Virginia Rep. Gerry Connolly, who edged out New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC) for a top Democratic post in December before stepping down, died from esophageal cancer on Wednesday, becoming the third Democrat to die in office this term.

The late congressman made headlines in December when, with support from former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, he defeated AOC to lead the House Oversight Committee, despite reportedly violating stock trading laws, according to Raw Story. AOC would have been the youngest Democrat to chair a House committee at 35 years old.

  • @zebidiah@lemmy.ca
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    333 minutes ago

    Schumer, pelosi, Ginsburg, and all the other fossils who refuse to retire until they fucking die are just as responsible as the orange piece of shit is for the current state of amerikkka

  • @Gates9@sh.itjust.works
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    246 hours ago

    The Democrats are like ancient kings who killed their children for fear of usurping their rule. Now the enemy is at the gates and they have no generals, the few champions they do have were cowed long ago.

    • @gradual@lemmings.world
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      115 hours ago

      Almost.

      Establishment democrats are still living great lives under trump. They’re not enemies because trump doesn’t fuck with their money, unlike Bernie.

      It’s the working class that has to suffer.

  • @Raiderkev@lemmy.world
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    166 hours ago

    But guys, it was his turn! Just like Hillary in '16. Forget what the people want, we need to worry about stroking egos here.

  • @Pollo_Jack@lemmy.world
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    189 hours ago

    When Alexander the Great died, his empire devolved into infighting and instability. Why would he plan for his successor at such a young age?

    These democrats dying in office, leaving no protege nor successor in the wings, are doing the same thing to America but they have no excuse.

    • @lightnsfw@reddthat.com
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      208 hours ago

      These ancient centrist fucks are the reason we’re in this mess. We don’t want their proteges in power. We need new blood that will fight instead of trying to maintain the status quo.

      • @leadore@lemmy.world
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        5 hours ago

        True, look at Pelosi’s choice to succeed her, Hakeem Jeffries. I thought he seemed good at first but he’s turned out to be just another hand-wringing wimp. So it’s not simply a matter of being too old, it’s a matter of clinging to the old ways.

        edit: IOW, getting younger people in is necessary but not sufficient.

    • @barneypiccolo@lemm.ee
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      24 hours ago

      Before the Dems can take on the MAGA Nazis, and win, they have to take back their own party from the Republican Lites. Time to make those DINOs extinct.

    • mechoman444
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      8 hours ago

      They don’t. They’re quite awake. You think that old fart got that position because of ambition? No. He got that position due to politicizing and internal maneuvering.

      He was put there specifically so AOC would not have that seat and screw everything and everyone else.

      If I recall correctly it was Nancy Pelosi who maneuver to get him into that spot. They knew he had late stage cancer at the time.

        • @grue@lemmy.world
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          65 hours ago

          The point is, this didn’t happen because the Democrats made a mistake. This happened because the Democrats knew exactly what they were doing and did it on purpose.

  • @carlossurf@lemmy.ca
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    4420 hours ago

    Whats with these old fucks not stepping down and enjoying what little they have left of their lives. Same with biden

    • @leadore@lemmy.world
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      5 hours ago

      It’s the addiction of power. Once someone has acquired it, they can’t give it up. Only exceptional people have the strength to resist and step down. Take Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who had been teetering on the line between this world and the next for years, if she had retired while Obama was president, the SCOTUS wouldn’t be so out of balance now. But she just couldn’t do it.

    • They’re literally unable to do anything else except remain in their protected little cocoons arguing with each other while people fawn over them and pay them for their favor.

      They’re like the minor peerage of old. All trying to hang on to their name and title to keep their ego afloat.

    • @rumba@lemmy.zip
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      819 hours ago

      He was somewhat apprehensive about his first term; he just didn’t want Trump to get in.

      When he came back for round two, he seemed to have unfinished business tho

  • @Milk_Sheikh@lemm.ee
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    5521 hours ago

    Stay classy, telling a reporter to “kill yourself” for factually reporting on Connolly publicly announcing his cancer diagnosis.

    Why does the party value fealty and seniority so implicitly? There’s a place for the ‘elder statesman’ voice to share institutional wisdom and tribal knowledge, but this man cannot seriously have had more vigor and energy to pour into leadership than someone under half his age…

    • @lmmarsano@lemmynsfw.com
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      58 hours ago

      I don’t know, guys. Hatshepsut has a proven track record of breaking political barriers for females, leading recovery from a foreign occupation into prosperity, and commanding prolific building projects including some masterpieces of ancient architecture: she delivers. What has AOC done? Dismissing all that accomplishment would be a mistake.