In a one on one interview, Hilary Golston sat down with US Senator from New Jersey, Cory Booker.
He’s been called a political rock star. The junior Senator’s face even dons a trading card.
This year, the moniker “politically popular” may be more significant.
Since the nation’s top political candidates, one of whom will eventually be President, earned historically low favorability ratings, the Democratic Senator could be poised to make a run for the White House in 2020. That is if Secretary Hillary Clinton loses.
The former Mayor of Newark has also seen a pretty meteoric ascendancy to the highest levels of politics --- another reason Booker has been singled out by political speculators and laymen alike.
Booker was mobilized Thursday for get-out-the vote efforts in Ohio and Michigan, even though early voting turnout has been high.
However, some key voting blocs for his party’s candidate have not made their way to the polls early.
Black voters, for example, have not turned out with the same fervor as 2012, according to several reports.
“I think the Black community is going to vote strong, because there’s so much at stake for African Americans like there are for all Americans. I think the momentum we’re starting to see is building,” Booker told Golston in response to a question about his late-election-cycle appearances in swing states. “I don’t think it’s a sign of a problem… I think it’s a sign that Ohio is important.”
The Real Clear Politics average puts Republican nominee Donald Trump about 3 points ahead of Clinton in Ohio, probably a better indication of why surrogates like Booker have made several stops in the Buckeye State. The candidate herself is expected to return Friday to appear alongside rapper Jay-Z, during a free concert.
Booker was also slated to speak about making college more affordable for students as well as draw a stark contrast between Clinton and Trump on the economy.
Booker began his day in Michigan and made stops in Toledo and Port Clinton before making his final appearance in Cleveland.
“I’ve been to the Buckeye state numerous times… at least half a dozen times during this election… it’s a state that I love and it’s a state that has such an import when it comes to national elections.”
2020 may end up being a re-set for politics in America. Will that be a moment for Booker to try and take that step towards the presidency?
Golston: “People have said you’re enigmatic, people have said even when you were a Mayor, that you had your eyes on the White House.”
Booker: “My house in Newark, it’s not white… but it’s not white… but I’ve had an eye on that house. The reality is I feel blessed to have served about two terms as mayor of the City of Newark… taking our city from financial catastrophe during the recession to its greatest economic development in 60 years… I have no focus, but being a great United States Senator and focusing on issues that often don’t make it into the national consciousness like criminal justice reform like creating apprentice programs…. “
Booker continued to expound on what he’s focused on closing with this… “If we’re focusing our life on purpose and not position, we stay true and authentic. If we start focusing on position and lose our purpose, then we start to in my opinion, not do what we’re called to do, which is be the best expressions of our authentic self.”
Golston: “So, what are you saying. Are you saying you won’t run in 2020?”
Booker: “I’m saying that Hillary Clinton will be President in 2020 and I’ll be back here fighting for her reelection in 2020.”
Golston: If it doesn’t happen, are you gonna run in 2020?
Booker: “If it doesn’t happen I might not be running for the presidency, I might be running from the President. Because if it’s Donald Trump, I think we’re going to have serious problems.”