Booker To Speak At DNC; Where Will He Go Next?
NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J. (CBSNewYork) - Newark Mayor Cory Booker is scheduled to speak at the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte the week after next and some wonder if it will be more than just a speech to rally his party.
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John Weingart, associate director of the Eagleton Institute of Politics at Rutgers University, said that Booker goes into it with people already knowing his name.
"He certainly starts out with much more name recognition, I think, than any of the legislative leaders or probably anyone other than perhaps Sen. [Dick] Codey," Weingart told WCBS 880 reporter Levon Putney.
That's why it's being asked whether Booker use his DNC appearance as a springboard to challenge Republican New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie for re-election in 2013.
"I think challenging, running against Chris Christie is going to be difficult," Weingart said.
He said Christie's a well-known incumbent with a lot of money behind him.
Weingart recognizes that Booker is in a mostly Democratic state, but still said, "I think it would likely be easier to run for a U.S. Senate seat."
Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D) will be 90 when he is up for re-election in 2014.
Weingart did add that if Booker does run for governor and lose, it might be helpful, noting that several former governors have lost in their first go around.
Booker has, so far, denied that he is planning a run for governor.
Christie will deliver the keynote address at the Republican National Convention next week in Tampa.
What do you think Cory Booker will try to do in the future? What should he do? Sound off in the comments section below.
