Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) got defensive over criticism from Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) over the party not grooming newcomers for leadership roles.
Pelosi was interviewed by CBS’s Leslie Stahl on “60 Minutes” and was asked about Ocasio-Cortez’s complaint.
Responding curtly, Pelosi said, “I don’t know. You’ll have to ask her … because we are.”
Stahl quickly followed up saying, “That was kind of sharp, kind of dismissing her.”
Lesley Stahl: Why does AOC complain that you have not been grooming younger people for leadership?
Speaker Pelosi: I don't know. You'll have to ask her– because we are. https://t.co/rdhe47lbw3 pic.twitter.com/fl1v1d5zTS
— 60 Minutes (@60Minutes) January 11, 2021
Last month, Ocasio-Cortez was highly critical of the Democrat party leaders, Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, bluntly saying in an interview, “we need new leadership.”
When asked if Pelosi and Schumer “need to go,” Ocasio-Cortez replied, “I mean, I think so.”
Ocasio-Cortez made the comments during a podcast interview with The Intercept.
Politico reports:
“I do think that we need new leadership in the Democratic Party,” Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) told The Intercept in an interview published Wednesday. Spokespeople for Pelosi and Schumer did not immediately return an email seeking comment on Ocasio-Cortez’s interview.
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez criticizes Pelosi and Schumer, calls for 'new leadership in the Democratic Party' https://t.co/E51Eo4NOft
— Politics Insider (@Politicsinsider) December 16, 2020
Pelosi was criticized on social media for her emotional dismissal of Ocasio-Cortez.
It seems that AOC and Pelosi have a wonderful relationship pic.twitter.com/egS6EBUUoJ
— Icculus The Brave (@FirenzeMike) January 11, 2021
Pelosi does not like AOC at all. You can just tell lol. https://t.co/364EzsLBn1
— Maya, The Black Socialist ? (@Maya4Bernie) January 11, 2021
Ocasio-Cortez supports socialist policies and wants a far-Left Democrat party by replacing Pelosi and Schumer with members that support the New York Representative’s view of the world.
Pelosi will continue to be challenged and criticized by Ocasio-Cortez who is leading the effort to move the party further to the Left.