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Last night, in a surprise, last second meeting, the Democratic Party ambushed progressives in a major way, locking them out of crucial seats on the powerful Energy and Commerce committee, and keeping AOC out of a position she was thought be a lock for. https://prospect.org/politics/establishment-strikes-back-aoc-versus-centrist-democrats/
The outcome was a shock for progressives, whose strategy has revolved around building lasting power through top committee appointments. I got some inside information on what was said and done in a wild closed door steering committee meeting yesterday. https://prospect.org/politics/establishment-strikes-back-aoc-versus-centrist-democrats/
AOC was mutinied by Henry Cuellar, on the grounds that she didn't support Dem members in primaries (AOC backed Cuellar's primary opponent Jessica Cisneros). Despite her having formal support, the mods forced an exceptionally rare vote. https://prospect.org/politics/establishment-strikes-back-aoc-versus-centrist-democrats/
And crushed AOC, 49-13, in favor of Kathleen Rice, a backbench right-winger who is a known enemy of Pelosi. Meanwhile, the other progressive priority on E&C, Sylvia Garcia was left off the slate without even getting a vote. Cuellar also opposed her. https://prospect.org/politics/establishment-strikes-back-aoc-versus-centrist-democrats/
If you're curious about how political power actually works in the Democratic Party, and why progressives are locked out of it, this is a good look inside. It's not about a dumb ass M4A floor vote. https://prospect.org/politics/establishment-strikes-back-aoc-versus-centrist-democrats/
The person who got E&C over Sylvia Garcia was Lizzie Fletcher, who has such a bad union record that the Texas AFL-CIO formally opposed her candidacy against a Republican. Pelosi endorsed her without a vote. https://prospect.org/politics/establishment-strikes-back-aoc-versus-centrist-democrats/
Now the question is, will progressives change tack and start being more openly combative with leadership. What they did to AOC means they're not playing nice. It could change everything. https://prospect.org/politics/establishment-strikes-back-aoc-versus-centrist-democrats/
last thing: rumor has that AOC's Intercept interview, where she said Pelosi needed to be replaced, loomed over the proceedings. Otherwise Pelosi might have saved her skin. And that's the end result of her trying to placate the angry from the stupid ass Jimmy Dore newscycle.
last thing for real: Jeffries opposed AOC. Pelosi didn't save her, but didn't oppose her. If Pelosi is ousted as speaker, Jeffries will get it, and he will be worse. That's the pinch progressives find themselves in. https://prospect.org/politics/establishment-strikes-back-aoc-versus-centrist-democrats/
to clarify--DeGette is not a close ally of oil and gas. a previous version of this misstated the nature of a report she did on fracking fluid. the story has been updated.
