Jen Psaki says Dems missed 'big opportunity' in refusing to back AOC for leadership role

Jen Psaki said that Democrats in Congress missed a "big opportunity" in not backing Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) in her bid to become the ranking member on the House Oversight Committee in the upcoming 119th Congress.

In a segment on MSNBC, the former Biden White House press secretary said, "House Democrats missed what I would consider a big opportunity. They passed over Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez for the top Democratic spot on the Oversight Committee."

Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-VA), aged 74, instead was chosen for the leadership role, who Psaki said is a "much older member who was backed by Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi."

"So why does that matter? Well, I mean, this is one of the few committees in Congress that actually generates national attention or media coverage," Psaki added, saying that the committee was "critical" to combat "misinformation" from Republicans in Congress.

"While I have deep, deep respect for Speaker Pelosi, she's been on the show many times, she's fierce—and nothing against Congressman Connolly at all—this felt like an obvious chance to apply some of the lessons we should have learned from the November election, right? Instead, Democrats passed over one of the youngest, most media-savvy members of Congress for a key leadership public role."

Ocasio-Cortez is seen as one of the most progressive members in Congress and often will go toe-to-toe with some of the more establishment members of the Democrat Party. However, the "squad" member may have an uncertain future, according to The Hill, as Connolly's nomination has sent a message to the more progressive wing of the party to move towards the center.

Following President-elect Donald Trump's win of both the elector college and popular vote in November, infighting among top brass of the Democratic Party took place over the loss. Additionally, recent research has shown that Americans believe the party has become too out of touch with everyday Americans, appealing to elites with topics such as diversity.