CMV: A lot of the discussion around Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez stems from a widespread sexual perverse fascination with her among middle aged men who don't want to admit it even to themselves.

It's impossible to ignore that some of the most vocal aggression towards Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is from older men, often from Republican leaning areas. Among the most egregious examples is the former Governor of Vermont (so not someone you expect to have a Republican viewpoint), who said she was a "nice ass" while speaking to a crowd, or prominent right-wing media figures saying she looked "4 inches shorter and 4 pounds dumber" after visiting her at her office.<br><br>There is an unspoken, implict sexual aspect to a lot of criticism of her that has less to do with policy and more to do with middle aged men being intimidated by an independent, attractive, unattainable younger woman, who isn't afraid to express herself. There's this unspoken pervasive sexualization of women their daughters age, and then this projection of shame and disgust onto her via political insults.<br><br>This is a complex issue, but I think this angle of "perverse fascination" helps explain why so many older men are fixated on her.