The “burning AOC” anti-socialism ad

I groaned last night as I watched this since the entire dynamic was apparent in an instant.

1. Some righty wanted attention and knew that an inflammatory attack on AOC is a cheap way to achieve that.
2. AOC herself would notice and claim victimhood because that’s half of her political shtick, the other half being theatrical defiance of the left’s enemies.
3. Allegations of racism/incitement/what have you would immediately begin flying because “tacky” just isn’t a damning enough critique in 2019.

How’d I do?

Republicans are running TV ads setting pictures of me on fire to convince people they aren’t racist.

Life is weird!

— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) September 13, 2019

Know that this wasn’t an ad for young conservatives of color – that was the pretense.

What you just watched was a love letter to the GOP’s white supremacist case. https://t.co/zvp1EB02c5

— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) September 13, 2019

GOP’s message: No policy, no facts, just displays of violence + corporations like @ABCNetwork & Sinclair who amplify them.

They profit from burning my likeness on TV. But who pays for heightened security? Who answers the phones for the threats resulting from a violent, false ad? https://t.co/Gr1XhEbwDC

— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) September 13, 2019

Exactly my thoughts. The mere act of burning her image is a display of violence. Folks need to stick to facts & policy positions. They need to stop fear mongering & more importantly demonizing members of Congress. FYI: No one puts her residents (and our planet) first, like @AOC https://t.co/K2Qz1N0PeN

— Rashida Tlaib (@RashidaTlaib) September 13, 2019

The spot aired during a debate in which Democrats accused Trump of having “directed” a mass murder last month in El Paso, notes Ben Shapiro, in case you’re wondering how seriously to take the hand-wringing about incitement. (“Obviously he didn’t pull the trigger, but he’s certainly been tweeting out the ammunition,” said Kamala Harris.) The person behind the spot isn’t a white supremacist, she’s a Cambodian-American named Elizabeth Heng who ran for Congress last year, lost, and has now started a PAC called New Faces GOP aimed at promoting young nonwhite Republicans. That may also explain the focus on Ocasio-Cortez — it’s not just an easy way to grab eyeballs, it’s a challenge to the most famous young (and nonwhite) leftist in the country.

Lefties are now trying to organize a boycott of ABC for airing the ad, which will flex AOC’s muscles but also help Heng by martyring her on the right and calling even more attention to the ad. That was also predictable; I’m embarrassed I didn’t foresee it as step four in the inevitable fallout last night. What a perfect little episode of modern American politics, all wrapped up in just 18 hours or so.