other than presiding over the state Senate or waiting for a vacancy in the governor’s office. And Hochul herself knows what it’s like to be frozen out. She made little secret that her interactions with Gov. Andrew Cuomo were few and far between when she was lieutenant governor. Hochul also rebuffed a not-so-quiet effort by Cuomo’s reelection campaign in 2018 to replace her with a different running mate. "I assure you if I have any disagreements with the governor, I share them with him,” she said around that year. “But just as Joe Biden worked closely with President Obama, these are conversations that we can keep private and still be very effective." Delgado has not shown any public acrimony with Hochul. He gave the governor a courtesy call before releasing his Biden-should-go statement. But he also demonstrated an interest in politics beyond the job: He’s formed a new political action committee meant to aid down-ballot House candidates running in pivotal seats. — Nick Reisman CITY HALL: THE LATEST City Hall still hasn’t put Randy Mastro’s name forward for corporation counsel, three months after their interest was first reported. | Mark Sagliocco/Getty Images COME-Y AGAIN? Former FBI Director James Comey’s endorsement of Randy Mastro to be the city’s top lawyer probably won’t be convincing any council members. “What brain surgeon thinks the way to convince people that confirming Rudy Giuliani’s guy is a good idea is by rolling out the support of the guy who helped sink Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign?” asked one Democratic consultant. Comey was a Republican for most of his life. Trump fired him in 2017 following a meeting in which Comey said the former president pressured him to drop an investigation into a White House adviser. Comey’s support for Mastro was announced in a New York Law Journal article Tuesday, along with legal world figures like fellow former FBI Director Louis Freeh and former federal judge John Gleeson. And two people familiar with conversations told Playbook that Mastro himself was texting members a paywalled Crain’s op-Ed by former City Comptroller Bill Thompson arguing the council should confirm Mastro as corporation counsel. A City Hall spokesperson said they would continue to roll out Mastro supporters “we think will sway the City Council,” and said they planned to nominate him before the July 31 deadline. Playbook previously reported that Mastro’s one-on-one meeting with council members were helping the controversial attorney’s case. But one member said he’d still lose a confirmation vote. “Most people on the mayor’s team know it ain’t happening, but they haven’t told (Mastro) yet.” — Jeff Coltin More from the city: — The City Council is mulling legislation to undo Mayor Eric Adams' controversial form to request meetings with agencies. (Gothamist) — New York City can’t say exactly how it’s spent more than $60 million in opioid settlement funds, even as overdose deaths continue to rise. (THE CITY) — A notorious Chinatown gangster with convictions for murder and extortion is trying to secretly buy a stake in the city-owned East Broadway Mall. (Daily News)   Understand 2024’s big impacts with Pro’s extensive Campaign Races Dashboard, exclusive insights, and key coverage of federal- and state-level debates. Focus on policy. Learn more.     NEW FROM PLANET ALBANY State Sen. Kevin Parker was one of the only New Yorkers to endorse Kamala Harris’ presidential campaign. | Hans Pennink/AP K-HIVER LIKES JOE: State Sen. Kevin Parker went out on a limb and endorsed Kamala Harris for president in 2020 — but now, the only sitting New York elected who backed her is fully behind Biden. “Biden is the nominee. And I think he should remain the nominee,” the Brooklyn Democrat told Playbook. “The vice president will have another opportunity in the future, but right now, President Biden is our candidate. He has an amazing record, probably the most successful president of the 20th century.” Does he have concerns about Biden’s health? “No,” Parker said, because Trump “is an existential threat to our democracy.” Parker’s feelings track with many other ardent Harris supporters in the “KHive,” Rolling Stone reports, who want Biden to stick it out. That may include Mayor Adams. He didn’t publicly endorse Harris in 2020, but told the Times that he supported her in the primary. He too has been standing with Biden since his disastrous debate. Former Lt. Gov. Brian Benjamin, the only other New York elected to endorse Harris, declined to comment. Parker is ready to move on from the Kamala-for-president talk, saying, “Joe is the nominee. Let’s get back in formation, as Beyoncé says, and let’s move on to our convention.” — Jeff Coltin More from Albany: — An amended version of the Adult Survivors Act has been approved in order to close an unintended loophole with the law. (Newsday) — Hochul says Biden has been a frequent visitor to New York as he runs for reelection. (Spectrum News) — The city of Albany has its own version of a Good Cause Eviction law. (WAMC) KEEPING UP WITH THE DELEGATION Rep. Marc Molinaro's opponent will announce a fundraising haul that doubled his own. | Bebeto Matthews/AP | Bebeto Matthews/AP Photo DEM CA$H EDGE: Josh Riley, the Democrat challenging Rep. Marc Molinaro, will report a fundraising haul that’s about double what his GOP rival raised for his campaign this past quarter, according to figures shared first in Playbook. Riley brought in $1.8 million between April and June while Molinaro raised about $910,000 for his campaign and $100,000 for the Grow the Majority committee. Riley, who served as counsel in the U.S. Senate, has about $4 million cash on hand and has raised $5.2 million for the cycle. Molinaro’s most recent campaign war chest figures were not immediately available. Battleground Democrats have shown fundraising strength thus far this election year. Laura Gillen of Long Island raised a massive $1.9 million in the second quarter of the year, POLITICO has reported. But being flush with cash doesn’t necessarily translate to victory, especially with Biden predicted to drag down frontline Senate and House Democrats. The race between Molinaro and Riley is a rematch of 2022, when Riley significantly outraised Molinaro but went on to lose to him. — Jason Beeferman and Nick Reisman NEW YORK STATE OF MIND — Families are still leaving large US cities, with the number of young children in New York City down by almost a fifth since the beginning of the pandemic. (Bloomberg) — Mount Sinai Beth Israel is poised to blow past its long-planned closure on Friday, hamstrung by a temporary restraining order and awaiting state health officials’ required approval of the move. (POLITICO Pro) — Wearing a face mask or covering to conceal one’s identity could be a misdemeanor charge under a new bill introduced by Republicans in the Nassau County legislature. (Newsday) SOCIAL DATA MAKING MOVES: Matthew Cohn is the new chair of the Global Mission Board of diabetes research and advocacy organization Breakthrough T1D (formerly JDRF). ENGAGED: Alex Soros proposed to Huma Abedin. HAPPY BIRTHDAY: Dan Doctoroff … Mayor Adams’ Communications Director Ryan Birchmeier … THE CITY’s Alyssa Katz … former Assemblymember Michael DenDekker … Fresh Youth Initiatives’ Evan Solomon … Garrett Graff … Joe Wall … Andrew Kirell … Valery Galasso … Tristan Berne … Ari Teman … Missed Wednesday’s New York Playbook PM? We forgive you. Read it here.   Subscribe to the POLITICO Playbook family Playbook  |  Playbook PM  |  California Playbook  |  Florida Playbook  |  Illinois Playbook  |  Massachusetts Playbook  |  New Jersey Playbook  |  New York Playbook  |  Ottawa Playbook  |  Brussels Playbook  |  London Playbook View all our political and policy newsletters Follow us

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