I was previously very positive toward Cory Booker. Given his constant Biden attacks, not so much.

[hlthe2b]

Yes, it is rough and tumble primary season and we expect some attacks, but IMO, his are absolutely not on track (I won't say unfair, because some will attack me for that, but, nonetheless, ineffectual, inaccurate, and will not help him)...

I am actually dreading the next debate (or at least night 2) if this is all we are going to get. I can just feel our chances against Trump, regardless of the candidate, weakening.

It surely isn't helping MY stress level.

[crazytown]

1. Booker calling Biden 'the architect of mass incarceration'

is outrageous.

[question everything]

14. Especially since the Black Congressional Caucus supported the bill

[busterbrown]

2. For a couple of years now..

I feel Booker is only interested in one thing: Cory Booker!

[crazytown]

4. I'm fine with self interest,

- the secret sauce of politics is equating the personal with the national interest. I am not fine with ground zero ethics. Booker is going low and lower.

[SouthernProgressive]

3. It's kind of sad but I also hope people know how difficult what they are doing really is....

on a personal level. I know that's not an excuse but it is real.

Booker is a deep individual who spends a considerable amount of his time looking for meaning. He tries to do what is right and I believe him to be at the level of a role model. He is a very good person.

He has had his ego built up by those around him. He is smart. Can work a room. Is very educated about that to which he speaks. And has been a champion for many great issues and causes.

He went to Plains with Cummings to get Carters blessing to run for the Presidency. It was barely reported. There was no groundswell. The only real place he saw a push for himself was from those already in his circle. Not one single organic positive thing happened for him.

He just can't move. There was no real initial shift to him and one hasn't happened since. There is no momuntum to build off of because the train never really left the station.

It's clear he is lashing out and is frustrated. I don't like to see my friend like this. Politics can be brutal to the individual. As cold as it gets.

[crazytown]

5. It's when frustration translates into 'whatever it takes'

that people need to call it out. We are not in the finals weeks of the GE, and the result is on the line.

[SouthernProgressive]

7. Agree.

I like him so much. This one be the last time you see me make excuses for him.

[crazytown]

13. What I'm trying to say is I'll make a lot of excuses

for a Democratic Nominee trying to get over the line. I imagine it was pretty sobering for Cory, seeing a Mayor being catapulted into the top tier while his campaign stood still. But from a position of 1%, you have to weigh up the ethics of going in hard after a respected frontrunner, and adopting a self-righteous tone doesn't help.

[Cha]

35. Yes, and that's what many have

been doing...

For Cory Booker, it’s no more Mr. Nice Guy


Cory Booker is sworn in as a U.S. senator in 2013 by then-Vice President Joe Biden. (John Munson |The Star-Ledger)

WASHINGTON — For Cory Booker, peace and love has given way to confrontation and criticism.

Booker, trailing in opinion polls and fundraising, has taken aim at former Vice President Joe Biden, the early frontrunner for the Democratic presidential nomination.

For almost a month now, he has leveled attacks on Biden that are getting more personal — ignoring the rest of the Democratic field as well as his own campaign mantra of emphasizing a positive vision for America

But in being aggressive, Booker runs the risk of losing the brand that made him a contender in the first place. His new stance isn’t sitting well with some fellow Jersey Democrats.

“If I was asked to give advice, I would say, ‘Cory, I love you. Stay away from doing this,’” said Rep. Bill Pascrell Jr., D-9th Dist. “'You have enough good qualities. You may get a few more headlines if you do it that way. It’s not worth it. It cheapens your own campaign, period.”

Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman, D-12th Dist., said she worried that confrontations between Democrats now will provide ammunition to President Donald Trump later.

https://www.nj.com/politics/2019/07/for-cory-booker-its-no-more-mr-nice-guy.html

[crazytown]

36. "It's not worth it."

Booker should give it up before he shreds his reputation beyond repair.

[Cha]

37. Right.. it's not worth it and

Cory should know that.

[Cha]

24. ".. no more Mr Nice Guy.. "

Cory Booker is sworn in as a U.S. senator in 2013 by then-Vice President Joe Biden. (John Munson |The Star-Ledger)

For Cory Booker, it’s no more Mr. Nice Guy

WASHINGTON — For Cory Booker, peace and love has given way to confrontation and criticism.

Booker, trailing in opinion polls and fundraising, has taken aim at former Vice President Joe Biden, the early frontrunner for the Democratic presidential nomination.

For almost a month now, he has leveled attacks on Biden that are getting more personal — ignoring the rest of the Democratic field as well as his own campaign mantra of emphasizing a positive vision for America

But in being aggressive, Booker runs the risk of losing the brand that made him a contender in the first place. His new stance isn’t sitting well with some fellow Jersey Democrats.

“If I was asked to give advice, I would say, ‘Cory, I love you. Stay away from doing this,’” said Rep. Bill Pascrell Jr., D-9th Dist. “'You have enough good qualities. You may get a few more headlines if you do it that way. It’s not worth it. It cheapens your own campaign, period.”

Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman, D-12th Dist., said she worried that confrontations between Democrats now will provide ammunition to President Donald Trump later.

https://www.nj.com/politics/2019/07/for-cory-booker-its-no-more-mr-nice-guy.html

[peggysue2]

6. I've always liked Cory Booker but the recent brouhaha

has definitely left a bad taste. One of my sons has always viewed Booker with a jaded eye believing him to be more hype than achievement. I hate the idea of a do-or-die duel over records but I think that's where we're headed. Booker has nothing to lose with his poll numbers lagging and Joe Biden is the obvious target.

In a recent Wall St. Journal poll, Booker garnered 0% support of the AA electorate. A spectacular fail. Something tells me, Booker will be reaching for another "I am Spartacus" moment in this next debate.

Because it might be his very last chance.

[crazytown]

9. With the next debate, people know it's coming.

It was the shock value of 'that little girl was me' that made it effective. I doubt Cory can reasonably say, you jailed my cousin.

[peggysue2]

16. LOL!!

I doubt Cory can reasonably say, you jailed my cousin.

Who knows what bunny will be pulled from the hat? But you're right, the element of surprise has been lost with Booker's ongoing shots across the bow. And the media is hyping this like crazy because:

Good TV.

That's the part I find truly disgusting from the media in general: same old, same old. We gotta have a horserace and the more provocative it is the better. And that's one of the reasons we have a slug squatting in the WH right now.

[padah513]

17. I never cared for the way he cozier up here in Jersey to Christie

Never had a bad word to say about Christie who was a disaster in my state, but he tore into President Obama over his comment to Romney on corporations. I've said that I won't speak ill of any candidate during the primaries, but the only way Booker will ever get my vote is if he's the nominee because I believe he's a self-serving opportunist.

[Princetonian]

20. Exactly.

And he's not the only one.

[Kahuna7]

8. What happened to all that love he was talking about???

I guess Biden doesn't deserve any???

[crazytown]

10. Love of self

... I've said too much on this OP, I'll shut up.

[W_HAMILTON]

11. Same. it's sad he's going to "Gillibrand" himself over an inevitable failed presidential run.

[highplainsdem]

12. I'd liked Cory Booker. I'm surprised and disappointed that he went this low. Can only attribute it

to desperation overwhelming common sense.

[Peacetrain]

15. It was going to be an uphill thing for Cory all the way..

He is single.. only 2 Presidents that I can think of who were never married when they were elected.. Buchanan and I think Cleveland.. and Cleveland got married while President. some others were widows .. but not having a partner makes a lot of people go hmmmmmm (fair or unfair)... and he really did a number with Bain Capital and attacking President Obama..long memories on that one.. and now this.. He needs to rethink where he wants to go.. He has been in Iowa with the Love Campaign, and his desperation to try and do what Sen Harris has done and get a boost backfired on supporters here..

[George II]

18. I was too. In fact, early on when it was uncertain if Biden was going to run....

....he was my top choice. But we didn't know much about how he was going to conduct his campaign. I've found it very disappointing, seemingly concentrating on things Biden (specifically) did decades ago instead of concentrating on his own positions.

It's interesting that Booker has called out Biden for that 25 year old law that was overwhelmingly passed and hailed as a good bill by many back then, but he hasn't said a peep about another candidate who also voted for it and even thought it didn't go far enough.

[Thekaspervote]

19. Senator Booker... are you listening??!

[Gothmog]

21. I saw Booker at the Texas state party fundraiser last year

I do not approve of the current line of attack by Booker

[JI7]

22. Booker is desperate.

[nini]

23. I gave up on him when he started dating Rosario Dawson

I will never forgive her for going after Delores Huerta.

Maybe that insanity is rubbing off on him.

[Cha]

25. That's kinda what I've been saying

nini. Wondering if Booker is getting any of his personal and gaslit attack ideas from Rosario Dawson, Jill Stein Voter?

Rosario Dawson Joins Boyfriend Sen. Cory Booker on the Campaign Trail — for the First Time

https://people.com/politics/rosario-dawson-campaigns-cory-booker-nevada/

[JI7]

26. i think he is just desperate since he isn't getting anywhere. even if people

stop supporting Biden they will probably not go to him. im hoping after he drops out he is back to his old self again.

but i will never be able to stand Rosario Dawson after her ugly attacks against Hillary. things that Corey booker also was attacked for . but she is dating him so ask her previous bs was just bs as we knew then.

i admit that him dating her does turn me off.

[Cha]

27. Oh yeah, I can't stand Rosario Dawson..

I find it hard to believe that she wouldn't be having an influence on switching his campaign from the "peace and love" to this.


Cory Booker is sworn in as a U.S. senator in 2013 by then-Vice President Joe Biden. (John Munson |The Star-Ledger)

For Cory Booker, it’s no more Mr. Nice Guy

WASHINGTON — For Cory Booker, peace and love has given way to confrontation and criticism.

Booker, trailing in opinion polls and fundraising, has taken aim at former Vice President Joe Biden, the early frontrunner for the Democratic presidential nomination.

For almost a month now, he has leveled attacks on Biden that are getting more personal — ignoring the rest of the Democratic field as well as his own campaign mantra of emphasizing a positive vision for America

But in being aggressive, Booker runs the risk of losing the brand that made him a contender in the first place. His new stance isn’t sitting well with some fellow Jersey Democrats.

“If I was asked to give advice, I would say, ‘Cory, I love you. Stay away from doing this,’” said Rep. Bill Pascrell Jr., D-9th Dist. “'You have enough good qualities. You may get a few more headlines if you do it that way. It’s not worth it. It cheapens your own campaign, period.”

Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman, D-12th Dist., said she worried that confrontations between Democrats now will provide ammunition to President Donald Trump later.

https://www.nj.com/politics/2019/07/for-cory-booker-its-no-more-mr-nice-guy.html

[JI7]

28. yeah, she could be. but her whole bs was that people like Booker

and Hillary were the problem.

i guess she just goes wherever is beneficial to her at the moment rather than anything about issues.

[Cha]

30. Right.. that was what she was spouting

off then.

[nini]

29. Oh I'm sure he is..

I know he needs his name out there but this is the wrong way.

Maybe her goal was to sabotage him all along? I know I need a tinfoil hat LOL

[Cha]

31. Who knows? Just one more TwilightZone

thing that Rosario Dawson is now dating "Establishment" Cory Booker!

[democratisphere]

32. If a candidate can't win voters on their own merits, they shouldn't

even be running for office. I have already written off several candidates because their only offering is to attack and attempt to undermine the current Democratic leader. The last thing Democrats need is the likes of the rethuglicon name calling attack sh'tshow of 2016.

[LakeArenal]

33. He also has Franken baggage.

[Cha]

34. Thank You for your OP, hlthe2b!

That's Booker.. "..ineffectual, inaccurate.. ".

[NurseJackie]

38. He's getting bad advice from his campaign strategists...

... I feel the same way you do about him, and the stress level it causes.

[Cha]

42. And, I really do have

to wonder how much his girlfriend, Rosario Dawson/Jill Stein voter has influenced him?

Rosario Dawson Joins Boyfriend Sen. Cory Booker on the Campaign Trail — for the First Time

https://people.com/politics/rosario-dawson-campaigns-cory-booker-nevada/

[cwydro]

39. I agree.

[TreasonousBastard]

40. I lived in NJ for over 10 years, most of that in Elizabeth, a couple of blocks from...

the Newark border. Not a bad place to live. The Brazilians pushed the Poles out and the food is much better, and bigger parties.

Even though I grew up in NYC, I have to say I haven't seen anything as crooked as Essex County politics in my lifetime. Well, maybe Union County. Or Camden County. Or maybe the whole damn state. The corruption rarely hits the locals, though, since they make sure the potholes are filled while filling their pockets.

But, I haven't been everywhere, and I have heard of worse.

Booker was after I left, but watching it I couldn't imagine how he could be such a "clean" reformer and wipe out the James machine. I thought at first he had a lot of help from the Essex machine, but who knows...

[Gothmog]

41. From Deadline White House

Link to tweet

Link to tweet

[Cha]

43. Mahalo, Goth!

Link to tweet