The co-chair of former President Barack Obama’s campaigns in New Hampshire says he sees Sen. Cory Booker of New Jersey as the frontrunner in the 2020 Democratic presidential sweepstakes.
Jim Demers, a veteran Democratic strategist who helped lead Mr. Obama’s efforts in New Hampshire in 2008 and 2012 and served as an adviser to Hillary Clinton in 2016, said Mr. Booker has the kind of political skills — including his charisma and ability to connect with voters — that made Mr. Obama a rock star and helped propel him to two terms in The White House.
“I am one that really believes 2020 for Democrats needs to be a candidate who is all about the future, and Cory Booker is at the top of my list,” Mr. Demers told The Washington Times. “I have been watching this guy for several years now …. He has got, I think, that “it” factor.”
“I saw it in 2008 with Barack Obama, and he has that same kind of energy and connection with voters that it feels a lot like 2008 all over again,” Mr. Demers said. “He has an amazing connection with young people, he is a phenomenal speaker, he is young and he is all about the future. He has totally impressed me, so much that I do put him at the No. 1 spot on my list right now.”
Mr. Booker has been capturing headlines on Capitol Hill and winning praise from progressive liberal groups across the country who have celebrated the way he has stood up to the Trump administration.
• Seth McLaughlin can be reached at smclaughlin@washingtontimes.com.
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