Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) believes that Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) would make a formidable presidential candidate in 2028, he tells Axios' Alex Thompson on "The Axios Show."

Why it matters: Ocasio-Cortez is positioning herself for a political leap in 2028, whether for president or challenging Chuck Schumer in a Democratic Senate primary. • "That's her decision to make," Sanders said, after heaping praise on Ocasio-Cortez's political skills and connection with voters. • Ocasio-Cortez is "a very, very good politician," Sanders said, "in the best sense of the word." • "I've been out on the streets with her, people come up and how she responds to people is so incredibly genuine and open," Sanders said. "That's a gift that she has."

Zoom in: Ocasio-Cortez has joined Sander

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