Lauren Boebert Says AOC Has 'Victimhood Mentality' as Sexism Row Heats Up

Republican Representative Lauren Boebert has accused Democratic congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of having a "victimhood mentality" over her doubts she could be elected president.

Ocasio-Cortez, who represents New York's 14th congressional district, told GQ magazine that misogyny was a major problem in U.S. politics and that it could affect any future presidential bid.

Boebert criticized that interview in comments on Newsmax on Friday and argued that people disagreed with the Democrat's policies, and it was not that they disliked her personally.

"When you look up 'victimhood mentality' in the dictionary, it should show a picture of AOC's face," Boebert said.

"She has over 13 million followers on Twitter, she's raised tens of millions of dollars and just now she was being interviewed for the cover of GQ magazine," said the Republican, who represents Colorado's 3rd congressional district.

"She has the audacity to claim that America is sexist," Boebert went on. "No, Americans don't hate AOC the person and they certainly don't want to date AOC. They want her to stop pushing policies that ruin their lives."

In an extensive interview with GQ's Wesley Lowery published on September 7, Ocasio-Cortez touched on the idea of her running for president and reportedly became emotional while discussing sexism.

"Sometimes little girls will say, 'Oh, I want you to be president,' or things like that," the congresswoman said.

"It's very difficult for me to talk about because it provokes a lot of inner conflict in that I never want to tell a little girl what she can't do. And I don't want to tell young people what is not possible. I've never been in the business of doing that. But at the same time..." she said.

Lowery wrote in his article that at this point in the conversation, Ocasio-Cortez "broke eye contact, burying her gaze in the arm of her chair. Tears pooled in the corners of her eyes."

The Democrat went on to say that while she believed "anything is possible" her experience had shown her "how deeply and unconsciously, as well as consciously, so many people in this country hate women. And they hate women of color. People ask me questions about the future. And realistically, I can't even tell you if I'm going to be alive in September. And that weighs very heavily on me."

She added that sexism was not a problem confined to the political right.

"Misogyny transcends political ideology: left, right, center. This grip of patriarchy affects all of us, not just women; men, as I mentioned before, but also, ideologically, there's an extraordinary lack of self-awareness in so many places," she said.

"And so those are two very conflicting things. I admit to sometimes believing that I live in a country that would never let that happen," Ocasio-Cortez added.

Newsweek has asked Ocasio-Cortez' office for comment.

Both Boebert and Ocasio-Cortez are seeking re-election to the House in November in their respective districts.