Democratic strategist explains why AOC doesn’t have ‘broad appeal’

Democratic strategist Julian Epstein explained on Newsmax Friday why Democratic New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez could not expand her popularity beyond the progressive left.

In a CNN/SSRS poll conducted on March 16, 10% of Democratic-leaning adults said Ocasio-Cortez best represents the core values of the Democratic Party. During an appearance on “Finnerty,” Epstein said that while AOC commands attention within the progressive “bubble,” she has failed to connect with centrist voters or the broader American electorate.

“I think she’s got incredible appeal within the progressive bubble. But I don’t think she has broad appeal beyond that. I don’t think she has appealed to the centrists of the party and certainly not a majority of the American electorate,” Epstein said when host Rob Finnerty suggested Ocasio-Cortez was “the real deal,” citing her massive social media following and energetic crowds.

Epstein then criticized the political culture that he said Ocasio-Cortez embodies, comparing it to an “OnlyFans-type” model that prioritizes online activism and identity politics over mainstream electoral appeal.

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“The problem I think that the Democrats have is that they are no longer responding to voters, which is why the brand is so toxic. You look at the approval rating of congressional Democrats. It’s in the 20s,” Epstein said. “And AOC highlights what I think is becoming the culture, which is it’s becoming an OnlyFans type of culture.”

While Ocasio-Cortez remains a hero among progressive activists, Epstein predicted she would struggle to break through to the American mainstream, a challenge he believes reflects deeper problems within the Democratic Party itself.

“These politicians are interested in appealing increasingly to a narrow cast of online activists, donors, foundations, activists who will all exalt them as heroes within the progressive movement, all of whom depend on this sort of identity grievance politics,” Epstein said. “But it doesn’t have broad appeal. So I think while she’s very popular within progressive activist circles, I don’t see the appeal being wider than that.”

Former Democratic Senate candidate Morgan Harper said Tuesday that Ocasio-Cortez could face challenges winning over Midwestern voters if she runs for president in 2028. Harper told Fox News that although Ocasio-Cortez promotes “economic populism,” her background and message may not easily resonate in the Midwest.

Ocasio-Cortez tied for third place in voter support with Democratic New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker in a hypothetical 2028 Democratic presidential primary, according to a Data for Progress poll released April 16, trailing only former Vice President Kamala Harris and former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg.

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