Earlier today, it was reported in this space that Sen. Cory Booker was willing to sacrifice his Senate career if that’s what it took to expose the kind of man Judge Brett Kavanaugh is. During today’s confirmation hearings, Booker threatened to release “committee confidential” documents knowing it might lead to his expulsion.
“I am right now before you [sic] process is finished, I am going to release the email about racial profiling and I understand the penalty comes with potential ousting from the Senate,” Booker said according to The Hill.
He then did just. He released the emails, announcing as he figuratively fell on his sword, “This is about the closest I’ll probably ever have in my life to an ‘I am Spartacus’ moment.”
Will this presidential election be the most important in American history?
The clear message between the lines that voters were supposed to read was “Here is a demonstration of how dedicated I am to my country.” That act of heroism and self-sacrifice would ideally be recalled in campaign ads once Booker officially announced his candidacy for president in 2020.
It probably didn’t occur to Booker that some voters might read a different message in his actions, namely: “I am willing to break rules and violate confidences when it suits my agenda.”
Either way, the whole episode turned out to be so much grandstanding on Booker’s part. Bill Burck, a representative for George W. Bush who oversaw the release of records relevant to the Kavanaugh hearings records, stated:
We cleared the documents last night shortly after Senator Booker’s staff asked us to. We were surprised to learn about Senator Booker’s histrionics this morning because we had already told him he could use the documents publicly. In fact, we have said yes to every request made by the Senate Democrats to make public documents public.
Booker was unavailable for further comment but promises to make a statement as soon as he is able to wipe the egg off his face.
