Conservative women lined up to challenge New York Democratic Socialist Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez to a debate on Thursday. Their challenges came after she dismissed a similar challenge from conservative commentator Ben Shapiro as sexist (“just like catcalling”), claiming that he had “bad intentions.”
Shapiro started the conversation with a simple request: $10,000 to her campaign if she sat down with him for an hour-long show on Sunday.
Hey, @Ocasio2018, what do you say? pic.twitter.com/lKDtmMc8Us
— Ben Shapiro (@benshapiro) August 8, 2018
When people began to call her out for not responding, Ocasio-Cortez painted Shapiro as a sexist, likening his “unsolicited” debate request to an unwanted catcall.
Just like catcalling, I don’t owe a response to unsolicited requests from men with bad intentions.
And also like catcalling, for some reason they feel entitled to one. pic.twitter.com/rsD17Oq9qe
— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@Ocasio2018) August 10, 2018
Shapiro was quick to fire back, saying that Ocasio-Cortez was the one demonstrating “bad intentions” by responding with slander.
Discussion and debate are not “bad intentions.” Slandering someone as a sexist catcaller without reason or evidence does demonstrate cowardice and bad intent, however. https://t.co/kYaYuf0W43
— Ben Shapiro (@benshapiro) August 10, 2018
But sure, go with “the Orthodox Jew who has never catcalled a woman in his life is ACKSHUALLY a sexist catcaller for asking for a discussion or debate.” I’m sure your media sycophants will eat it up.
— Ben Shapiro (@benshapiro) August 10, 2018
And it wasn’t long before conservative women — ranging from Fox News contributors to Pussycat Dolls — stepped up and called Ocasio-Cortez’s bluff.
Okay fine @Ocasio2018, if you won’t debate @benshapiro because he’s a man (and because he would destroy you intellectually) how about a debate with me? https://t.co/y4m2mkLbVt
— Katie Pavlich (@KatiePavlich) August 10, 2018
And what exactly was your excuse for having turned down the debate with me?
Can’t wrap that one up in fake-feminism.
I’ll double @benshapiro’s offer. 20k to a charity of your choice— a capitalism vs. socialism debate. https://t.co/jHQHZcJ83V
— Candace Owens (@RealCandaceO) August 10, 2018
If a man asking @Ocasio2018 to debate is catcalling, what was it when I asked? (And other women that I’m sure have also asked.) I would LOVE to discuss her claim that Jesus was a socialist. Or is that mean?
— Allie Beth Stuckey (@conservmillen) August 10, 2018
Can I please debate you @Politicon this coming October @Ocasio2018
— Kaya Jones (@KayaJones) August 9, 2018
Ocasio-Cortez has yet to offer a response to any of the challenges.
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