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Wednesday, September 30, 2009

Politics Cory Booker for President in 2016

Posted by Paul Constant on Wed, Sep 30, 2009 at 2:33 PM

On his show last week, Conan O'Brien said the following "joke:"

The Mayor of Newark, New Jersey wants to set up a citywide program to improve residents’ health. The health-care program would consist of a bus ticket out of Newark.

Wokka-wokka! Because Newark sucks, am I right? Well, Cory Booker, the mayor of Newark (and the star of the great political documentary Street Fight, and, incidentally, a man who will eventually become President of the United States of America), has responded to the joke:

I know Booker's response isn't the funniest thing in the world, but the man is totally my next political crush.

Comments (19) RSS

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i've been saying he's the next president since 08. needs to raise his profile though - senator, governor...

Posted by Max Solomon on September 30, 2009 at 2:38 PM

America's not ready for a black president.

Posted by DOUG.

on September 30, 2009 at 2:40 PM

He needs to learn the phrase isn't "by the powers invested in me", though.

Posted by g on September 30, 2009 at 2:45 PM

Have you ever been to Newark? It sucks.

Posted by Jersey City J on September 30, 2009 at 2:47 PM

Is having a man react violently to this slight really the way to handle Newark's image problem?

Posted by sw on September 30, 2009 at 2:48 PM

He's also in "Brick City" the fantastic documentary series about Newark on the Sundance Channel. It's currently On Demand. Highly recommended.

Posted by Rytron on September 30, 2009 at 2:48 PM

I spent the first few years of my life in Newark and all my family comes from there. While it certainly is not a picture of urban bliss, Cory Booker is one talented and passionate administrator. Newark has some of the most beautiful architecture in NJ and parts of the city are thriving. If Booker can turn Newark around, it would be an example about how cities decimated by the rise of suburbia and systematic racism can rise again.

Mayor Booker is also a Rhodes scholar, a vegetarian, and super good friends with Rachael Maddow.

Posted by jkcineaster on September 30, 2009 at 2:53 PM

I actually thought it was funny.

Posted by Renton Mike on September 30, 2009 at 3:03 PM

Are you kidding? I think that is a really stupid skit. It reminds me of those shitty, trying to be funny, films about saying no to drugs they show middle schoolers - or a workers training video for a crap job.

I saw this guy on Bill Maher's HBO show and thought he seemed like someone who is used to talking but not listening - a real unattractive feature for a politician!

I like the president we have, Obama's no dork when it comes to humor.

Posted by sall on September 30, 2009 at 3:10 PM

It was pretty funny, and I agree with Booker - a bus ticket out of Newark is not the answer, because you do NOT want to get within a mile of Newark's Greyhound station. Seriously...worst five hours of my life.

Posted by fletch on September 30, 2009 at 3:11 PM

A bus ticket? That's the best they can manage? New York City gives their homeless people one-way plane tickets. No shit.

Posted by Fifty-Two-Eighty

on September 30, 2009 at 3:11 PM

Good stuff... Kudos to Booker.

Posted by Get Real on September 30, 2009 at 3:15 PM

I saw him on Bill Maher too and was quite impressed. In response to 9, I think the only reason he was talking a lot was he had a short segment and was trying to make as much of an impact as he could with what little time he had. But I do agree that listening should be a vital facet of a politician's repertoire.

Posted by Arkyncrest on September 30, 2009 at 3:18 PM

first he has to come out of the closet and that might make it hard to get elected president. it is a well known rumor in NYC/NJ that mr. booker is gay, which i love, but the american electorate may not...

Posted by k.stineback on September 30, 2009 at 3:23 PM

@ 13, fair enough. I have yet to be impressed with his rhetoric yet, and this 'joke' of his isn't winning me over. I'll admit I need to study up on his career before I write him off as altogether uncool.

Posted by sall on September 30, 2009 at 3:31 PM

I briefly worked for Cory Booker for his campaign back in like 2002 or 2003. He's not just a smart guy, he's also backed by smart people. I too think he'll be a great president someday. He's nothing but class and integrity.

Posted by Matt Hickey

on September 30, 2009 at 4:31 PM

@16: And he's dreamy.

Posted by TVDinner

on September 30, 2009 at 4:42 PM

booker has reduced crime at a rapid rate, a city that had murders that equaled washington dc in the early 90's, is now down to a respectable 40. 1964 numbers!

I grew up in Camden, a city very similar to Newark, and everytime I go back, Im amazed how Trenton and Camden are still crack and crime wastelands whereas NEwark, despite its problems is rebounding at amazing rates, with economic development, new housing, and low crime. No is not perfect, but if anybody here has ever lived in crime ridden cities like philly, camden, trenton, b-more or newark you would be giving this guy some props.

he is up for reelection as mayor, and im writting him a check and i echo what #6 said. watch Brick city.

the only thing that sucks about the guy is that he is a yankees giants and nets fan. but no one is perfect.

eagles!

Posted by SeMe on September 30, 2009 at 5:02 PM

Newark sucks. I grew up near there, and then lived there. Newark used to be a desirable metropolitan place to live and work. After the 67 riots it became a ghetto as people moved to the suburbs. There are great businesses and universities there, but they are nuggets of gold in a giant turd.

Posted by EWRSUCKS on October 1, 2009 at 12:23 AM