Ed Rendell Questions Whether A.O.C. Should Speak at Convention
On Friday (August 7), Ryan Lizza and Holly Otterbein (formerly of Philly.com), reported in Politico.com, on the machinations to determine who will speak when, at the upcoming, virtual, Democratic National Convention. That event is scheduled to begin on Monday, August 17.
A.O.C.’s role not yet known.
When Politico posted its story on Friday Night, the lineup of speakers for the convention had not yet been “officially” set, although Bernie Sanders and John Kasich had already been tappped as “headliners.”
Politico reported that on Friday afternoon, a spokesperson for Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez “declined to confirm or deny Ocasio-Cortez’s inclusion in the virtual program…” “But early this evening, the drama over whether Ocasio-Cortez was in or out was settled. A source familiar with convention planning confirmed to POLITICO that the congresswoman ‘will have some role.’ “
Poltico also noted that “some moderate Democrats said privately that it would be harmful to the party if she got a prime-time speaking position at the same time Trump is trying to link Biden to her in an effort to paint him as an ’empty vessel’ for the progressive left.”
Rendell: Why wouln’t you pick Madeleine Dean or Mary Gay Scanlon?
According to Politico, “[Ed] Rendell said it wouldn’t be representative of the 2018 freshman class if Ocasio-Cortez got a prime-time speaking role, but moderate lawmakers who helped win back the House didn’t.’
‘I don’t think so,” he said Thursday when asked whether Ocasio-Cortez would ‘get a slot. ‘I think Bernie and Warren will speak, and they’ll represent the progressive wing of the party very ably.’ Referring to more moderate members of Ocasio-Cortez’s House class, he added, ‘If you picked AOC, why wouldn’t you pick Katie Porter or why wouldn’t you pick Madeleine Dean or Mary Gay Scanlon?’ “
Today, the Washington Post referred to “the list of speakers which was provided to the Washington Post” (they did not indicate who provided the list). That list does not include the name of Congresswoman Ocasio-Cortez.
Salvatore Cucinotta says
Let all of them speak
The King of The Bop says
*If you picked AOC, why wouldn’t you pick Katie Porter or why wouldn’t you pick Madeleine Dean or Mary Gay Scanlon?’ “.
Yo Ed Rendell…You only consider white women from suburban districts as being qualified to speak at the convention?