Cory Booker: A Politician for the People

    We always hear about politicians claiming to work for the rest of the population and how they try to understand what the rest of us are going through. However, one stand-out example of a politician actually committing to live like his constituents and share their experience with regards to food uncertainty is Newark mayor Cory Booker. If all goes as planned, Booker plans to, for a week in December, live solely on a budget of food stamps, or SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program).

   Rather than formally setting this up as a way to attract media attention and gain airtime which could further help and promote him in future campaigns, this idea was brought on quickly by the people. The challenge came about through an exchange on Twitter, a platform that Booker is well-known for using often. Cory Booker’s website demonstrates his commitment to using social media, especially Twitter, to connect to and speak with the people over a master medium. As we discussed the growing influence of political campaign websites, we can see how the Newark mayor’s (and his recently set up food stamp challenge) came about with the power of online users. Also, adaptability and interaction with voters is taken into account as Booker is very present within the social media world and takes Internet users’ messages to him into account, as is shown by the recent Twitter exchange, excerpts of which can be found here.

   Though this is a great way to connect with the people, the an ABC News article quotes the director of a branch of Food Bank Services who points out the limitations as “Even if Booker sticks to the dollar limit,” it is possible that the “experience might not replicate the exact experience of surviving on food stamps, because low-income families might not have the luxury of searching for the cheapest grocery stores.” Similarly, many without Internet connection may also not know of this challenge, since Booker’s online followers are a limited demographic. It is possible that some of the people he is trying to reach while taking the SNAP challenge may be unaware of it, as they may not have access to or be able to afford Internet, much as they may not have transportation options for finding food at the cheapest prices.

    The challenge is only set to last for a week, yet it highlights the importance of a politician relating to the people, especially as the challenge was suggested during a conversation with another Twitter user. As is expected, Booker’s website has since been updated, detailing his participation in the SNAP (or food stamp) challenge. This demonstrates the power of the Internet and social media as there was no press conference or formal media interest needed to set up the challenge. Instead, politicians, even at the local level, can connect with people all over the Internet (even though this demographic may not encompass everyone within a constituency) without worrying about media filter, and thus agree to participate in such challenges without first hearing about media backlash of such a move. I really hope that he follows through with the challenge and, in effect, encourages many other politicians to do the same, especially when the contrasting lifestyles of the rich and the poor are so often discussed without fully being understood by leaders helping to make and pass the laws.