The Gist

Does Authenticity Matter?

We shouldn’t judge political candidates on such ambiguous criteria.

Progressive challenger Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is joined by New York gubenatorial candidate Cynthia Nixon at her victory party in the Bronx after upsetting incumbent Democratic Rep. Joe Crowley on Tuesday in New York City.

Scott Heins/Stringer/Getty Images

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In the Spiel, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez defeated Joe Crowley in the recent Democratic primary race for Congress. Many commentators have called her authentic, but does that word have any actual meaning?

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