what booker is doing right now is an example of what i mean when i say things like “we need more ambition right now.” there is room in american politics right now for people with ambition to take big stands and reap the rewards. he’s doing it!
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people are genuinely dismayed at the administration and if *I* were a democratic (or even republican) politician who wanted to build myself a nice national platform i would be taking every opportunity to perform that dismay and anger for an audience
Exactly, this is a gold opportunity to build a national profile and build a base and for some reason most Democrats just want to appeal to people who think they are the devil and will never vote for them...
And it wouldn’t take much! If you’re a Republican, all you have to do is vote against the 3 most egregious nominees, and you’re instantly a “maverick” and the most important member of the House or Senate.
Right this minute, Booker is cementing *his* reputation, forever.
Newsom represents the version of the Democrats who have left people behind. He's a Pelosi/Schumer Democrat. He's trying to take populist strategies but he's identifying the "enemies" as those who are marginalized. Fuck that shit.
Newsom is not, and has never been a leader. He's fighting the last war. He's clearly talented, but having no bigger Why then his own ego, this is not the moment for him.
Newsom is a neocon in disguise - I have lived under both him and @govpritzker.illinois.gov and I can say for sure that Pritzker is who we need. The self-aware billionaire governor is more in touch with the people than the gentrifying wine store yuppie governor.
Yeah, really shows he doesnt have the political instinct. He surprised most active dems by supporting, rather than opposing, Harris, and then he immediately burns that good will taking a pro-fasc turn cuz he thinks that's the way the wind is blowing when EVERYONE in the US hates it.
I’m not afraid Newsome doesn’t have the juice- I’m horrified by the prospect he does have it!
So your prognosis reduces my stress level measurably- thank you
Newsom knows he doesn't have a future in politics after 2026 and is pivoting to a new career as a post-left media personality (which is more his style anyway). That's why he's doing all this - not out of earnest desire to gain political power.
Meanwhile Walz and AOC both going on tours about “Hey this shit is fucked and they’re fucking it more” gives me a little hope. The nice thing about much of the party being feckless is those that have a spine show so much more easily.
The great thing about those little AOC is they’re ambitious but without the corruption gene…or at least it appears so! They’re the ones that like to stir up the rethuglikkkan hornets’ nest and then run like crazy!!🤪 💪🏾☝🏾
Newsom has always been a completely transactional politician whose deepest connection was/is to silicon billionaires….But, until now, he’s appeared to be clever in his political calculations.
I was at the capitol today to give public comment on two anti-trans bills. The Republican authors of both of these bills mentioned Newsom's recent comments on the Maher show. Fuck Newsom. All the intended dogs can hear him whistling.
btw what do you make of the criticism that right after the speech ended, Risch put yet another unfit Cabinet nominee forward (Toilet King I guess. whitaker) and no Dem objected?
I don't think it obliviates what Booker did but yeh not great itself
You're exactly right about Newsom. I know my 20 yo was very eager about Newsom, because he WAS acting like a fighter, unafraid to say bold things...but then he just gave up. WTH?
Newsom tried to get attention by platforming the alt right; Booker is reminding us Rs as a party used to include people like John McCain. This is so well done by he & his staff. The Econ lesson on stagflation etc - just really well planned.
This is why it was so disappointing that Elon Musk wasn’t arrested in Wisconsin on Sunday. It’s impossible to believe in the rule of law if you never see it practiced.
He was given a golden opportunity in his response to LA's fires... and he completely flubbed the follow up in an inexplicable, completely stupid way. Bro put his foot right in his mouth.
Thank god Newsom doesn’t have the juice. As a Californian I feel qualified to say that he’s a total psycho and I don’t want to have to vote for him for anything ever again
I voted for Newsom three times and I can say as his constituent I would campaign against him in a primary field. He is terrible. Under his tenure, my power bill has tripled. He's so cozy with PG&E that they got seven "emergency" rate hikes last year alone.
He’s termed out, so not running for governor again. I won’t support him running for higher office. He stood up for gay marriage at a time when that mattered, but he’s been disappointing since.
Agree 💯. They told him he was too liberal to win the presidency, so he's trying to move right at a terrible time to do that. Aside from the fact that you need to have the courage of your convictions! He seems to be swayed by the wrong people now. That's OK we have AOC, Booker, Crockett, Wes Moore..
Far from the juice. He has the poison! The real energetic base doesn’t want to see this working-across-the-aisle-move-to-center shit. All he is doing is making space for fascism. Plain and simple.
I live in Cali, & he's very cozy with the donors like PG&E who literally got away with murder. He's with Elon against the California Coastal Commission regarding doing 3x the launches @ SpaceX without an EIR. He's been a "rock star" until you know his failures, now we can be honest.
Newsom biggiest let down ever. He’s a pretty boy, but I thought he’d stand up to trump after his attitudes regarding help with the CA fires. But instead he starts a podcast with extreme right wingers and doesn’t interview them and just lets them get away w/lies. He and Bill Maher should be roomies
Newsom has been a let down. He previously was out there as a messenger and now is doing the pod and shitting on Dems instead of voicing any of these issues. Booker at least giving our fears a mouthpiece in a public forum.
Newsom also will never have the juice because he identifies with the tech bros, the billionaires, the “cool kids”. He coddled them and look how they betray him.
Uhmn,…does “the juice” have anything to do wit’ looks?
‘Cause Gavin’s pretty.
So pretty, in fact, that Steve Bannon wants to marry him.
Truly.
That counts!!🤣
He's a lame duck governor and can't run another term in CA. Yet, he's got state assembly and courts, but instead of doing things to improve CA residents like me, he become an attention slut.
Newsom is a political animal, pure and simple. Any 'fight' he has is all for show. He's about doing whatever keeps him elected. Including vetoing AI safety bills to avoid pissing off SV and hosting Bannon on his podcast because he thinks the winds are blowing alt-right now.
Newsom has a point.
We have enough 'pure' elected officials talking to us alone.
There are some dirty things involved in the other side's politics.
Who on the other side is telling them?
It needs to come from our side if it comes or never.
Crab in a barrel syndrome.
A purist recipe for failure
Newsom is toast. Gone. He was one of the most promising presidential candidates (I hate his guts, but the guy can bring in voters), but he needlessly shot himself in the dick with that Nazi podcast crap. It's over, next.
Yes…he would rather start a podcast and interview all the right wing, MAGA nut jobs he can 😒..I live in CA…he’s my governor..he’s been fine and I’ll always appreciate what he did for the LGBT community in SF…but he’s really gone squirrelly lately…not meeting this moment well at all 🫤
Newsom has always been a Getty family backed unctuous opportunist going back to his Guilfoyle marriage days and when he used gay marriage in San Francisco as a performative springboard for running for governor.
I honestly expected Newsom to fill that role. And I was kind of worried because filling that role could win a Dem primary, and Newsom is not going to appeal to middle America in a general under any circumstances.
His heel turn is bizarre, and just makes it impossible for him to win the primary.
Right! Just hearing someone with a voice actually SAY it - acknowledge the emperor has no clothes - it means a lot. Purely performative stuff matters because it signals you're not alone.
This is a tradition going back to abolitionist petitions in the House.
I think Booker is on a line right now for Presidency 2028.
There needs to be somebody to take the leadership towards that end -- and no, the older generation like Obama aren't in a position to do it -- in good part to make sure the 2028 election actually happens.
I agree. I hope this wakes up all congressional dems and gets them to do this showy stuff. It gets press attention and makes video people can post. It’s an excellent way to get info out to low info people. Make they’ll learn what Elon is doing to their healthcare, social security, Medicaid, etc
This right here - this is political gold for anyone with ambition and it's insane why so few are rushing in to tap that vein. You have a slow, cartoonishly evil, globally despised villain in power and almost endless space to carve out a political legacy in opposition to that.
The best way to ensure that is to call your Senators and tell them how much you appreciate them helping him hold the floor (with their questions -- at least both my CA have done that) and ask them to replicate what Booker is doing themselves.
I see your point but I don't think people are dismayed at the administration. Support for immigration policies is rock solid and the bad numbers on the economy are actually improving
Every day, in front of a govt office, homeless veteran camp, Superfund site, anything to dunk one of the 34,865 shitty things they've already done. TikToks, IG reels, Geo fenced Snapchats, hell, reddit posts and AMAs. Anything to keep the focus on them and the ways they're hurting citizens.
Politicians should ask themselves every day, why are they in politics? It should be to help people less fortunate than themselves but I don't see much of that these days, we need to support the good ones in every country.
Go, Cory, Go! I saw someone on here call it a 'stunt'. Booker has been working from the heart since he was a councilman in Newark NJ. He's the real deal. Smart and full of heart. Also brave. We need more people like that.
I suspect he is not only out to do this for cause, but to strip the record of longest filibuster from trom Thurmans anti civil rights fili in 57, that 24hrs and 18 minutes, only 6 or so hours to go and he still seems amped.
Sen Booker has always worked hard for his constituents. When he was Mayor of Trenton he lived off SNAP benefits for a week ($30) to experience what his constituents experienced posting his progress multiple times a day. 2012 if you're wondering when. He's a real one.
And sadly, it seems to be "stunts" that get coverage - so more creative stunts that bring the info to low-news people will be really good. Cookie give-aways (we can't afford $1M checks), dance marathons... be creative - I see MSM covers the "lost dog" faster than protests!
It is admirable, inspiring and enjoyable but I don’t need any of that to vote for my own interests and those that are best for democracy. I don’t need speeches, rallies or being cajoled. We shouldn’t need to be entertained to vote. I’ve never understood that need.
So Abe Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address was entertainment? Churchill’s speeches? FDR “ the only thing we have to fear …” is just entertainment? ? We need inspiration now to keep going, to stiffen spines of Dems, maybe change a few Rs’ minds?
I’m not diminishing those speeches. Voting is a right I have now only because others before me fought and died for it. For me, voting is a civic responsibility and I don’t need to be inspired or entertained to do it.
It's very crazy to me every Democratic senator wasn't clamoring to be the first up for this.
You get to trash talk Trump for as long as you want, and all you get in exchange is the attention of millions of Americans, the adulation of Democratic voters, and you get paid (is this correct) to do it.
We should have Speakers Corners everywhere in the country, with megaphones.
It can be daunting to speak publicly and draw attention, especially now, but it has to be us, not the media, to raise the alarm.
I don't understand how what Booker does transitions from theater to anything other than that? The WH hasn't stopped today or even paused. Booker would have been more successful standing in front of a Tesla dealership. Sadly.
Millions are listening to him & talking about this speech & the issues he’s covering. It’s empowering. It gives talking points to those of us who are engaging with others & with our elected officials. I call that successful.
This is so great to see Corey doing this and to beat a record by a piece of shit. More democrats need to have a backbone like this against Trump like Booker.
Senator Corey Booker's marathon speech is symbolism without substance. A media enabled weapon of mass distraction. It's Election Day in Wisconsin, Mississippi, and Florida but let's talk about Cory Booker.
#StayWoke
Not only is he doing it, he's very clearly showing to other Senate Dems that there's big value in joining in and now they're joining in too. Folks can see the positive reaction from the base. Let's hope this keeps spreading!
It shows up the vast mass of American leaders, from business, politics, civil society, who have totally failed to stand up to Trump or bowed to his wishes, for the unprincipled cowards they are.
Americans needs a million more Jamelle's
There are 2 things at play here that I’ve been thinking. 1 - there is a void in leadership that is waiting to be filled. I did not peg Booker for this but I’m all for it. 2 - all of this “tearing down” could lead to building back something new & better - something the right seems uninterested in.
It's a combination of consciousness-raising/example along with preventing the Senate from doing other stuff. Mostly, the Senate is incapable of doing anything positive right now, so best to stop it from doing anything.
ty, hadn’t realized that quite this clearly. Re. the preventing part: that can’t be anything than a short-term tactic, right? Dems can’t continue filibustering, seems to me.
The Senate rules, in many circumstances, allow for nearly unlimited stalling. This is a particularly visible stall (to improve messaging) but a sufficiently committed minority (say 40 Senators) can prevent almost anything from happening in any reasonable time frame.
Is this apology in a transcript somewhere? Because it might make me reassess my cynicism about what he’s doing right now, and I would really like that.
Well, as far as I’m concerned, I will now start calling him Senate Minority Leader Cory Booker. Lead from the front, take accountability & SHOW UP!! Standing on filibuster for umpteen hours is what’s needed when you’re in the minority. 🐢 McConnell did that shit, but the lazy way.
More ambition, more pushing the Do-Nothings out of the way, and please more speaking plainly in ways that appeal to young people. As an older nerdy librarian I have no idea how to do that but I think he does. Obama did too.
Adding: a good tactic is one your own people enjoy. Elected Dems have a great opportunity to try all sorts of things they wouldn't usually do, and find out what resonates with their base (which is half the country).
Yes! They always seem like they’re scared to step outside the lines. They better rise to the moment like Booker or get out of the way. Booker makes Schumer look out of touch, Asleep at the switch!
We need to become as loud as the opposition. That's how they gained so much power. No one paid enough attention to WHAT they were proposing. Now they're reaping what they've sown and aren't as happy about it. We need to call it out.
A little glimmer of light, Senator Cory Booker's speech. Now, a little bit louder and a whole lot more... I am actually a bit scared for the 'United States'...
Theoretically each Dem Senator could take a turn, tag each other in, and prevent any votes on anything for a really long time. The biggest issue with this plan is bladder control, but otherwise, what’s the downside?
We've been waiting for someone to stand up. Corey Booker rose to the occasion, opening the door, breaking through whatever fear was holding his colleagues back. They've stepped up to the task. To help keep the momentum going, let's call their offices in support, to thank them, to tell our stories.
I am completely enthralled, engaged, and impressed with what he is doing. WOW!!! This is a masterclass in the democratic process, and in clarifying all that is being impacted and lost.
Today there is hope...all coz a senator decided to do something. We know it doesnt fix anything, what it shows us is that someone is trying and is dedicated and for me...thats a glimmer of hope
Can't stand being confronted with reality because it hasn't affected you yet? Fuck off. Cory Booker doesn't give a damn about anything other than his campaign funds. He gonna stop taking corporate donations? Actually do something besides grandstand?
And what do you propose he do? The felon has control of the House, the Senate, the White House and the SCOTUS. What can Dems do in your learned opinion? And while we’re on the subject, what are you doing?
He is talking, and he is doing something to divert the attention to what is frightening us, the people.
There are several tragic events going on at the same time right now:
Dismantling public health
Destroying scientific research
Kidnapping and disappearing people
Stealing our benefits
So you are all right.
Booker is doing his part, I am listening to him right now.
He is still coherent.
This is one way to block and slow down the Republican majority with their support of the 🍊 turd
Respectfully, this is defeatist bullshit and if you want to move the goalposts every time someone fights back, however imperfectly in your opinion, that’s on you. Have a nice day.
Let's say this statement is true. Even hen, at the least he's raising a voice and getting good coverage when others haven't done shit and may be the push others need to go balls out.
He wouldn't have voted for a single nominee if they actually gave a damn. He knew what those cabinet members would do. He is complicit. This is all to try to salvage his reputation. So he can ask for more money. To run for office. To then not act.
Yes! It's also brilliant that he stole the news cycle for a full 24 hours, highlighting the very real and present damage of the Trump regime, on a consequential special election day. I love him.
I can barely keep talking for hours, much less something like this without my voice giving out. I pity his poor throat! But damn, that was something, and sinking Thrumond's record? Icing on the cake. :)
I just got done watching a town hall with Beto and Walz and it was amazing! I also was blown away by the AOC/Bernie tour. These might not be legislative change but people want to be heard and to talk about ideas together.
Every Democratic Senator should be lined up to continue, whether they speak for 2 hours or 20. Get the country's attention to the point where the media can't ignore it. #Keepitgoing
While I love the fact that Booker broke a record; I’m absolutely thrilled he has listened to the people. But I also feel a little Schumered. There was no voting yesterday. This in fact was not a Filibuster. Where was he, when he Voted in 4 of Trumps pics?
im not in jersey but i sent him a donation, if for no other purpose than to show the cowardly democrats watching him what we are trying to get them to see. be the change the world needs or be gone.
Hey Jamelle, has the NYT editorial page called Trump a fascist yet? I haven't been paying attention. I will start reading them again when they do that.
Yes! They can go together-how about an ambitious politician but with a heart the size of New Jersey instead of a blowhard cult leader with a heart the size of an amoeba
I still chalk this up to nothing more than performative campaigning. Any one of them can end this shitshow immediately. The question is how much longer are they gonna wait and who is paying them to remain silent #14thNow #Weareaflood #ETA #SmartElections #TruetheVote
THE big move we need is an out of the box, radical approach to killing Citizens United— by ANY MEANS NECESSARY and definitely NOT the traditional path. We are always accused of being radical and here is an issue where we need to be off the fucking charts radical. ANY MEANS NECESSARY.
And he's doing it in the most physically demanding way. There aren't many 55yr olds that can stand, stay on message, and talk for now over 21 straight hrs. This has to be one of the most demanding things he's ever done
Thanks. I’m taking the long view and am adaptable, but honestly I’m just as worried about our democracy as I am about employment. So many constituents are going to suffer because of these radical acts.
I’ve been hoping a senator (and a representative) would stand up and do something to wake up their colleagues and constituents to our dire situation. I’m proud of my Senator Booker for his record breaking good trouble 💙
Some Dems - AOC, Crockett, for example - are doing great work. I disagree with you on Booker - I think he said a good example. Why they let Whitaker through? 🤦🏻♀️
The most power any Democrat has is getting people to care. Weeks ago on MSNBC there was a panel whinging about “but what can the Democrats do?!” They looked to Fmr GOP Chairman Michael Steele, and he said in the most annoyed tone “GET ANGRY!” It’s so obvious, and Booker’s following it now.
My respect for him as a person has gone up a fair amount while he's been doing this. I already liked him, now I want him running for POTUS or Vice POTUS at the very least.
We Democrats have really needed someone courageous to stand up and fight back. Hopefully him doing this causes them to do more.
I'm not a fan of Booker and doubt he and I will agree in what policies should be done, but the Democrats need to show people that they are willing to stand up to Trump rather than cower I'm fear. Booker is showing that he's not cowering.
When this is done and they do a poll on who should be the Dem nominee in 2028 he will probably be leading it and hopefully every other Dem realizes standing up to trump is a good idea.
April 5th !!The working class out number the rich !!! Stop buying from the companies that did this to us !!Strike Protest !!! Rise up ✊🏾✊🏿✊🏽✊🏼🤍💙❤️ show the world ! Booker Tyranny won’t stand! We stand with Booker and those who supported him in this rising up to the Oligarchs!!!
I am so inspired by listening to @booker.senate.gov . His commentary and stories are AMAZING. I have great respect for him and his abilities. Thank you Cory!!
Booker is standing on history right now!!! This is how movements are born. Does everyone hear his call? This man, this amazing Black Man, is showing us all the way. This is power. He's going to break Thurmond's record. Y'all pray for @booker.senate.gov now. He has asked us to, let's carry him home!✊
The more I listen to @schumer.senate.gov on the floor, the more I hope he hands leadership to a senator with energy & passion as well as experience, whether that's @booker.senate.gov, @duckworth.senate.gov, @warnock.senate.gov, or @chrismurphyct.bsky.social, etc.
Comments
But the thing is, everyone ends up cheering for Forest.
https://bsky.app/profile/joshchafetz.bsky.social/post/3llretlaxhs2r
GO BOOKER!!!
His and his team's preparation.
21 hours in, still on point, passionate, eloquent, brilliant, informed.
Go, Sen Booker!
Right this minute, Booker is cementing *his* reputation, forever.
I will never vote for him in any primary.
It's embarrassing he hasn't resigned.
Newsom is toast
So your prognosis reduces my stress level measurably- thank you
btw what do you make of the criticism that right after the speech ended, Risch put yet another unfit Cabinet nominee forward (Toilet King I guess. whitaker) and no Dem objected?
I don't think it obliviates what Booker did but yeh not great itself
Ambition is a killer.
And he completely misread the moment.
‘Cause Gavin’s pretty.
So pretty, in fact, that Steve Bannon wants to marry him.
Truly.
That counts!!🤣
He's a lame duck governor and can't run another term in CA. Yet, he's got state assembly and courts, but instead of doing things to improve CA residents like me, he become an attention slut.
Newsom can go fuck himself. 🖕
We have enough 'pure' elected officials talking to us alone.
There are some dirty things involved in the other side's politics.
Who on the other side is telling them?
It needs to come from our side if it comes or never.
Crab in a barrel syndrome.
A purist recipe for failure
His heel turn is bizarre, and just makes it impossible for him to win the primary.
This is a tradition going back to abolitionist petitions in the House.
There needs to be somebody to take the leadership towards that end -- and no, the older generation like Obama aren't in a position to do it -- in good part to make sure the 2028 election actually happens.
Right now, many, if not most, believe that Trump and Elon are their enemies. That's why it's so important for people like Booker to standup to them.
As a next step, we need to get Dems to stop helping the GOP.
Booked is laying it all out there. And it’s fucking brilliant.
UTILIZE YOUR REACH TO LAUNCH AN ONLINE MOVEMENT!!!
UTILIZE THE REACH WE’VE GIVEN YOU FOR THE GREATER GOOD.
NOT JUST MONETIZING!!! Please???
BE THE FUCKING MOVEMENT!
IT’S FREE!!
WE COULD BE MOBILIZED IN 24 HOURS 10 MILLION STRONG!!!!
BE THE HEROS FOR HISTORY!!!
LET’S GO!!!
You get to trash talk Trump for as long as you want, and all you get in exchange is the attention of millions of Americans, the adulation of Democratic voters, and you get paid (is this correct) to do it.
It can be daunting to speak publicly and draw attention, especially now, but it has to be us, not the media, to raise the alarm.
#strongtribessavelives
#StayWoke
But too little too Late to save Democracy?
Americans needs a million more Jamelle's
Let’s cheer him on to break Thurmond’s record—I.e. 24 hours and 18 minutes against the Civil Rights Act of 1957. Wouldn’t THAT be sweet?
this needs to be the start, not the anomaly.
which senator is next?
NATIONAL DAY OF ACTION - SATURDAY, APRIL 5
========================================
💙 Show up!
💙 Make signs!
💙 Bring friends!
💙 Alert local media!
💙 And keep up the boycotts!
I just a watched him speak for an hour via TikTok. It’s working.
We found our opposition leader - Sen. Cory Booker! 👏🏻 👏🏻 👏🏻
And, Elon lost bigly! 🥳
Celebrate good times, come on! 🎉
Big believer in that sort of desire to improve. Cold calculus or not, I have been reached.
It might be too late. There is already incalculable damage done that will take years to fix, but it's nice to not feel so alone in the fight.
I've made enough mistakes and harrowed my own soul enough times to recognize the genuine apologies when I see em.
Took enormous courage to do that for all the world to see. This is what I want of the Democrats right now.
I’m still cynical, but I’m not going to shit on everyone’s parade.
I think Murphy (?) has been there with him from the start.
What the hell is wrong with our Congress?!?!
Sadly he is fully surrounded by republican SHEEP.
Power to you Cory Booker!!!🥰
There are several tragic events going on at the same time right now:
Dismantling public health
Destroying scientific research
Kidnapping and disappearing people
Stealing our benefits
Booker is doing his part, I am listening to him right now.
He is still coherent.
This is one way to block and slow down the Republican majority with their support of the 🍊 turd
Amazing man. https://www.youtube.com/live/Ej6locU6sPk?si=KF4N_q3hxdU2onjl
It will also have an inspirational multiplier effect. Bet.
Folks, if you want to criticize, because you're angry at everyone, ok, I get it.
But let's encourage folks to step up and shout out - regardless of when they arrive.
We can NOT afford to lose a single voice.
We need new leaders. We need more progressives.
All those old people in the House and Senate need to RETIRE.
This is absolutely the right time and the right place. I’m so proud of him.
A slightly less concerned Canadian 🇨🇦
People can talk sht about him, but they are cowards, he is not.
(We surely do not need a book tour by our "leaders" Schumer and Jeffries.)
Booker just finished his aipac-approved nothing burger just to have dems move to pass another trump appointee
Holy **** Cory Booker @booker.senate.gov!!! You are amazing!!! 💙💙💙
We Democrats have really needed someone courageous to stand up and fight back. Hopefully him doing this causes them to do more.
#GoodTrouble 🔷
https://bsky.app/profile/atrupar.com/post/3llrnxqugm72p
More Democratic politicians should learn from his example.
Just like AOC and Bernie, we need more Dems taking big swings and sprinting for the spotlight. Starve Republicans of attention!
Spending political capital usually ends up getting you more political capital
All publicity is good publicity