The author says more people—especially under 30—are asking if Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez could win in 2028, and treats that as a signal of rising interest. The piece is personal commentary, not a forecast.

Most of the essay praises Bernie Sanders as AOC’s model (authenticity, populism as “people vs. powerful,” shifting Democratic debate) and discusses DSA: GOP resolutions against “socialism,” a cited Cato finding that many Gen Z view socialism more kindly than capitalism, and campus growth tied in part to Gaza/divestment and labor work. The author notes DSA is still small next to the electorate.

On 2028, the writer calls AOC a strong communicator but doubts the country will elect a woman that cycle after 2016 and 2024; suggests a run could still build a national profile, with a New York Senate bid against Chuck Schumer as a fallback. That is the author’s political opinion.

One litmus test for me of potential presidential candidates in 2028 is how many people ask me if a particular person has a chance of winning. I doubt they’d ask unless they supported that person. So when lots of people start asking about someone, I begin to take that person seriously. 

Over the past month, the person who’s jumped to the head of the line in these sorts of questions is Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. Most of the people who ask me about her are under 30, and they’re hugely enthusiastic about her. 

Before I give you my response, let me say something about the person in American politics she’s most associated with — Bernie Sanders — and the organization she’s most identified with — the Democratic Socialists of America. 

I’ll say it straight out: I love Bernie. For years now, he’s been leading all of us into the future. He’s given progressives a clear direction. 

I love his authenticity. Some people like Trump because he says whatever he wants, but he’s an asshole. Bernie’s authenticity comes from saying what he wants and speaking the truth. Although Bernie is blunt, when he growls “this grotesque level of income and wealth inequality is immoral,” he means it. And he’s right.

I love his chutzpah. Bernie once announced that Starbucks’s anti-labor CEO Howard Schultz had agreed to testify before the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions, which Bernie chaired, because he had threatened him with a subpoena if he didn’t. The National Labor Relations Board had filed more than 80 complaints against Starbucks for refusing to negotiate in good faith with its workers in more than 280 of their stores that voted to unionize. “I look forward to hearing from Mr. Schultz as to when he intends to end his illegal anti-union activities and begin signing fair first contracts with the unions,” Bernie said.

I love him because he sounds like a vintage record (even his voice has the crackle of worn vinyl).

I love Bernie because he has endless patience for important things and no patience for........

© Eurasia Review