Jim Messina, former aide to President Barack Obama, had harsh words for "West Wing" creator Aaron Sorkin, telling MSNBC on Monday that the television producer's advice for freshmen House Democrats -"stop acting like young people"- was unwelcome and that he should stick to writing scripts. Sorkin's remark, made Sunday on CNN, drew the ire of New York Democrat Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who responded on Twitter.
"What a condescending jerk," said Messina. "Are you kidding me? Don't pat us on the head and say 'thanks for your votes and thanks young people for changing the world.'"
Host Hallie Jackson joined in the mockery, saying "you never sound older then when you say 'young people.'"
"You sound like grandpa," Messina added. "Go away and make a new show."
Jackson asked if Ocasio-Cortez's response -that "Medicare for all and equal rights aren't trends"- reflected "the dynamic heading into 2020." Messina agreed.
"Absolutely, it's the fight we're having in the Democratic Party," he said. "She's right. We need to stand for things. And he should just go design a new show."
Watch the video below.
