Even if Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., serves only one term in Congress, no one can take from her the fact that she came to the House by running a real-deal grassroots campaign against a powerful 10-term incumbent Democrat.
Also, no one can take from her the fact that she was right about former Rep. Joe Crowley, whom she rightly pegged as being interested more in working for special interests than working for his constituents.
Crowley, a New York Democrat, and Shuster, a Pennsylvania Republican, are joining Squire Patton Boggs, one of the largest law and lobbying firms in Washington.
The two former lawmakers plan to register as lobbyists, according to the report.
This is the second Republican/Democrat duo that the firm has picked up in recent years. In 2010, Squire Patton Boggs hired former Sens. John Breaux and Trent Lott, demonstrating that the revolving door between Congress and lobbying firms is as strong as ever. Squire Patton Boggs also employs former Rep. Jack Kingston and former House Speaker John Boehner, though the latter doesn’t do any lobbying.
Politico also noted Tuesday that Crowley’s jump to a lobbying firm is hardly unforeseen:
And here’s the icing on this foul cake: “Two of Crowley’s former aides, Kevin Casey and Kate Winkler Keating, have also landed on K Street since Crowley left office.”
Everybody is cashing out, it seems.
Ocasio-Cortez’ career in Congress may meet with an untimely demise on account of her anti-Amazon activism, but no one can take from her the fact that her primary victory in 2018 over Crowley is the Democratic equivalent of former Rep. Dave Brat’s, R-Va., 2014 primary victory against former Rep. Eric Cantor, R-Va. And like Brat, part of Ocasio-Cortez’ victory can be attributed to the fact that portrayed her opponent as being out-of-touch and beholden to special interests.
After losing to Brat, Cantor landed a $3.4 million gig with a Wall Street investment firm. On Tuesday, we learn that Crowley is going to go the lobbyist route. Same as it ever was.
