By Brent Griffiths
PHILADELPHIA — New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker was running late. In his absence, Iowa delegates for Sen. Bernie Sanders openly expressed their frustration with their state party. But by the time Booker ended his speech, he had even the supporters for the self-described socialist on their feet. He jokingly proclaimed this small meeting room in the downtown Marriott in Philadelphia as Iowa.
If that is the case, and if delegates have their wish, Booker just launched his caucus campaign.
“I want to work for you in eight years,” one Iowa delegate shouted as Booker exited amid a crush of Iowans looking for selfies and handshakes with the 47-year-old senator. Another delegate proclaimed that she had previously told then Sens. John Kerry and Barack Obama about their future nominations. “You have to come back,” she said. “You’re next.”
In a highly energetic, humorous, and at times poetic speech, Booker echoed his speech from earlier in the week about the strength of America.
“What I love about this country, and what I don’t like about a certain slogan, is that we do not need to go backwards when our ancestors have worked so hard to make sure that every generation would be better than the one before,” Booker said. “The mistake that is made by folks who think that greatness is a destination, it’s not — it is a way to travel. They think that greatness is a static state when it is a constant striving. Any generation that rests on its laurels and declares that we are great misses what the story is about.”
Dean Genth and husband Gary Swenson hosted former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton at their home in Mason City. Genth, who is here in Philadelphia as a Clinton delegate, was beaming as he waited in line to talk to Booker. When asked if he would host an event for Booker the former mayor of Newark, New Jersey, in the future, he did not hesitate.
“I would do it in a heartbeat,” Genth said. “I had goose bumps today; I had tears.”
Iowa Senate Majority Leader Mike Gronstal said the New Jersey senator connected with the delegation because he understood what is at the core of their party.
“At some level, the longer I’m at this the more it’s not about the individual, it’s about the heart and soul of the Democratic Party,” he said. “For him, he was not up there saying it’s all Hillary, it’s all Bernie Sanders … it is no one individual. I particularly like what he said about community, because I would have said that. It is kind of what Iowa is; we are a testament to a state that believes in community.”
As other speakers have this week, Booker extolled his Iowa connection through his mother. But when asked if he loved the Hawkeye State for a certain fare, the only black Democratic senator joked there were other reasons.
“Because of the corn dogs?” an Iowan joked when Booker said he loves Iowa.
“I’m a vegetarian,” Booker said with a smile.
