Ocasio-Cortez in context

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez outhustled a 10-term incumbent to win a Democratic congressional primary. But the young Bronxite socialist’s every word is now being amplified — by supporters who see her as an exemplar of a bold new progressive future, and by foes who want to paint her as the scary face of a dangerous new left-wing lurch.

Here’s a radical notion: She’s neither. She’s one young would-be representative with serious talent and tons to learn, if she cares to.

Such as the fact that unemployment is not only low “because everyone has two jobs,” as she told Margaret Hoover on PBS’ “Firing Line” on Friday.

Actually, 4% of Americans who are looking for work can’t find it. Among the employed, fewer than 1 in 20 hold two jobs. Even allowing for the likelihood that juggling jobs is far more common in the poorest pockets of New York City, that’s not nearly “everyone.”

Then there’s the Mideast, which matters a whole helluvalot to the New Yorkers she aspires to represent. In May, Ocasio-Cortez said the deaths of 60 Palestinians on Gaza border a “massacre” with “no justification.” She essentially repeated that to Hoover.

Yes, some of the protesters shot by Israeli forces were unarmed, which is a tragedy. But some were wielding explosives, and many were attempting to breach Israel’s security fence, a provocation concocted by Hamas terrorists.

Meantime, she told Hoover she supported a two-state solution, which everyone sane agrees is the basis for any future peace. But then Monday, interviewed by Amy Goodman, she was asked — just days after “Firing Line” aired — whether she still backs a two-state solution.

Her noncommital answer: “Well, you know I think this is a conversation that I am engaging in with activists right now because this is huge.”

What?