Who is Booker and wtf is going on with him? I see lots of posts but don't know who/what.

[uppityperson]

If you'd like to fill me in, I'd appreciate it. Thanks.

[Liberal_in_LA]

1. young up & coming African American Democratic, Mayor of Newark. Spoke out against Obama using

Bain in the campaign against Romney

[uppityperson]

3. Thank you. What or who is Bain?

I've been busy doing other things, missed all this.

[provis99]

5. you've been busy for the past year?

Bain Capital was where Romney made his money by wrecking companies and firing people.

[one_voice]

11. Really? Is that...

necessary? People looking for information are to be ridiculed? I didn't think we did that.

[uppityperson]

12. Thank you for answering so civilly. I encourages me that DU3 may be a good place to be.

I've been busy with life and working for local politicians. I haven't focused on Romney crap because I will in no way support him in any way and have been busy doing other stuff.

Thank you for your mocking. It really encourages me to ask questions and learn about things. Hugs to you.

[BeyondGeography]

16. Sorry, but you're on the Internet and the answers to your questions are right under your nose

You're damaging the "Uppity" brand for everyone.

[uppityperson]

21. Indeed, that is why I am asking people more knowledgeble than I on this subject.

[BeyondGeography]

26. Sorry for the snark

Your question about Bain surprised me.

Here's some good stuff from Rachel:

http://maddowblog.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/05/21/11796125-ampad-takes-center-stage?lite

[uppityperson]

30. Thank you. Romney has disgusted me enough without knowing details of all the bs he's done.

Off to read and listen to that. Thank you.

[southernyankeebelle]

24. Oops

[Telly Savalas]

54. Given the opportunity costs involved with the time it takes to slavishly follow

the jerk-off 24 hour "news" cycle, it's kind of hard to begrudge somebody for not being in the loop on every detail of that glorified reality show. It's certainly not justification for acting like a fucking douchebag and calling them names.

[uppityperson]

9. Busy today and no, I don't pay attention to everything. Sometimes it is good to ask questions and

learn. Other times I am finding it leads to people snarking that I don't know something they consider knowable. Do you know how to put a trach back into a toddler when they pull it out? For me, that is simple and basic.

Thank you for answering and educating me. I haven't followed all the crap Romney has done as there is no way I would support him in any way. And yes, I've been busy elsewhere. Again, thank you.

[Enrique]

14. who is Romney?

[Courtesy Flush]

62. LOL +1

At some point, you just tell them to go to the Google.

[bigwillq]

64. LOL

[Rhiannon12866]

2. Think he criticized the president on MTP, but I tuned in late.

I'd like to know, too. I thought the mayor was one of the good guys.

[uppityperson]

6. Mayor of Newark, New Jersey per wiki. Thank you, I haven't heard of him.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cory_Booker
On May 20, 2012, Booker ignited a firestorm of controversy for remarks he made on Meet The Press referring to attacks on Romney's record at Bain Capital: "this kind of stuff is nauseating to me...Stop attacking private equity." [58] Some Democrats objected to these remarks because they saw them as contradicting Obama's election message. Other Democrats objected to the remarks because they represent a closeness to Wall St. that many elected Democrats embrace, including Obama, to the dismay of many Democratic voters.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bain_Capital
Bain Capital is a Boston-headquartered alternative asset management and financial services company that specializes in private equity, venture capital, credit and public market investments. Bain invests across a broad range of industry sectors and geographic regions. As of the beginning of 2012, the firm manages approximately $66 billion of investor capital across its various investment platforms.

[Liberal_in_LA]

10. there is a reality show based on him called Brick City. episodes follow him around Newark.

[Rhiannon12866]

56. Thanks so much!

I'd heard of him, since he's been on the news shows before, and he made quite a name for himself when he saved a woman from a burning building. He was being compared to Chuck Norris, etc., LOL. But I tuned in late to MTP, so I wasn't sure what all the brouhaha was about. I thought he was one of the good guys, as I said...

However, his MTP remarks were discussed on all the MSNBC shows tonight and I read here that he appeared on Rachel Maddow's show. I get home late, so I usually catch the repeats. Thanks so much for enlightening me...

[BeyondGeography]

4. He plays for Switzerland

[onehandle]

13. No, It's Latvia

[lookingfortruth]

7. Thank you for posting this question.

[LeftyMom]

15. He's the mayor of some shithole in New Jersey.

He has great PR and he's good looking so a lot of folks thought he was the greatest thing since sliced bread until he opened his mouth on TV and revealed himself to be a douchecanoe.

[Justitia]

20. ha! nailed it!

I love your summary, esp "douchecanoe"

[uppityperson]

22. Thanks LeftyMom, that is a succinct summary.

I appreciate it.

[Starry Messenger]

37. This.

He's been Wall Street's buddy for awhile too.

[Shankapotomus]

43. LMAO!

That about sums it up!

[yellerpup]

17. Corey Booker just gave Rachel Maddow

an exclusive interview to protest how he was being used by Republicans. He's a good speaker, a progressive liberal, and hero/mayor of Newark, NJ. He actually dashed into a burning house and rescued someone last month and cut (or burned) his hand during the rescue. The Republicans are using him to solicit donations ala "Stand By Corey" in ads that portray him as Obama's victim. He said if people want to 'stand by Corey' they can stand behind Obama because that's who Corey stands behind. I love Rachel, she gets into the details.

[one_voice]

23. Oh jeeze...

I didn't know they were doing "Stand By Cory" ads to make money. That's pretty disgusting.

[yellerpup]

36. He certainly thought so.

I didn't see his remarks on MTP, but he felt they were manipulated and distorted.

[Ruby the Liberal]

52. Here is the RNC ad

[one_voice]

53. Thanks Ruby...

So glad Cory could help them raise money.




















just in case:

[uppityperson]

25. Thank you. How is he Obama's victim?

[yellerpup]

32. The spin is that Corey Booker refused to speak

about 'being off message' because of pressure (censorship) from the White House. He set that straight. All he really said, according to him was that there is no reason to hate all bankers (venture capitalists) I forget which. She's already replaying it...oops, now Rachel is over.

[uppityperson]

35. Ah, ok. That makes more sense.

Tv? Meh. I watch it very rarely. Listen to some radio news but get most of it online. Thanks for the info, it is making more sense.

[Shankapotomus]

46. Not all tv is bad

It really depends on how you use it. For instance, it's great for keeping up-to-date on stuff like the topic of this thread.

[uppityperson]

47. Rather than wading through ads, watching bs stories, I'd rather ask here. About the same

outcome. I learn and have to wade through some bs to get there. Thanks for answering.

[Shankapotomus]

49. totally understandable

btw, Rachel Maddow is a former political Radio host with Air America who now hosts her own show at MSNBC. Here is her page:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26315908/ns/msnbc_tv-rachel_maddow_show/

[jberryhill]

18. As someone who was in your boat until about an hour ago...

First, let me say that I had a relaxing Sunday. Took a nice bike ride, visited my sick mother, and generally relaxed.

Today, I had a few things to do, and didn't check into DU until late afternoon.

And, here we come to how a tempest in a teapot is, to the perpetually plugged in, THE BIGGEST MOST IMPORTANT THING TO EVER HAPPEN EVER!!!1111!!!

Cory Booker is the Mayor of Newark, and an Obama campaign surrogate.

He was on Meet the Press yesterday, and said something to the effect that attacks on Romney based upon Romney's history of vulture capitalism at Bain Capital were, to him, a "nauseating" example of negative campaigning. He further indicated that he does not agree with demonizing the capital markets generally.

This is seen as a betrayal of the Obama campaign, and Mayor Booker's head must be returned on a platter.

If one actually listens to Obama's remarks today, he talks about how the government has to deal with the human consequences of the excesses of an unbridled imperative for profit.

Meanwhile, the Romney campaign is somehow seeing this thing as "Bigger than the Etch-A-Sketch" faux pas by one of his people.

But, really, if you weren't paying obsessive attention for 24 hours, you really haven't missed a whole lot, and nobody is going to give a crap about it 24 hours from now.

[uppityperson]

28. I have noticed though that most DUers are answering me nicely, which is neat.

Thanks. I haven't followed all the bs on Romney because I don't need to. He's an asshole, plain and simple.

[jberryhill]

31. Preeeeee-cisely

The R's are desperate for just about anything. They tried to make a whole campaign on Obama's remarks to Joe the Plumber to the effect that economic success should help, uh, you know, the economy.

In other words, when the Republicans talk about "trickle down" or "a rising tide lifts all boats", they are capitalists. When Democrats say the same thing, they are redistributin' commies.

[enough]

19. If a regular DUer doesn't know who is Booker and what is Bain, I think

people can stop worrying about the supposedly massive negative effect of the Booker remarks and all go to bed and sleep okay.

[jberryhill]

27. +1

Seriously, you'd think someone found out Obama's campaign was strangling puppies.

[southernyankeebelle]

29. Listen I know lots of people are very busy and just don't have the time. But honestly have you been

in a cave on Bain Capital? Here is something you can do to get caught up everday if you want. Use google. All you have to do is type in the question and it will answer your question. Like who is Corey Booker. Bam there it comes out. Same what with Bain.

[uppityperson]

33. Or I can come ask my friends on DU who have been following it.

Thank you for your concern but no, I've been living in a house with electricity and hot and cold running water and cats and a puppy. As I have written elsewhere on this thread, Romney disgusts me and I haven't followed all the bs he's done because he already disgusts me enough.

Having a community like DU, I figured someones would be able to quickly fill me in. I did look up Booker and couldn't make heads/tails so thought I'd ask my friends here. Something we do for each other often is provide more information when it is needed.

[yellerpup]

38. Haven't seen you around for a while.

Glad you're working for our side in the trenches!

[uppityperson]

39. If I can't find paid work, might as well use my time in profitable manner any ways.

Mostly reading DU vs posting, being on MIRT for posting, checking in but not posting other forums much. Hoping for spring and watching it rain.

[yellerpup]

40. Loved todays showers.

I did something I've never done before; I went to the local Women's Club concert this afternoon and listened to classical selections played by a duet of French horn and piano. Our friend who plays for the Metropolitan Opera met the organizer at one of our parties and that's how he ended up there. Tiny watercress sandwiches and cookies afterwards with coffee or tea. Stimulating but relaxing. Enjoy the rain.

[jberryhill]

34. I knew who Cory Booker and Bain were

But, honestly, if you actually took Sunday off and had a normal schedule today, it is nigh impossible to figure out why everyone is screaming about them today on DU, since the context for the whole shebang is assumed.

[southernyankeebelle]

63. Yes your right. But boy what I have heard really hurts the president. I don't know what Booker

was thinking.. He really hurt the president.

[jberryhill]

65. Lol

What some people will obsess over...

[southernyankeebelle]

66. Oh well

[Pisces]

41. HOW IN THE HELL CAN ANY DEM NOT KNOW WHO CORY BOOKER IS?? This alone tells me a lot about the people

on this board!!

[LeftyMom]

44. He's a mayor of an unimportant town. He is not that important. Even though he's on TV.

I know it's really easy to think the tiniest political detail is a big fucking deal, but it's probably healthier not to obsess on this stuff.

[uppityperson]

45. How dare a dem or duer not know everything but ask for information? And your point is...this is bad?

Asking and sharing info is one of the things DU is good for. Turns out it also is good for making fun of people who ask for information.

You want to know why I don't know who he is? I don't watch tv. I listen to the radio some. I get my news on the internet. I loathe Romney and don't care to dig deeper into his assholeries as it isn't needed for me. I don't know who every mayor is. I've never seen Rachel, assume she is a news person on our side but have never seen her.

Yes, we are a varied lot on DU. And asking for information deserves respect, not mocking or OMG BIG LETTERS TO CHASTISE!

Thank you for at least kicking this thread so I can get more information from people who care to share.

[tammywammy]

48. I'd never even heard of him until yesterday

I do know what Bain is though.

[uppityperson]

59. Do you still want to insult those of us who didn't know who he was by calling us not Dems?

Per your hidden post on the other thread?

Having let this go overnight, is this still your viewpoint?

http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=714041

[Pisces]

60. I want to insult the mob mentality to lynch Booker for a terrible mistake he made. Last Friday a

bunch of the same people condemning him would have been cheering a post that said Booker 2016. I have read many of those posts
here in the past. He was highly regarded until Sunday when we decided to eat one of our own for a bad mistake. He tries to
explain on Rachel Maddows show and we have already decided his career is over. What bullshit.

Yes I want to insult people who expect perfection, who would throw away a fellow dem that has done so much for his city. Talk to
the people of Newark if you want a full assessment of Cory Booker.

[uppityperson]

61. I understand your answer, but it isn't what I asked. Do you want to insult those who never heard

of him before this, as you wrote elsewhere in a jury hidden post?

[vanlassie]

42. And in addition to disliking him because of his recent self servingness...

I have been letting people know there is a serious campaign against him for taking 100 grand from Nestlé Corp to provide "obesity education" in Newark. Nestlé, the multinational corporation responsible for pushing obesity causing formula and candy as well as many other non-nutritious foods.

[FrodosPet]

55. Nestlé canned tube feeding food kept my dad alive 4 years

We went through several brands, but Nestlé seemed to do best for him.

Not sure if my little sis used Nestlé baby formula or not. Unfortunately she dried up a couple months after her daughter was born, so she had to use something. But in any case, it pisses me off when people blanket condemn formula makers and mothers who use it.

As far as "obesity education" - should something like that only come from general funds to avoid any possible hypocrisy charges?

Sorry, I cannot bring myself to hate Nestlé. Perhaps you have more that finally can push me to?

[LeftyMom]

57. Nestle makes dangerous and incorrect claims to market baby formula in developing countries.

They also market canned milk in ways that suggest that it is a cheaper alternative to baby formula. This is extremely dangerous as unaltered cows' milk causes intestinal bleeding in infants in addition to being nutritionally insufficient.

These are ongoing problems (Nestle has been boycotted for them for decades) which have resulted in many sick and dead babies.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2007/may/15/medicineandhealth.lifeandhealth

http://info.babymilkaction.org/nestlebriefing

[jannyk]

50. Add me to the list of not knowing who Booker was.

I now know he's Mayor of somewhere in NJ. Why should I care?

[politicasista]

51. His parents were among the first black executives of IBM

according to his bio.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

58. A minor player in the usual "gotcha" politics of campaign season used to stifle the yawns.