In the wake of the Democratic Party’s devastating loss in the 2024 election, MSNBC host Jen Psaki has called out her fellow Democrats for missing a prime opportunity to make a bold leadership move, as reported by Fox News.

The former Biden press secretary took aim at the party’s decision to pass over Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) for the top spot on the House Oversight Committee, opting instead for a more traditional choice, Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-Va.), a veteran of Congress at 74 years old.

United States Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) speaks on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2019, at Drake University in Des Moines. 20191109 Aocberniesanders

During a broadcast of Inside with Jen Psaki, she explained her frustration with the choice.

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“Instead, they chose Congressman Gerry Connolly, a much older member who was backed by Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi,” Psaki said, adding that the decision was a missed chance to rejuvenate the party and move away from the old guard.

She further stressed that this was one of the few committees in Congress that gets substantial media attention, noting that the Oversight Committee under Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.) had become an influential platform, especially in the battle against Republican “misinformation.”

Jen Psaki, MSNBC host, speaks with Chelsea Handler, comedian, television host and author, during a featured session at South by Southwest Friday, March 10, 2023, in Austin. Chelsea Handler 007

Psaki’s comments highlight a growing divide within the Democratic Party—between its older, established leadership and a younger, more media-savvy faction, exemplified by Ocasio-Cortez.

The decision to bypass the 35-year-old congresswoman has sparked frustration, especially after the party’s recent electoral defeat. The Congresswoman, known for her bold, progressive views, was seen by many as the future face of the party—one capable of capturing the national spotlight and effectively battling conservative narratives.

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This leadership decision signals a continuation of the Democratic Party’s old habits, prioritizing established names over fresh, energetic voices. The vote to appoint Connolly as the ranking member of the House Oversight Committee was a clear victory for Pelosi’s influence and the status quo, with Connolly winning 131 votes to Ocasio-Cortez’s 84.

Nancy Pelosi speaks at the University of Delaware’s Mitchell Hall, Friday, Dec. 1, 2023.

In contrast, conservative media outlets, including Fox News, have described the move as a “blow to the youth movement” within the Democratic Party.

Senior congressional correspondent Chad Pergram noted that this ongoing tension between the old and new wings of the party threatens to create a rift, one that may have long-term consequences for the Democrats.

Rep. Dean Phillips (D-Minn.), who has already announced his upcoming retirement, echoed these concerns. He criticized the party’s failure to elevate younger, capable leaders to key positions.

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“We have literally kept them from ascending to leadership positions,” Phillips lamented. “Which means they go elsewhere. And when we lose that kind of talent of ambitious, competent, patriotic young Americans, we’re in trouble.”

Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez speaks at the “Our Fight Our Future” voter rally at Texas State University in San Marcos Tuesday October 1, 2024.

In defense of the decision, Connolly dismissed the notion of an age divide as a “false narrative” that the media has exaggerated.

However, it’s clear that the Democratic Party’s internal dynamics are becoming more contentious. The party’s progressive wing, which includes rising stars like Ocasio-Cortez, has long sought to push the party toward more radical reforms.

Yet, the old guard, led by figures like Nancy Pelosi, appears determined to preserve its influence, even if it means sidelining the next generation of leaders.

This battle within the Democratic Party is not just about policy, but about who gets to define the future of the party.

As MSNBC’s Chris Hayes pointed out, Pelosi’s active role in securing Connolly’s position—even while recovering from hip surgery—suggests a more profound struggle.

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“It feels like a moment of genuine madness,” he remarked.

MSNBC’s Joy Reid took a similar stance, calling the persistence of the “gerontocracy” within the party “intractable.”

“I recall when Barack Obama was elected, he kind of pushed aside the DNC and created his own organization because I think there is a frustration with the sort of creaky way the DNC operates.”

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