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Cory Booker Fires up Crowd at DNC

In short speech, Newark mayor hits on themes of fairness, restoring prosperity.

 

(Please see our video of an analysis of the speech filmed immediately afterwards.)

Newark Mayor Cory Booker gave a brief but rousing speech at the Democratic National Convention Tuesday, touching on topics that included economic inequality, education and breaks for small business. His words brought the audience to its feet. 

“This is our American mission. These are the dreams of our fathers and our mothers,” Booker told the crowd gathered in Charlotte, N.C. for day one of the convention.

The convention ends Thursday when President Barack Obama formally accepts the nomination. 

Booker, the only member of the New Jersey delegation tasked with giving a major speech at the convention, seemed in fine form despite suffering from a “bum ankle” he’d injured earlier Tuesday, the mayor said on Twitter.

Unlike Gov. Chris Christie, who gave a major primetime address during last week’s Republican National Convention, Booker’s speech lasted a little more than 10 minutes and aired at 6 p.m., before the major television networks began their broadcasts. 

Booker, who served as co-chair of the committee that wrote the Democratic Party platform for 2012, introduced the platform during his speech, aiming his rhetoric squarely at voters with average incomes.

“This platform is a clear choice between economic pathways, forward or back, inclusion or exclusion, grow together as a nation or be a country of savage disparities and favor the fortunate few over the greatest driving force in the economy: a large and robust middle class,” Booker said.

Booker also said Democrats favor balanced budgets, but were dismissive of the Republican idea that tax cuts for the wealthy would stimulate economic growth.

“Our platform calls for significant cuts in federal spending, calls for a balanced deficit reduction plan where everyone from elected officials to the wealthy to the super-wealthy pay their fair share,” Booker said.

In what seemed to be an almost deliberate rebuke of Republican nominee Mitt Romney -- who was sharply criticized for failing to mention America’s ongoing war in Afghanistan during his acceptance speech last week -- Booker spotlighted the 11-year-old conflict.

With U.S. soldiers risking everything overseas, “being asked to pay your fair share isn’t class warfare. It’s patriotism,” a line that drew some of the heaviest applause during Booker’s speech as well as choruses of “USA!”

Booker also said the platform favors assistance for small business, which he said has received 18 tax cuts under Obama, investment in infrastructure and a pledge that US citizens who “play by the rules” regardless of “who they choose to love” or what religion they follow have the right to employment that pays enough for decent housing, retirement and medical care.

Booker’s speech was largely well-received in the Twitter-verse, where the social-media-savvy mayor has 1.2 million followers.

“You completely knocked it out of the park!” one fan said, while Newark Councilman Ron Rice, a sometime opponent of Booker’s, enthused that the crowd spontaneously took to its feet Tuesday, unlike during Christie’s address, when Christie had to “exhort” people to rise.

“Guess ideas matter,” Rice’s tweet also read.

Lia Eustachewich contributed to this report.

Related Topics: Democratic National Convention, Mayor Cory Booker, and President Barack Obama

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therealdoll

7:44 pm on Wednesday, September 5, 2012

Clyde, Cory Booker is the real deal. How many burning buildings have you rescued old lady's from. He is the only politician that I can say I trust.

Tom

11:31 pm on Tuesday, September 4, 2012

Newark Sucks!
And Booker is parading around the country...Oprah...get back to Newark and do your job!

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CantWait

9:14 am on Wednesday, September 5, 2012

tom- newark sucks- but so does unemployment in NJ with Christie in control. at least during the democratic convention speakers at least pretended to like obama, during the republican convention it was obvious no one (even republicans) actually like romney. hope when the 1% realize obamas going to be president another four years they dont sabatoge the US n actually invest in something,

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Ricky

9:14 am on Wednesday, September 5, 2012

What's so wrong with Newark as compared to many other large cities? Newark is home to some of the largest corporations in the state. Or are you hinting at race as the reason you don't like Newark. Why don't you be honest here Tom?

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eyes wide shut

12:44 pm on Wednesday, September 5, 2012

At least Booker did NOT use the word "I" 87 times like the man with more Chin's than a Chinese phone book. Speaking of parading around the country, surely you must mean Christie? While he is away, NJ unemployment is up over 9% Taxes have gone through the roof and major companies are leaving NJ faster than donuts at Christies bakery. So when you speak, make sure you look at BOTH sides..Now why don't YOU tell Christie to get back to NJ and do HIS JOB

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VietNam Vet

7:59 am on Tuesday, September 18, 2012

I agree with you Tom, Booker needs to go back to Newark and clean up the town like he said he was going to do. If the democraps stand for a Balanced Budget, then how come they haven't come up with one after 4 years and has released a budget in years?

john anthony prignano

9:14 am on Wednesday, September 5, 2012

Tom Don't you get tired of being right.

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Adam Kraemer

9:14 am on Wednesday, September 5, 2012

Huge debt lack of jobs: Booker is a really nice guy but he is suporting policies that just don't work. He needs to go back to Newark control local taxes, fix the schools, make sure the cops keep the place safe, and make sure sanitation department cleans the streets and so on. He should work hard and in a lower more local profile making things work for Newark.

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mrvrnj421

12:44 pm on Wednesday, September 5, 2012

He's clearly building up an image for his political future...that's all that matters to these guys really

L

9:14 am on Wednesday, September 5, 2012

Booker caved ..bottom line.

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DB

9:14 am on Wednesday, September 5, 2012

Booker: “being asked to pay your fair share isn’t class warfare. It’s patriotism,”
I would like to pay my fair share but I'm still waiting for somebody to tell me how much it is, how they get to that number and why that number is fair.

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I am Spartacus

9:56 am on Wednesday, September 5, 2012

People who don't pay a dime in income taxes should never complain that someone else isn't paying their fair share of income taxes. Half of America has no right to complain.

Legal Notice

9:56 am on Wednesday, September 5, 2012

Newark is a blight on NJ. If he cant sort out EWR he should stay home or reseign

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Ricky

12:44 pm on Wednesday, September 5, 2012

It's up to the Port Authority to run EWR. Any legal notices pertaining to the city would require it be written as Newark.

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VietNam Vet

12:04 pm on Sunday, September 30, 2012

Booker doesn't know how, and once they see the money they start getting greedy like all the domocraps.

Sasquatch

9:56 am on Wednesday, September 5, 2012

How many times have we seen "Freedom isn't free" sayings, conveniently the macho always omit "...except at tax time, then it's totally free!" Thank you Cory for wirking hard and fighting for America! Oh and "support the troops" isn't just done by buying a bumper sticker!

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StupidlyHappy

10:35 am on Wednesday, September 5, 2012

Here is an example of who pays their fair share (from a Walter Williams editorial):
"According to IRS 2007 data, the richest 1 percent of Americans earned 22 percent of national personal income but paid 40 percent of all personal income taxes. The top 5 percent earned 37 percent and paid 61 percent of personal income tax. The top 10 percent earned 48 percent and paid 71 percent of all personal income taxes. The bottom 50 percent earned 12 percent of personal income but paid just 3 percent of income tax revenues"
So who pays their fair share? Do you?

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Nez11

1:16 pm on Wednesday, September 5, 2012

This must be the Republican room! Get! A! Life! You will never stop The Democrats rising star politics of the 21older Century! Republics have no one! Your days of ROBBING AMERICAN'S are over!!!!! Mayor Booker...... Great speech and may GOD bless President Obama! 4 more years!!!!

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Dr. Joseph J. Murphy

3:48 pm on Wednesday, September 5, 2012

Used to like Cory, but when he dissed the Nj Devils, he sealed his fate....

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MFL

7:44 pm on Wednesday, September 5, 2012

I just want a American President who doesn't bow, apologies, or tries to destroy the constitution. I want a President who truly loves this country, and stands up for its principles. This country was not based on Karl Marx 's ideology.

I have been working since I was 10 years old, never collected a dime from the government. When hurricane Irene hit my business last year I lost 89K in inventory and the Fed's didn't.t give me a penny, because I wasn't in distress, because I kept paying my bills. Yet there people collecting everything.

A hard woking American.

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Brad

7:44 pm on Wednesday, September 5, 2012

this guys is horrible Newark is still a slum..... Worry about your own town and fix that before opening his mouth. The only reason he is even around is because women incorrectly think he is good looking.....

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Mike Kupchik

7:44 pm on Wednesday, September 5, 2012

Can't wait till next month, as rumor is all Patch comments will require full legal names of every entry. It'll be so nice to give credit to those intellectuals way smarter than me. My namesake Uncle was killed in WW2 by a sniper, so excuse my distaste for them, and bless those who are unafraid to proudly identify themselves. To validate my entry here, I like Booker, and wish he would often talk unabashed.

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MFL

10:11 am on Thursday, September 6, 2012

Mr Kupchik,

I am not afraid, I do not hide, nor am I an intellectual most of the Caldwells know who I am. I didn't know the rumor, but if so I will put my name out, but as a father of two I am only protecting my family. It is sad that in out society this has to be done. If you would like to meet I would be proud to shake your hand. My father serve in the United States Army for 46 years, 12/14/41 - 06/30/87

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Mike Kupchik

12:54 pm on Friday, September 7, 2012

My Mom was a Sarge, and served in the Phillipines. You can figure out how much slack I got growing up years later, but assume and pray it made me a better person. I miss her so much now.

Chardel Vyjial

10:11 am on Thursday, September 6, 2012

I think Booker will be the next NJ Gov.

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Patriot

2:52 pm on Thursday, September 27, 2012

Sorry, Mr Booker, I am not drinking your Koolaid. This country is a mess because of this administration and the socialist agendas that it has promulgated. The regulations imposed by this President are suffocating our country and destroying small businesses. Public-private partnerships is the game now. This administration is picking winners and losers and putting hard earned taxpayer money behind companies like Solindra to payoff crony favors and campaign donations. It is criminal. It also shows that this administration knowingly is trying to bankrupt our nation, destroy our currency and usher in a United Nations socialist agenda ONE WORLD
ORDER which is designed to destroy the middle class in the United States and reduce the populace of our nation. This President abhors our country and is doing everything against capitalism and a free society. This puppet or puppet master is laying the US bare of security, purposely lowering our beard of living and abrogating our rights. Private Property is slowly being abolished as our our choices of single family homes, and our behavior is attempting to be controlled by regulations, and unconstitutional executive orders. Wake Up America! VOTE in NOVEMBER And change they course of our nation. RESTORE OUR REPUBLIC! UPHOLD OUR CONSTITUTION and OUR RULE OF LAW!

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VietNam Vet

5:57 pm on Thursday, September 27, 2012

Patriot, I have to commend you for your thoughts, because I agree with you all the way. This admin. is destroying the america we once knew. The last thing we need is another Odumbo/Osama in our State House.

Odumbo/Osama has sunk this country 5 trillion dollars deeper in debt, enacted the largest stimulus plan ever, pushed through the biggest healthcare boondoggle in U.S. history and posted trillion dollar deficits every year in office. Unemployment is still over 8%, 2/3rds of americans feel the country is heading in the wrong direction. When does this country wake up before its to late. The woman are leading the way to vote for this idiot again, even though the country is going down the tubes. They fall for a smooth talking moronic muslim and they will be responsible for bringing America to its knees and making it a third world country.

Patriot

2:52 pm on Thursday, September 27, 2012

AGENDA 21 is destroying Property RIghts. Sustainable New Jersey Socialist Agenda is squeezing residents into urban hubs and into small cagelike stack and pack housing, besides railroad tracks .....where everthing people once freely DID at one time will now be completely CONTROLLED! Look behind THE SMILE.....the FUTURE is not Pretty! Face the facts now- time is running out-before it is too late. VOTE ROMNEY RYAN for FREEDOM!

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Kevin Nedd

10:35 am on Friday, September 28, 2012

Must be sad for all you Obama haters to watch Mitt's campaign go down in flames. This is turning into a potential rout:

http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2012/president/2012_elections_electoral_college_map.html

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XJS

6:17 pm on Saturday, September 29, 2012

What about people who dislike Obama and Mitt equally? As a non-Obama supporter, I couldn't care less that Mitt's also going down in flames. I never supported him either. I'd like to see someone with the passion of Perot in the race. As it is, I'm either going to sit this one out or write in Mickey Mouse to show my disgust.

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Patriot

6:17 pm on Saturday, September 29, 2012

No, it makes me sad to see people like you who either wittingly or unknowing tie your hopes to someone not worthy of the office held, who is pent on destroying our county and ignores our constitution. If you align yourself with these positions you are giving up freedom and will wind up with a lower standard of living and no property rights.
If that sounds good to you then why don't you just go live in a third world country and spare us of your presence.

rico

3:30 pm on Saturday, September 29, 2012

Every election ends up with almost half the country voting for one candidate and half voting for the other. Our split congress reveals this as well. So, fundamentally, we are at a stalemate regardless of who 'wins' the election. Nothing significant will get done but we can keep complaining to feel good

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VietNam Vet

12:04 pm on Sunday, September 30, 2012

Rico, you have to ask yourself, has this country ever been more devided than it has the last 4 years? Odumbo/Osama sid he was going to bring unity to the parties and bring them together, did he? Things are 100% worse today than it ever was before, now they are putting not only corrupt people up for elections but now we ar up to traitors against this country and our alies, when do we get a pair and put a stop to it for good?

VietNam Vet

12:05 pm on Sunday, September 30, 2012

XJS, I know how you feel, Romney wasn't my first choice either, but by sitting it out you only give another vote to the disaster we already have and his failed policies and no budgets and his support to ismalic countries like iran and all the muslim pigs who knocked down the towers in NYC. If we let him continue this country will become a third world country. He is slowly bringing our country, the once most powerful country to our knees so that we are dependent on the Government for our living, are we becoming another Russia, where we all work for the Gov. and then they give us what they feel like we should have.

Mitt Romney may not be the greatest, but even HE is better than this walking disaster we have now, you have to admit that. I mean a two year old kid could do better than this jerk traitor muslim pig. Thats not being a racist, I just don't like incompetent people and traitors to our country.

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Patriot

12:05 pm on Sunday, September 30, 2012

Obviously if you have that attitude you will never make an impact. You know or should know that this administration aims to degrade and enslave not only the INDIVIDUAL and our country. Have you ever heard speak about the COLLECTIVE?
Everyone on the same low plain...everyone kept suppressed..not raising people up, depriving them of property and rights and enslaving them.....yes it starts with a big C.
This election is the defining point at which we can attempt to save our REPUBLIC or
Fall into the abyss that has been long planned for our great country by a bunch of elite wealthy MISFITS! Money is being spent without refrain in hopes to bankrupt our nation, our property, monuments, and resources are being sold to foreign investors.
These evil people are using our tax dollars to rob us of our country. They do it with a smile, and a smirk on their faces... And you say you cannot be bothered to vote...that there are no differences? I say that you are either a mole, or just totally unaware of the dire situation we are in. Not voting is a vote for this administration and an end to the United States as we have known it. My Lord have you not heard that congress is completely ignored and that our country is being run by a shadow government implementing everything detrimental to our country? WE MUST stand up against these people who want to destroy us by voting for ROMNEY-RYAN ...this is our only chance.

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XJS

1:34 pm on Monday, October 1, 2012

I think Romney - Ryan will deliver more of the same. Therefore I cannot vote for them either.

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VietNam Vet

1:34 pm on Monday, October 1, 2012

Dumbo is planning on taking over this country in one single vote, and this may be the last time we have an election, and you can kiss Congress good-bye as well. He already has been running on a partial dictatorship now, when congress doesn't go along with him, he goes around the connstitution and does what he wants anyway. He has a big surprise instore for everyone coming very soon, watch and weep.

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Dr.Doom

11:25 pm on Monday, October 8, 2012

spot on - if you replace in the first sentence "this administration" with "possible ROMNEY-RYAN administration" and in the last sentence add "not" before ROMNEY-RYAN

Patriot

10:57 pm on Monday, October 1, 2012

To not vote is unpatriotic and makes you part of the problem. A non vote also is a vote for a dictator that is destroying the middle class in America. The big O has made over 900 executive orders in almost 4 years and most of them are against the best interest of America. Not voting is also a vote against yourself having those freedoms
as described in our Constitution.

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Patriot

10:57 pm on Monday, October 1, 2012

No, Nancy Dugan I do not. Although I do not agree with Romney on some things he is a true American and does not seek the demise of our nation as we know it and it's people. He has given 30% to charity for many years in contrast to Obama who believes in redistribution of other peoples wealth but not his own. It was Obama who only gave between 1-5% to charity prior to his bid for office.
The elite misfit I mentioned are those who are behind the curtain of the United Nations Agenda 21 and A NEW WORLD ORDER.....try doing research on the Bilderbergers and Club of Rome...the Illuminati.....and the Federal Reserve. Once you realize what is in store for us you will be running to cast your vote....and every vote is needed to fight against these evil Globilist Misfits.

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VietNam Vet

12:22 pm on Tuesday, October 2, 2012

Patriot, My hats off to you, you hit it on the head right here!!!!

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VietNam Vet

12:22 pm on Tuesday, October 2, 2012

You have to go easy because some people don't want to hear the real truth to what is going on in this muslim-in-the-making-country. They get offended when you tell the truth.

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Dr.Doom

9:35 pm on Tuesday, October 2, 2012

whats your definitiona of the true American?

VietNam Vet

10:57 pm on Monday, October 1, 2012

I don't think things will be this bad with Romney/Ryan. I don't believe he can destroy this country like this jerk has already done.

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VietNam Vet

4:37 pm on Wednesday, October 3, 2012

It doesn't sound like you are a true american Dr. D. I know I am and always will be, and I'm a God fearing american and always will be, maybe you aren't?

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Dr.Doom

4:36 pm on Saturday, October 6, 2012

I'm a bit interpolating here based on you previous and current comments, but sounds like your definition of the true american is (not my words, but i could not phrase it better)

Ideological purity
Unmoved by facts
A belief in Biblical literalism
A fear of progress
A need to control women’s bodies
A pathological hatred of the US government

I think you should understand first what it means to be an American, and then you can judge other people on the topic of being true American

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Patriot

8:42 pm on Sunday, October 7, 2012

Dr. Doom......what a precious name.
You are DOOMED!
You sound like you are defining YOURSELF!
You are definitely uninformed and brainwashed. You probably listen to NPR.

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Dr.Doom

10:40 am on Monday, October 8, 2012

No I'm not tee party activist, thanks for asking. Glad you liked the name.
Picking up my information from more then one source.
Patriot - planning to add anything informative to the thread?

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Patriot

11:26 pm on Tuesday, October 9, 2012

The 7.8% Unemployment Numbers recently reported are quite deceptive. The Top 25 economists state that the true Unemployment numbers are more like 14% minimum. Mostly part time jobs were used in the calculation. Also people that could not find jobs anywhere and left the workforce were not counted in the cakculation. Many people that had their Extended unemployment payments run out were then allowed by the Obama adminstration to receive Disability insurance payments and they were not in the calculation either. It is also interesting to note that Employers are now hiring only part timers so they do not have to pay for Obamacare. So the number of new jobs numbers is also suspect because 2 people are now hired for 1 prior person employed (each work perhaps 20 hours per week). Any employee who works 50 hours must be covered by Obamacare and the employers would be bankrupt very quickly so they found a way around it. And of couse those really wonderful Green Jobs that Obama counts.....ones like mopping the floor, sweeping the floor, digging a hole, putting in a cement sidewalk leading to nowhere beside a highway are in the Jobs filled numbers.
The recent campaign donations to Obama are being investigated because they were made over the Internet from Foreign/illegal sources that did not provide complete zip code information.

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VietNam Vet

11:37 pm on Tuesday, October 9, 2012

There are a number of people saying the same thing here. For the numbers to fall that fast and that much, the economy would have to be growing at a 5% rate, and we all know that it is not. So as always this jerk and his admin is lying, but what else is new.

yjnqaz

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