‘I Have Protest Signs Older Than You’: New Book Delves Into Heated Clashes Between Nancy Pelosi and AOC
An upcoming book on the progressive congressional group known as The Squad has produced a sharp look at the recurring political friction between Congresswomen Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY).
The Guardian published a preview of The Squad: AOC and the Hope of a Political Revolution, the new book from the Intercept’s Ryan Grim, which will be released next week. The book chronicles the ascendance of Ocasio-Cortez and her colleagues while shedding some light on how she and Pelosi have gotten on each others’ nerves over the last few years.
The two didn’t exactly get off to a great start — the book describes how they met first time over lunch back in 2018, during which, the former House speaker “spoke for nearly the entire [time]” while contradicting Ocasio-Cortez’s message. Further communication breakdowns and Ocasio-Cortez’s assertive activism furthered this reported rift, which seemed to reach its peak in 2019 when the two were publicly jabbing at each other.
The book acknowledges that Pelosi and Ocasio-Cortez have managed to develop a working relationship. Still, further tensions between them have risen to the surface — which was captured in the book’s timeline.
From The Guardian:
Grim says AOC told Pelosi “that even though she had beaten Joe Crowley, who relied on [Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee] vendors and consultants, nobody had reached out to hear how she had done it.
“I told her DCCC campaign vendors sucked,” AOC said, “and that it was strange that after I beat Crowley not a single person bothered to ask how I beat him … and how I think we should pay attention and ask questions when that happens, to spot weaknesses. She got so mad at me.”
Throughout his book, Grim cites texts from AOC. One focuses on the age gap between her and Pelosi: “The amount of times she told me that stupid ‘I have protest signs older than you in my basement’ shit. Like yeah but mine don’t collect dust.”
