Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is attempting to distance progressive Democrats from past policy stances that are now seen as politically damaging. She argues that candidates should be judged on their current platforms rather than those from around 2020, a period she describes as "crazy." This strategy aims to allow candidates to move past controversial positions like "defund the police." However, moderate Democrats and Republicans will likely find this difficult to accept, particularly in swing districts. Ocasio-Cortez suggests that the rhetoric of that time was a product of the pandemic's unique circumstances and is not reflective of present views. This echoes Kamala Harris's past struggles to shed her 2020 presidential campaign positions. Many Democrats, including Joe Biden, previously warned against these progressive policies and advocated for a more centrist approach. Centrists within the Democratic party criticize the attempt to dismiss past ideas, arguing that some current proposals are even more extreme. Organizations are actively campaigning against the democratic socialist wing of the party. Ocasio-Cortez's effort appears to be a rebranding of democratic socialism, shifting focus to economic populism. Her future political aspirations may hinge on the success of this repositioning. Ultimately, unpopular political stances can remain a liability regardless of the passage of time.