
(DailyVantage.com) – MSNBC host Joy Reid criticized the Democratic Party on Tuesday for sidelining younger voices like Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., in favor of its longest-serving leaders. Reid expressed frustration with what she described as the party’s resistance to change, arguing that this “gerontocracy” prevents rising stars from stepping into leadership roles. “The gerontocracy seems like it’s intractable,” Reid said during her show. “When Barack Obama was elected, he kind of pushed aside the DNC and created his own organization because there’s a frustration with the creaky way the DNC operates.”
This generational divide has become a growing issue within the party, particularly after President Biden, 82, was pressured to withdraw from the Democratic nomination in July due to mounting concerns about his age and effectiveness. His late exit left Vice President Kamala Harris to lead the ticket, a campaign that ultimately resulted in defeat. Democrats have since debated whether broader age limits should be applied to leadership positions or the presidential nomination in 2028.
Ocasio-Cortez, 35, has become a prominent figure in progressive circles, using social media to engage directly with voters in ways that resonate with younger generations. Despite her influence, she was recently passed over for a leadership role on the powerful House Oversight Committee, with the position going to 74-year-old Rep. Gerry Connolly, D-Va. Some observers have attributed this decision to the lingering influence of 84-year-old former Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif.
Reid argued that this lack of generational change is out of step with the party’s base. “Kamala Harris represented the generational change that base Democratic voters demanded,” Reid said. “And yet when you go to the House and Senate, no generational change. Does that make sense to you?”
Critics like Reid suggest that the party’s reliance on traditional methods and senior leadership hampers its ability to connect with younger voters and adapt to evolving political landscapes. Reid pointed out that figures like Ocasio-Cortez excel in new media strategies, unlike older leaders who prioritize traditional television advertising and donor-driven campaigns.
The debate over leadership transitions and the role of younger politicians in the Democratic Party reflects broader concerns about its direction after a challenging election cycle. While some leaders, such as California Gov. Gavin Newsom, have dismissed calls for strict age limits, others within the party have privately acknowledged the need for change.
As the Democratic Party grapples with these issues, frustrations like those voiced by Reid highlight the tensions between maintaining tradition and embracing a new generation of leadership.
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