Outgoing Democrat Slams Party for Prioritizing ‘Tenure Over Talent’

Outside of the presidential election, one of the biggest stories of the current political cycle is AOC’s run for ranking member for the House Oversight Committee, which she lost to Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-VA), 74, in a move that was widely attributed to Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi (D-CA).

Outgoing Rep. Dean Phillips (D-MN), who gave up his seat to run for president against Joe Biden, is now calling out the party for keeping the old guard in power.

Pelosi Says She Supports Generational Change

Earlier this month, before committees voted for leadership, Pelosi stated that she would back generational changes in leadership.

She stated, “I’m supporting the newer members who are running for office. This is with all the respect in the world for the chairmen who had been there and the contribution that they had made over time.

“But now others have come forward, and I respect the fact that they’re ready to take charge of their committees, and I support that.”

Pelosi, of course, reneged on her word.

Pelosi Supports Connolly Over AOC

When. Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-MD) fell into the House Judiciary Committee ranking position, after Pelosi backstabbed Rep. Jerry Nadler (D-NY), his position opened up, which Rep. Ocasio-Cortez (D.NY) was interested in.

Now, everyone knows there is bad blood between AOC and Pelosi, but AOC is clearly a leader among the younger members, so this would have appeared to be a no-brainer.

Yet, when the time came to make an endorsement, Pelosi stated, “I have supported Mr. Connolly for that, should it be open.”

Pelosi has stated there is no issue between herself and AOC, but that is clearly a lie. This was a chance to support the next generation of leadership, and Pelosi decided to support the old guard instead.

Phillips Speaks Up

This was par for the course, and after failing to get any support within the party running against Joe Biden, Phillips called out people like Pelosi who are refusing to change with the times.

He stated, “Right now, we are totally devoid of leadership. We are rudderless. I don’t know which Democratic Party member my colleagues would point to as the leader, de facto leader, and absent that, I don’t see much, frankly, happening.

“I think it’s ironic that the Republican Party is now representing America’s working class. It’s astounding, and that was ceded to them by people that have prioritized things like tenure over talent, identity politics over pragmatic problem solving.”

I am no fan of AOC, but I have stated repeatedly that both sides need to start to get rid of the fossils and allow the next generation to take over. AOC is clearly a leader among the new breed of Democrats, so what better way to work her into a leadership role than by giving her a post now while she can get some guidance? Phillips is 100% right in everything he said.