Ex-GOP strategist makes wild claims about Dem candidate: 'It was a betrayal'

This was true with respect to policy: More than 9 in 10 want to raise taxes on corporations and on the wealthiest Americans, while more than three-quarters want to break up tech monopolies and believe the government should conduct stronger oversight of business.

But it was also reflected in sentiments that a more confrontational governing philosophy should prevail and general agreement that the party in its current form is not doing enough to take on its enemies.

Three-quarters said they wanted Democrats to “be more aggressive in calling out Republicans,” while nearly 7 in 10 said it was appropriate to describe their party as “weak.”

This appears to have translated to support for a more muscular view of government. Where the label once helped to sink Sen. Bernie Sanders’ (I-Vt.) two runs for president, nearly three-quarters of Democrats now say they are either unconcerned with the label of “socialist” or view it as an asset.

Meanwhile, 46% said they want to see a “progressive” at the top of the Democratic ticket in 2028, higher than the number who said they wanted a “liberal” or a “moderate.”

It’s an environment that appears to be fertile ground for Ocasio-Cortez, who pitched her vision for a “working-class-centered politics” at this week’s Munich summit in what many suspected was a soft-launch of her presidential candidacy in 2028.

With 85% favorability, Bronx congresswoman had the highest approval rating of any Democratic figure in the country among the voters surveyed.

It’s a higher mark than either of the figures who head-to-head polls have shown to be presumptive favorites for the nomination: Former Vice President Kamala Harris and California Gov. Gavin Newsom.

Early polls show AOC lagging considerably behind these top two. However, there are signs in the New Republic’s poll that may give her supporters cause for hope.

While Harris is also well-liked, 66% of Democrats surveyed said they believe she’s “had her shot” at the presidency and should not run again after losing to President Donald Trump in 2024.

Newsom does not have a similar electoral history holding him back and is riding high from the passage of Proposition 50, which will allow Democrats to add potentially five more US House seats this November.

But his policy approach may prove an ill fit at a time when Democrats overwhelmingly say their party is “too timid” about taxing the rich and corporations and taking on tech oligarchs.

As labor unions in California have pushed for a popular proposal to introduce a billionaire’s tax, Newsom has made himself the chiseled face of the resistance to this idea, joining with right-wing Silicon Valley barons in an aggressive campaign to kill it.

While polls can tell us little two years out about what voters will do in 2028, New Republic editorial director Emily Cooke said her magazine’s survey shows an unmistakable pattern.

“It’s impossible to come away from these results without concluding that economic populism is a winning message for loyal Democrats,” she wrote. “This was true across those who identify as liberals, moderates, or progressives: An unmistakable majority wants a party that will fight harder against the corporations and rich people they see as responsible for keeping them down.”

President Donald Trump's GOP has made petty grievances a part of its communication strategy. Communications director Steven Cheung has attacked several media outlets and reporters, both personally and professionally. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt has also made a habit of mocking reporters' questions during briefings.

The post sparked outrage from political analysts and observers.

Douglas Heye, a former Republican National Committee communications professional, responded to the post by claiming it "never would have gone out" when he was in charge.

"This never would have gone out when I was running the RNC comms shop," Heye posted on X. "Reveling in unprofessionalism."

Heye also hit back at MAGA fans who defended the post.

One philosophy professor accused Heye of lacking a "backbone" for not supporting the post. Heye replied, "That, or I spent every waking minute of every day pushing against Obamacare, and we picked up 63 House seats and fired Pelosi as Speaker. Thanks."

"From a major American political party. Despicable. Juvenile. UnAmerican," former NPR correspondent Pam Fessler posted on X.

"Nasty and self-debasing," Isaac Shorr, senior editor at Mediaite, posted on X.

Lyons claimed that ICE officers were prevented from arresting Tren de Aragua gang members at an apartment complex in Aurora because their operation was impeded by local protesters. He also said that those protesters had been tipped off by local law enforcement. ICE's social media team later amplified those claims in a post.

However, those claims fell apart after journalist Marshall Zelinger with 9News delivered a brutal fact-check.

Clark noted that when 9News reached out to ICE for clarification about the social media post, the agency then deleted it. The City of Aurora said it "was not and has not been involved" in ICE's operations locally.

The most stunning part of Lyons' claim, Zelinger noted, was that it did not match the timeline he offered.

Lyons claimed that the apartment complex that ICE planned to raid was empty when they arrived, which he chalked up to the alleged tip from local law enforcement. But that claim doesn't hold any weight, as the U.S. government alerted the public about the operation one week before it happened. Zelinger then played a clip of a 9News reporter telling the public about ICE's plans to stage operations at nearby Buckley Air Force Base.

It is unclear whether Lyons plans to correct his testimony, Zelinger noted.