#Progressives push back, call for AOC to get more time as DNC kicks off

The progressive wing of the Democratic Party is beginning to push back on the DNC as the convention takes off this week.

Progressive delegates are calling on presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden and the Democratic National Committee to give Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez as much speaking time at the upcoming DNC convention as former Gov. John Kasich, a Republican endorsing the Democratic ticket.

A petition launched Sunday by the Young Delegates Coalition — a group of 225 delegates representing Biden, former South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg, Sens. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) at this week’s convention — called it “unacceptable” for Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) to only be allotted a 60-second speaking slot.

“Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is one of the Democratic Party leaders who is most respected by young Democrats and progressives. She is one of only three Latinx speakers scheduled for the Democratic National Convention. She is one of two convention speakers under the age of 50.

“Yet, she is only being allotted 60 seconds to speak while Republican John Kasich is slated to have a much longer speaking segment,” the petitioners argue.

The group goes on to argue that instead, the Democratic socialist should be giving the keynote address, a platform that launched the career of then-state Sen. Barack Obama in 2004, who was running for the US Senate when he was tapped to deliver the much-coveted speech.

“The DNC has historically been a launching pad for young, rising stars in the party. At the 2004 DNC, Barack Obama gave the keynote address. In 2012, Julian Castro gave the keynote address. We see no better fit than to have Rep. Ocasio-Cortez give the keynote address in 2020,” the petition reads.

The petition has already amassed just under its 6,400 signature goal.

Last week, it was revealed that AOC would only be given just one minute to deliver a pre-recorded message during the convention.

In the days leading up to that announcement, it was unclear what type of role the 30-year-old lawmaker would have in the convention.

Originally a massive, in-person gathering with days of events planned, this year’s convention was condensed into two hours of prime-time programming aired over four nights as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.

While AOC ended up scoring some speaking time, she will not be permitted to speak live, as Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Buttigieg, a former 2020 Democrat, have been allowed to do.

“Rep. Ocasio-Cortez must be given enough time to demonstrate respect for her and the constituencies she represents and to allow her to make the case for why and how we must unite to defeat Trump and move America forward,” the Young Delegates Coalition said in their petition.

AOC will speak on Tuesday, along with Schumer, former acting Attorney General Sally Yates, former Secretary of State John Kerry, Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.), former President Bill Clinton and former Second Lady Dr. Jill Biden.

Kasich, who the Young Delegates Coalition called out, plans to endorse Biden on Monday night. He previously ran for the Republican nomination for the White House in 2016.

While some centrist Republicans may be considering hopping ship to the Democratic side, some progressives are struggling to get on board with Democratic unity.

AOC’s fellow “Squad” member, Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.), voted “No” on the Democratic party platform over the weekend, in her second recent rejection of moderate politics.

Defending her decision on Twitter, Tlaib wrote, “I constantly hear from constituents demanding we push for a single-payer system and away from this for-profit system that is leaving people to suffer and die just because they cannot afford health care.

“As a party, we must push for a future where every resident has the ability to thrive. That means we need a platform that works to rid our society of oppression and greed. Unfortunately, in my view this platform does not do enough,” she continued.

Tlaib has also declined to endorse Biden, claiming she does not need to support the former vice president so outwardly to defeat President Trump in November.