Booker Balks at 2013; Will Explore U.S. Senate Run for 2014 (UPDATED)

Booker’s Decision is Problematic for New Jersey Democrats

Booker-CorzineAt least we now know which web domain will actually host a site, Save Jerseyans.

Having baked the idea of a gubernatorial run long than one of his signature YouTube sweet potatoes, NJ.com cited sources say Cory Booker (D-Newark) will pass, as expected, on a chance to challenge Governor Chris Christie in 2013. He’ll explore a run for U.S. Senate instead.

Staying true to form, Booker tweeted out a decision announcement delivered via a YouTube video (shared on his Twitter page) and posted on a new splash to his political page:

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NCm2meC1SS8

Hmmm… I wonder if anyone asked Frank about this?

And since when does Booker work?

Our pal Art Gallagher previously shared with Save Jersey the likely reasons for a Booker pass and the immediate consequences of his having done so for New Jersey politics. It’s no secret that early polling looked daunting for Booker despite his respectable name recognition statewide, and Governor Christie’s team did a great job of making such an uphill run appear as unpalatable as possible; going forward from today, Booker’s betting on an easier match-up in 2014 for U.S. Senate against an almost certainly less-well-known GOP opponent… assuming, again, Frank Lautenberg really retires.

It might be the right move for the ambitious young pol, but Booker’s move is problematic for the New Jersey Democrat Party both in 2013 AND 2014…

For 2013, the Dems face a very popular incumbent who won’t have to worry about money (and unpaid media) in one of the most expensive states in America to purchase paid media. Without Booker’s star power to guide them, Democrats are likely to field a “B” team candidate, as in Barbara Buono, who could lose in such a grand fashion that down-ballot Democrat candidates also suffer. A loss turned rout.

Then, after taking big lumps in 2013, Booker’s party may still fail to avoid a bruising and divisive primary battle… between the Newark Mayor and Frank Pallone? Or possibly even Steven Sweeney? Lautenberg’s retirement means an open seat, folks, and there are at least a few Democrats who would love to move up and capitalize on a one-in-a-lifetime opportunity for advancement.

So did Booker do what’s best for Booker by declining a showdown with Christie?

Or did he set himself up for Pallone/Sweeney to accuse him of being the new Rothman, i.e. a Democrat who should’ve fought the good fight (against Christie) instead of forcing a primary?

 

Matt Rooney
About Matt Rooney 8403 Articles
MATT ROONEY is SaveJersey.com's founder and editor-in-chief, a practicing New Jersey attorney, and the host of 'The Matt Rooney Show' on 1210 WPHT every Sunday evening from 7-10PM EST.

4 Comments

  1. I don't think Booker Balked in not running for the Governorship. It is a no-brainer on his part. With Christie's approval rating as it is, Booker is going for something that would be less of a fight and not cost him an arm and leg. The Republicans have not had a US senator since 1983. Booker's name recognition is off the chart and this ploy of living on food stamps for a week is political gold. He also wouldn't have to worry about term limits in the senate compared to term limits for the governorship. Most of NJ's governors do their 2 terms if their lucky enough to have 2 terms and are forgotten after their last day in office. Most former governors are only brought up if the issue of the day is relevant to what they did while in office. Booker also has a chance of becoming the first black US senator of NJ. Which will give NJ national coverage so you will see a lot of outside help. Which for a Republican running against Booker this might be a great way to get name recognition for a future run for a state or federal seat. Since I do not live in the state anymore this is an outside political perspective. The Republicans in the state have to learn how to get a bench going so we can have strong opponents to face the Democrats in the future locally and on the federal level. I suggested this to Republicans on the Federal level and the house Republicans started the young guns program. NJ Republicans have to do the same thing. NJ Republicans have to get together and outline a vision for the state and for the party to go forward. This is the only way Republicans will be a viable force to reckon with now and in the future.

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