Glenn Beck, Bill O’Reilly defend Ocasio-Cortez: She’s ‘trying to do what she believes is right’
Former Fox News hosts and conservative commentators Bill O’Reilly and Glenn Beck offered praise for Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez after she knocked off Democratic Rep. Joseph Crowley (N.Y.) in a primary earlier this week.
“I have heard some Republicans deride Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and I think that’s a mistake,” O’Reilly tweeted this week. “She won by outworking long time Democratic Congressman Joseph Crowley and seems to care more about people than power. A good thing for any politician.”
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O’Reilly, who was fired from Fox News in 2017 after sexual harassment complaints against him were reported, complimented Ocasio-Cortez’s voter outreach but made clear he disagrees with her policy views, adding “socialism never works. Ask Venezuela.”
I have heard some Republicans deride Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and I think that’s a mistake. She won by outworking long time Democratic Congressman Joseph Crowley and seems to care more about people than power. A good thing for any politician.
Socialism never works. Ask Venezuela
— Bill O’Reilly (@BillOReilly) June 29, 2018
Beck, who left Fox in 2011, echoed his former colleague’s thoughts and expressed appreciation for Ocasio-Cortez’s honesty.
“@Ocasio2018 seems genuine and honestly trying to do what she believes is right. I completely disagree with her solutions, but she is listening to her community. I would rather debate an open socialist than those who hide what they believe,” Beck tweeted.
I totally agree with @BillOReilly. @Ocasio2018 seems genuine and honestly trying to do what she believes is right. I completely disagree with her solutions, but she is listening to her community. I would rather debate an open socialist than those who hide what they believe. https://t.co/kOVVGBvqJK
— Glenn Beck (@glennbeck) June 29, 2018
Ocasio-Cortez, a self-described democratic socialist and former organizer for Sen. Bernie Sanders’s (I-Vt.) 2016 presidential campaign, embraced Beck’s comments.
“Thank you, @glennbeck. We may disagree, but I sincerely appreciate the good faith,” she tweeted.
“In the course of my campaign, I’ve shaken hands & knocked doors of GOP voters. I genuinely listen + engage and earn their respect, too. It’s a value of mine to meet people where they’re at,” she added.
Thank you, @glennbeck. We may disagree, but I sincerely appreciate the good faith.
In the course of my campaign, I’ve shaken hands & knocked doors of GOP voters. I genuinely listen + engage and earn their respect, too.
It’s a value of mine to meet people where they’re at. https://t.co/GDdXX6t2et
— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@Ocasio2018) June 29, 2018
Ocasio-Cortez, 28, delivered a stunning upset when she defeated Crowley, 56, on Tuesday night. She is heavily favored in her race in November, where she could become the youngest woman to be elected to the House.
Crowley hadn’t faced a primary challenger in 14 years, and was considered a potential candidate to serve as Speaker if Democrats regained control of the House.
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