"Street Fighter" ..Cory Booker's 2002 Mayoral Race- Documentary on Amazon...

[SCNCmod]

'Street Fighter" (on Amazon Prime)... Oscar Nominated... Its about Cory Booker's 1st (failed) attempt at running for mayor of Newark... in what had to be the dirtiest campaign of 2002.  Its a Documentary/ Chronicle (A camera guy filmed the majority of the campaign- probably partly for protection).

......If you are interested in learning more about Cory Booker...

.....or just interested in Dirty Tough Political Campaigns (Mayor Sharp James Massive, Extreme voter & candidate intimidation carried out by Newark Police force, City Inspectors, etc) ... this is worth a watch.  Booker lost this race, but would go one to win the 2006 race... Sharp would later go on to be convicted on 33 count of Fraud in 2008.  At the very least- its a good look into campaign strategy & voter psychology.

1) His opponent was an entrenched 15 year popular black Mayor ... (who 70% of the city likes) yet who in many ways makes Trump look like a choir boy.

2) Even more interesting... I think this does a good job of showing that often- the claim of "being in the pocket of wealthy donors" is often nothing more than an overplayed attack. (Booker opponent also saying he is "not black enough" and every thing else under the sun).   And just because you get contribution for certain groups... does not mean that the donors have any sway over the candidates policy decisions (Granted sometimes $ does buy candidates... but certainly does not apply to all candidates.  Its interesting to see Booker getting attacked along some of the same lines as today (which esp in 2002 could not seem to be further from the truth).  

**Its definitely worth watching regardless if you are a Booker fan or not.
    (I would be interested to see was people on this forum think about it)

[SCNCmod]

Only time will tell if Booker is the strongest candidate to be on the ticket in 2020 (I'm not fully convinced this will be the case- but I think there is a good chance this may be the case)...  But I think "street fighter" does leave a good impression that Booker definitely has convictions & is not just in politics for self serving motives.

Since this documentary is all live footage of the cameraman following Booker throughout the campaign... you get a good look into Booker at 32 (personality seems pretty similar to now). 

I don't agree with him on every issue... Education policy is prob one area... although imo this is largely a State issue... and should be... (as part of the reason I likely have a different view than Booker  is because Charter Schools etc can work in larger cities like Newark ... but are awful for Rural states & counties- which is where I grew up).

...But I think Booker could potentially be very good leader ... as he is very smart, energetic, and hard working.

[Figueira]

No Amazon required; it's on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c-h4Zutazzs

And yes, even as someone who isn't Booker's biggest fan, it's a great documentary. I would highly recommend it to people who are interested in evaluating how Booker would perform in a presidential election.

[houseonaboat]

I've lived in Newark since 2004 and have followed Booker's career very closely (voted for him in 2006 and 2010 for mayor, and for Senate both times) so I can answer questions pretty well on his tenure there if anyone's interested.

[SCNCmod]

No Amazon required; it's on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c-h4Zutazzs

And yes, even as someone who isn't Booker's biggest fan, it's a great documentary. I would highly recommend it to people who are interested in evaluating how Booker would perform in a presidential election.

I think that youtube link (and the few others on youtube)... no longer play the video... the "Universal Studios" screen just stays up the whole time).  

[SCNCmod]

I've lived in Newark since 2004 and have followed Booker's career very closely (voted for him in 2006 and 2010 for mayor, and for Senate both times) so I can answer questions pretty well on his tenure there if anyone's interested.

Do you find him to be a principled politician, who has integrity regarding making his own decisions vs doing what his donors tell him to do ??

(Most people that have the level of intelligence that Booker has... tend to not be swayed to go against what their mind dictates is the best or most logical policy decision)

[Figueira]

No Amazon required; it's on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c-h4Zutazzs

And yes, even as someone who isn't Booker's biggest fan, it's a great documentary. I would highly recommend it to people who are interested in evaluating how Booker would perform in a presidential election.

I think that youtube link (and the few others on youtube)... no longer play the video... the "Universal Studios" screen just stays up the whole time).  

Huh. I guess they took it down.

[houseonaboat]

I've lived in Newark since 2004 and have followed Booker's career very closely (voted for him in 2006 and 2010 for mayor, and for Senate both times) so I can answer questions pretty well on his tenure there if anyone's interested.

Do you find him to be a principled politician, who has integrity regarding making his own decisions vs doing what his donors tell him to do ??

(Most people that have the level of intelligence that Booker has... tend to not be swayed to go against what their mind dictates is the best or most logical policy decision)

Yes. I'm biased (obviously), but I think he's the most genuinely "good" person I've ever met in my life. I've seen multiple grown men cry after he finishes speaking, and this isn't because he speaks about "Hope" and "Change" like Obama. He talks a lot about having purpose in life, about being born into what he calls (and he uses this phrase A LOT) "a conspiracy of love." I think he's in politics for the right reasons -- he genuinely believes every word he says and wants to do a lot of good for his community. I recommend watching this to get an idea of what he's like as a speaker (jump 9 minutes in, though it's worth starting from the beginning as well): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BXOgNRSXIRU

Edit: notice I didn't answer your question explicitly. Yes, he follows his principles and has a ton of integrity. I just don't think you'll love his principles if you're a progressive (or, really, in any way an ideologue, because on a policy level, Booker is an ideologue over only a few issues).

Ask me about his record though, that's much more fun (if you want me to be critical)!

[SCNCmod]

I've lived in Newark since 2004 and have followed Booker's career very closely (voted for him in 2006 and 2010 for mayor, and for Senate both times) so I can answer questions pretty well on his tenure there if anyone's interested.

Do you find him to be a principled politician, who has integrity regarding making his own decisions vs doing what his donors tell him to do ??

(Most people that have the level of intelligence that Booker has... tend to not be swayed to go against what their mind dictates is the best or most logical policy decision)

Yes. I'm biased (obviously), but I think he's the most genuinely "good" person I've ever met in my life. I've seen multiple grown men cry after he finishes speaking, and this isn't because he speaks about "Hope" and "Change" like Obama. He talks a lot about having purpose in life, about being born into what he calls (and he uses this phrase A LOT) "a conspiracy of love." I think he's in politics for the right reasons -- he genuinely believes every word he says and wants to do a lot of good for his community. I recommend watching this to get an idea of what he's like as a speaker (jump 9 minutes in, though it's worth starting from the beginning as well): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BXOgNRSXIRU

Edit: notice I didn't answer your question explicitly. Yes, he follows his principles and has a ton of integrity. I just don't think you'll love his principles if you're a progressive (or, really, in any way an ideologue, because on a policy level, Booker is an ideologue over only a few issues).

Ask me about his record though, that's much more fun (if you want me to be critical)!

I don't really consider myself to much of an ideologue... & I think for a President to be effect, he/she has to (at times) be willing to comprise with the opposition in order to get thinks done. (I would rather get 1/2 of what I want done vs nothing done. 

I guess I am Social liberal, fiscally moderate (I do think think cutting the federal debt down is important... to keep more money in the US rather than paying all that debt interest to foreign countries.  But I also think  ppl making over $500k should be paying more in taxes.)

[Shadows]

Street Fighter Corey & Super electable Hilldawg. Very scary for the GOP electaibility wise, they are doomed. I remember every Hillary fan in here saying Hillary will get the Obama coalition plus more women voters plus moderates in suburbs & urban areas, plus a little more white vote in a landslide win. Massive defection of Republican voters (in the end she got 7% of GOP while Trump got 9% of Dems).

How the moderate, fiscally conservative/moderate candidate is a sure shot winner (like McCain was against the so-called "Communist" "Socialist" "Arab Muslim" Obama)And same arguments for Booker.

The great Corey who supports a radical right wing fringe position like a voucher system for education will get the progressive vote guaranteed. Corey Booker will inspire college students, Bernie Sanders supports, Fight for 15, Climate Change groups to come together & give a massive turnout. Good luck with that.

I will be surprised if Trump doesn't increase his tally to 350 EV (bar a major recession).

[○∙◄☻¥tπ[╪AV┼cVê└]

I've lived in Newark since 2004 and have followed Booker's career very closely (voted for him in 2006 and 2010 for mayor, and for Senate both times) so I can answer questions pretty well on his tenure there if anyone's interested.

Do you find him to be a principled politician, who has integrity regarding making his own decisions vs doing what his donors tell him to do ??

(Most people that have the level of intelligence that Booker has... tend to not be swayed to go against what their mind dictates is the best or most logical policy decision)

Yes. I'm biased (obviously), but I think he's the most genuinely "good" person I've ever met in my life. I've seen multiple grown men cry after he finishes speaking, and this isn't because he speaks about "Hope" and "Change" like Obama. He talks a lot about having purpose in life, about being born into what he calls (and he uses this phrase A LOT) "a conspiracy of love." I think he's in politics for the right reasons -- he genuinely believes every word he says and wants to do a lot of good for his community. I recommend watching this to get an idea of what he's like as a speaker (jump 9 minutes in, though it's worth starting from the beginning as well): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BXOgNRSXIRU

Edit: notice I didn't answer your question explicitly. Yes, he follows his principles and has a ton of integrity. I just don't think you'll love his principles if you're a progressive (or, really, in any way an ideologue, because on a policy level, Booker is an ideologue over only a few issues).

Ask me about his record though, that's much more fun (if you want me to be critical)!

This perfectly describes my thinking for why I think Booker is the best person to hold down on the Obama coalition while also retaining the moderate, affluent suburbanites that Hillary gained. He's basically a moderate and affluent man who is a perfect fit for them. If I was a Republican operative, the potential for Booker to harness these two coalitions together would scare the sh**t out of me. Especially in places where higher black turnout in rural areas in places like southern Georgia and Tidewater/Hampton Roads VA that (places Obama did modestly well in compared to HRC) and with the suburbanite gains that HRC made in the Sun Belt metros is formidable. Though I think he needs a Midwestern woman on the ticket to staunch the bleed there and check the female box, and Amy Klobuchar would fit that perfectly. Duckworth might amplify the ticket's inexperience too much, and Klobuchar is from a more swingy state.

The Obama coalition is dead. Do we need a two term President Trump to get that message across?

[SCNCmod]

Street Fighter Corey & Super electable Hilldawg. Very scary for the GOP electaibility wise, they are doomed. I remember every Hillary fan in here saying Hillary will get the Obama coalition plus more women voters plus moderates in suburbs & urban areas, plus a little more white vote in a landslide win. Massive defection of Republican voters (in the end she got 7% of GOP while Trump got 9% of Dems).

How the moderate, fiscally conservative/moderate candidate is a sure shot winner (like McCain was against the so-called "Communist" "Socialist" "Arab Muslim" Obama)And same arguments for Booker.

The great Corey who supports a radical right wing fringe position like a voucher system for education will get the progressive vote guaranteed. Corey Booker will inspire college students, Bernie Sanders supports, Fight for 15, Climate Change groups to come together & give a massive turnout. Good luck with that.

I will be surprised if Trump doesn't increase his tally to 350 EV (bar a major recession).

His Education stance... is less about where he stands on an ideological spectrum & more about what works for his specific constituents.  Most successes with Charter Schools/ Voucher Programs have happened in Urban settings like Milwaukee (or others similar to Newark).  

I'm strongly against Vouchers... because they are not good for more rural areas of NC (like where I grew up).   But that is why education is (and should be) predominately a state issue.  .... And not a litmus test on where a Presidential candidate is on an ideological spectrum.

[Chief Justice Keef]

I've lived in Newark since 2004 and have followed Booker's career very closely (voted for him in 2006 and 2010 for mayor, and for Senate both times) so I can answer questions pretty well on his tenure there if anyone's interested.

Do you find him to be a principled politician, who has integrity regarding making his own decisions vs doing what his donors tell him to do ??

(Most people that have the level of intelligence that Booker has... tend to not be swayed to go against what their mind dictates is the best or most logical policy decision)

Yes. I'm biased (obviously), but I think he's the most genuinely "good" person I've ever met in my life. I've seen multiple grown men cry after he finishes speaking, and this isn't because he speaks about "Hope" and "Change" like Obama. He talks a lot about having purpose in life, about being born into what he calls (and he uses this phrase A LOT) "a conspiracy of love." I think he's in politics for the right reasons -- he genuinely believes every word he says and wants to do a lot of good for his community. I recommend watching this to get an idea of what he's like as a speaker (jump 9 minutes in, though it's worth starting from the beginning as well): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BXOgNRSXIRU

Edit: notice I didn't answer your question explicitly. Yes, he follows his principles and has a ton of integrity. I just don't think you'll love his principles if you're a progressive (or, really, in any way an ideologue, because on a policy level, Booker is an ideologue over only a few issues).

Ask me about his record though, that's much more fun (if you want me to be critical)!

This perfectly describes my thinking for why I think Booker is the best person to hold down on the Obama coalition while also retaining the moderate, affluent suburbanites that Hillary gained. He's basically a moderate and affluent man who is a perfect fit for them. If I was a Republican operative, the potential for Booker to harness these two coalitions together would scare the sh**t out of me. Especially in places where higher black turnout in rural areas in places like southern Georgia and Tidewater/Hampton Roads VA that (places Obama did modestly well in compared to HRC) and with the suburbanite gains that HRC made in the Sun Belt metros is formidable. Though I think he needs a Midwestern woman on the ticket to staunch the bleed there and check the female box, and Amy Klobuchar would fit that perfectly. Duckworth might amplify the ticket's inexperience too much, and Klobuchar is from a more swingy state.

The Obama coalition is dead. Do we need a two term President Trump to get that message across?

Oh my god, yes, finally. Can we stop looking for the "next Obama"? The Obama era is over. Trump won. We need something new, not another "young and charismatic" big-city moderate who can raise a lot of money from big donors.

[Figueira]

I've lived in Newark since 2004 and have followed Booker's career very closely (voted for him in 2006 and 2010 for mayor, and for Senate both times) so I can answer questions pretty well on his tenure there if anyone's interested.

Do you find him to be a principled politician, who has integrity regarding making his own decisions vs doing what his donors tell him to do ??

(Most people that have the level of intelligence that Booker has... tend to not be swayed to go against what their mind dictates is the best or most logical policy decision)

Yes. I'm biased (obviously), but I think he's the most genuinely "good" person I've ever met in my life. I've seen multiple grown men cry after he finishes speaking, and this isn't because he speaks about "Hope" and "Change" like Obama. He talks a lot about having purpose in life, about being born into what he calls (and he uses this phrase A LOT) "a conspiracy of love." I think he's in politics for the right reasons -- he genuinely believes every word he says and wants to do a lot of good for his community. I recommend watching this to get an idea of what he's like as a speaker (jump 9 minutes in, though it's worth starting from the beginning as well): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BXOgNRSXIRU

Edit: notice I didn't answer your question explicitly. Yes, he follows his principles and has a ton of integrity. I just don't think you'll love his principles if you're a progressive (or, really, in any way an ideologue, because on a policy level, Booker is an ideologue over only a few issues).

Ask me about his record though, that's much more fun (if you want me to be critical)!

This perfectly describes my thinking for why I think Booker is the best person to hold down on the Obama coalition while also retaining the moderate, affluent suburbanites that Hillary gained. He's basically a moderate and affluent man who is a perfect fit for them. If I was a Republican operative, the potential for Booker to harness these two coalitions together would scare the sh**t out of me. Especially in places where higher black turnout in rural areas in places like southern Georgia and Tidewater/Hampton Roads VA that (places Obama did modestly well in compared to HRC) and with the suburbanite gains that HRC made in the Sun Belt metros is formidable. Though I think he needs a Midwestern woman on the ticket to staunch the bleed there and check the female box, and Amy Klobuchar would fit that perfectly. Duckworth might amplify the ticket's inexperience too much, and Klobuchar is from a more swingy state.

The Obama coalition is dead. Do we need a two term President Trump to get that message across?

Oh my god, yes, finally. Can we stop looking for the "next Obama"? The Obama era is over. Trump won. We need something new, not another "young and charismatic" big-city moderate who can raise a lot of money from big donors.

Maybe not the big city moderate part, but "young and chsrismatic" people have been the Democrats' successes for over a century. I don't see why that would change now.

[SCNCmod]

I agree that Dems win with ....Younger Candidates.

FACTS:

Every Dem President Actually elected since Kennedy... was under the age of 54.

Every Rep President Actually elected since Kennedy... was older than 54.


..... All things Considered- A Dem candidate in 2020 under 54... would be a pretty good start. (Also, In general, younger Candidates tend to do a better job turning out the Youth Vote... which tends to be overwhelmingly  Dem)

[SCNCmod]

OK... having watched this, I think I better understand Booker's appeal for 2020. It makes sense that Democrats might want to run someone who has already campaigned against a lying, hyper-corrupt, criminal, self-enriching incumbent who openly uses his office as means of intimidation.

I was amazed at some of the similarities to the 2016 Presidential election... especially the level of intellectual dishonesty & Fake News wild claims, etc.

[I spent the winter writing songs about getting better]

LOL I bet most of the Booker haters here would've actually voted for Sharpe James over him with the Booker Derangement Syndrome here.

[I spent the winter writing songs about getting better]

Booker is the Senator from Wall Street. He doesn't give a damn about the average working class American. Screw these sellouts.

See, here's an example of someone who would've voted for Sharpe James.

[SCNCmod]

Booker is the Senator from Wall Street. He doesn't give a damn about the average working class American. Screw these sellouts.

See, here's an example of someone who would've voted for Sharpe James.

Agree... whether he is joking or not

[7,052,770]

Just watched this yesterday. Only emboldened my suspicion that Booker is our guy in 2020.

[Shadows]

The conservative Democrat, Cory Booker, who is well to the right of Hillary, was one of the few Dem Senators to not support a Public option for ACA in 2016 when all the so-called moderates like Casey, Bennet, Schumer, Gillibrand etc supported it.

Only one in a safe Blue seat other than Maria Cantwell of Washington ! Good job Cory !

[○∙◄☻¥tπ[╪AV┼cVê└]

The conservative Democrat, Cory Booker, who is well to the right of Hillary, was one of the few Dem Senators to not support a Public option for ACA in 2016 when all the so-called moderates like Casey, Bennet, Schumer, Gillibrand etc supported it.

Only one in a safe Blue seat other than Maria Cantwell of Washington ! Good job Cory !

Of course someone who worked with Betsy Devos on school privatization isn't going to support a public option, let alone single payer.

[Shadows]

He even likes dating conservatives...lol.....Ohhh Cory Booker, when will you stop showboating in Twitter ?

"Ouch! @MindyKaling, heard Dr. Lahiri dissed Newark last night,"(I still ♥ U!)"

"Senator, if Mindy Lahiri shades it, it means we know it's cool," "Thanks for the ♥. It's mutual!"

"If the ♥ is really mutual... Come have dinner with me in Newark? #PleaseSayYes,"

"Yes," she said. "Now let me get the PATH train schedule."

Thank you! PATH train is awesome when you are Jersey bound. But you are @Lyft worthy! I will send one to you for the door to door.

[7,052,770]

LOL, I knew the usual suspects would make up a reason to hate him.

[White Trash]

He even likes dating conservatives...lol.....Ohhh Cory Booker, when will you stop showboating in Twitter ?

"Ouch! @MindyKaling, heard Dr. Lahiri dissed Newark last night,"(I still ♥ U!)"

"Senator, if Mindy Lahiri shades it, it means we know it's cool," "Thanks for the ♥. It's mutual!"

"If the ♥ is really mutual... Come have dinner with me in Newark? #PleaseSayYes,"

"Yes," she said. "Now let me get the PATH train schedule."

Thank you! PATH train is awesome when you are Jersey bound. But you are @Lyft worthy! I will send one to you for the door to door.

That's horrifically cringey.