But the Democratic congressman from California wasted no time contrasting Jeffries with former President Donald Trump and Republican Rep. Kevin McCarthy, who is desperately hoping to get enough votes to become House speaker.
“He [Jeffries] does not traffic in extremism,” Aguilar said to the cheering House. “He does not grovel to or make excuses for a twice-impeached former president. […] He does not bend the knee to anyone who would seek to undermine our democracy,” Aguilar said.
He added, “He understands what great leaders of this House understand: That this body and this institution are best-equipped to serve the needs of this democracy and the beautiful mosaic of the members it sends.”
See why this speech became an instant classic!
Jeffries, 52, has been called the “Brooklyn Obama.” Aguilar said during his speech Tuesday: “Hakeem’s leadership style is simple: ‘Spread love, it’s the Brooklyn way.’”
In 2019, Jeffries told The New York Times, “There is and will only ever be one Barack Obama, who was a phenomenal president. The only thing I can definitely say we have in common is that we were both born on Aug. 4.”
Spencer Overton, president of the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies and professor at George Washington University’s Law School, says of Jeffries, “Like President Obama, the image of Hakeem Jeffries, leader, could represent to some that they are losing what they think is their country—as opposed to our, in the collective sense—country.”
During his speech, Aguilar told the story of Jeffries growing up in “the first home” their parents bought in Brooklyn, where they live today. He talked about his mother telling him that no matter what he did with his life, it “must be in the service of people.”
Aguilar said that Jeffries’ role will be guided by the “faith and wisdom of leaders like Jim Clyburn, Greg Meeks, John Lewis, Steny Hoyer, and Nancy D’Alesandro Pelosi.” To which the House Democrats stood and cheered for retiring House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
“It is shaped by that guidance that we are prepared to nominate a leader that will open a door to the new generation of leadership. […] A Latino is nominating for leader of this chamber a Black man for the first time in our history. […] That’s progress, and its progress the country wants to continue for this Congress and for our country.”
What better way to start the year than by previewing the biggest contests of 2023 on this week’s episode of The Downballot? Progressives will want to focus on a Jan. 10 special election for the Virginia state Senate that would allow them to expand their skinny majority; the April 4 battle for the Wisconsin Supreme Court that could let progressives take control from conservatives; Chicago’s mayoral race; gubernatorial contests in Kentucky and Louisiana; and much, much more.
