Staff Reports
In the swirling storm of international diplomacy, one might expect a representative of a nation as influential as the United States to carry themselves with a certain gravitas. Enter Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, affectionately known as AOC by the media and her fans, who recently treated the world to an example of just what happens when style surpasses substance. Her appearance in Munich was touted as a display of international competence, perhaps like a debutante ball for foreign policy. However, as New York’s colorful strategists have pointed out, this particular event was more a case of “the emperor has no clothes,” with a performance that seemed to offer a buffet of confusion rather than a solid menu of answers.
At issue during the Munich event were AOC’s responses to questions on hot-button global topics, including Taiwan. Given the platform, she could have showcased a nuanced understanding of complex international relations. Instead, viewers witnessed a word salad mishmash suggesting that perhaps the congresswoman’s grasp on international diplomacy is, shall we say, less Iron Lady and more plastic tiara. President Trump, no stranger to international stages himself, commented on how this wasn’t the finest representation of the United States, and it’s hard to disagree when her briefing notes may as well have been doodles on the back of a napkin.
In stark contrast, Senator Marco Rubio brought something rarely seen from the millennial congresswoman—a coherent vision with gravitas. When Rubio spoke in Munich, it was as if the schoolboys stepped aside to allow the grownups to talk. His words were met with the kind of applause reserved for those who genuinely understand the geopolitics at play. Rubio didn’t need to schmooze Europeans with platitudes about rules-based international orders; he stood firm in holding allies accountable. It’s the kind of tough love that echoes the good old days when America’s allies knew they had strong statesmen on their side.
It is curious and slightly amusing that while Rubio and AOC stood on the same stage, the comparisons rolled out like an episode of a reality TV show. AOC’s fumbling left-handed compliments towards European leaders suggest that at least some among them might prefer an American leader who could be swayed rather easily. After all, bending to the whims of every international critic is certainly easier than standing firm for American principles. Europeans might enjoy the ease of dealing with a politician willing to play fast and loose with national interests if it’s wrapped in words they love to hear.
Yet, in all this playful theatrics, one must acknowledge the role of the media, which has built AOC up to this level of perceived competence without ever scrutinizing the depth of her understanding. At this point in her career, there should be a grasp of the basics that even the average seventh-grader could manage. Instead, AOC seems more ready for a selfie with Greta Thunberg than a serious discussion with NATO allies. It presents a conundrum for Democrats as they consider who they might want to send to the global prom. One can only hope that future ambassadors of American interests might bring more to the table than just photo ops and hollow rhetoric.
