I find it crazy that some of the commenters are saying Cory Booker is not authentic.
Cory Booker ran into a burning building to save a fellow citizen.
He's the very definition of a public servant, and for that reason, would make an incredible president.
3
Walking the Dem corporate line very well since he's been in the Senate, this performance of his is every bit what I would expect. My hopes rose when he countered Biden's racist rant - what else would you call that spectacle - and demanded an apology to all Americans. But how long can he run counter to what $$$$Dems expect of him?
He seems to be chasing after the progressive themes and neglecting what many consider to be his strongest resume bullet - Mayor of Newark. Running a major, economically challenged city is a heavier lift than the vast majority the other candidates have faced.
3
Too nice? No, too ridiculous. His "Spartacus Moment" in front of the TV cameras tells it all.
Clowns are a "dime a dozen" in our pathos driven Network TV Democracy. To borrow an expression from Abraham Lincoln, Cory Booker, like a bad plow, "won't scour".
It's time to get serious about defeating the "King of Clowns" in 2020 - why not write stories about those leading in the polls, instead of those trailing?
1
Corey Booker is the one candidate that can beat Trump.
1
I have a hard time imagining how any one candidate will truly gain from these "debates." Even IF the network gave over all 120 minutes (assuming it's 2 hours) to the candidates without the moderators saying much of anything, that is only 12 minutes per candidate. I have to assume the moderators will speak and that there will be sponsor breaks, so the amount of time we hear from any one person will be very brief. It might be long enough for a real gaff or a foot-in-mouth moment, but will it be long enough to really do anything positive? It seems to me that putting too much weight on what must happen in these venues is potentially self-defeating.
To answer the headline's question: Yes. And it's most unfortunate.
1
Has Mr Booker ended his overly cozy relationship with Big Pharma? And will he call for the impeachment of the current occupant in our White House?
Are we disqualify candidates that have taken money from pharmaceutical companies now? Will there be any left?
The self-serving way he threw Biden under the bus- and followed it up by tentatively and hypocritically agreeing to meet with Farrakhan....?? Booker may have many assets but he, Buttegeig, Sanders and 15 or so others need to sit down. Warren probably too.
1
Now Booker is in the sights of those who wish to distort the discussion of the most important decision American voters make. Too nice? Nice enough? Not nice enough? How nice on a scale of 1 to 10? Does he like dogs? How does he like his steak, rare?" Oh my! What does that mean?? Who cares? Niceness is not a qualification for president. In fact, in the cabinet room most presidents are decidedly not nice. Can we focus on substance rather this media obsession with personal foibles?
5
Corey Booker and the final Democratic Senate candidate from Maine will be getting my contributions next year.
6
Too passionate, too intelligent, too patriotic, too honest, too presidential! He's great! All of the candidates, my granddaughter, and my dog Riley could do better than the swamp we have now.
5
Cory Booker is a contender who operates according to what serves his ends. Nice is not relevant to what he does.
If you come from New Jersey across from New York he’s going to appeal to you. If you come from certain left of center Democratic enclaves, you will like his message. Anywhere else, he will hit a few pleasing notes but his tune will not resonate.
I think Sen. Booker has the ability, if not presently the experience, to someday reside in the White House. But he needs to use those talents to unite us. His narrow focus on issues thus far seem intended only to divide us. I hope he broadens his appeal to all Americans.
1
Yea, can’t have a guy who has a “narrow focus on the issues”.
That’s always been a disqualifier for me.
1
Too nice? He lost my interest with his attack on Biden. There are sufficient number of people who have presented substantive proposals who deserve my attention. He and Harris should get together with support for Harris.
1
Oh now Senator Cory Booker is at fault for being a decent man just polar opposite of trump ?
This Country needs more of Mr. Booker than not !
I will vote for Cory Booker in a heartbeat if he becomes the nominee.
trump needs to be voted out.
7
Cory Booker is my senator and I've admired him since he was mayor of Newark. He is a GREAT speaker and he's voted my way almost 100%.
I don't want him to be the presidential candidate, however. I don't think a lot of the country is ready to vote for a black president so soon after Obama. Another reason for my hesitancy on the women, too, although I'd vote for Warren in a heartbeat and am leaning toward her so far for the primary.
We need someone who can beat Trump, above all else. Not sure who that is yet.
1
"Is Cory Booker Too Nice? (And Is That Bad?)"
Let's ask ourselves how well we have done with the Republican majority in the Senate these past five + years? Maybe that will help us answer the question since it seems to be quite obvious. Does being nice really help with Republicans? Has the McConnell Senate been nice to Democrats? How does Trump describe Democrats in his daily tweet rants? How did things go for Obama when the Democrats were in the minority in the Senate?
Please, can the Democrats starting playing hardball too? How about we at least try it for a while, starting in say 2020.
1
Since when did having a soaring, idealistic vision for this country become a political weakness? Policies alone should not define Presidential candidates. Visions for America should.
Booker's philosophy of love and kindness is the antithesis of Trumpian rhetoric. We need more presidential candidates who can create and lead a national movement, not just list-off legislative goals. Booker may not be polling well at the moment, but his message of unconditional love is urgent.
8
I first learned of Corey Booker in reading about him online, here emphasis was placed on his resume and his decision to live in an inner city neighborhood while serving as mayor. I was impressed with what I learned; however, my assessment abruptly changed once I saw him in action at the Kavanagh hearing. While I came away impressed with Kamala Harris, all I could see in Booker's time at the mic was sheer ambition. Trying to be open, I watched him speak this past Saturday in South Carolina; what I heard was simply shouting, not the cadence or oratory of the effective black preacher. If I had to choose between the two, Ms. Harris has definitely got my vote. To Mr. Booker, I'd "you're no Barak Obama...."
4
Lots of negative comments here without anything substantive to back them up. Tells me his problem is likability, which is deadly in a politician. Remember Hillary?
4
I started noticing Booker from his time as Mayor Newark when the evening news would feature his ‘savior’ persona. When he’d show up to help someone shovel his driveway... and miraculously TV cameras would appear to capture that completely ‘unscripted moment’.
Here’s my sincere advice to Booker: You have an authenticity problem. Stop trying too hard (e.g. working out in a suit and tie while doing debate prep)
Be comfortable with who you are. Just be. You have many gifts. Let people discover them. You don’t have to tell people you’re Spartacus... they will find out for themselves.
4
Booker is like Rutgers University. The farther you get from NJ, the better the reputation is. I say this as a Rutgers grad who lives within 10 miles of Newark. As a Dem voter who wants above all to see Cult 45 fail, I plead with Booker to drop his candidacy early.
5
I for one hope Senator Booker is questioned regarding his current relationship with the Nation Of islam's leader Rev Louis Farrakhan.
It seems to me there is a double standard on the part of the media and Progressives in the Democratic Party who call VP Joe Biden to task for his working with Segregationists, and ignore Senator Booker's friendship with the Anti Semite Rev Farrakhan.
5
Not too nice just too lame. His ambition is too apparent and he doesn’t have the charisma to win.
4
Booker shares a common thread with Gillibrand, other than naked ambition and willingness to do a hit job on an opponent, both can't articulate beyond meaningless generalities why they are in the race, and polling may beshowing they aren't persuading voters that they have accomplished anything meaningful to date, otherwise their numbers would be higher. Both have taken money and provided assistance to groups that don't align with the public's welfare, so other than an accident of birth (race and gender), evening up under representation is the only plus for voting for either one of them. In my admittedly biased view, there are others in the field that check the same boxes, have a lot more accomplishments and there is more positivity and less toxicity surrounding them.
25
@Kevin You seem to have an inaccurate perception re: the challenges of managing a major city like Newark.
I am a Cory fan, more or less.
He just hasn't taken the time to grow up.
Once you grow up you know love is a complicated thing. He doesn't connect with an authenticity, or sincere emotional intelligence.
I think there is a lot more to Cory which he needs to show. Who are you?
He needs to get away from the cameras, books and accolades, get beat up a bit by life and come back.
He's just not ready. Love just doesn't conquer all.
3
Oh and to add, as a Jersey resident if you call his office, or leave a message you get a reply ... his office is responsive, and I like that. (I don't think many can say that about their representatives.)
6
Mr. Booker is not too nice. He’s too single.
It may not be fair, but a lot of people are suspicious of men of a certain age and level of success who are still single. It seems a lot of the reticence about him reflects uncertainty about his sexuality, though people would often express it by saying he doesn’t seem
“authentic”. He recently started dating a somewhat famous actress, which unfortunately adds to the sense that he’s not being authentic, but rather opportunistic.
It’s interesting that currently it’s better to be out and married like Mayor Pete than ambiguous and single.
14
@Tony S, the most "ambiguous" politician in the USA is Trump who gets beautiful letters from Kim Jong-Un and denies the American people seeing the contents of those letters.
10
Too nice? I doubt many see it. There's a very good reason that Booker has had a hard time finding any place in the current Democratic field. There is seemingly almost no one across the political spectrum of the current Democrat Party who gets a warm feeling from Booker, as opposed to say Biden, or Warren, or Harris, all of whom have different positions on policy but are very likeable, because unlike Booker, they all come off as being genuine and sincere (whether you agree with them on substance or not). Further, it seems plain no one thinks Booker has any chance at all in the general election.
Booker going after Biden was a calculated move to get above the 2 percent he's been stuck at forever, to get some much needed press coverage, and most importantly endorsements from the Congressional Black Caucus, of which he has none. Biden already had 5 CBC endorsements, and after Booker's tangle with Biden 4 members of the CBC who had remained uncommitted, Reps. Barbara Lee, Al Green, Alcee Hastings, and William Lacy Clay decided not to endorse Biden. However, instead of endorsing Booker, they decided to endorse Kamala Harris. Way to go Cory. If you keep this up Harris may just win the nomination.
11
Gee, I guess I'm one of the few -- and as such am possibly very naive -- who hear in Cory Booker's soaring rhetoric the cry of an idealist. I realize that "idealist" isn't a label any politician seeks or embraces. For heavens sake, you can't run on it!
But someone who chopped through the octupus-like tentacles with which Sharpe James clung to power in Newark for decades is nobody's fool -- or coward. He walked many a dark street in Newark. True. in his climb to, and perch within, the U.S. Senate he's courted corporate donors and, between principled outbursts on the floor or in committee hearings, maneuvered slickly in the corridors of power.
But I think Booker sees all that as collateral, not essential, the unavoidable price of access. It's not, I imagine he believes, who he is. Or at least not him at his best. On the contrary, it's now become what he's ready to rise above. And thereby to lift the rest of us with him into "the beloved community".
Idealistic? You bet. But mere shallow opportunism? I don't think so.
18
@creepingdoubt
The first time I heard him, I thought him a sound and sober Presidential candidate. But since then, I don't. He's just another guy trying to get ahead.
He will speak a lot of ideas popular with Democrats one minute and then proposes policies that basically applies to some neighborhood which he asserts is his. He is not running a campaign that promises to address the needs of all Americans in order to pander to some Americans. Which is fine but it will not defeat Trump.
1
He is too set in his ways for someone that is still fairly young.
The guy never finished anything he started. Just a status climber. Obama wannabe without the gravitas.
4
A gifted orator? You mean Senator Spartacus?
5
He is an empty suit. An opportunist who comes off as fake and phony. He did nothing to make Newark better, killed nightlife, and didn't finish the job of being Mayor before he was ready for the next big thing.
(Former Jersey girl here)
6
What I find more worrisome is that Cory Booker boasts about how he and the head of AIPAC 'text like teenagers' together.
4
He's a fraud. I can't say it any plainer than that. He is a mouthpiece for money...a darling of the left...and overall incompetent.
13
Another preacher on the pulpit we don't need. Spartacus should just fall on his sword...
11
If he's as shrewd a candidate as some people think he is, then why is he making slavery reparations the centerpiece of his campaign?
9
Cory Booker is a disaster! Think Obama without the panache but equally ethically challenged. The more you look at the guy, the worse he looks! Maybe some Neoliberal will draft him as a Vice candidate. Non threatening but demographically appealing. Yuch!
10
@Richard Mays, on Cory Booker's worse day, he's better in every way than Trump.
6
@John. Then list his accomplishments.
2
A huge proponent of gesture politics. A 100% phoney baloney.
(more un-authentic then even Soy based baloney)
7
@mbrody, the soy farmers could use a buyer of soy-based baloney about now, thanks to Trump's stunts.
1
Booker may have much to offer (he's been very vocal on issues of social justice), but imho, he can hardly conceal his ambition.
Anyone remember when (while he was still Mayor of Newark) he announced a run for Frank Lautenberg's senate seat before waiting for Lautenberg himself (following a health incident) to announce whether or not he'd seek re-election? Lautenberg, who ultimately decided not to run (Booker eventually won the seat), had to caution Booker not to jump the gun. Not a good look for Cory.
Plus he takes pharma money, and thus voted with Republicans against Bernie Sanders' bill to allow the importation of lower-cost drugs from Canada.
And no one can really account for what happened to the $100M donation Mark Zuckerberg made to the Newark school system.
NJ Governor Murphy signed a bill last fall that would allow Booker to run for president and senate simultaneously. To be clear, there never was a law barring that, but it's nicknamed "Cory Booker's Law" for a reason. Just as I resented Chris Christie remaining on the state payroll as governor (mostly in absentia) while campaigning for president, I believe that Senator Booker should be able to identify which job he really wants and run for that alone. People in the private sector, whom Booker represents, seldom, if ever, have the option to chase their highest ambitions while still hedging their bets.
14
"As a candidate who has relied mostly on big-dollar events...."
Most candidates will attend "bog-dollar events" to help fill their coffers, but Cory is going too far with an event this week that promises to raise a boatload of cash for his struggling campaign. It will be hosted by NJ's reviled political bosses, who, for decades, have denied us a truly democratically elected legislature. In the North we have DiVincenzo and in the South we have Norcross. These men-behind-the-curtain choose our political leaders, except the ones who are rich enough to spurn their corrupting financial support. By accepting their tainted money, Cory will fall under their sway. We must not allow these nefarious power-brokers extend their influence from Trenton to the Oval Office and into foreign relations. Trump's grift will pale by comparison.
4
Reading these comments has been illuminating as to how negatively so many Times readers view Booker. I’m not on the same page. I find him genuine, decent, smart and capable. The opposite of everything trump is. I donated to Booker the day he announced and I’m still onboard. Warren is a close 2nd.
11
The guy is too corporate and his big moments like "I am Spartacus" have been eye-rolling to many of us. It's ironic because even though he is relatively young he seems like a candidate from a bygone era.
8
I like him and yes, I could find things to criticize (which is apparently the American and social media way) but I think he's still greenish on the national front and remain open minded, and look forward to watching him and seeing what he has to say during the debates.
5
He isn’t too nice, but every time I hear him speak or see him interviewed he talks in politician phrases and memes. Like he has memorized the script but has not quite gotten into character.
9
Mr. Booker will get my. vote. Mr. Booker is a fearless politician. Mr. Booker is the future, plus a fearless politician. Run Cory, make America viable again.
3
@Sherwood. Fearless about what? Reparations?
1
In my opinion, Senator Booker is smart, compassionate, and experienced. ..as an executive when he was Mayor of Newark, and in the legislative branch in the Senate. With all the gifted speakers in the 2016 Democratic Convention, I felt he made the most lasting impression.
Too nice? What a refreshing change after the current occupant of the White House! Here is a man who risked his own life to run into a burning building to save another. He didn't even stop to think what it might do to his bone spurs.
Be yourself, Senator Booker. Don't worry about the strategists.
18
Likable guy, but he hasn't really accomplished anything. Newark is perhaps slightly better because of him, but that's a very low bar. He's done little to nothing for NJ as a senator, but at least he's not an embarrassment like Menendez.
8
@JG, glad you mentioned embarrassments; look at Trump for a serious embarrassment.
1
I'm puzzled that anyone would think of Booker as a gifted orator. I think he's over the top and disingenuous.
I'm not sure why he's still running - does he want to be considered for VP?
10
My major problem with Booker was the way he embraced charter schools that did nothing to improve education for students. When they were shown to be a failure, he just walked away. That is not leadership. Nor did it show support for public education.
7
He is not too nice. He supports Big Pharma over people
5
Mr Booker is the wrong man for the job as he is owned by big pharma. I think he also comes off insincere. The whole Spartacus thing was overly dramatic. We need a master negotiator not a grand stander
7
“When people hear my message they convert.” Rather, I have found his media appearances to be a mishmash of messianic rants. I guess I haven't converted yet.
5
Booker is terrible for the democratic party. Not only does he always seem vaguely hysterical, but his two breakout moments on the trail have been attributing Pete Buttigieg's ascension to white privilege, and demanding for Biden to apologize for saying that he had worked with people who he didn't agree with. It's like he is speaking from the voice of Woke Twitter, which is the most toxic segment of the left, and one of the biggest gifts to Trump the left could give.
8
Running for President is goooooooooooood business for a politician.
24 Democrats
2 Republicans
3
He is a bright man who has specialized all his political career in the triumph of style over substance. This is exactly where he is fated to remain.
7
we've got a deeply divided electorate, with some 40% who voted for Trump ( and without a doubt will do it again, and we have a way too long a list of Democratic candidates confident they could defeat the bully in the WH ( good luck even sharing the stage with him during a debate !).
one fact is clear: ALL these candidates are supremely more intelligent, articulate and better qualified than that bully. the problem is, in my opinion : no one is planning HOW to tackle the bully. and that is no simple task if you recall what took place on the debate stage during the debates with Hillary. she used her natural intelligence, articuletness and vast political expereince but the bully still made minced meat out of her: both in the debates and at the voting booth. Trump can't hold the candle to ( almost) none of the Dem's candidate- but he's in his very element as the bully from New york, flexing a loud mouth and throwing his poorly spelled language around. conclusion: let the Dem's candidates practice ( yes, there are expert coaches for that !)how best to VERBALLY handle the bully.
2
I think he can fill the VP slot, but he's not presidential material.
2
To answer your headline question,
Will Cory Booker Create a Breakout Moment at the Debates?
Yes, as long as he doesn't identity obsess like Trump does with white men and Hillary did with women.
People are tired of identity politics. New polls shows the people overwhelmingly want experience hence why Biden is in the lead.
Booker already has a strike against him re experience re Biden. If he identity obsesses it will put the nail in his coffin.
4
Unfortunately he doesn’t have “it”. A Senate neophyte, his record is blank, really, and his personal style and agenda lacks gravitas. His notoriety last week arguing with VP Biden was a big waste, give the big miss of Trump getting away with reaffirming hi s call for the death penalty for wrongly accused teenagers in the Central Park attack - except to say that Democrats can’t campaign on nostalgia that wasn’t particularly good
6
Spartacus can't fight? The guy is an empty suit. 8 years as mayor of Newark and it is still a pit. Give me a break.
8
I think Booker has a good heart but ultimately works for the big money. https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2017/1/14/14262732/cory-booker-senate-democrats
3
He's a flake, period. By all means Dem give him the nod. We'll be laughing all the way to the White House next year.
10
@Sparky
I'm Spartacus. No, I'm Spartacus. No, no: I'm Spartacus.
1
Booker’s prob is that he won’t take chances, as you can see in his dissolving a lot into Tony Robbins’ psychobabble.
I’d contrast him directly with Joe Biden; Joe has the big flaw of shooting his mouth off, of course, but that looks to come out of a kind of honest earnestness that Booker may have, but never really shows.
I also have a hard time imagining Booker waltzing into a known lion’s den, like Pete Buttigieg’s doing right now. Or articulating a plan that a lot won’t like one bit, like Elizabeth Warren. Or sticking up for her record and views, like Kamala Harris.
This latest bit with Joe Biden shows it all too well. Cheap shot, Cory. We all know darn well that Joe (not the best public speaker either) meant that you gotta work even with the bad guys, so best to play nice until it’s time to not be nice.
And poor politics; when Obama got in a similar jam, he gave probably the best speech on race in America of the last fifty years. Joe can’t do that—but Booker blew a big opportunity as well. He might have talked about getting Joe’s point, about how America’s changed for the better, about Republican obstructionism, about what civility really means.
Nope. I don’t believe that he can.
36
Senator Booker's actions last week showed he is still a bit immature about politics.
Booker tore into former VP Biden and his comments regarding the VP's dealings years ago with segregationist senators who were impediments to progress on civil rights and other issues.
Fine, Senator Booker, you got your 72 hours of TV time for your criticism of VP Biden. Congratulations, you took your shot and it sort of hit VP Biden.
Now it's time for your criticism.
First, you, along with Senator Harris, totally left out the context of time, namely the political environement of 30 or 40 years ago, and set VP Biden's comments of actions then with today's political environment. Leaving out the time context is nothing but juvenile analysis and arguments; nothing more.
Second, you will do well to study and forever remember Senator Ted Kennedy's advice, "Don't let the perfect be the enemy of the good." VP Biden developing working relationships with segregationists was exactly that--doing what needed to be done to achive the good, even if that approach wasn't perfect.
Third, you will also do well to study and forever remember Senator John Kerry's maxim, "You don't negotiate with your friends. You negotiate with your enemies." That's exactly what VP Biden did. As my mother would say, "And THAT, is an object lesson!"
23
Someone who voted AGAINST allowing US citizens from accessing cheaper pharmaceuticals from Canada is the last person we need in the race.
Booker helped "kill a bill sponsored by Sanders to lower drug prices. In 2016, pharmaceutical PACs gave $57,500 to Booker. Becton, Dickinson & Co, Bristol-Myers Squibb and Sanofi PACs all contributed $5,000 each in 2016. Before that, in 2014, a cycle he was actually running in, Booker’s campaign took in $161,000 in pharmaceutical PAC money. Pfizer contributed $17,500, Merck & Co gave $12,500 and several more gave $10,000 each."
https://www.opensecrets.org/news/2019/02/where-cory-booker-gets-his-2020-money/
The world is changing, and people who still play the corrupt, legal bribery game are so 20th century.
26
These are all NJ companies. Of course their PACs are going to contribute to their Senator.
5
Do you really think $5000 is going to “buy” him? What’s its going to get is him taking a call from the chairman of one of those firms and listening to their point of view on legislation that impacts their firm and by extension their employees in NJ - which are his constituents.
"He is a gifted orator, has a glittering résumé and enjoys longstanding ties to some of the most deep-pocketed donors in his party ... ." OMG! He sounds like Obama, who seems to improve over time only because of who succeeded him. America needs a real change theorist and manager, someone who has a well-considered vision for the future and the ability to implement it, not another purveyor of empty slogans.
5
@San Ta-you write: "America needs a real change theorist and manager, someone who has a well-considered vision for the future and the ability to implement it".
you'r right, of course. the problem remains: how do you reach and make sense to a largely tribally - divided electorate? and even more difficult : how do you beat the electoral college hurdle ?!
@amir burstein: How? Good question.
If one reads many of the comments/replies in the NYT one can easily become depressed as the alt-left challenges the alt-right for prominence as the voice of ignorance, false analogies and emotionally driven positions.
One might hope that enough voters, starting with Democratic primary voters, realize that what Liz and Bernie are proposing entail serious reflection about the current position of the country and how to change its trajectory. Of course, this requires some degree of mental effort and isn't as satisfying as the celebration of emotional certitudes.
One need not take it the above as a blanket endorsement of their positions, but as a recognition that if something is considered "broke" - rhymes with "woke" - it needs to be fixed, and outraged shrieking that it's broken will not fix it.
Oh well, one can always hope.
Cory Booker was right to criticize Biden. He needs to "stand his ground" or he'll be seen as standing for nothing. Biden disgraced himself in using the examples of rabid, racist, segregationist senators--Eastland and Talmadge--as props for extolling the failed Obama lesson of bipartisanship. Of course, they were Democrats, in any case, and Biden sought them out and their support in opposing school busing to end school segregation. That certainly was not a pro-civil right stances and Biden knows it. That he couldn't acknowledge his error in judgment is disqualifying, especially if you're calling out Trump for his racism in Charlottesville and elsewhere. At this point Booker may be playing for vice-president, but does he really want to be part of a Biden-Booker ticket?
2
Pretty talk doesn’t solve problems. We had that already with Obama.
12
Perhaps you could favor us with a list of all the problems that Don Trump’s solved.
I’ll wait, I got coffee.
3
@Robert One can criticize Obama while not simultaneously praising Trump.
2
"glittering résumé"
A what? Accomplishments?
5
Wow. Lots of negative comments about Booker. I love Booker ever since seeing the speech that he gave right after the travel ban was enacting. I find him authentic and caring. He's a far cry from Trump. Yippeee!
7
Booker is so cynical. He acts all the time, trying to connect to others’ anger, but he’s not a talented actor.
As for Democrats wanting someone who can “unite the country,” where are they?! Certainly never writing comments here. I used to be a Dem, but so many of them now just want to shove their ideology down our throats. I can only be an independent.
6
@Cuernavaca Andalusia- re. being an independent voter :
after living through the Trump catastrophe, and the Pelosi- Nadler paralysis - i may become an independent.
1
I find his rhetoric and moralizing too performancy and not what’s needed.
16
He certainly hasn’t pulled back from political infighting this past week. In fact, he has jumped in to dump all over Biden with both feet. This kind of stuff has to stop. The overblown rhetoric; the media feeding frenzy that gives equal time to this as it does to a possible war with Iran. I think the Democrats have many outstanding possible candidates. Any one of them who resorts to attacks on a fellow Democrat will not get my vote.
13
I find Booker very inspiring. He is though very cautious which some will find unappealing. I am appreciative of someone who is thoughtful after the last 2 1/2 years of stream of consciousness rambling and bumbling through domestic and international policy. A smart thinking person would be a great antidote.
1
I used to really like Corey. However, he has shown himself to be very self promoting and insincere. He doesn’t seem “real“ anymore. Also, he supports nuclear expansion with so-called “safe“ nuclear power plants which are, in fact, incredibly dangerous. I hope he doesn’t hurt Joe Biden who is the best candidate to heal our country.
4
A smart and charismatic young politician. However, his performance at the Kavanaugh hearings was an embarassment for him personally and the D party. And, his public "outcry" on Biden's recent statements rang hollow if not disingenuous to those who "walked the walk" during the height of the Civil Rights era. Sorry, but he sounds a bit like a poser without the credentials. Or in other words, a politician! Just sayin'.
10
Smart with a ton of charisma. Nice guy for sure but, an empty suit. Couldn't fix Newark when he was mayor. It got worse! Has done nothing as a Senator. He's got some excellent marketing backing him. Maybe that's enough in today's political space? I'll pass....
6
So far my impression of Cory Booker is that he’s deep in thrall to Big Pharma, Wall Street and the charter school lobby; that he tends to confuse optics for accomplishment and platitudes for policy; and that there’s no way he’s going to win over the heartland voters we need to beat Trump. But I’m willing to have my mind changed about him; my opinions about several of his competitors are even more negative, and he does have strong values and a record of public service that deserves to be taken seriously.
You can still win me over, Mr. Booker. You’ve earned a place on the debate stage. Make it count.
4
Please explain why supporting Wall St, Pharma and charter schools is necessarily bad. He has a lot of constituents that derive benefits from these organizations.
I think it’s admirable that he doesn’t simply roll over to the teachers for example who, in the name of protecting their sinecure, refuse to admit the successes that education reform has brought about.
1
As a NJ resident, I can say that Mr Booker has done nothing outstanding as our senator. It was shocking to review his years in senate and come up with nothing noteworthy. He thinks his oratory will carry him some distance, but he is mistaken. He has lost the passion he had when he was Newark mayor. His criticism of Mr Biden was intentional to bring some light on himself. I would advise him and his supporters to get out of the race after first debate this Wednesday if nothing substantial happens in his ranking. In fact, in my view, if democrats even make Mr Booker a viable candidate after first debate, then democrats have serious problem winning in 2020.
6
In 2009, Booker refused to support the African-American Democratic candidate for mayor of NYC in favor of supporting Michael Bloomberg, who had essentially bribed the city council to overturn the term limit initiative that the voters had twice voted to put in place, probably because he hoped to get Bloomberg's money to support him in his races or at least not support any of Booker's opponents.
As it turned out Bloomberg gave $2 million to the Independent Party to hire people to challenge voters in primarily black and Latino precincts on voting day. Booker's now presenting himself as a fierce opponent of voter suppression
If he wants my vote, let him explain all of this.
4
Side steps every question, seems light weighted intellectually. Pass...
6
@Suburban Cowboy-"Side steps every question" - that's what all ( smart) politicians do.
we need a candidate who talks to the point, and levels with the public's intelligence.
2
Cory Booker showed his colors by attacking Biden this week for working with James Eastland. Do we want another president who only cooperates with his partisans? By Booker's standard, the Constitution would never have been ratified. Government demands compromise with odious bedfellows. If Booker were successful in slamming his agenda through Congress, I'd take his "no prisoners" stance more seriously.
4
Sen. Booker has a tendency to defend Wall Street like he's Jimmy Stewart trying to preserve the savings and loan. I've seen Democrats defend school lunches with less zeal. Between that and his not speaking Swiss, pass.
4
Senator Booker, in my opinion has accomplished nothing except run for the next office.
What has he done ?
Show up ?
Make promises ?
What has he accomplished in the Senate ?
Just a place to run for the next office.
All talk. Not the man to run a country.
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5
Cory Booker is a vegan, and while that alone should not win ones vote, it shows me that he has true empathy for others. By choosing not to eat animals for ethical reasons, Senator Booker actually practices what he preaches. I might not agree with everything else he says or does, but I believe he is sincere in his and our quest for a more just nation.
3
Cory Booker has never met a word he doesn't like to use many, many times. I listened to his South Carolina speech this past Saturday and was unable to take away a clear understanding of what his point is. I don't think 2020 is the time for a word waster. If President Warren is feeling generous, maybe she can give him Secretary of State.
3
He supports charter schools/privatization/corporate looting of public funds, thus he won’t have my vote.
5
Charter schools in the northeast are non profit and generate demonstrably positive outcome. Those that are against them are typically interested in protecting public school teacher jobs. So much for caring for children.
"He is a gifted orator, has a glittering résumé and enjoys longstanding ties to some of the most deep-pocketed donors.."
Or said another way, his speeches are peppered with pious platitudes; he has taken jobs as a way to create a resume rather than build a career; and he is in the pockets of corporate donors, particularly the pharma industry.
He is Hillary Clinton redux.
11
The majority of the American people want Medicare for All, myself included. We'll never get that with Booker, who is deep in the pocket of the pharmaceutical industry. An industry, might I add, whose greed is killing thousands of Americans every year by placing crucial, lifesaving medications out of their financial reach.
Not a lot of "leading with love" there.
59
@Dominic Not true. When it is made clear that private or employer based insurance will disappear and that taxes will increase, support drops to somewhere between 33% and 40%. That is not a majority.
8
When people realize that Medicare for All is better than their employer issued insurance (most people are actually unsatisfied with employer issued insurance) and when they realize they will no longer have high monthly premiums, high copays, high deductibles, and far far too expensive medications, when this is explained, people realize they and their families need Medicare for All. B
10
@Dominic
His "friendship" with BigPharma (some of these corporations are in New Jersey) is a disqualifier in my book, along with his willingness to court Wall Street in general for cash. All the soaring rhetoric in the world won't win me over. I lost a close family member to the hidden (by the company, for profits sake) side effects of a prescription drug, and justice has yet to be done.
1
As a native of Newark, New Jersey I was more or less inclined towards liking Booker until his recent attack on Biden. Much recent reporting assumes without polling evidence that most African Americans support Booker in this matter. But discussions with the African Americans I know point in the other direction. Most see it as a cheap shot, and an indication that deep down Booker is an unprincipled opportunist. Democrats should not be attacking other Democrats at this time; Especially one like Booker whose brand promotes “love and reconciliation”. I would like to see scientific polling on this issue very soon. And I would like to see all democratic candidates focusing on the future, not the distant past. We are dealing with a monster whose faults and crimes far outweigh the worst things that any of the Democratic Presidential candidates have ever done.
40
What was his breakout moment while mayor of Newark? When he left was it better than when he got there?
20
He lost my vote after the attack on Biden.
36
@hd Funny, because Biden lost my vote the instant he ran.
2
I don't believe he has enough to offer. He is no Obama.
I am rooting for Kamala Harris.
3
You mention that Booker is a skillful orator, but this has not been apparent in his national appearances. His passion often feels forced. With Obama, there was a sense that he was controlling his passion. With Booker, there is a sense that he is juicing up passion for effect. He doesn't feel. . .and I hate this word. . .authentic. Just as I cringe when Trump speaks because there is a look-me-I'm-the-center-of-the-universe quality, so I cringe when Booker speaks because there is a similar attitude. He may have wonderful ideas, but who cares? He's just another too slick politician.
58
I generally agree; I don’t think he’s just another pol, but I do think that somehow, he just ain’t got It.
6
Cory Booker is just another corporatist democrat. Just look up how much money he took from big Pharma and takes from others. We do not need such a one at this moment in our history. And pray tell what did he do for his city of Newark while mayor???????
41
Booker takes a good bit about his progressive credentials. But, that’s all it is, talk. Booker is aligned with corporate money, especially big pharma. Sounds like another political hack. Sorry, Corey, but no thanks.
17
Booker’s views are further to the center than mine but he has vision and purpose. He’s the thinking person’s Biden—his direct engagement with Biden last week was in my view a sign that he understands this. Want a “safe” candidate who can actually motivate people to vote? That candidate is Booker. I wouldn’t count him out yet.
19
@Jeremiah Crotser The "thinking person's Biden" who said he doesn't "speak Swiss"? Who's the non-thinking person's Biden?
4
@Blair
"Who's the non-thinking person's Biden?"
Biden
1
@Blair That would be Biden, himself.
1
I certainly hope Cory does well because he is a relatively excellent candidate in this Democratic field.
That said, I'd hate to think that he'd have to resort to being more "Trumpian" to get noticed and breakout.
6
Fantastic dude, falls flat each time he has a national audience. Thinking about what he said when he had to opportunity to charm us with his charisma, depth, intelligence - makes me cringe. He has it all, looks, brains, passion - but zero nationwide connection. Obama had young people who came to him like never before; Booker does not seem to inspire that kind of a move.
Sorry Cory! Will vote for you of course if you make it through the primary, but the current chance seems dim in many ways.
24
How low has the bar sunk when Corey "Not Ready for Prime Time" Booker can be described as a "Gifted Orator" with a straight face? Senator Booker seems like a decent, if overly ambitious, man. However his style of oratory leans far too heavily on a Needy, Try-Hard style in which he really, really, really needs to convince you of something being right and good. Instead of simply saying what is right and good with confidence and authority. If he wants to attain higher office he needs to lose this awful speaking habit...as it makes him sound like a loser.
34
Gifted orator? Maybe from a script, if you like the virtue-hectoring style -- a feature of Wall Street Democrats loath to acknowledge that it's class conflict, not identify politics or racial injustices, driving us into the ground.
Perhaps these reporters never heard faltering Corey Booker try to question a Congressional witness?.
15
Check with his constituency in Newark: he is not known as someone who got things done.
47
Indeed, a super smart, polite, soft-spoken politician with a lot of good ideas and congenial manner can and should go far -- were it not for a heck of a lot of competition from fairly like minded smart Democrats. But the debates can give him the edge to stand out. Go for it!
6
Cory Booker is a talented, charismatic individual with an outstanding resume and much to recommend him - and his candidacy. However, I laughed out loud when I saw him on Don Lemon passionately discussing the Biden gaffe. He said he always speaks 'truth to power.' Evidently he is not aware, as a Senator with Stanford credentials, he IS the power! He needs to stop co-opting the heroism of Rosa Parks and others.
16
Exactly. Booker is a seasoned US Senator and former big city Mayor. Biden is now a citizen without office. That is not the definition of ‘speaking truth to power’.
3