Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has taken aim at Green Party presidential candidate Jill Stein, labeling her campaign as "predatory" due to repeated White House runs without significant party growth.
The New York Democrat expressed her concerns in an Instagram story on Sunday, as reported by Newsweek.
Ocasio-Cortez criticized Stein and the Green Party for their focus on presidential elections while struggling to expand their presence in local and state-level politics. The congresswoman emphasized that despite multiple campaigns, the Green Party has failed to secure any federal offices and only a small number of state legislative seats.
Ocasio-Cortez didn't mince words when responding to a follower's question about Stein's candidacy. She argued that repeatedly running for president without growing the party's grassroots support indicates poor leadership.
The congresswoman stated that Stein's inability to expand the Green Party's influence beyond presidential races was concerning. She suggested that this approach exploits voters' frustrations without offering substantive political change.
Ocasio-Cortez clarified that her criticism wasn't against third parties in general, noting that she has endorsed some third-party candidates in the past. Her issue lies specifically with Stein's leadership and campaign strategy.
Stein's campaign responded to Ocasio-Cortez's comments through posts on X, formerly known as Twitter. The Green Party candidate accused Democrats of hypocrisy, citing their efforts to remove third-party candidates from ballots and restrict debate access.
Stein's campaign manager said she would appear on the ballot in numerous states, including key battlegrounds like Arizona, Florida, and Pennsylvania. The Green Party itself will be listed in additional states due to varying ballot access procedures.
Stein defended her campaign, arguing that Democrats' attempts to limit third-party participation are the real "predatory" behavior in American politics.
The discussion around Stein's candidacy resurrects memories of the 2016 election, where her vote totals exceeded Donald Trump's margin of victory in crucial swing states. This led to accusations from Democrats that Stein acted as a spoiler candidate.
Former Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton went as far as to label Stein a "Russian asset" in her 2017 book, suggesting that Stein's campaign significantly impacted the election outcome.
The debate surrounding third-party candidates extends beyond Stein. Other independents, such as Cornel West, are also facing scrutiny for their potential to influence the 2024 election results.
In conclusion, Ocasio-Cortez's criticism of Jill Stein highlights the ongoing tension between major parties and third-party candidates in American politics. The debate underscores concerns about electoral strategy, party growth, and the impact of alternative candidates on election outcomes. As the 2024 presidential race heats up, the role of third-party candidates will likely remain a topic of intense discussion and controversy.
