How AOC is rewriting her own "Woke 1" history

New York Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is downplaying the concept known as "Woke 1." However, she is carrying over elements from the 2020 era of cultural progressivism that some Democrats argue could hinder her potential presidential run. This move to the cultural center, initiated last week in a prominent ABC interview where she stated, "Woke 1 was crazy," appears to be a form of damage control for her past remarks about law enforcement, immigration, and various social issues.

Ocasio-Cortez attributes the excesses of that period to the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdowns. Despite this, she made some of her most controversial statements before the pandemic's impact in the U.S. in 2020. Former Biden White House adviser Yemisi Egbewole suggests this could be a significant drawback, particularly among moderate demographics, such as Black voters in the South, who hold considerable influence in Democratic presidential primaries.

Historically, AOC was a prominent advocate for defunding the police, a stance that polls have consistently shown is unpopular. In 2020, she vehemently opposed a proposal by New York City's government to cut its police department by $1 billion, asserting that defunding police means defunding it entirely, not through budgetary tricks.

In 2019, she called for a serious conversation about decarceration and prison abolition. Similarly, she proposed decriminalizing border crossings in 2021 and has used language like "Latinx" and "menstruating person" to be more inclusive.

Ocasio-Cortez has since shifted her rhetoric, but she has not clarified her current stance on these contentious topics or revealed what led her to change her views on "Woke 1." Her team has not provided responses to inquiries regarding her position on defunding the police, her stance on decriminalizing the border, and her thoughts on rioting being justified.

In her ABC interview, she indicated she does not support certain proposals from the Democratic Socialists of America, such as abolishing police and prisons, defunding the Department of Defense, and granting amnesty to all immigrants.

Some Republicans argue that AOC would be a formidable presidential candidate despite her past controversial stances. Brent Buchanan, a GOP pollster, notes her high name recognition and a favorable rating among voters. Buchanan's polling indicates that 39% of voters view her favorably, while 42% view her unfavorably, a rating comparable to that of Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

Ocasio-Cortez's recent cultural moderation suggests she is a shrewd politician, adjusting her positions now rather than waiting until a later date. Democratic strategist James Carville acknowledges her talent, stating, "It's always been evident that she's more talented than the rest of them put together." AOC may not need to over-explain her changes in heart; she can simply state, "I'm grown," and people would understand.

This trend is not unique to AOC; other Democrats like Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and Michigan Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed have also distanced themselves from their earlier cultural positions, reflecting a broader trend among Democrats to leave behind their progressive past.