Not only will Newark, N.J., Mayor Cory Booker reply to just about any tweet sent his way, he’ll accept challenges too. As Twitchy reported yesterday, Booker, a Democrat, called for more investment (i.e., taxes) in schools and nutrition, despite the fact that Newark public schools spend around $22,000 annually per child.
A Twitter follower who describes herself as “fighting against any and all forms of socialism/communism” kicked off the challenge by responding to Booker’s call for more money.
https://twitter.com/MWadeNC/status/270352913853976576
We have a shared responsibility that kids go to school nutritionally ready 2 learn RT @MWadeNC nutrition is not responsibility of the gov't
— Cory Booker (@CoryBooker) November 19, 2012
You may want to end breakfast & lunch programs but that would harm kids today & all of us tomorrow. @MWadeNC @a3vantage
— Cory Booker (@CoryBooker) November 19, 2012
https://twitter.com/MWadeNC/status/270357953654169600
Now this is the sort of battle of ideas we would have liked to have seen during the presidential debates. To be fair, we did see a bit of it, but it looks like in this case we don’t all have to suffer for four years to find out who was right after all.
https://twitter.com/MWadeNC/status/270361209537196033
Lets you and I try to live on food stamps in New Jersey (high cost of living) and feed a family for a week or month. U game? @MWadeNC
— Cory Booker (@CoryBooker) November 19, 2012
Great. Lets do this. I hope you live in New Jersey. Lets film it and see how we do. RT @MWadeNC sure, Mayor, I'm game.
— Cory Booker (@CoryBooker) November 19, 2012
As of now, the details are still being worked out. Onlookers are suggesting their own additional rules. Will Booker and his challenger agree to forgo their own cars for public transportation for the duration? After all, if you’re on food stamps, you can’t possibly have your own wheels, right? Right? Oh, and no fancy spices and seasonings.
@CoryBooker @mwadenc if you're going to do it, do it honestly- you don't have many pots/pans, good cutlery, much time to cook, etc.
— Julia (@missjuliamaria) November 19, 2012
@ColleenFellows @corybooker @mwadenc and further, everything you buy must be accessible to public transportation.
— Julia (@missjuliamaria) November 19, 2012
.@MWadeNC @corybooker I really hope you both learn the limitations of SNAP first. No rotisserie chickens. No restaurant food.
— Lara Alexander (@publiclara) November 19, 2012
No restaurant food? Do the rules prohibit selling the food stamps and using the cash at a restaurant? Or the Apple Store?
In the meantime, an out-of-state challenger has approached. The Community Service organization at the University of Bridgeport (whose annual tuition is about the same as Newark’s annual expenditure per student) has horned in and set up its own challenge.
@CoryBooker @mwadenc Basics: $35 per person total food budget incl. food & drinks out. Avoid free food. No food you already own (spices ok)
— UB Civic Engagement (@UBCommunityServ) November 19, 2012
@jessebgillcrime UB is definitely doing the SNAP Food Challenge 12/2-8. Hoping @CoryBooker & @MWadeNC are still up for it!
— UB Civic Engagement (@UBCommunityServ) November 19, 2012
We had hopes for Booker during Superstorm Sandy, when he encouraged a constituent to handle his own shortage of Hot Pockets. (“I know this is a problem you can handle,” Booker replied.) Why Hot Pockets guy got the cold shoulder while the mayor lobbies for more money for schools and nutrition for others, we don’t know.
What will the food stamp challenge prove? We’re not sure. For some of Booker’s supporters, though, Booker has nothing to prove — he’s showed that he cares, and that’s enough. Unless you’re a heartless conservative.
@CoryBooker What's the purpose? You already feel for the less fortunate. That challenge should be experienced by those who have NO empathy.
— ???BRI-40?♒️? (@savvyfatty) November 19, 2012
Join the conversation as a VIP Member