JAN 12 FAQ'S ABOUT ALEXANDRIA OCASIO-CORTEZ

JAN 12  FAQ'S ABOUT ALEXANDRIA OCASIO-CORTEZ

The most talked-about person on Capitol Hill this year must be Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. Outspoken, brash and overly confident, the 29-year old representative stole headlines in the first week of the new Congressional session. Not surprisingly, our mailbox is jammed full of questions about the youngest woman EVER to serve in Congress. Let's get started:

What's her background? Cindy, Phoenix. Alexandria is a Libra, so she's intellectual and principled, but also extremely argumentative. (Curiously, she shares a birthday (Oct. 13) with Margaret Thatcher.) Both of her parents are Puerto Rican: Her mother (Blanca Cortez) was born there, father Sergio Ocasio is second-generation. Born in the Bronx, she was raised in suburban Westchester County. An excellent student, she graduated cum laude from Boston University. Like many today, she found few job opportunities after college so Alexandria worked as a bartender at Flats Fix in Union Square. In fact, she was working there less than a year ago!

Is she a Socialist or a Democrat? Justin, Boston. She's both! AOC is a card-carrying member of the Dem. Socialist Party, the current incarnation of the political party made famous by Eugene V. Debs a century ago. However, it's impossible to get into Congress today unless you're part of the two-party stranglehold, so she became a Democrat and boldly challenged ten-time incumbent Joe Crowley for his Bronx/Queens district. Despite endorsements from Gov. Cuomo, Sen. Schumer and Mayor de Blassio, he lost the primary to AOC. "You can't beat big money with more money," she quipped. Less than 1% of Crowley's $34 million were from small, individual contributors. Over 75% of AOC's $1 million came from this group.

Why do so many people hate her? Sophy, Seattle. It's true...she doesn't have many friends on Capitol Hill. Crowley was popular. With the 4th longest tenure among Dems, he was being tabbed to become a future Speaker. His replacement is the opposite, and the hallowed walls of the 212 year-old building aren't exactly ready for a boisterous 29 year-old Bronx babe. "Sit still and learn the job," instructed Whoopi Goldberg. Republicans hate her proposal of a 70% income tax on the ultra-wealthy ($10+ million annual salaries). Here, she has the Duner Blog's backing. Next year, the net worth of the world's 1% top earners will surpass that of the combined wealth of the remaining 99%. That's wrong, and AOC is only one brave enough to admit it.

Is she married? Tom, San Diego. Just look at that smile! Believe it or not, Alexandria is both stunning and single. But don't get too hopeful, gents. She is in a serious relationship. Riley Roberts met her at a symposium at Boston U. Since then, the two have been a serious item. He's a redhead from Arizona who works as a web designer. Yawn. They've lived together in the Bronx for years and he has relocated to DC with her. However, don't ask Alexandria about her boyfriend. She keeps her private life private. The two are rarely photographed together and she never talks about him on social media.

Do you think she'll be a force in the future? Rahul, Mumbai. With only five days on the job, it's way too early to tell. While Alexandria has a great vision of America's future (no tuition for college, universal health care) she does need to listen to Whoopi. Like Trump, she likes to govern via Twitter. Her two million followers loved it when she posted "Who dat?" yesterday. Just remember, dear, you won the primary by doing the most low-tech thing ever: Showing up to the debate and having your opponent, Over-Confident Crowley, send an intern.