House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) said the key to his fundraising lies with Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and progressive firebrand Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.).
“The best way to raise money is just let Nancy Pelosi and AOC [Ocasio-Cortez] talk,” McCarthy said during an interview with Axios on HBO in which he discussed his record-breaking $103 million in funds raised during this election cycle.
When asked by journalist Mike Allen why Republicans respond so “vociferously” to Ocasio-Cortez, McCarthy responded by saying that the freshman congresswoman represents a power shift among lawmakers on the left.
“She runs the floor,” he said. “That wing of the party, the socialist wing of the party, they are the new power of the Democratic party.”
When prompted as to if Ocasio-Cortez is more of a force than Pelosi, McCarthy said, “By far, by far. You watched on the floor. Legislation couldn’t be passed unless AOC agreed with it.”
Democrats retained control of the House in the election last week but lost at least five seats after having been projected to grow the majority.