NYT: Cory Booker’s Record “Suggests A Mayor Slow To Make Changes”

Despite his rhetoric on the campaign trail, Cory Booker’s record on criminal justice as mayor of Newark was not without flaws. The New York Times characterized his record as lacking the hands-on leadership that Booker claims on the stump.

“But an examination of Mr. Booker’s stewardship of the police department — based on dozens of interviews with officials and activists, Booker allies and Booker critics — suggests a mayor slow to make changes, fixated on the top-line measures of crime-fighting success while at times ceding too much authority to his police director and other aides…

As a new mayor navigating a city with time-hardened political powers, Mr. Booker often sought to play mediator rather than impose some of the confrontational reforms — such as an independent police monitor — that would have alienated the police union.”

This isn’t the first time Booker has faced criticism for his record as mayor being more focused on style than substance:

Booker Has Left “A Gnawing Suspicion” That He Cared “More About The Optics Of A Social Media Moment Than Actually Delivering On Basic City Services.” (Amy S. Rosenberg, “Cory Booker’s Newark Mirage,” Politico Magazine, 7/8/16)

“A Frequently Heard Criticism Holds That Booker Offers More Talk Than Action” And “Accusations Of Attention Seeking Have Followed Booker Throughout His Career.” (Paul West, “Cory Booker: Just The Kind Of Politician Jersey Likes,” Los Angeles Times, 8/7/13)

“Booker’s Critics Contend That He’s More Concerned With His Own Career Ambitions Than He Is With The Mundane Details Of Running The City.”(Joel Rose, “Cory Booker: Supermayor Or Self-Promoter?” NPR, 8/6/13)

A “Closer Look” At Booker’s Tenure As Mayor Of Newark Shows He “Also Left Behind Bruised Feelings In The Neighborhoods Where Residents Wanted Jobs More Than Cheerleading.”(Amy S. Rosenberg, “Cory Booker’s Newark Mirage,” Politico Magazine, 7/8/16)

A less than progressive approach to criminal justice reform has already plagued Kamala Harris’ campaign and now it’s Cory Booker’s turn.