In a recent turn of events, MSNBC host Jen Psaki has criticized the Democratic party for overlooking Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) for the leading Democratic position on the House Oversight Committee.
According to The New York Post, Psaki, a former White House press secretary under the Biden administration, expressed her disappointment during an episode of MSNBC's "Inside with Jen Psaki."
Psaki, 46, contended that the Democrats missed a significant chance to apply the lessons learned from the 2024 elections by disregarding Ocasio-Cortez, a 35-year-old congresswoman known for her media savvy. "Instead, they chose Congressman Gerry Connolly, a much older member who was backed by Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi," Psaki stated. She further questioned the decision, emphasizing the national attention and media coverage the committee attracts.
Psaki expressed her respect for Pelosi and Connolly but pointed out that this was an opportunity to embrace the younger, more media-savvy members of Congress for key public leadership roles. She said, "This felt like an obvious chance to apply some of the lessons we shouldve learned from the November election."
Connolly, a 74-year-old Democrat from Virginia, won over the "Squad" representative last week in a 131-84 vote, securing his position as the ranking member on the high-profile panel. This committee will be responsible for overseeing the incoming Trump administration.
The decision to favor seasoned party members over younger Democrats has been a point of contention within the party. Representative Dean Phillips (D-Minn.), who challenged President Biden in the 2024 Democratic primaries, has recently voiced his criticism. "It is time to elevate the best and brightest," Phillips said, as reported by Fox News. He added, "We have literally kept them from ascending to leadership positions, which means they go elsewhere. And when we lose that kind of talent of ambitious, competent, patriotic young Americans, were in trouble.
Connolly, however, dismissed the age debate as a "false narrative, frankly, propounded by the media." Meanwhile, Pelosi, 84, reportedly launched a covert campaign to thwart Ocasio-Cortez's bid days before the Dec. 17 vote, as per Punchbowl News. The outlet reported that the former House speaker had been urging Democrats to support Connolly over the younger New York Democrat.
The decision has sparked criticism from other MSNBC hosts as well. Chris Hayes described Pelosi's lobbying campaign as a "moment of genuine madness," while Joy Reid criticized the gerontocracy within the party. Reid said, "I recall when Barack Obama was elected, he kind of pushed aside the DNC and created his own organization because I think there is a frustration with the sort of creaky way the DNC operates.
This incident underscores the ongoing debate within the Democratic party about the need for fresh, young leadership versus the reliance on experienced, older members. It remains to be seen how this dynamic will shape the party's future strategies and decisions.
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