A Fox News opinion piece argues that Democrats, including Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, are dismissing the party's 2020 progressive positions—such as "defund the police" and prison abolition—by labelling that era "Woke 1", rather than genuinely explaining why they have moved on. The author contends this amounts to psychological compartmentalisation rather than honest reconsideration, allowing politicians to distance themselves from past stances without confronting whether their beliefs actually changed or simply the political incentives did. This matters, the piece argues, because voters deserve accountability rather than a rebranding exercise, especially as opponents can resurface old comments during campaigns.

The article traces the phrase "Woke 1 was crazy" to New York City Councilman Chi Ossé, recently echoed by Ocasio-Cortez, and contrasts the 2020 Democratic Party with a 2026 version now emphasising affordability and economic populism. The author notes that many 2020-era beliefs became tied to personal moral identity, making it harder for politicians to simply admit error, and cites related controversies, including a Democratic Senate candidate's past comments on releasing prisoners and the DNC's internal "autopsy" report. The piece concludes that genuine change requires Democrats to acknowledge specific past mistakes rather than treating 2020 as an isolated, forgettable chapter.