In a recent interview with Fox News host Harris Faulkner, Morgan Harper, a former Democratic Senate candidate from Ohio, expressed skepticism about Democratic Rep.Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's potential as a leader for the Democratic Party.
Harper, once labeled the "AOC of the Midwest," voiced her concerns about the party's current leadership and the need for fresh faces to guide its future.
As reported by the Daily Caller, Harper criticized Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer for his role in passing a Republican-supported spending bill aimed at averting a government shutdown. She argued that while the Democratic Party is in dire need of new leadership, Ocasio-Cortez, despite being one of the most progressive voices in the House, would not resonate with voters in Ohio.
Harper, who has been characterized by various media outlets as a left-wing figure within the Democratic Party, stated, "I do think its troubling in this moment, with so much going on in the country, that we have these same people that were part of the problem that are continuing to keep focus on the past when we right now need a book written by a Democrat of how to win." This comment was made in the context of her critique of books discussing President Joe Biden's perceived decline during his presidency.
During her 2022 Senate campaign, Harper's policy positions were frequently compared to those of "the Squad," a group of progressive House members that includes Ocasio-Cortez. Harper's Bazaar even pondered whether Harper could be considered the "AOC of the Midwest." Despite these comparisons, Harper remains unconvinced of Ocasio-Cortez's suitability as a leader for the party, particularly in regions like Ohio.
In a related development, Democratic Rep. Ro Khanna of California has encouraged Ocasio-Cortez to challenge Schumer in the 2028 Democratic primary. A recent poll by Data for Progress showed Ocasio-Cortez with a significant lead over Schumer in a hypothetical matchup.
However, Harper emphasized that the Democratic Party's focus on Biden's alleged decline is not conducive to preparing for upcoming elections. "There is a resistance among many folks in Democratic politics to let go and let a new generation take over," Harper remarked. "A generation that is going to connect, especially with young people, more effectively. Because this kind of story and these kinds of books are doing nothing to persuade the people that stayed home."
A Wall Street Journal article from December 19 revealed that White House aides had "insulated" President Joe Biden from even his Cabinet members as concerns about his health surfaced. This report followed earlier articles that faced criticism from some media outlets.
Harper, who has previously challenged Democratic Rep. Joyce Beatty for Ohio's Third Congressional District and ran for the Democratic nomination for an open U.S. Senate seat in 2022, remains firm in her belief that Ohioans are seeking a new generation of leadership. "When I talk to people in Columbus, Ohio, they are looking for a new generation of leadership. I dont think they will accept anything less," she asserted. When Faulkner inquired whether Ocasio-Cortez could fulfill that role, Harper responded, "In Ohio, AOC is not that."
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