It wasn’t that long ago that most Democrats were running away from Socialists – now some are running under their label.

In the era before the victory of Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (Pre-AOC), it was thought that an insurgent candidate could be treated like an annoying little brother who could be tolerated until primary Day in which they would be crushed underfoot. But when Ocasio-Cortez didn’t get the memo that she was supposed to run hard but lose honorably to Congressman Joe Crowley, an earthquake shook up New York politics, causing the establishment to tremble a little.

That probably explains why Governor Cuomo – in the middle of the AOC era -- found himself meeting with a bunch of liberal activists at Dock’s, a seafood restaurant that has become his unofficial work hangout because of its proximity to his Midtown office.

There, the governor unsuccessfully tried to convince the members of the group Indivisible that he deserves their support. But, according to The New York Times, the group is casting its lot with Cynthia Nixon, the liberal activist-actress who’s hoping to replicate the success of AOC on a much larger stage.  

In the Pre-AOC era, getting the nod of the Democratic Socialists of America might be considered a political error. Now, Nixon was likely thrilled yesterday that she got the support of the group that helped propel Ocasio-Cortez to victory.

It’s a strange political time with some Democrats taking out their anti-Trump rage at anything or anyone who they perceive as standing in their way to his ouster. Understanding this climate, Cuomo has $31 million in his warchest to blanket the airwaves with ads which are pushing him as the anti-Trump. But groups like Indivisible are betting on Nixon’s dark-horse candidacy.

With the primary on an odd Thursday in September, it’s difficult to gauge if old-school political organizations and clubs – which are generally backing Cuomo – will be outmaneuvered by new grass-roots groups which support Nixon and rely heavily on the Internet to organize. To the ramparts we go!

Bob Hardt