I do like the way AOC is assertive in making sure she is heard. I feel it's the sane equivalent of what MTG tries to accomplish. I don't know much about AOC's district, but I hear from her more than I hear from any of my local reps most of the time, and I feel she's working for people like me better than my local people too. Like Sanders, I don't know how much she technically achieves, but I'm always glad to know she's there and should have a long career ahead of her. After seeing all the presidents in my lifetime (Reagan onward), I don't worry about her "qualifications" to be president after seeing how unpresidential most of these typically experienced candidates were. Even something like perhaps a Walz/Cortez thing to ease everyone into the idea I could pleasantly accept.

I don't personally really know anything about Islam, but I can't see it being much more offensive than any other organized religion. My lifelong experience with US Christians hasn't won me over to that, but it doesn't bother me if people are religious or not, especially for public office. I just care about their character and how they use the power given to them by us to serve us. Something like race, religion, or sexuality, etc shouldn't have any bearing on anything they do. Elected people should maximize benefits for all the citizens they represent.

That is what I hate about this current R talk about mandates. I was always taught we have a representative democracy, not a direct democracy, for the principal that it should be able to prevent a large group of people from tyrany of the majority. I feel much of that has been surrendered these last few decades as powers have been consolidated, mainly in the Executive. Just because the biggest group of voters wants something does not make that a just cause. All citizens should be guaranteed equal protections and to feel represented.