Cory Booker Brings Swagger, Poetry, and Humor to the Clinton Campaign
His cadence resembled that of a slam poet. He’d pick up the pace when passionate, slow down to emphasize, pause for emotional connection. He seamlessly mixed Maya Angelou’s poetry with lighthearted humor. Senator from New Jersey and former Mayor of Newark Cory Booker, standing in the midst of Secretary of State Hillary Clinton supporters just days before the New Hampshire Primary, is in his element.
Booker came out in support of Hillary Clinton back in June. Today he spent the day publicly endorsing Clinton at a rally in Rundlett Middle School, Concord, NH. He did it with power, adamantly speaking of her passion for criminal justice reform and stances on women’s rights. His speech was filled with beautiful rhetoric and genuine passion for why Clinton is the candidate meant for the job. He beamed,
“We have not seen a person as qualified as her for the White House since George Washington.”
After the rally, snapping selfies and looking energized supporters in the eye, he then went on to “pump up” a group of mostly young volunteers preparing to canvas for Clinton in Concord. This speech was entirely different from the one at the rally, but it emulated the same youthful animated essence. He was self deprecating, joking about his bald head and his “swagger,” but also full of substantive passion for Clinton: “I 100% support Hillary Clinton. Yes, no two people can have the same policy positions, but I throw my support fully behind her. That doesn’t fall short anywhere.” His support came from “the conspiracy of love,” as he coined it: the idea that love, passion, and unity will form our country into a “more perfect union.” He stressed that Clinton has both the “head and heart” to ensure this for Americans. He used this basis to encourage campaign volunteers to go out there with eagerness. He warned the youth of those with “sedentary agitation” — frustrated citizens with no drive to take the issues upon themselves. He tugged at heartstrings, when he reminded everyone that “there was a point at some time when corporate America didn’t want you.” No matter if you agreed with the content in his words or not, you had to admire his charisma.
Clinton has a longstanding reputation with her skeptics of being cold, tightly wound, and forced. So here comes young, vibrant, celebrity-esque Booker to save the day. His purpose on the Clinton campaign is plain. He supplies that zest to Clinton’s campaign that many of Sanders supporters believe she is missing. He is a pro-shmoozer, expert Selfie taker, and casual comic. As opposed to Clinton, who has often been accused of trying too hard to be hip, Booker naturally connects with young people. Clinton supporters hope that his presence could help bridge the youth gap between her and Sanders. It is unclear if Booker is here to stay, though. When asked if he thinks he’ll be Clinton’s running mate, he laughed. “I honestly don’t care. As long as she’s in office, I’ll be happy.”
Booker taking a Snapchat with Eli Cousin post Rundlett Middle School rally
