Booker-Lonegan Debate

Well it wasn’t reminiscent of  the Lincoln/Douglas Debates but the first confrontation between Cory Booker and Steve Lonegan was substantive and even more importantly,  gentlemanly and civil. More than I can say for the myriad of debates that went on across the river during New York’s Democratic mayoralty primary debates.

Both Lonegan and Booker characterized the  other as extremist in their views. Both are diametrically opposed politically, of course. Lonegan is a real conservative and makes no excuses for his positions on abortion, gun control, reducing big government, Obamacare, entitlements and education. Likewise Booker, as you would expect, adheres to the Democratic mantra of helping the ever- growing list of constituencies that need some type of taxpayer  assistance.

But the best part of the debate was watching Booker point to his record of achievement in Newark. If it wasn’t for the fact that people in Newark  are in such dire straits his performance  would be great material for  a Saturday Night Live  skit.

Mayor Booker cited growth, expansion. Where? Okay a few companies have moved their headquarters to Newark, like Manischewitz and  Panasonic but did that put a dent in Newark’s  unemployment  rate? Or quality of life issues?

The mayor pointed to a balanced budget. Balanced after massive police layoffs and Prince John –like tax increases. In similar fashion President Obama could reduce our deficit  if we sold Alaska.

When addressing Lonegan’s barbs that he is an absentee mayor, Booker cited the need for his travels to attract new business to enrich his city. But, as Lonegan rightly suggested, the only one being enriched is Cory Booker.

Mr. Booker is just another store bought politician. Slick, smooth and all smoke and mirrors.

 One of the most telling parts of the debate was when Lonegan described how he worked his way through college doing odd jobs to help pay his tuition, coming from a one parent home – his father having died  years earlier. He looked at Booker and asked poignantly, “did you even have a job when you were in college?” Booker  stood there blankly with no answer. And he’ll have no answers for New Jersey just as he hasn’t had any for the city of Newark for seven years.