By David Cruz
Correspondent
Three high profile Democrats crashed the GOP Convention city today to push back against the tough rhetoric coming out of Cleveland. Minnesota Sen. Al Franken, Florida Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz and New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker expressed shock and dismay at the scenes and sounds coming from the convention floor.
“Three days into this convention and only one thing about the Trump campaign is clear. He has no new ideas, no plans to offer, only bluster, fear, chaos and anger,” Wasserman Schultz said.
“What really got me here was the level and intensity of the hate and cruelty that I’ve seen on the floor and coming out of speakers. It has been a difficult election for me to watch a party nominate someone who has been so indiscriminate with his demeaning and degrading language,” Booker said.
Booker got most of the attention from the state and national press, who wondered whether the junior senator would be in Florida tomorrow where Hillary Clinton is expected to announce her running mate.
“You know, I’m here to talk about this convention. I know the Clinton campaign is in the midst of making a decision right now and I know there’s a lot of qualified people. I am very happy to do whatever I can to support this candidate to win,” Booker said.
As for the person who prosecuted the case against Clinton in a prime time call and response barrage on Tuesday, Booker friend Chris Christie. The senator seemed content to pull his punches.
“As to Hillary Clinton, the charge of putting herself ahead of America. Guilty or not guilty?” Christie asked, to which the crowd replied, “Guilty!” He continued, “As to Hillary Clinton, lying to the American people about her selfish, awful judgment in making our secrets vulnerable. What’s your verdict? Guilty or not guilty?” he asked, to a response of, “Guilty!” He added, “We need to demand more than what Hillary Clinton offers for America, because, see we know what four years of Hillary Clinton will bring. All the failures of the Obama years, but with less charm and more lies.”
“He and I have a lot of disagreements over the years, from his blocking marriage equality to blocking raising the minimum wage. This isn’t new for him and I to disagree. I don’t attack his character. I’ve never called for his arrest. I can disagree with someone without demeaning and degrading them as a person, and I’ll tell you what. I disagree with Gov. Chris Christie but I can still call him a friend,” Booker said.
And it’s that kind of measured, even kind response that has some people wondering whether this man has the teeth to bare when a presidential candidate needs a VP choice who will eviscerate an opponent and not give it another a thought.