Former congressman and possible 2020 presidential candidate Beto O’Rourke (D) heaped praise on Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Alexandria Ocasio-CortezHouse passes bill to avert shutdown Trump attacks Omar for criticizing US: 'How did you do where you came from?' The Memo: Dems face balancing act on SCOTUS fight MORE (D-N.Y.), saying she has “freed herself from fear.”



The Texan’s glowing comments about the progressive freshman lawmaker came in a profile published by Vanity Fair Wednesday that appeared to signal O’Rourke’s entry in the crowded 2020 Democratic field.

“She does not seem to me to be afraid of making a mistake, or not saying it perfectly,” he told Vanity Fair about Ocasio-Cortez. “And in the process says the most important—I think some of the most important—things anyone can be talking about right now, and she’s freed herself from fear.”

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Ocasio-Cortez has become known for her savvy use of social media to defend herself or criticize others and has quickly become a prominent voice in the Democratic Party.

As for Ocasio-Cortez’s signature resolution, the Green New Deal, O’Rourke praised it as “ambitious.”

“The goal of converting to 100 percent renewable energy within a decade, I love,” he said. “It’s ambitious. It captures your imagination.”

He added that keeping the planet from continuing to warm is “the most important for humanity.”

O'Rourke also addressed Ocasio-Cortez's push for a higher marginal tax rate.

“This level of gross income inequality cannot persist, and if there’s a better way to get there, I’m open to it. But it’s definitely going to involve higher marginal rates on the very wealthiest in this country,” he said.