Ocasio-Cortez emerges as key Biden surrogate for progressives, young people | KLRT [Video]

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) is emerging as a key surrogate for President Biden’s reelection campaign for young people and progressives, pushing his climate agenda as a win for those critical voting blocs.

Ocasio-Cortez’s surrogacy comes with parameters. She said she supports Biden’s reelection bid and will stand by him during a climate event, but she has also put pressure on him as an outspoken critic of the Biden administration’s handling of Israel’s war with Hamas in Gaza.

The support from AOC — as Ocasio-Cortez is widely known — lends Biden star power and left-wing credibility as he faces an uphill battle in getting young voters, as well as left-leaning voters in general, to the polls.

“AOC has immense and sustained visibility with young voters and progressives of all ages,” said former Rep. Steve Israel (D-N.Y.), who chaired the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. “She can play a very impactful role in …