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AOC Warns of Trump Win, References Reagan's 1980 Landslide Victory

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Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York appeared to warn Sunday that Democrats could be heading for a 1980s Reagan-style drubbing at the hands of President Donald Trump in November, if they do not wake up.

AOC spent several minutes of her remarks at a Bernie Sanders rally in Ann Arbor, Michigan, ahead of the state’s primary Tuesday, discussing the Rev. Jesse Jackson’s decision to endorse the Vermont senator over the weekend.

Ocasio-Cortez lauded Jackson for being ahead of his time in arguing for the “economic justice” causes Sanders now champions.

She went on to draw parallels between Jackson’s attempt to build a coalition to defeat Reagan in the 1980s and Sanders’ and the Democrats’ push to win against Trump.

“In 1984, Reverent Jackson delivered a speech, known as the ‘David and Goliath speech,’” Ocasio-Cortez told the rally crowd.

“Now, listen to this, this was his analysis back then in 1984 that Reagan won, not by genius, he won while we were asleep,” she continued.

“‘He won by the margin of despair,'” AOC said. “‘He won by the fracture of our coalition, by the margin of racial division. He won by default.’ Does that sound familiar, Michigan?”

Do you think Trump will win in November?

It was a clear reference to Trump’s victory in 2016 and appeared to be a warning that just like Reagan in the 1980s, the current president could prevail again this fall.

Jackson — in his January 1984 “David and Goliath speech” at the Tendley Baptist Church in Philadelphia — argued that Reagan’s blowout win against Jimmy Carter in 1980 was due to Democratic apathy and the Republican nominee fostering racial division.

Jackson’s is a common refrain. For decades, Democrats have been calling Republicans racists, particularly Republican presidents, though the GOP’s record on promoting racial equality is strong.

Ocasio-Cortez, reminiscent of Jackson’s old charges, called Reagan a racist last spring.

On a fairly regular basis, she labels Trump one, too, though he’s racked up an impressive record on lifting people of all races higher.

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For the record, African-Americans overall saw major economic advances under Reagan.

In his 1984 speech, Jackson listed a few states, like Massachusetts, where Reagan’s margin of victory was relatively tight in 1980, to try to argue that, but for a little harder push, Democrats could have beaten him.

Not true.

Americans voted in 1980 for change.

Reagan defeated Carter 44 states to six, with an Electoral College tally of 489 to 49. That’s what you call a blowout!

The former California governor ran primarily on economic issues, along with rebuilding the nation’s military and restoring the American spirit.

One of Reagan’s most defining lines leveled against Carter during the campaign came on Labor Day 1980.

“Well if its a definition he wants, I’ll give him one,” Reagan said. “A ‘recession’ is when your neighbor loses his job. A ‘depression’ is when you lose yours. ‘Recovery’ is when Jimmy Carter loses his.”



In the 1984 election, Reagan would go on to best Carter’s vice president, Walter Mondale, in one of the greatest landslides in U.S. history: 49 states to one.

Trump, of course, did not win 2016 in the same resounding fashion Reagan did in 1980, but he did carry 30 of the 50 states.

Trump may or may not do better this time around, but it seems prescient for Ocasio-Cortez to make the comparison, especially as former Vice President Joe Biden shapes up to be Trump’s likely rival.

Democrats are as lost in the wilderness now as they were in the 1980s in terms of providing realistic solutions that truly allow Americans to rise up and exercise their God-given talents to fulfill their dreams.

Here’s to four more years of Trump.

I believe the Gipper would approve.

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Randy DeSoto has written more than 3,000 articles for The Western Journal since he began with the company in 2015. He is a graduate of West Point and Regent University School of Law. He is the author of the book "We Hold These Truths" and screenwriter of the political documentary "I Want Your Money."
Randy DeSoto wrote and was the assistant producer of the documentary film "I Want Your Money" about the perils of Big Government, comparing the presidencies of Ronald Reagan and Barack Obama. Randy is the author of the book "We Hold These Truths," which addresses how leaders have appealed to beliefs found in the Declaration of Independence at defining moments in our nation's history. He has been published in several political sites and newspapers.

Randy graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point with a BS in political science and Regent University School of Law with a juris doctorate.
Birthplace
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
Nationality
American
Honors/Awards
Graduated dean's list from West Point
Education
United States Military Academy at West Point, Regent University School of Law
Books Written
We Hold These Truths
Professional Memberships
Virginia and Pennsylvania state bars
Location
Phoenix, Arizona
Languages Spoken
English
Topics of Expertise
Politics, Entertainment, Faith




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