Poll: Should Cory Booker Run for Gov. or Senate?
Newark Mayor Cory Booker hints at his political future. You tell us: What position should he go after?
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Newark Mayor Cory Booker, who increasingly finds himself on the national political stage, has a decision to make: run for governor or run for U.S. Senate?
Booker, 43, said he's considering both, and will make a decision in the next two weeks, according to the Huffington Post.
Speculation has swirled that Booker would seek higher office as his political star starts to shine brighter. Party officials gave him a coveted speaking spot at this year's Democratic National Convention and moves such as living off of the same allotment as food stamp recipients for a week garnered national attention.
Now the question is: Which office will he seek and who will he run against?
If he goes for governor and wins the Democratic primary, he'll almost certainly be up against Gov. Chris Christie, who announced he's seeking re-election. Riding high approval ratings for his Hurricane Sandy response, Christie could be a formidable opponent. Business Insider writes that Booker might have to overcome a 20-point polling deficit to beat Christie.
The path to a U.S. Senate seat could be more certain. It's widely assumed that Booker would run for Sen. Frank Lautenberg's seat, and that the 88-year-old Lautenberg—the oldest U.S. senator—would retire. Public Policy Polling says the Senate run may be Booker's best bet.
What do you think? Should Booker run for higher office or stay put in Newark? Vote in the poll and tell us in the comments.
Robert
12:01 pm on Monday, December 10, 2012
He should run for governor. I think he truly cares about people and would have a large backing.
bayboat
7:09 pm on Monday, December 10, 2012
But nearly large enough.
Jake
12:29 pm on Monday, December 10, 2012
He should run away somewhere and get away from politics. He is worthless.
Garbhan O'Cairbin
3:44 am on Tuesday, December 18, 2012
I agree
Hilton Parker
2:10 pm on Monday, December 10, 2012
Someone's gotta' run for the Dems. It might as well be Booker. There's no way he'd win, but at least he'd get a few months of statewide exposure. As far as Lautenberg's seat, how 'bout we just replace him with a nice houseplant. At least it would give off oxygen instead of use it up, and it looks nicer too!
cynicinmarlboro
2:52 pm on Monday, December 10, 2012
His work in Newark is not done. Stay there longer to continue improving Newark and then decide. The Dems need good people (and Booker seems one) but leaving a job only partially done is not the way to go.
Khalid Bin Abdel Rehman Al-Hussainan
3:14 pm on Monday, December 10, 2012
Lautenberg was in that movie weekend at bernie's wasnt he? Booker is a tool. Obama lite or Obama Jr. Christie will crush (literally and figuratively) any competition.
John Hayes
5:25 pm on Monday, December 10, 2012
Anyone but Senator Zombie.
Ramblin' Rose
6:28 pm on Monday, December 10, 2012
This comment has been rejected. Why did you reject my comment?? It was valid
Ramblin' Rose
6:29 pm on Monday, December 10, 2012
I said Cory Booker has misrepresented the program SNAP - - - it is a SUPPLEMENTAL program...not a stand alone program....and that he has proven himself by these actions to be just another politician. So why did you reject this comment?
herb caravella
8:53 pm on Monday, December 10, 2012
cory for govenor all the way.
Gary Junstrom
8:24 am on Tuesday, December 11, 2012
Yeah, let's get rid of the one guy who has had the guts to stand up to the unions and try and turn the state around and replace him with another ultra-liberal, tax-happy, free spending Democrat. You could put the Booker for Governor bumper sticker right next to the Re-elect Corzine bumper sticker.
stevie
9:07 pm on Monday, December 10, 2012
I'd love to hear from more Newark residents about what they think about him.
Gary Junstrom
8:20 am on Tuesday, December 11, 2012
Stevie - you want to ask the residents of Newark what they think of him? That's like asking a bunch of five year olds what they think of Santa Claus.
Garbhan O'Cairbin
3:46 am on Tuesday, December 18, 2012
I like Gary Junstrom's reply/analogy. Oh yeah, he do right.
Gary Junstrom
7:37 am on Tuesday, December 11, 2012
Cory Booker is the worst mayor in the state. He has done absolutely nothing to improve Newark, and his publicity stunts are getting old fast. Let's look at his record - Newark's crime rate is up in every category, the gangs rule most neighborhoods, drug-related crime is skyrocketing, he lost the Nets, he picked a fight with the Devils (and lost in court), he has soaked the taxpayers for tens of millions of dollars in "transitional aid", he has given sweetheart deals to every municipal union, even though the city is broke, and caused a near riot at a recent council meeting. This guy brings nothing to the table except being able to string two sentences together. Maybe ACORN has an opening for a community organizer that he can pursue.
Old School
7:22 pm on Friday, February 15, 2013
How is there always a camera around when he does something newsworthy. And why would he risk the lives of his security detail last year by running into a burning building? I wonder if they ended up having to take time off for any sustained injuries? Good idea there, stay in your corner office at city hall.
Paul
12:13 pm on Tuesday, December 11, 2012
Yeah, just what NJ needs - an Obama clone who never met a taxpayer funded social program he didn't like. Christie all the way.
Marlboro Mann
4:08 pm on Tuesday, December 11, 2012
He should run for his life instead. Newark is still a shooting gallery and nothing other than an atomic bomb will be able to clean up that mess. He is a well spoken useless grandstander who uses stunts to detract from the real issues that plague his city. BTW you can't fight crime by laying off police and keeping your pals on the payroll. A Sharpe James clone.