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Jimmy Williams
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez took center stage at the Democratic National Convention on Monday night, delivering a powerful speech rallying support for Vice President Kamala Harris. Ocasio-Cortez, who has made waves as a progressive leader since her election in 2018, urged Democrats to unite behind Harris and help push forward an ambitious agenda “for the people.”
“We choose a new path and open the door to a new day, one that is for the people and by the people,” she declared to thunderous applause. The message came in sharp contrast to Ocasio-Cortez’s much shorter, 90-second appearance at the 2020 DNC, when she introduced Senator Bernie Sanders. This time, she was given a prime-time speaking slot, signaling her rising influence within the Democratic Party.
Ocasio-Cortez reflected on her own working-class background, a common thread throughout her political career, recalling Republican attacks that have criticized her for her past job as a bartender. “Ever since I got elected, Republicans have attacked me by saying I should go back to bartending,” she said. “But let me tell you, I’m happy to, any day of the week, because there is nothing wrong with working for a living.”
Her remarks drew a connection between her experiences and the values she believes Harris embodies. Ocasio-Cortez presented Harris as a champion of the working class, someone who “understands the urgency of rent checks, groceries, and prescriptions” because she comes from the same middle-class roots. “In Kamala Harris, we have a chance to elect a president who is for the middle class because she is from the middle class,” she emphasized.
The congresswoman’s speech also struck a combative tone against former President Donald Trump. She labeled Trump a “two-bit union buster” who would “sell this country for a dollar if it meant lining his own pockets and greasing the palms of his Wall Street friends.” Her sharp critique of Trump received enthusiastic cheers from the audience, especially when she challenged his claim of patriotism. “The truth is, Don, you cannot love your country if you only fight for the wealthy and big business,” she said. “To love this country is to fight for its people — all people — working people, everyday Americans like bartenders and factory workers and fast-food cashiers who punch a clock and are on their feet all day in some of the toughest jobs out there.”
Amid the applause and applause lines, Ocasio-Cortez also defended Harris’ international efforts, noting her dedication to securing a ceasefire in Gaza. She praised Harris for working “tirelessly to secure a ceasefire in Gaza and bring hostages home,” highlighting the vice president’s commitment to humanitarian diplomacy as well as her domestic agenda.
Ocasio-Cortez’s speech underscored her role as a rising star in the Democratic Party, while she positioned Harris as a leader who shares her values and will champion the working class. By emphasizing the importance of electing leaders who understand the struggles of ordinary Americans, she encouraged voters to turn out in support of the Harris-Walz ticket in the 2024 election.
As the Democratic Party looks to the future, Ocasio-Cortez’s impassioned call to action highlighted the importance of unity and progress, with Harris as a central figure in shaping that vision.
