If you want to see an actual compromise between "idealism and pragmatism", look at Nelson Mandela post 1990, when he was freed from prison and proceeded to become the first democratically elected president of South Africa. While many compromises had to be made for pragmatic reasons given the state of the world at the time, It is important to note that Mandela never abandoned his principles. He remained a staunch supporter of Palestine and Cuba, called out the US to their faces during interviews, and stuck to his values.
What AOC is doing is abandoning any values she had in the first place, if she ever had them. That is not "idealism vs pragmatism", that's just plain old opportunism and desire for power and/or influence.
To beltway ghouls, pragmatic policy isn't about accomplishing anything. It starts and ends with getting elected. So pragmatism is all about toeing the party line, sweet talking donors, and gerrymandering.
If you want to see an actual compromise between "idealism and pragmatism", look at Nelson Mandela post 1990, when he was freed from prison and proceeded to become the first democratically elected president of South Africa. While many compromises had to be made for pragmatic reasons given the state of the world at the time, It is important to note that Mandela never abandoned his principles. He remained a staunch supporter of Palestine and Cuba, called out the US to their faces during interviews, and stuck to his values.
What AOC is doing is abandoning any values she had in the first place, if she ever had them. That is not "idealism vs pragmatism", that's just plain old opportunism and desire for power and/or influence.
To beltway ghouls, pragmatic policy isn't about accomplishing anything. It starts and ends with getting elected. So pragmatism is all about toeing the party line, sweet talking donors, and gerrymandering.