Yang criticizes ‘patronizing element’ of Democratic messaging ahead of convention speech

Former Democratic presidential candidate Andrew Yang on Wednesday said there’s a “patronizing element” to party messaging that could cost Democrats at the polls.

“Democrats have this tendency to have a message out there, and then if you don’t like the message it’s like, ‘Well, it’s your fault,’ ” Yang told The Washington Post Live in a video interview. “There’s this patronizing element to a lot of what we say and do, and it’s hurting us, and it’s wrong, unproductive. It’s a great way to not win.”

The comments from Yang, who’s a CNN contributor, come a day before he’s slated to speak at the Democratic National Convention.

He also criticized convention organizers for not giving Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) a bigger role beyond the procedural formality of nominating Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) on Tuesday night.

“She was asked to nominate Bernie, which I thought she did very effectively, but I thought that was a misuse of AOC,” Yang said, referring to the lawmaker by her initials. “She is one of the people who can cut through this medium and deliver a message very powerfully, so I feel like the DNC just missed one on that.”

.@AndrewYang on what he thinks Joe Biden and Kamala Harris’ message on the economy should be. “I think they should lean into cash relief..that to me is a no-brainer.” https://t.co/BhGjBGiuXb pic.twitter.com/mYQhzpFHgl

— Washington Post Live (@postlive) August 19, 2020

Last week, Yang publicly expressed disappointment when he was not included on the initial list of convention speakers. He was later added to the lineup.

I’ve got to be honest I kind of expected to speak.

— Andrew Yang (@AndrewYang) August 11, 2020

And it’s official – we have been added to the DNC Convention speaker lineup! Thank you #YangGang and everyone else who made this happen! #YangIsSpeaking

— Andrew Yang (@AndrewYang) August 13, 2020

Yang, a tech entrepreneur, dropped his long-shot White House bid in February, outlasting several established politicians, including Sen. Kamala Harris (D-Calif.), who is now the Democratic vice presidential nominee.

As a candidate, Yang focused almost exclusively on universal basic income.