Slog
News & ArtsFriday, February 15, 2013
Politics A Clear Path for Booker
Posted by Eli Sanders on Fri, Feb 15, 2013 at 6:00 AM
Senator Frank Lautenberg of New Jersey has finally decided to retire:
Mr. Lautenberg, at 89 the oldest member of the Senate and its only remaining veteran of World War II, told his staff of his decision and was to announce it formally on Friday in Paterson, N.J., where he grew up the son of poor immigrant parents.
Well before this announcement, Newark Mayor Corey Booker had declared he was running for Lautenberg's seat (whether Lautenberg retired or not). Get ready for Senator Booker.
1
Hooray! Senator Booker! The same guy who complained that it was unfair for the Obama campaign to criticize Bain Capital! Finally, change we can believe in!
2
I just don't understand the Booker love. I'm a regular Slog reader, New Jersey resident, and progressive and can tell you that he is just not an effective leader. He might put on a good show, but as a mayor he has been more concerned about his profile than about doing the hard work of running a city. Besides, his self promotion as a superhero borders on pathological
3
I agree with 2. I am on his mailing list and Facebook. Everything he posts is in some way about how great he is. Makes me a little sick. I realize you have to be a little like that as a politician, but give me a break.
4
It will be an interesting Democratic Primary, between Booker and Congressmember Frank Pallone, who I've read is more progressive.
Since I don't follow NJ politics that much I really don't have a favorite at this time.
I mostly like Booker but his comments about Obama and Bain Capitol (see #1) really irked me and I've read that he is really pro Wall Street. Of course I've also read that every politician in NJ is pro Wall Street and that he is fairly progressive. He has done a lot for marriage equality for instance.
Of course it would be good to have a black Democratic Senator since there is only one other black Senator and he's a crazy ultra conservative Republican. But I don't vote for candidates solely on race or gender and I'd rather have a white progressive than a black moderate.
The last time a Republican won was in 1972 so this seat is most likely going to be determined in the primary.
So, who knows?
Since I don't follow NJ politics that much I really don't have a favorite at this time.
I mostly like Booker but his comments about Obama and Bain Capitol (see #1) really irked me and I've read that he is really pro Wall Street. Of course I've also read that every politician in NJ is pro Wall Street and that he is fairly progressive. He has done a lot for marriage equality for instance.
Of course it would be good to have a black Democratic Senator since there is only one other black Senator and he's a crazy ultra conservative Republican. But I don't vote for candidates solely on race or gender and I'd rather have a white progressive than a black moderate.
The last time a Republican won was in 1972 so this seat is most likely going to be determined in the primary.
So, who knows?
5
Mark my words, this guy is going down in flames one day. either some tawdry sex scandal, or stacks of cash in the freezer.
6
Ugh. Booker is a neo-liberal, Michelle-Rhee-loving narcissist. All talk, no substance. I see a Rodney Tom move in his future.
8
Booker is like some kind of Urban Superman that a Republican can vote for...I wish he'd switch sides!
From an appearance on Bill Maher:
"To me, the data should drive our decision making. So I know, I’m not afraid of people having guns who are law abiding citizens. In the analysis of gun murders and shootings in my city, I could only find one in the entire time I’ve been mayor – and unfortunately there have been hundreds and hundreds – where a person who was involved in a shooting where they had their gun legally, where they legally acquired their gun. The guns that are causing carnage in our cities, my city and our country, every single year are acquired illegally."
http://darien.patch.com/blog_posts/newar…
11
He gives off the strongest possible vibe of "will be his own undoing". His petard is set to "auto-hoist". He's Mary Decker to his own Zola Budd. And the higher the office he manages to reach, the more Russian-meteoric the end. Pass the popcorn!
17
the more you haters bitch about him the more i want him to be the next president. he's a politician. how is he any worse than any other centrist democrat (except sen. warren)?
18
@17 The mayor of an embattled, sinking post-industrial city like Newark has a job to do. And by all accounts, Booker is largely ignoring it in favor of publicity stunts designed to launch his campaign for higher office.
I strongly recommend digging up Buzz Bissinger's "A Prayer for the City", his book on the Rendell administration's two terms in Philadelphia. Same set of challenges, but the contrast between Rendell's and Booker's approaches are telling.
I strongly recommend digging up Buzz Bissinger's "A Prayer for the City", his book on the Rendell administration's two terms in Philadelphia. Same set of challenges, but the contrast between Rendell's and Booker's approaches are telling.
Advertisement
Most Commented on Slog
-
It's Spring! Who's Ready for Street Harassment? by Cienna Madrid
-
SL Letter of the Day: Insane Demands by Dan Savage
-
SL Letters of the Day: Just Say No to DSGs by Dan Savage
-
SL Letter of the Day: Gonna Boil My Laptop After Answering This One by Dan Savage
-
New Gun Enthusiast... by Dan Savage
-
Bigot Florist Files Countersuit by Dominic Holden
-
America Doesn't Care About Black People by Charles Mudede
-
"Bus service shouldn't be optional—it should be a right." by Cienna Madrid
-
US Military Grants Itself the Power to Police American Streets and "Quell" "Civil Disturbances" by Brendan Kiley
-
Fucking NBA Rejects Kings Move to Seattle by Goldy
Stranger Personals
The Stranger
RSSSeattle Art & Performance Quarterly
A complete guide to Seattle's current art, film, dance, and theater season.
Facebook
Twitter
Comments (18) RSS