On Wednesday, July 30, MSNBC’s “Morning Joe” panelists sharply criticized Senator Cory Booker’s recent Senate floor outburst, dismissing it as political theater designed to boost his public profile rather than achieve meaningful legislative results.
The New Jersey Democrat drew fire from his own party after accusing fellow Democratic senators on Tuesday, July 29, of aligning themselves with President Donald Trump by supporting new police legislation without amendments. Booker argued the legislation would allow the president to pick winners and losers regarding who receives benefits, calling it complicity with an authoritarian leader.
MSNBC contributor Mike Barnicle expressed bewilderment at Booker’s approach during Wednesday’s broadcast. “What I don’t understand is he’s yelling at two other Democrats,” Barnicle noted, adding that Democrats have enough problems defining themselves to people and solving actual problems.
Former Democratic Senator Claire McCaskill, now an MSNBC analyst, provided context for Booker’s behavior, explaining that the Democratic base is starving for a fighter and wants people to fight Trump because everyone feels frustrated and angry at his actions and the cowardice of Republicans in the Senate.
However, McCaskill defended Democrats like Senator Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota as people doing everything they can to fight Trump under difficult circumstances. She criticized Booker for unfairly targeting strong Democrats who are working within their power constraints.
McCaskill delivered perhaps the sharpest critique, suggesting Booker’s motivations were purely performative. She indicated there are two ways to change legislation: the proper procedural method and the method that gets you on the opening segment of “Morning Joe” and the front page of The New York Times. According to McCaskill, “Cory chose the latter, rather than the former.”
The former Missouri senator argued that Booker knew his dramatic floor speech would create a viral moment and associate him with Democrats willing to fight. She emphasized that the bill in question did not actually impact funding, and there likely was not sufficient leverage to accomplish what Booker wanted, which was to defy Trump, because Democrats lack the necessary votes in the Senate.
McCaskill expressed particular concern about Booker’s criticism of his Democratic colleagues, calling it unusual and frankly worrisome given the fights the Democratic Party needs to wage in next year’s midterm elections. She noted that Booker understands Democrats do not have the votes in the Senate to do what the base wants them to do.
The criticism comes amid broader tensions within the Democratic Party about how to effectively oppose the Trump administration while maintaining party unity. Booker has a history of bombastic political grandstanding that has previously sparked mockery from critics, according to the reports.
Booker’s Senate floor performance occurred during debate over police legislation that he claimed would grant excessive discretionary power to the Trump administration. His passionate speech included declarations that it was time for Democrats to have a backbone and draw lines regarding the safety of his state being denied grants.
The “Morning Joe” panel’s reaction reflects broader concerns within the Democratic establishment about maintaining effective opposition while avoiding counterproductive infighting. The criticism suggests that even sympathetic media outlets question whether such dramatic gestures serve the party’s long-term strategic interests.
McCaskill’s analysis particularly emphasized the disconnect between what the Democratic base desires and what is practically achievable given current Senate mathematics. She suggested that Booker’s approach, while emotionally satisfying to some Democrats, fails to advance actual policy objectives and may damage relationships necessary for future legislative battles.
McKaskill made her case: “Even though the Democratic base is itching for a fight, I found Booker’s criticism of his colleagues unfair. Cortez Masto and Klobuchar are two strong Democrats who are doing everything in their power to fight Trump and his administration.”
