Ocasio-Cortez rips Biden over Hyde Amendment flip-flop: ‘Don’t come out here and say you’re a progressive’

When former Vice President Joe Biden launched his 2020 presidential campaign, he had a clear path to the Democratic nomination already mapped out — don’t say anything too crazy, don’t veer too far to the left, and just cruise down the center lane.

Unfortunately for Biden, he just can’t stick to the plan. Most recently, Biden was caught flip-flopping on the Hyde Amendment, in an apparent attempt to hold on to the centrists while reaching out to progressives.

Democratic Socialist Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) was particularly unimpressed. “Don’t come out here and say you’re a progressive candidate, but at the same time not support repealing something as basic as the Hyde Amendment,” said Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY).

Biden flip-flops on Hyde Amendment

The Hyde Amendment prohibits the use of taxpayer funds for most abortions, a policy Biden had supported since its inception.

Over the course of a just a couple of days, Biden first signaled his willingness to change the Hyde amendment — then reverted back to supporting it, only to shift again to opposing it, leaving everyone just a little confused on exactly where he stands on the basic issue — should taxpayer funds be used for abortions?

Biden’s shift toward the left from the centrist policy he has backed for nearly 40 years isn’t enough for Ocasio-Cortez, however. She more or less just told him to “stay in your lane” as a moderate centrist.

Stay in your lane, bro

Ocasio-Cortez’s rebuke came during an interview with leftist media outlet The Young Turks, where she was asked about Biden’s “patently false” claim to be the “most progressive” candidate in the entire Democratic field.

“I think record is important because it shows a consistency in values and beliefs. But the term ‘progressive’ is getting hijacked so much that people think it just means ‘Democrat’ now,” Ocasio-Cortez said.

“And not all Democrats are progressive, and I’m sorry, but if you’re going to come out and say you support the Hyde Amendment, which prevents us from funding clinics like Planned Parenthood, that’s not progressive. That’s not a progressive position,” she continued.

Own it

Ocasio-Cortez proceeded to sardonically rip Biden by encouraging him to simply embrace his own, in her view, wishy-washy moderate centrism. “You know what, if your pride is being a moderate centrist candidate, say that,” Ocasio-Cortez said. “Say, ‘I’m proud to be a centrist, I’m proud to be funded by Wall Street. I’m proud to not push as hard as I can on women’s rights.'”

“Say it, own it, be it, but don’t come out here and say you’re a progressive candidate, but at the same time not support repealing something as basic as the Hyde Amendment,” she added. Watch below:

EXCLUSIVE: AOC Blasts Biden On The Hyde Amendment

Become a TYT member at: http://tyt.com/EMMA Stay tuned for the FULL interview! Rebel HQ’s Emma Vigeland (http://bit.ly/2tTe4i3) spoke with Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez about the presidential race and the candidate that she may endorse in 2020. Don’t forget to tell us your thoughts in the comment section below!

Ocasio-Cortez’s ideal candidate

Earlier in the interview, Ocasio-Cortez described her ideal “progressive” candidate. “Listen, I think we need a progressive president. I think a progressive president can, A, beat Trump, as much as people think that’s not possible,” she said. “I think it’s the only way, I really believe the only way we are going to beat this president is with a progressive candidate.”

“So we need candidates that are committed to Medicare for All, to tuition-free public colleges and universities. We need a candidate that is dedicated to passing at least a $15 minimum wage — ideally one that is pegged to inflation,” Ocasio-Cortez continued.

“We need one that isn’t bought by corporations, I mean, I think that is a huge thing. We need one that isn’t beholden to Wall Street, and that, to me, narrows the field significantly from the 20-odd people that are in there right now. It’s no secret that I kind of called for eliminations last week,” she added.

Clearly, Joe Biden is not who Ocasio-Cortez envisions in the White House. But whether she continues to withhold her support from centrist candidates after the primaries — where the race could easily end up being Biden vs. President Donald Trump — remains to be seen.