Socialism still too 'loaded' for Democrats says Barack Obama as he blasts DNC for only giving AOC a 90 second slot at convention saying it should have been much more

Barack Obama said in an interview that aired Wednesday that 'socialism' is still too 'loaded' of a word for Democrats to embrace, but he defended figures who identify themselves as such like Alexandria Oasio-Cortez.

'Socialism is still a loaded term for a lot of folks. Once again, instead of talking labels and ideology, we should focus on talking about getting certain things done,' Obama told Snapchat's 'Good Luck America' host Peter Hamby in part one of a three-part interview.

He added that many people are unconcerned with labels and more interested in passing legislation that will benefit Americans – like minimum wage and tackling the climate crisis.

'Nobody really cares about the label,' Obama said. 'They care that that is something that is important to a lot of young people and a lot of older people alike.' 

Barack Obama said in an interview that aired Wednesday that Democrats still struggle to embrace socialism in the party. 'Socialism is still a loaded term for a lot of folks,' he said. 'Instead of talking labels and ideology, we should focus on talking about getting certain things done'

The former president joined Snapchat's 'Good Luck America' with host Peter Hamby and urged Democrats to stop using 'labels' like 'socialism' and 'defund police'

At the same time, Obama defended Democratic socialist Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, claiming the Democratic Party should give her more of a platform because she resonates with young people

The former president said Rep. Ocasio-Cortez should get more of a platform within the Democratic Party because she resonates with younger people 'even if they don't agree with everything she says.' 

'The Democratic National Convention I thought was really successful considering the pandemic. But, the fact that an AOC only got, what? Three minutes or five minutes?' Obama lamented.

'She speaks to a broad section of young people who are interested in what she has to say, even if they don't agree with everything she says,' he added. 'New blood is always good. And I say that as somebody who used to be the young, shiny cool guy. But now is the gray-haired old grizzled vet.'

Ocasio-Cortez, popularly referred to as AOC, had a one-and-a-half-minute speaking slot at the DNC where she seconded the nomination for Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders for president rather than Obama's VP Joe Biden.

Sanders and AOC both identify as Democratic socialists and the New York freshman representative volunteered on his 2016 campaign before seeking public office herself.

The duo have been leading the charge on progressive initiatives, including on climate and environmental issues and healthcare.

Obama said Democrats need to focus more on 'promoting young people.'

'We stick so long with the same old folks and don't make room for new voices,' he told Hamby during his wide-range interview airing as part of Snapchat's Discover page.

Obama's main piece of advice for the Democratic Party: 'Tell a story… folks can relate to.'

AOC only got a one-and-a-half-minute speaking slot at the DNC where she seconded endorsing fellow Democratic socialist Bernie Sanders , who she volunteered for in the 2016 campaign before seeking public office herself

'Because people, young people, folks my age, people generally don't listen to a bunch of policy analysis,' he continued. 'But they do remember a story that I tell - let's unify the country. Or here's how I understand race based on my relationship within my own family that has people of different races. That's what folks can relate to.'

He reiterated that using labels is a losing point, particularly pointing to the 'defund police' movement, of which AOC is at the helm in Congress.

'You lost a big audience the minute you say it, which makes it a lot less likely that you're actually going to get the changes you want done,' he said.

'But if you instead say, 'Let's reform the police department so that everybody's being treated fairly, you know divert young people from getting into crime, and if there was a homeless guy, can maybe we send a mental health worker there instead of an armed unit that could end up resulting in a tragedy?' Suddenly a whole bunch of folks who might not otherwise listen to you are listening to you,' Obama advised. 

Parts two and three of Obama's interview with 'Good Luck America' will air on Thursday and Friday morning on Snapchat.

Notably, Snapchat reaches 90 per cent of 13-24 year-olds and 75 per cent of all 13-34 year-olds – giving them a predominantly millennial and generation Z audience.

'Good Luck American' with Hamby has also interviewed Dr. Anthony Fauci, Joe Biden, Hillary Clinton, Bernie Sanders and Lindsey Graham among other top political leaders.