AOC Reframes the Woke Era, Signals a Centerward Pivot

New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is reframing her pre-pandemic, progressive-era stance by calling the so-called “Woke 1” period “crazy” and nudging her rhetoric toward the center as she weighs a potential presidential bid, while past comments on policing, decarceration, immigration, and inclusive language are scrutinized; the shift is seen by some as smart political recalibration for broad appeal, but could risk alienating core progressive supporters, with other Democrats similarly softening controversial positions.