20 Democrats Who Could Run for President in 2020
By April Jones
PHILADELPHIA, PA – JULY 25: Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) delivers remarks on the first day of the Democratic National Convention at the Wells Fargo Center, July 25, 2016 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. An estimated 50,000 people are expected in Philadelphia, including hundreds of protesters and members of the media. The four-day Democratic National Convention kicked off July 25. (Photo by Jessica Kourkounis/Getty Images)
2. Cory Booker
Much like Gillibrand could be considered as Clinton 2.0, Senator Cory Booker could easily be described as Obama 2.0. Hillary Clinton couldn’t quite hang on to voters who were loyal supporters of President Barack Obama. Cory Booker is poised to ride in and swoop those voters right up into his own hands. He’s passionate and charming, not to mention young and African-American. He might just be what Obama supporters are looking for.
In fact, he may have the one thing that Obama loyalists wish that our current POTUS had: a backbone. The New Jersey senator is a bit more aggressive and confrontational than President Obama has been. Even people who voted for Obama have said that he’s been too much of a pushover during these past eight years. Booker, on the other hand, doesn’t spend much time getting backed into a corner. He fights his way out, and the more he does, the higher his approval ratings climb.
Two more traits that Booker has working in his favor: youth and social media savvy. Unlike the President-elect, Senator Booker uses Twitter to connect with constituents, to solve problems rather than create them. He speaks to the American people as if he is on the same level, taking his role as a representative of the people seriously. He’s fought hard to reduce crime and he’s been a supporter of same-sex marriage and reproductive rights.
If Cory Booker does throw his hat into the ring in 2020, it won’t come as much of a surprise. Anyone who follows him on social media could tell you that he’s been passively campaigning for the past couple of years. Running in 2020 will give him even more time to build up a solid supporter base.