What could possibly go wrong with this?

Jamie Raskin, one of the most disgusting, dishonest, and dishonorable Democrats in the House of Representatives, is making a bid to displace Jerry Nadler on the Judiciary Committee. 

That, alone, would be a major shakeup in the power arrangements in the House of Representatives--although it probably matters little for actual outcomes of committee votes as they are both hyperpartisan. But if Raskin succeeds, his seat as Ranking Member on the House Oversight committee would open up, and it is a plum assignment which appeals to a lot of ambitious types in the House. 

.@AOC is a possible contender to lead Democrats on the House oversight committee. Read @nicholaswu12 and @jordainc on what could be the ultimate inside power play for the outspoken progressive: https://t.co/E3BmplMR8D

— Zach Warmbrodt (@Zachary) December 3, 2024

AOC has made her name as a progressive firebrand within her caucus, likely polarizing opinions about her bid should it become a reality. Republicans, of course, have a clearer-eyed view of her--she is childlike in her understanding of politics. She is currently the Deputy Ranking Member on the Committee, likely as a sop to the now much-diminished Squad. 

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez could face the biggest test of her influence yet if a coveted spot as the top Democrat on the Oversight Committee opens up.

Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.), who currently holds the job, is running against Rep. Jerry Nadler (D-N.Y.) for the top Democratic spot on the Judiciary Committee. If Raskin successfully ousts Nadler, that will kick off a scramble to replace him.

Although Democrats are reluctant to publicly discuss an Oversight bid before the Judiciary challenges are settled, lawmakers are privately making calls to test the waters, quietly jockeying behind the scenes. In addition to Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.), possible contenders for the top spot include Reps. Gerry Connolly (D-Va.), Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-Ill.) and Ro Khanna (D-Calif.).

Connolly is the representative from Fairfax Co, Virginia, so his idea of oversight is likely akin to being a cheerleader for any wasteful spending and unconstitutional abuse of power imaginable, as long as it benefits Democrats or his own buddies. He strikes me as the perfect Establishment Democrat whose main goal would be to ensure as little rocking of the boat as possible, and hence a strong opponent of Trump. 

I know nothing about Raja Krishnamoorthi other than he is Indian and that he dislikes Raj Patel because Patel wants to clean up the FBI. I immediately dislike him for that reason alone, but that is a knee-jerk reaction, admittedly. 

New: Gerry Connolly enters the race to lead Oversight Democrats, after Raskin launched Judiciary chair bid

"We need an expert who can parry the worst Republican attacks on our institutions" Connolly said

Connolly is not only Dem expected to get in, with AOC weighing a run pic.twitter.com/Sr3uVFzSRU

— Annie Grayer (@AnnieGrayerCNN) December 3, 2024

Ro Khanna, though, would be an excellent addition to the Oversight Committee, actually. He is incredibly progressive but also a straight shooter who would oppose either a Democrat or a Republican abusing his power. While much friendlier to the administrative state than myself or most Republicans, he would be a great addition given the choices. No doubt he would infuriate me at times with his opinions, but so would any of the other choices. 

Hence, I doubt Khanna would get the job, but Democrats don't confide in me regarding their choices. 

AOC's bid is a power play. Can she mobilize the progressive wing of the House Caucus to displace the older guard? While AOC is hardly adroit when it comes to national electoral politics, she may have a talent similar to Nancy Pelosi's for the inside game. I haven't a clue on that score. 

She's not just significantly younger than those other contenders, she's also frequently challenged the party's status quo writ large. She was often at odds with the previous generation of House leaders and, along with other members of the progressive "Squad," has used her powerful microphone to, at times, express skepticism of Democratic leadership.

It's unclear if she could be swept in with a wave of generational change or could face turbulence in the Steering and Policy Committee, a leadership-appointed panel that decides most committee positions. The committee is expected to start considering the contested ranking member slots next week and will make recommendations to the full caucus after holding secret-ballot votes.

If Ocasio-Cortez mounts a bid and wins her caucus’ support, it could amount to the ultimate inside power play for the outspoken progressive, who first came to office by primarying a powerful committee chair in 2018. A spokesperson for Ocasio-Cortez didn’t respond to a request for comment.

It would come less than two years after Raskin and Oversight Committee Democrats gave her the vice ranking member position, a move that gave her a high-profile perch amid concerns that Raskin could be absent during his cancer treatments at the time.

Ocasio-Cortez is also close with Raskin, first serving as his vice ranking member on a previous Oversight subpanel overseeing civil rights issues. She’s also helped mentor younger committee members and gone viral for high-profile tangles with Republicans on the panel, including Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.).

Those viral moments are great when it comes to appealing to progressives but actually don't serve the interests of the Democratic Party when it comes to winning elections. Few swing voters are persuaded by her antics, and she doesn't have the slickness of somebody like Raskin who is a lawyer. 

Raskin is the man you trot out when you need to sell a big lie. AOC is the rabble-rouser who you turn to when you need to fire up progressives. 

AOC, though, is pitching herself as the future of the party, and in the wake of Harris' defeat, people who believe that Harris' loss was due to cozying up with NeverTrumper Liz Cheney are gravitating to her. It could be that enough Democrats in the House buy that argument to give AOC a leg up. 

The last 48 hours in Michigan have been amazing:
✅ Rally w/ UAW workers
✅ Canvass launches across Detroit
✅ Tailgates and poll marches in Ann Arbor
✅ Latino GOTV con Los Tigres Del Norte

Next stop: close out in Pennsylvania.

Are you ready to win?
Let’s run through the tape. pic.twitter.com/wBJEHq3tyH

— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) November 3, 2024

AOC is clearly testing the waters. The Establishment will likely gravitate toward Gerry Connolly, but after this last election and Nancy Pelosi stepping down as Minority Leader, AOC may yet have a shot. 

If she does, it will be a signal regarding which direction House Democrats will take. Either they will stick with establishment leadership or chart a new, even MORE progressive path.