After talk, Pelosi plays down feud

WASHINGTON — House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is downplaying any differences with high-profile progressive lawmaker Alexandria OcasioCortez, saying she had a “nice meeting” Friday with the social media dynamo who’s made some tart observations about the Democratic leadership team.

Pelosi told reporters that “I don’t think we have that many differences” despite some sharp words back and forth recently with “AOC,” as she’s referred to by her 4.9 million followers on Twitter.

“In our caucus we have our differences. Respect that instead of making a big issue of it,” Pelosi told reporters, displaying a little exasperation with the media’s fixation with their relationship. “We just had a meeting to clear the air.”

Corbin Trent, a spokesman for Ocasio-cortez, said, “It was a very positive and productive meeting about progressive priorities.”

The pair had quarreled publicly over the clout of the freshmen who handed House control back to the Democrats in last year’s election. Pelosi had noted that the so-called progressive “squad” of four women of color that includes Ocasio-cortez is only four people strong among dozens of Democrats. Ocasio-cortez in turn accused her of “singling out” women of color.

The two met for about 30 minutes earlier Friday. Pelosi compared the dynamics to a family resolving a disagreement.

Ocasio-cortez, 29, and Pelosi, 79, are both political dynamos from different generations and life experiences. Pelosi entered elective politics after having five children and rose through a male-dominated House of Representatives to its highest post. Ocasio-cortez rode a wave of progressive sentiment to win a Democratic primary last year over former Rep. Joe Crowley and the weakened Queens Democratic machine.

Recent divisive votes have brought out the differences between progressives like Ocasio-cortez and more moderate Democrats hailing from more competitive districts, and Pelosi has been protective of the moderates.