Four Observations About AOC, Omar & Tlaib's Endorsement of Bernie

During last night's debate, news broke that Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez would be endorsing Bernie Sanders and would be appearing with him during a rally this Saturday in Queens. Two of AOC's fellow "Squad" members - Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib - will also endorse Bernie. Ayanna Pressley, the fourth member of "The Squad", hasn't made an endorsement but given that she is from Massachusetts it would be a shock if she didn't endorse Elizabeth Warren. Here are four observations of these endorsements.


First, these endorsements mean Bernie is all in. Scarcely two weeks removed from a heart attack and heart surgery, there have been questions as to whether Bernie's campaign would continue. If Bernie's vigorous debate performance last night didn't answer that question this certainly does. AOC, Omar and Tlaib aren't going to put their names and prestige towards a candidate who isn't going anywhere.


Second, this is bad news for Elizabeth Warren. I honestly thought AOC would endorse Warren. This means to so-called progressive vote won't coalesce around Warren. AOC, Omar and Tlaib have enough sway to take votes which might have otherwise gone to Warren to come Bernie's way.


Third, this is much needed good news for Joe Biden. A split in the so-called progressive vote will help Biden. That is if Biden doesn't completely implode. Should that implosion come to pass then Pete Buttigieg will be the beneficiary. But if Biden holds his own then AOC, Omar and Tlaib will have done him a very big favor although I'm sure this isn't their intention.


Fourth, I believe the three (especially Omar and Tlaib) are endorsing Bernie to neutralize ongoing accusations of anti-Semitism. By endorsing Bernie, they can ask, 'If I'm an anti-Semite then why would I endorse a Jew to be President of the United States?' It's a smart political play. Under the circumstances, it would perhaps be best to challenge their endorsements in view of the fact that Bernie does not support BDS - a movement which advocates the dissolution of Israel and has engaged in overt acts of anti-Semitism. In other words, notwithstanding their support of a Jewish candidate for the White House, they still support a political movement which is by its very being anti-Semitic and have themselves made anti-Semitic statements. AOC, Omar and Tlaib's endorsement Bernie is much about political cover as it is about any genuine support they have for him and his policies.