They are equals, unless it is your opinion that elected politicians are simply better human beings by virtue of being elected.
So is it your belief that Representative Ocasio Cortez is such an expert in her particular field that her opinions and positions cannot be reasonably challenged or held up to scrutiny in the forum of public debate? Because if that is your belief, I find it hard to see how it is justified by the facts. Or is her position as unchallenged expert simply being an elected politician who holds positions that you strongly agree with and you do not want to see rigorously challenged?
Well, now that you have given your position to who Representative Ocasio-Cortez should not debate, who exactly should she debate, if anyone? If not political adversaries, should she not at least enunciate and defend her ideas against someone who shares most of her ultimate ends, but simply disagrees with her means, like John Delaney who she sniped at but then refused to engage with when he challenged her?
Keep in mind, Deuce, I have two opinions on the subject: one that I am sure you share, and one that I am sure you do not. The first is that, like you, I do not think a politician is obligated in any way to debate political opponents or adversaries or even people who disagree on particular points of policy. When a politician runs for reelection, he or she could say "I will not debate any political opponents, because my beliefs and positions are so self-evidently correct and moral, that to debate anyone is to give voice and platform to manifestly unreasonable and immoral thoughts and opinions. Therefore, I will never debate anyone ever again. If you do not like that, do not vote for me." Representative Ocasio-Cortez could say that and it would be perfectly acceptable as long as she is honest from the outset.
My second opinion on this matter is that Representative Ocasio-Cortez does not want to actively debate anyone because, on a personal level, she does not appear to have more than a surface-level knowledge of the issues that condenses into populist talking points. If she was to actually debate someone with knowledge of economics, environmental policies, foreign policy, and the like, she would be made to look foolish and ignorant, or might lose her composure under the pressure to respond. It would be she who looks like the lobbyist versus the expert. When you have created an aura of meteoric invincibility around yourself, it is dangerous to put yourself in a position where you could be made to look a fool. You only want to engage in battles that you know you can win. And in the age of viral social media, I am sure she is aware that a ten second clip circling on Youtube or Twitter of her stuttering to find her words or a blank look on her face or simply saying an ill-considered comment against an opponent would shatter that aura for all save her most fanatical supporters. And I do not think she can afford to let that happen.
In the realm of being an unchallenged populist agitator and social media s***-talker, Representative Ocasio-Cortez is a master. When it comes to debating and defending her positions, however? That remains to be seen.
