Progressive, Sanders stalwart Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez says she yet to talk to Biden or his campaign

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez says she has “never” spoken with now presumptive Democratic Presidential nominee Joe Biden and that his campaign has yet to reach out to her.

The freshman congresswomen and progressive Democrat had unsurprisingly endorsed Sen. Bernie Sanders for the party nomination before he dropped out last week. She is now looking for concrete compromises and progressive-agenda concessions from the Biden campaign before the November election.

“While Biden is the nominee, we also know that he didn’t win because of policy," she said in a recent New York Times interview. "I don’t think he won because of his agenda.

Ocasio-Cortez attributes Biden's win to skillful coalition building, but rejects the idea that the average Democrat isn't in favor of some more progressive ideas. 

Though Ocasio-Cortez says she will be supporting Biden in November no matter what, she clarifies that Biden will need to run on more than the promise of a return to the days of the Obama administration to gain her unequivocal support.

“I think people understand that there are limits to what Biden will do, and that’s understandable," she told The Times. "He didn’t run as a progressive candidate. But, at bare minimum, we should aspire to be better than what we have been before.” 

Ocasio-Cortez continued: “The whole process of coming together should be uncomfortable for everyone involved — that’s how you know it’s working.”

Whether Ocasio-Cortez is willing to compromise on her own signature brand of fiery progressive politics will likely become clear in the coming weeks and months, as Biden and President Trump begins vetting and sending out surrogates for their general election contest.