In Washington, it seems Senator Cory Booker has taken on the role of a frustrated parent rallying his party. He’s exasperated, he’s exhausted, and he’s expanded his vocabulary to include a lot of “wake-up calls” and demands for a backbone transplant within the Democratic Party. Booker sounds off, urging his fellow Democrats to stand united, as if saying it louder and meaner enough times will actually make those in his party march to reality. Yet, outsider observers might wonder if those calls for Democrats to band together will result in anything more than just another round of kumbaya.

Then there’s Jazmine Crockett, who seems to be generating quite the buzz. According to “The Atlantic,” she’s hailed as a Democrat for the Trump era—a term that makes as much sense as a screen door on a submarine. Crockett’s style is all about fiery communication and grabbing attention, which she achieves by mixing blunt statements with a dash of theatrics. But let’s examine the real scenario: when one’s political rise depends on racking up social media followers with controversial statements, it’s hardly a sign of substance over spectacle.

Crockett’s rise to political prominence is filled with contradictions. On one hand, she attempts to embody the fight for the so-called oppressed, painting a picture of doom and gloom. Yet, her comfortable upbringing and private school credentials suggest otherwise. It seems the narrative she spins about her past diverges significantly from reality, leaving one to wonder which ‘self’—the polished or the populist—truly defines her. Naturally, while aiming to be a voice for the downtrodden, her background suggests she’s far from having the street cred she tries to project.

This double life might explain why she tends to view the world through an excessively racial and cynical lens. Her public statements often read more like performance art than policy initiatives, filled with inflammatory rhetoric and outlandish accusations. It’s clear Crockett wants to position herself as a champion for change, though it’s difficult to see past the smoke and mirrors. Her over-the-top claims and accusations leave most scratching their heads, wondering if she’s playing a character on a political reality show rather than being a serious legislator.

Despite the bombast, Crockett recently faced a serious reality check: her attempts to climb the Democratic leadership ladder failed. Her messaging, deemed overzealous by party insiders, might be entertaining for some, but it’s failed to secure real influence. Meanwhile, American voters continue to gravitate towards authentic policies that lead to prosperity and security, like those championed by a certain former President. While Crockett and some Democrats get stuck in a cycle of grievance and rhetoric, they miss the point that success often comes from action rather than endless words.