Staff Reports
In a world where the Democratic Party seems to be desperately grasping for any semblance of unity and direction, Senator Cory Booker decided the best strategy was to transform the Senate floor into his stage for dramatic flair. Fresh from another rough round of polling, some Democrats are itching to find their voice against the backdrop of President Trump’s undeniable command of the spotlight. Enter Cory Booker, who, in what some might dub a performance worthy of an Oscar, engaged in a loud and fiery tirade, raising eyebrows and a few fundraising dollars, as he lambasted his party for being, in his words, “complicit.”
One might think Booker set out with noble intentions—to rally his party to grow a proverbial backbone in the face of the Trump phenomenon. However, in his loud attempt to position himself as the stalwart defender of… well, something, his actions seemed more like theatre than genuine political maneuvering. It’s as if he took a page from the playbook of those viral plane videos where travelers make public spectacles, garnering attention for all the wrong reasons.
What makes Booker’s outburst even more puzzling is that the bill he chose to huff and puff about was already unanimously passed in the Judiciary Committee. Yet, making a productive legislative contribution was far less appealing than securing a feature on the morning news and boosting his small-dollar fundraising efforts. With Trump’s opponents often decrying his theatrics, Booker’s imitation seems less like inspired leadership and more like an off-Broadway performance.
It’s worth noting that some fellow Democrats—such as Amy Klobuchar and Catherine Cortez Masto—weren’t too thrilled with his approach. They’ve been fighting their own hard battles in competitive races, not from the safe blue bastion of New Jersey. One might argue that their criticism carries more weight since they’re the ones working across party lines and passing legislation, not just making emotional appeals on camera.
Amid all this, one can’t help but wonder if Booker’s yelling accomplishes anything beyond feeding the circus-like atmosphere of today’s political arena. There’s a saying: “Don’t confuse movement with action.” Booker’s animated display seemed to offer a lot of the former and little of the latter. With the task at hand being the actual business of the country, not distraction via grandstanding, perhaps it’s time for Booker to take a cue from those who showcase leadership without raising their voices—or better yet, by actually delivering results.
