AOC Bombs in Munich … Rubio Shines
If Alexandria Ocasio‑Cortez went to the Munich Security Conference to burnish her foreign‑policy credentials, she failed miserably. She may have been the biggest bomb to hit Munich since World War II. What was supposed to be her grand debut on the world stage looked more like an undergrad Model U.N. delegate who wandered onto the wrong panel discussion. And not just any panel, but one where actual grown‑ups talk about national security, alliances, and geopolitics. You know, the stuff presidents have to understand — and AOC does not.
But AOC — never one to let lack of expertise get in the way of a good performance — marched in with the confidence of someone who thinks a few Instagram “likes” count as diplomatic experience.
The result?
Let us start with the obvious. She broke the long‑standing American tradition that partisanship ends at the shoreline. Democrats used to understand this. Even the hardest‑charging liberals knew you do not go overseas to trash your own country. But AOC? She treated Munich like it was a D.C. rally with a friendlier audience. She took shots at America, at U.S. policy, and of course at President Trump — because what is a day in AOC‑land without that? (For the record, she was not alone in bashing the United States in Munich. Other Democrat leaders, such as California Governor Newsome, were in Munich with the same messages.)
Foreign officials must have been taking notes: “Ah yes, America is divided, dysfunctional, and led by people her own delegation openly mocks.” Critics argue that AOC did not just violate the norm — she torched it, danced on the ashes, and livestreamed the whole thing.
And then there was the substance — or rather the lack of it. Munich is where leaders discuss NATO deterrence, Russian aggression, Chinese expansionism, cyber warfare — the big‑league stuff. AOC responded with sweeping moral lectures, climate talking points, and the kind of ideological boilerplate that plays well with the base on social media, but lands with a thud in a room full of world leaders who actually have to make decisions.
At times, she seemed unaware of basic strategic realities. At others, she appeared to be auditioning for a TED Talk titled “How to Oversimplify Global Security in 10 Easy Steps.” If she was trying to show she’s ready for the presidency, she instead showed she is ready only for… well, maybe a podcast.
One of AOC’s notable responses when like this when asked, “Would and should the U.S. actually commit troops to defend Taiwan?” (Keep in mind that the U.S. already has a defense treaty with Taiwan to do just that).
Here is AOC’s verbatim response. “…uh … You know … I think that …uh …this is such a … a… you know … I think that this is a … uh … this is of course a … uh … a very longstanding policy of the United States” She had no idea how to answer a rather simple question – and she never did.
Now, contrast that with Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who looked like he was hosting the conference rather than attending it. Rubio has spent years steeped in foreign‑policy work — not slogans, not vibes, but actual policy. His presentations were crisp, informed, and grounded in the kind of strategic thinking that reassures allies rather than confusing them.
While AOC was busy lecturing America from a foreign stage, Rubio was doing what secretaries of state are supposed to do — projecting strength, clarity, and competence. He spoke fluently about China’s ambitions, NATO’s future, and the global stakes of democratic resilience. He did not need to grandstand. He did not need to perform. He simply knew what he was talking about.
Arguably, Rubio’s most significant accomplishment in Munich was to assure allies that the the historic relationships were as strong as ever.
The contrast was so stark that observers could not help imagining a future presidential debate between the two. On one side, a seasoned foreign‑policy hand with command of the issues. On the other, someone who seemed to think foreign policy is just domestic politics with a passport. If Munich was AOC’s big audition, Rubio’s performance made her look like she was reading for the wrong role.
And let us be honest. Democrats have a habit of using foreign trips to score domestic political points. But AOC took it to a new level. Instead of representing the United States, she represented her brand — the perpetual critic, the self‑styled truth‑teller, the influencer‑in‑chief. Unfortunately for her, the world stage is less forgiving than social media. There is no “delete” button at the Munich Security Conference.
Her supporters will insist she was “speaking truth to power.” But critics argue she was speaking past the audience entirely — offering ideological comfort food to her base while leaving America’s allies wondering whether she understands the basics of global strategy.
In the end, the trip did not elevate her. It exposed her. It showed the gap between domestic political celebrity and international leadership. And it reminded everyone that foreign policy is not a performance strategy, it is discipline.
If AOC wants to be taken seriously as a future presidential contender, she will need more than applause from her online following. She will need to show she can handle the world as it is, not as she wishes it to be. Munich made it clear she is not there yet.
Meanwhile, Rubio walked away looking like the adult in the room — a preview, perhaps, of how a theoretical future matchup between the two might play out.
So, there ‘tis.
That’s the young standard bearer for the democrats? Good luck. So get busy Dunger. Start defending the bitch.
What’s even scarier is that she may be one of their better and more intelligent candidates. Actual Democrats need to retake possession of their party and yank it from the hands of the progressive/socialist party’s grip.
Larry revels in his comparison of Rubio and AOC which promotes AOC as comparable, a landmark just for that. I think he just elevates AOC by even doing a comparison. Rubio is 54, has been in politics for close to 30 years, been a Senator for 14 years, NSA head and now SoS, fourth in the Presidential line of succession. He is accomplished no matter what one might think about his less than stellar character. AOC is 36 and has been a Senator for less than seven years and Larry has elevated her as comparable to Rubio. Sweeet. It seems to work: some idiots think she’s the standard bearer for the Democratic party. Good advertising Larry.
I am not an AOC devotee, never have been and been vocal about it no matter what the dum-dums say. However I am impressed with her growth. Perhaps Larry’s criticisms are correct, but he misses how fast she learns and how far she has come. It is not without mistakes, but she’s 36. Frankly, AOC just speaking there is a great accomplishment and took the heat off Kelly and Slotkin, also speaking. Newsom who was there could stay in her shadow as well.
Yes, she could have done better. Certainly bombed a few direct firing line q&a’s with the press. Rookie mistakes. Did not anticipate the “are you running” questions ahead of time. She made the same mistake that Newsom made in his Asia trip —- Icarus syndrome. Either more time or more planning needed; politics is a blood sport the world over. But I don’t count her out. I am not currently an AOC follower, I am more moderate, more capitalistic, ……… but as a Congressional rookie who is highlighted as a main target for the other side, some idiots even say “standard bearer,” nicely played madam. And she gets better every day, she listens, learns, and responds. I am betting Munich was a teachable moment for her and will make her stronger while the Larry’s of the world stay stuck in the mud they love.
Larry makes the silly comment “She may have been the biggest bomb to hit Munich since World War II” which seems in poor taste for a serious story. Being flippant about millions killed seems out of place. He also comments: “She broke the long standing American tradition that partisanship ends at the shoreline.” This guy needs to get out more. Let’s go to the news:
“Mike Pence Shreds Trump for Dissing America While Abroad” May 2025, Daily Beast
“Trump has faced backlash for appearing to side with foreign adversaries over U.S. interests, such as his 2018 Helsinki comments where he seemingly trusted Vladimir Putin’s denials of election interference over the findings of U.S. intelligence agencies.” NPR, 2018
From his Davos speech where he dissed Biden no less than a dozen times: “Under the Biden administration, America was plagued by the nightmare of stagflation, meaning low growth and high inflation, a recipe for misery, failure and decline.”
“Just over one year ago, under the radical left Democrats, we were a dead country”
“This was the path that ‘sleepy Joe’ Biden administration and many other Western governments very foolishly followed, turning their backs on everything that makes nations rich and powerful and strong.”
“The war with Ukraine is an example. We are thousands of miles away, separated by a giant ocean. It’s a war that should have never started, and it wouldn’t have started if the 2020 US presidential election weren’t rigged. It was a rigged election. Everybody ow knows that. They found out. People will soon be prosecuted for what they did. It’s probably breaking news, but it should be. It was a rigged election. Can’t have rigged elections. You need strong borders, strong elections, and ideally a good press. I always say it – strong borders, strong elections, free, fair elections, and a fair media.’
“The media is terrible. It’s very crooked. It’s very biased, terrible, but someday it’ll straighten out, because it’s losing all credibility. Think of it, when I went in a landslide, a giant landslide – won all seven swing states, won the popular vote, won everything – and I only get negative press. That means that it has no credibility. And if they’re going to get credibility, they’re going to have to be fair. So, you need a fair press, but you also need those other elements, and I inherited a terrible, terrible situation.”
“If you look, the border was open, the inflation was raging, everything was bad with the United States when I came into office.”
“Biden and his allies destroyed our economy and gave us perhaps the worst inflation in American history.”
“It’s early, but he has to be rated as the worst president we’ve ever had by far.”
Sure seems our President disses American and even calls out people by name. This is just SOP BAU for the Felon King that Larry dismisses, no doubt as meandering braggadocio making it OK. I say to Larry’s comment on AOC:
BUSTED
Frank Danger … I did not read past the first graph or two. They are compared only because she shared the stage. There is no positive comparison regarding intelligence and competence. I bet you excelled at playing Twist….lol
You therefore missed the part proving you a liar awarding you: BUSTED.
Thank you. You write, as I think.
Pamela Sjogren … I get my best responses from people who think. Thanks.
That disqualifies Dunger