By Desiree Taylor
The political firestorm continues over Newark Mayor Cory Booker’s comments on the Sunday political talk show “Meet the Press.” Booker was critical of negative campaign ads, including President Barack Obama’s attacks on Bain Capital. Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney is the former CEO of that private equity firm. Booker’s comments appear to contradict an Obama campaign ad that tries to paint a negative light on Romney’s tenure at Bain Capital. Booker, a key ally of President Obama, has since backtracked. The Democratic mayor has taken to the airwaves, YouTube and Twitter to reaffirm his support of the president.
But political insiders are questioning why a savvy politician like Booker would make an apparent faux pas. Critics say follow the money. A report on ThinkProgress.org suggests that several Bain Capital officials donated to Booker’s 2002 campaign. Booker wasn’t available today for comment.
Political leaders from both sides of the aisles have voiced their opinions about the potential impact of Booker’s comments. New Jersey Democratic Committee Chairman John Wisniewski said, “I think the Democratic party is being the Democratic party. We have all viewpoints…” Republican Leader Jon Bramnick said, “I think he slipped … and said what he really thinks.”
The RNC is seizing the moment by using Booker’s comments in a campaign ad. Booker accused Republicans of manipulating his criticism of Obama’s Bain Capital attacks. It’s unclear if this controversy will hurt Booker and his future political aspirations. New Jersey Republican leader Bramnick predicts Booker may lose political points with his fellow Democrats initially, but he says it may eventually work to his advantage on the national level because he spoke candidly.
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