US progressive Ocasio-Cortez suggests blaming AIPAC as Democrats lick wounds

New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez appears to suggest that pro-Israel lobbying group AIPAC was responsible for Democrats’ poor performance in this month’s election, which saw Republican Donald Trump defeat Vice President Kamala Harris and the GOP take control of both the House and Senate.

If people want to talk about members of Congress being overly influenced by a special interest group pushing a wildly unpopular agenda that pushes voters away from Democrats then they should be discussing AIPAC https://t.co/2o22CMMtqw

— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) November 17, 2024

“If people want to talk about members of Congress being overly influenced by a special interest group pushing a wildly unpopular agenda that pushes voters away from Democrats then they should be discussing AIPAC,” the Democrat writes on X.

The comment comes after a senior advisor to Senator Bernie Sanders points a finger at lobbies representing corporate or industrial interests.

The claim from Ocasio-Cortez, a leading member of the party’s progressive flank, comes as the Democrats have entered a period of soul-searching following the drubbing at the polls.

While some have pointed to the Biden Administration’s support for Israel as a factor in driving away some Arab and Muslim voters, most pundits have suggested that the party’s focus on identity politics and embrace of progressive cultural matters rather than economic issues for pushing working class voters into the Trump camp.

AIPAC says it spent $53 million to support 361 pro-Israel candidates from both sides of the political aisle, while helping to defeat 24 anti-Israel candidates. It has recently begun targeting Sanders for his attempts to block arms sales to Israel.

In response to the tweet from Ocasio-Cortez, the lobby snarkily posts screenshots showing vote totals for two fellow members of the progressive anti-Israel “Squad” who were defeated in Democratic primaries by AIPAC-backed challengers.

Fact check on what Democratic voters find popular vs unpopular, @AOC. https://t.co/hwCTqBS0SS pic.twitter.com/CQjZIp4Kil

— AIPAC ????????????????????️ (@AIPAC) November 17, 2024