A Voice to Heed

These times call for new leaders . . .

, , , at least of the opposition and, ultimately, of the nation. We are faced with faltering faith in democratic republicanism, in ethical leadership, in fairness and equity of capitalism, in the relevance of the Constitution, in expertise, in compromise and community , , , I could go on and on.

I recommend to you one voice to heed, one person who offers executive capability; an ethical rudder; a determination to collaborate and to cooperate, to develop consensus; and a proven track-record of having done so.

I am recommending you take a long and thoughtful look at Senator Cory Booker as potential  Senate Majority (or Minority) Leader and as prospective President of these disunited States of America.

Booker is smart and broadly educated, with a BA in political science and a MA in Sociology from Stanford (where he started at tight end for the Cardinals), with a Fulbright and a year at Oxford studying history, followed by a JD from Yale Law School.

He entered politics and was elected mayor of Newark, NJ, no simple undertaking. Crime, poverty, unemployment, and failing schools had earned Newark membership in America's FUCC, the Failed Urban Cities Club. Over his seven years as Mayor, Booker rebuilt civic pride, reduced crime, straightened out and instituted reforms in the Newark school system which increased student attainment scores, and increased affordable housing stock through zoning revisions, incentives, and collaboration with the Chamber of Commerce and the real estate industry. Booker knows, as only do mayors and governors, how things really work and how to make them work better.

Booker was elected to the Senate in 2013 where he has concentrated on economic equity, health care access, and criminal justice reform. He and Chuck Grassley -- there's an unlikely partnership! -- authored and lobbied for the First Step Act, the first major reform of criminal justice in decades. It was signed into law at the end of 2018 by then President Donald J. Trump.

Courage and honor? In April this year, Booker delivered a 25-hour filibuster in opposition to Trump's policies cutting Medicaid access, impeding voting rights, relaxing police accountability, and revising criminal justice measures. That it is the longest speech in Senate history is interesting, but it is his expression of ethical, powerful, and reasonable pragmatism that really counts.

In all Booker has done and does, his preference for pragmatic problem solving over politics, his strong ethical rudder, his commitment to community and his skill at building coalitions make his a voice to heed and his leadership to be sought.  

I recommend to you Sen. and Mrs. Cory Booker