Politics and Current
Senator Cory Booker: “This Election Can’t Be All About Trump”
NORTH LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – FEBRUARY 24: U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) speaks during a “Conversation with Cory” campaign event on the Nevada Partners Event Center on February 24, 2019 in North Las Vegas, Nevada. Booker is running for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2020. (Photo: Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
For 2020 presidential candidate Sen. Cory Booker, this race is more essential than getting Donald Trump out of office. In an interview with Yesha Callahan, ESSENCE’s director of reports and policy, Booker said what matters most to him is making a higher America with a standard purpose.
“Don’t make this election based on one guy in one office,” Booker said. The 50-year-old former mayor of Newark, New Jersey, made it clear that this election could have a profound impact on the trajectory of our country. With many Democrats focused on getting Trump out of office, Booker said that would not be enough for him.
“For me, these are low aspirations. It takes us out of the valley, but it doesn’t take us to the top of the mountain,” he said. “My goal in this race is to not only talk about what I am against, but also to try to inspire people about who we can be.”
The New Jersey senator said he plans to make big moves if elected in 2020. Booker said he’ll sign a good portion of executive orders in the primary 90 days of his term.
“In my opinion, as president, we have to start making this country work for everyone, and in the end, we’ll all benefit, and that’s the fight I’m going to fight.”
He began by telling ESSENCE that he would re-enroll the US within the Paris Climate Agreement. It will try and roll back lowered fuel efficiency standards and tackle methane and mercury regulations. He also emphasized his commitment to addressing environmental injustice and holding polluters accountable for his or her impact on quality of life.
Additionally, Booker said his White House could be a middle for reproductive freedom. She intends to work with departments to make sure women have access to the health care they need, including contraceptives and doulas.
Booker said he would be sure that the subsequent Department of Justice addresses voter suppression and defends the civil rights of the LGBTQ+ community.
“Our politics is becoming more and more tribal, where it is a zero-sum game – us versus them. We hate each other,” he said. “I think the next leader is going to have to be someone who can build the new majority needed to get things done, actually through Congress.”