Cory Booker Says Tim Kaine 'Will Make This Nation Proud'
As Hillary Clinton and Tim Kaine made their first joint appearance as running mates in Miami on Saturday, N.J. Sen. Cory Booker -- once considered a potential VP pick -- appeared at a festival over a thousand miles away in New York City. He had nothing but nice things to say about the man who edged him out.
"He's a guy of not just knowledge -- capability, as a former mayor he's somebody that's been an executive and has that experience -- but he's also a guy of extraordinary character, somebody that doesn't preach his religion. He's not going to stand up and say, 'I am Christian, a Democrat, an American in that order.' He's not going to say things like that," he said, taking a dig at Donald Trump's vice presidential pick, Mike Pence.
"When Hillary Clinton wins, I think he will make this nation proud," Booker said, spurring cheers from the crowd.
The former Newark, N.J., mayor made the comments during a Q&A session at OZY Fusion Fest, a festival here in Manhattan's Central Park on Saturday.
He had already given his blessing via Twitter.
Booker, and moderator Carlos Watson, co-founder and CEO of digital magazine OZY, discussed a number of issues, ranging from immigration to gender equality, the Black Lives Matter movement and rebuilding America's infrastructure.
"If you look at the best government dollars spent in terms of economic growth, this is probably one of the best ones to spend, and this is the best time to spend, because the cost of capital is so low," he said, giving a nod to the current low-interest rate environment.
Booker, who was preceded at the event by Republican political consultant and former George W. Bush adviser Karl Rove, was most impassioned and animated when discussing race in America, the criminal justice system and the desperate need for reform. He noted that in Florida, where Clinton and Kaine were holding their rally, one in five black adults can't vote because of felony disenfranchisement. According to data from The Sentencing Project, the same is true in Kentucky and Virginia.
He also emphasized the disproportionate way in which lower-class and black Americans are incarcerated for nonviolent crimes in comparison to upper-class people and whites, channeling lawyer and social justice activist Bryan Stevenson. "You are treated better if you are rich and guilty than if you are poor and innocent," said Booker, who is about to head to Philadelphia for this week's impending Democratic National Convention
Booker was careful to make note that the issue impacts everyone. "I don't understand why more of us aren't outraged," he said, later adding, "This system makes police less safe. This system makes us as Americans less safe," he said.
In Washington, Booker has teamed up with some unlikely allies to impulse change.
At the Aspen Ideas Festival last year, he appeared alongside Koch Industries executive Mark Holden to discuss the need to solve America's mass incarceration problem. He has also teamed up with former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich and Americans for Tax Reform founder Grover Norquist on the issue.
Still, he insists the real change may not come from Capitol Hill. "When in American history on issues that really matter has change come from Washington," he asked.
He encouraged the audience to get involved and avoid apathy and inaction. "Cynicism is a refuge for cowards," he said.
Given the excitement Booker elicited from the crowd, one couldn't help but wonder whether he should have been Clinton's VP pick. He admitted he was becoming a little more "rebellious" and "rambunctious" lately.
But at the age of 47, the junior senator has plenty of time ahead of him.
"Booker 2024 for president!" Watson shouted at the close of the interview, lifting Booker's arm into the air. The senator laughed and smiled.