In the world of politics, losing an election can feel like being voted off the island. For Congresswoman Cori Bush, this primary loss was more Survivor finale than gracious exit. The St. Louis Democrat, a card-carrying member of the progressive “Squad,” found herself on the wrong end of the ballot box and made sure everyone knew about it.
Tuesday night’s rally wasn’t your typical concession speech. Microphone in hand, Bush stormed back and forth across the stage like a rockstar who just had their guitar smashed by an unruly fan. Her speech was less about reflection and more about retribution. “Let’s be clear!” she shouted, a phrase that would make even the most seasoned public speaker wince from overuse. She promised her critics would finally see “the other Cori,” claiming her loss had only “radicalized” her. You could almost hear the ominous musical score playing in the background.
With a flair for the dramatic that could put any soap opera to shame, Bush declared her newfound freedom from political strings. “Now they gonna be afraid!” she proclaimed, pulling supporters into her orbit like a magnet. The crowd of left-wing activists erupted in cheers, perhaps relishing the promise of a more untethered Bush.
Bush’s rise to prominence began during the early Black Lives Matter protests in 2014. She leveraged this street cred into a successful Congressional run, riding the wave of activism following George Floyd’s death in 2020. But in politics, waves can crash as quickly as they rise.
Bush’s defeat came at the hands of Wesley Bell, a pragmatic progressive and former prosecutor who promised a fresh take on lawmaking. With over $15 million in campaign backing from AIPAC and pro-Israel forces, Bell capitalized on Bush’s controversial stances and self-inflicted wounds. Who could forget her awkward moment feigning ignorance about Hamas, or the Justice Department’s investigation into her six-figure payments to a security officer with no credentials?
Bush’s primary loss is a significant blow to the “Squad,” the progressive caucus known more for its rhetoric than its legislative victories. With two key allies now out of the picture, remaining members Ilhan Omar, Ayanna Pressley, and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez might need to rethink their strategy.
In true political fashion, Congressman Matt Gaetz couldn’t resist a parting shot. On X (formerly Twitter), he quipped, “I will miss Cori Bush missing every committee meeting.” Ouch. That tweet probably hurt more than losing the election.
As Cori Bush exits the stage, one can only wonder what “the other Cori” has in store. Will she continue her radicalized crusade outside the halls of Congress?
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