Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has her sights set on becoming the top Democrat on the House Oversight Committee and one Republican supports her bid.
House Oversight Chairman Rep. James Comer, R-Ky., expressed his endorsement of the New York Democrat in an interview on “Fox News Live ” on Sunday, adding that it was “amusing” that his support is probably hurting her chances.
“Of course, you are a member of the House Oversight and Accountability Committee—the Chair. In fact, you’re also a member of the AOC fan Club, I understand, and besides believing that you will have a good working relationship, what leadership qualities would make Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez an effective oversight Ranking member?” host Arthel Neville asked Comer.
“I think that if you look at the current leadership with the oversight committee on the Democrat side, they’ve had Jamie Raskin leading them. So the Democrats have nowhere to go but up. Jamie Raskin has been wrong,” Comer said, referring to the current ranking member, Maryland Democrat Jamie Raskin.
“So then how will AOC make you go up — or make the Democrats go up?” Neville asked the GOP lawmaker about Ocasio-Cortez who was endorsed for the role by the Progressive Caucus.
“Yeah, well, she’s better spoken. Look, I think that, you know, the Democrats are turning on AOC. My endorsement of AOC is probably hurting her, which… I think is amusing,” he replied.
“They’re wanting to go back to another boring old guy like Gerry Connolly,” Comer said, referring to Representative Gerry Connolly of Virginia who was endorsed last week by the centrist New Democrat Coalition.
But look, AOC is, you know, I think she represents a big segment of the Democratic Party that believes in socialism, that believes in the Green New Deal, that believes in Wokeism,” Comer said. “So, if the Democrats want a real Democrat to lead the oversight committee on their side, I think AOC is perfect for them.”
“What about her leadership qualities?” the Fox News host questioned.
“Well, look, you know, I mean, lucky for her, she’s in the minority, so she doesn’t really have to display a lot of leadership qualities,” Comer noted.
“All they’re going to do is try to complain and obstruct and do things like that. But I think AOC is the best they got, if that tells you anything about the Democrats on the Oversight Committee,” he contended. “I think AOC is the best they got.”
“Do you have anything positive to say about the way she might lead?” Neville asked.
“She’s a lot nicer than Jamie Raskin, and she’s pleasant to be around,” Comer quipped. “So, yeah, again, they have nowhere to go but up after Jamie Raskin.”
