Portside image – Nov 2018 (Lauren Underwood bottom right of photo)
The political website Axios grabbed hold of a poll that shows crucial swing voters identify NY Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and her Squad as the Dems' most identifiable face among crucial swing voters. For the Democrats, that's scary and could seriously impact their hopes in the 2020 elections. From Axios:
The poll — taken in May, before Speaker Pelosi's latest run-in with AOC and the three other liberal House freshmen known as "The Squad" — included 1,003 likely general-election voters who are white and have two years or less of college education.
- These are the "white, non-college voters" who embraced Donald Trump in 2016 but are needed by Democrats in swing House districts.
- The group that took the poll shared the results with Axios on the condition that it not be named, because the group has to work with all parts of the party.
The findings:
- Ocasio-Cortez was recognized by 74% of voters in the poll; 22% had a favorable view.
- Rep. Ilhan Omar of Minnesota — another member of The Squad — was recognized by 53% of the voters; 9% (not a typo) had a favorable view.
Socialism was viewed favorably by 18% of the voters and unfavorably by 69%.
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- Capitalism was 56% favorable; 32% unfavorable.
- "Socialism is toxic to these voters," said the top Democrat.
There are two districts in Illinois that could also be impacted by this poll. The traditionally Republican 6th and 14th CDs were swept away with the 2018 Blue Wave as two unashamedly Leftist radicals joined the AOC-Democrat Newbie Caucus – Sean Casten in the 6th and Lauren Underwood in the 14th.
Lauren Underwood was listed among the staunchly Left women who beat a Republican immediately after the 2018 election. " … Lauren Underwood of Illinois, a first-time candidate and African-American woman … beat six white men to win her primary race and defeated Randy Hultgren in the general…" wrote Portside, subtitled "Material of Interest to People on the Left"
And as for Sean Casten and his anti-Trump rhetoric, here's what he tweeted Sunday and Monday – defending AOC and her Squad
Republican challengers for these seats are lining up for the March 2020 GOP primaries.
