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When John F. Kennedy (JFK) first entered the public stage, his personality was political wildfire. But, to this day, baby boomers still consider Kennedy a presidential shining star.

We don’t remember JFK as an ill man. Most people remember him as one of America’s most well-liked presidents. After their terms are over, nearly all presidents become more popular, regardless of whether they were liked or disliked during their political career. The public reconstructs them as historical icons, placing their legacies on a pedestal in our collective memory. The lines between personal and political are blurred, but that’s just politics. Sadly, we are losing the ability to distinguish between endearing personality and good politics. 

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC), one of today’s most prominent progressive leaders, also has mass personal appeal. She’s not exactly on the same latitude as JFK, but by defeating Joe Crowley – once one of the most powerful Democrats in Congress – she is hailed as a new voice among the Democrats. She is fodder for outrage: Right-wingers hate her and liberals are enthused by her. Much like how we glaze over JFK’s regal celebrity, we excuse AOC for establishment pandering. 

She, like all media-happy young celebrities, attended the Met Gala. She wore a white dress with “Tax the rich” printed in red.

The Met Gala is a frivolous monstrosity of a cultural institution that blandly regurgitates haphazard fashion trends. It’s a ridiculous circus of tasteless celebrity culture that is gutting what little artistic intuition still exists. If you’re rich and famous and you want to show it off, you attend the Met Gala.

There is absolutely nothing socialist about the Met Gala.

So, why would an alleged socialist attend?

I found it hard to care about AOC’s stunt, but there’s more to be said about her crafty facade. My criticism of AOC is not a personal one. I will not give in to the partisan mudslinging that brandishes AOC as an arbiter of liberal evil or a left-wing white knight. Out of her proposed legislation, 21 bills have passed, most of which are symbolic measures which renamed buildings and established ceremonious holidays for historical figures. Her crown jewel, the Green New Deal, was shot down and mocked by then-Republican Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell after he slated the bill to a lethal vote on the Senate floor.

To be fair, it’s hard to manage a progressive agenda when your party nominates a conservative who benefits from the fossil fuel industry to spearhead its climate action plan. But we can’t forget that AOC elected Nancy Pelosi as Speaker of the House and fiercely campaigned for Joe Biden. Ironically, she labeled her endorsement of Biden as “tactical,” which is exactly her function. 

With AOC, the Democrats can blatantly overlook the failure of their anti-poverty programs and cut millions from unemployment insurance. Sadly, personality is more powerful than policy.

The icing on the cake: AOC voted “present” on a bill providing funding to Israel’s Iron Dome. Then, she cried. In a moment where she could’ve protested America’s unnecessary involvement in foreign affairs, she decided to be complicit. 

AOC is a tool to secure genuine left-wing support to uphold the weak Biden coalition. She is all smoke and mirrors. Instead of sheepishly idolizing our politicians, we should examine them for what they are. AOC is not our saving grace. She is a cog in the political machine she claims to fight against.

We want politicians who create change, not ones who cry at the opportunity to act.