For the past week, conservative pundit Ben Shapiro has been challenging the socialist gaffe machine Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez to a debate. To help entice her, he’s offered up $10,000 of his own money for the opportunity. The money was to go to a charity of Cortez’s choosing.
“You’ve noted that you think Republicans are afraid to debate you or talk to you or discuss the issues with you. Not only am I eager to discuss the issues with you, I’m willing to offer $10,000 to your campaign today for you to come on our Sunday special,” Ben said on his show this week.
Hey, @Ocasio2018, what do you say? pic.twitter.com/lKDtmMc8Us
— Ben Shapiro (@benshapiro) August 8, 2018
In a bizarre reply, Cortez turned down the offer, which she analogized to catcalling. I’m not sure what kind of catcaller offers women $10,000, or how Cortez can deny she has an immense amount of privilege if she can turn down $10,000 like that. “Just like catcalling, I don’t owe a response to unsolicited requests from men with bad intentions. And also like catcalling, for some reason they feel entitled to one.”
Just like catcalling, I don’t owe a response to unsolicited requests from men with bad intentions.
And also like catcalling, for some reason they feel entitled to one. pic.twitter.com/rsD17Oq9qe
— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@Ocasio2018) August 10, 2018
In comparing being challenged to a debate to “catcalling,” Cortez also leaves the questioned unanswered if she’d see things the same way if a conservative woman offered her $10,000 to debate. I suppose Cortez would brand them “women with bad intentions”? And would those women also be “entitled”? Normally when I feel entitled to something, I don’t offer $10,000 for it.
While Cortez’s supporters thought this was a coherent response to a debate request in which she was offered $10,000 for a few hours of her time, everyone else saw this as her cowering out of a debate. Given that nearly every interview Cortez’s notable gaffes originated from were on friendly, left-leaning show, it’s obvious how a debate in which she received actual pushback would go.
Comparing a political challenge to perverse catcalling is so disingenuous and quite frankly, pisses me off. Sexual harassment does not equal political debate, how dare you put the two on the same level. https://t.co/M6NWlT8z56
— Natalie Johnson (@nataliejohnsonn) August 10, 2018
*a man, catcalling me
Me: LET ME GUESS YOU WANT TO DEBATE ME?
— Bridget Phetasy (@BridgetPhetasy) August 10, 2018
Ocasio-Cortez pulls out the woman card to avoid interview with @benshapiro identifying a debate request with sexual exploitation. This is all the Left has. It’s bankrupt of rational principles and resorts to name-calling, slander, and identity politics. https://t.co/UUbaxzyYZU
— DC McAllister (@McAllisterDen) August 10, 2018
I wish someone offered me $10,000 to debate them. ☹️
— neontaster (@neontaster) August 10, 2018
You know what's bad faith? Accusing conservatives of not wanting to debate you, then pretending @benshapiro sexually whistled at you… because he asked you to debate.
FYI my team has also asked you multiple times to come on my show & debate. And you won't. https://t.co/kTh7v4x64y
— Liz Wheeler (@Liz_Wheeler) August 10, 2018
Yes, Ben Shapiro would absolutely destroy Ocasio-Cortez. No one on the left or right doubts that. So it would be a bad idea for her to do the debate. She should probably also stop giving interviews. Just say an occasional “Yay, socialism!” until the election.
— Frank J. Fleming (@IMAO_) August 10, 2018
I thought strong women could stand up for themselves and hold their own in any situation…apparently @Ocasio2018 isn’t one of them. https://t.co/y4m2mktB3V
— Katie Pavlich (@KatiePavlich) August 10, 2018
Crying sexism in order to avoid a debate of ideas is not a feminism I want any part of.
— Erielle Davidson (@politicalelle) August 10, 2018
Comedian Gavin McInnes put in best: “Uh, he doesn’t want to sleep with you. He wants to hash out ideas in a public forum. His intentions include truth and money for charity. Is there anything on earth you actually understand?” To answer Gavin’s question; no. No there is not.
It’s ironic because there’s no shortage of media headlines trying to portray Cortez’s candidacy as “Republicans worst nightmare.” And yet when those same Republicans supposedly cowering in fear of Cortez challenge her to a debate, they’re harassing her? Give me a break.
