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AOC, Ro Khanna rivaling for future of Democratic Party?
The Hill ^ | 05/19/26 2:30 PM ET | by Lindsey Granger

Posted on 05/19/2026 12:30:53 PM PDT by RandFan

There’s some drama happening in the progressive wing of the Democratic Party — rivalry between Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Ro Khanna ahead of the 2028 presidential race, according to Axios.

It’s been clear to see both position themselves as possible heirs to the Bernie Sanders movement, but they are not in agreement on what that movement looks like. What’s interesting here is that the divide isn’t just about personality. It’s about strategy, staffing and what version of “Bernie-style politics” they’re actually trying to inherit.

Axios reports that on one side, you have what some are calling the “Old Bernie” approach around Khanna. That team includes veterans like Jeff Weaver, Bernie Sanders’s 2016 campaign manager, Julian Mulvey and Shannon Jackson. These are all people tied to a more traditional populist operation that wasn’t afraid of sharper contrasts and a more moderate brand on issues like guns and immigration.

On the other side is what Axios describes as AOC’s “New Bernie” ecosystem, hiring strategists behind Sanders’s presidential effort in 2020, which leaned further left on social issues and took a less aggressive tone toward Democratic Party rivals.

That split is showing up in how they talk about policy and politics.

Khanna has taken a slightly more centrist posture on issues like crime and immigration, emphasizing electability and broader appeal. Ocasio-Cortez, meanwhile, is leaning further into a more uncompromising progressive identity, not just on economics, but across social and foreign policy issues as well.

That tension came into sharper focus in the way they each interact with Marjorie Taylor Greene. Khanna’s willingness to collaborate with her on issues like releasing the Epstein files and other bipartisan efforts has drawn attention and pushback from the wing of the party that agrees with AOC.

(Excerpt) Read more at thehill.com ...


TOPICS: Chit/Chat; Conspiracy
KEYWORDS: anotheraocthread; bigbootylatina
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Khanna over AOC any day of the week.
1 posted on 05/19/2026 12:30:53 PM PDT by RandFan
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To: RandFan

When you’re dealing with Dumb and Dumber... Nobody wins.


2 posted on 05/19/2026 12:34:20 PM PDT by jerod (Nazis were essentially Socialist in Hugo Boss uniforms... Get over it!)
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To: All

Let me guess : one wants to import endless Indians and the other wants to import endless Hispanics


3 posted on 05/19/2026 12:38:42 PM PDT by escapefromboston (Peace, commerce and honest friendship with all nations, entangling alliances with none.)
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To: RandFan

Are there no pro-America Democrats? It would be refreshing to have even one.


4 posted on 05/19/2026 12:53:07 PM PDT by Kudsman (Thune loves bully Democratic Socialists. )
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To: RandFan

Ro, Ro, Ro your Khanna
Gently through the House;
Hinduly, hinduly, hinduly, hinduly
Rat becomes a mouse.

(FYI he describes himself as a Gandian Hindu. Some day a woke director will want to remake the 1939 classic with Priyanka Chopra as Scarlett Oharakrishna, entitled “Gandhi With the Wind.”)


5 posted on 05/19/2026 12:59:41 PM PDT by chajin ("There is no other name under heaven given among people by which we must be saved." Acts 4:12)
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To: chajin

That’s a catchy tune there!

About the movie, have you sent you’re ideal to Netflix yet? Christopher Nolan may be interested too.


6 posted on 05/19/2026 1:03:17 PM PDT by chickenlips (Neuter your politicians)
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To: All

My advice to the Dems : just run a white guy.


7 posted on 05/19/2026 1:28:56 PM PDT by escapefromboston (Peace, commerce and honest friendship with all nations, entangling alliances with none.)
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To: RandFan
"Follow the vanguard of the proletariat and expel the Jews from society!"

versus

"Victory to the workers and death to the Jews!"

Ehhh, real choice there, Democrats.

8 posted on 05/19/2026 1:49:30 PM PDT by 17th Miss Regt (Fascist, deplorable, and proud of it!)
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To: 17th Miss Regt

My money’s on Kamala. Any of you got spare change?


9 posted on 05/19/2026 1:51:02 PM PDT by DIRTYSECRET
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To: chajin

Good one. I think people like us who make up song parodies on FR are the wisest, cleverest and most talented people in the country.


10 posted on 05/19/2026 1:54:40 PM PDT by frank ballenger (There's a battle outside and it's raging. It'll soon shake your windows and rattle your walls. )
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To: jerod

Yeah, as the lobby card for the movie said “...every day is a no brainer.”


11 posted on 05/19/2026 1:55:27 PM PDT by frank ballenger (There's a battle outside and it's raging. It'll soon shake your windows and rattle your walls. )
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To: RandFan

Out of millions of Democrats, these are the best you have to offer? How sad.


12 posted on 05/19/2026 1:56:12 PM PDT by econjack
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To: RandFan

later


13 posted on 05/19/2026 1:56:57 PM PDT by Gay State Conservative (Import The Third World,Become The Third World)
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To: RandFan

Say what you will about her but AOCs ride to the top has been nothing short of phenomenal. I first thought it was all her staffer-advisor, but he’s been gone for years and here she is...

In Democrat eyes, she’s a superstar.

We get dickheads like Massie who won’t even support his own party’s President. Hopefully at least after today we may be rid of him.


14 posted on 05/19/2026 2:17:56 PM PDT by bigbob (We are all Charlie Kirk now)
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To: econjack

Silicon Valley vs Manhattan. $$$$$$$


15 posted on 05/19/2026 2:22:08 PM PDT by nwrep
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To: econjack

Silicon Valley vs Manhattan. $$$$$$$


16 posted on 05/19/2026 2:22:08 PM PDT by nwrep
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To: econjack

Silicon Valley vs Manhattan. $$$$$$$


17 posted on 05/19/2026 2:22:08 PM PDT by nwrep
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To: frank ballenger
I think people like us who make up song parodies on FR are the wisest, cleverest and most talented people in the country.

You are the kindest, bravest, warmest, most wonderful human being I've ever known in my life. (stolen from The Manchurian Candidate)

18 posted on 05/19/2026 3:24:08 PM PDT by chajin ("There is no other name under heaven given among people by which we must be saved." Acts 4:12)
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To: chajin

Perceptive of you.


19 posted on 05/19/2026 4:06:56 PM PDT by frank ballenger (There's a battle outside and it's raging. It'll soon shake your windows and rattle your walls. )
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To: escapefromboston

I still think it will be Beshear.


20 posted on 05/19/2026 4:07:51 PM PDT by dfwgator ("I am Charlie Kirk!")
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