The Bulwark Podcast: S2 Ep1028 – Cory Booker: A National Crisis and a Global Crisis

Released on April 24, 2025

Host: Tim Miller
Guest: Senator Cory Booker, Democratic Senator from New Jersey

Introduction

In this episode of The Bulwark Podcast, host Tim Miller engages in a profound and extensive conversation with Senator Cory Booker. The discussion centers around the current political landscape in the United States, international crises, and the internal struggles within the Democratic Party. The episode delves into pressing issues such as the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, the leadership style of President Trump, immigration policies, and strategies for re-engaging with disenfranchised voters.

Filibuster and Political Strategy

Booker's Historic Filibuster

Senator Booker recently executed a historic filibuster lasting 25 hours and five minutes, breaking the U.S. record previously held by Strom Thurman’s 24-hour filibuster against civil rights legislation. This strategic move was aimed at drawing attention to critical issues and mobilizing support within the Democratic Party.

Cory Booker [00:46]: “...the traditions that Ronald Reagan took against the Soviet Union...”

Engaging Democratic Leadership

Booker discusses the necessity for Democrats to demonstrate moral clarity and conviction in leadership. He emphasizes the importance of prioritizing patriotism over party allegiance, urging his colleagues to stand firm against President Trump’s policies that undermine democratic norms.

Cory Booker [02:08]: “...a moral crisis in our country where people are afraid...”

Foreign Policy and the Ukraine Crisis

Critique of Trump’s Handling of Ukraine

Booker offers a stern critique of President Trump’s approach to the Ukraine crisis, highlighting perceived betrayal of American traditions and allies. He condemns Trump's peace proposals as capitulation to Russia, arguing that they lack the necessary security guarantees and undermine the rules-based international order.

Cory Booker [01:15]: “...the president has betrayed American traditions, American allies...”

Lack of Support from Republicans

The Senator expresses frustration with Republican inaction and complicity, noting the absence of strong bipartisan support in condemning Russia’s aggression. He reflects on the loss of courageous Republicans who previously stood against such policies.

Cory Booker [02:17]: “...a moral moment in this country where you had to choose patriotism over party...”

Impact on Global Democracies

Booker warns that Trump’s leniency towards Putin endangers democracies worldwide and destabilizes global security. He underscores the importance of maintaining strong alliances and supporting Ukraine in resisting Russian aggression.

Cory Booker [05:33]: “...capitulating to Putin. This will go down in history as one of the worst negotiations...”

Leadership and Masculinity in Politics

Morality Over Masculinity

The conversation shifts to the concept of strength in leadership. Booker argues that true strength arises from moral clarity rather than aggressive posturing. He criticizes Trump’s perceived lack of moral guidance and reliance on authoritarian figures.

Cory Booker [03:50]: “...strength comes from having a moral core...”

Manipulation by World Leaders

Booker contends that global leaders exploit Trump’s demeanor, granting him a false sense of confidence that undermines effective American leadership on the world stage.

Cory Booker [04:35]: “...the way world leaders manipulate him is so obvious...”

Immigration Policies and Human Rights

Criticism of Trump’s Immigration Stance

Booker condemns Trump’s immigration policies, particularly the treatment of individuals seeking refuge from communism and persecution. He highlights the moral and constitutional violations inherent in these policies.

Cory Booker [10:59]: “...Donald's immigration policies are such a violation of core constitutional values...”

Impact on Vulnerable Populations

The Senator underscores the detrimental effects of these policies on marginalized groups, including Christians fleeing the Taliban and other persecuted individuals, emphasizing the need for compassionate and just immigration reform.

Cory Booker [12:07]: “...sending people back to communist countries...”

Challenges Within the Democratic Party

Disconnect with Working-Class Voters

Booker addresses the Democratic Party’s struggle to connect with working-class Americans, especially men of color. He attributes this disconnect to a failure in communication and engagement, rather than policy shortcomings.

Cory Booker [29:53]: “...people realizing they couldn't just condemn the Republicans...”

Rebuilding Trust and Affection

Emphasizing the importance of leaders showing genuine care and commitment, Booker shares his experiences as mayor of Newark, where he prioritized being physically present in high-crime areas to demonstrate his dedication to the community.

Cory Booker [35:27]: “...people have not seen a singular issue in my city...”

Personal Reflections and Stories

Family Legacy and Activism

Booker reflects on his family’s history of activism and overcoming racial discrimination. He draws parallels between past civil rights struggles and the current political climate, advocating for perseverance and belief in America’s potential for renewal.

Cory Booker [10:30]: “...my parents came up in a time where the laws of this nation denied them equal dignity and equal rights...”

Anecdote on Twitter Reconciliation

In a light-hearted exchange towards the end of the episode, Booker shares a personal story about reconnecting with a former adversary on Twitter, illustrating his commitment to bridging political divides through personal interactions.

Cory Booker [45:58]: “...living behind our Twitter feeds and just hurling things at each other...”

Health and Personal Wellness

Maintaining Physical Health

Booker discusses his dedication to physical fitness, sharing his regimen of running daily and his use of advanced resistance training equipment. He ties personal health to his ability to maintain stamina for political battles.

Cory Booker [42:02]: “...I was able to do 770 days in a row of running every day...”

Conclusion and Future Outlook

Call to Action

Booker emphasizes the need for the Democratic Party to refocus on the people, using his filibuster as an example of centering American voices in legislative processes. He advocates for innovative and bold strategies to engage disenfranchised voters and strengthen the party’s connection with the electorate.

Cory Booker [38:58]: “...we have to work through this. People who only know me through Republican lenses have a certain opinion of me...”

Optimism for Change

Despite the challenges, Booker remains optimistic about the potential for positive change, drawing inspiration from historical moments of progress and resilience.

Cory Booker [12:40]: “...it was a time that we should be speaking and affirming with even greater conviction of who we are...”

Notable Quotes

• Booker on Trump's Betrayal of Traditions:
  “The president has betrayed American traditions, American allies, and frankly, the incredible people of Ukraine.”
  [01:15]

• Booker on Moral Clarity as Strength:
  “Strength comes from moral clarity. Donald Trump has no moral guiding force.”
  [03:50]

• Booker on Immigration Policies:
  “Donald Trump has sent letters saying that we're sending you back, that you need to leave our country.”
  [10:30]

• Booker on Leadership and Care:
  “People don't care how much you know until they know how much you care.”
  [29:09]

Key Takeaways

1. Moral Leadership is Crucial: Effective leadership requires moral clarity and unwavering commitment to democratic values, as opposed to aggressive or self-serving tactics.

2. Bipartisan Inaction is a Threat: The lack of cohesive bipartisan support in addressing issues like the Ukraine crisis and immigration undermines both national security and international alliances.

3. Reconnecting with Voters: The Democratic Party must prioritize genuine engagement and demonstrate care for all demographics, especially working-class and marginalized communities, to rebuild trust and support.

4. Historical Context Matters: Understanding and learning from past struggles and triumphs can guide current political strategies and foster a resilient, unified approach to overcoming present challenges.

5. Personal Commitment to Change: Senator Booker exemplifies the importance of personal dedication and resilience in the fight for justice and equity, serving as a model for political leadership.

Final Thoughts

This episode provides an in-depth exploration of Senator Cory Booker's perspectives on critical national and global issues. His insights into political strategy, leadership, and the necessity of reconnecting with voters offer valuable lessons for the Democratic Party and advocates of liberal democracy. The conversation underscores the importance of moral integrity, active engagement, and the relentless pursuit of a more just and equitable society.

Produced by Katie Cooper with audio engineering and editing by Jason Brown.