Why Senator Cory Booker's Filibuster Mattered

The filibuster finished on April 1st (Fool's Day),

and like Beetle's song "A Fool on the Hill" about a fool who sees what others are missing, I think Senator Booker sees what many on the left are missing and used his platform to try and reach us.

First, I'll list off what the detractors are saying, of which I must admit, at first, I was one.

#1. Why now? Why not during the cloture vote?

#2. This wasn't really a "filibuster," as it didn't slow down or stop anything of substance.

#3. No one will listen to a 25-hour speech, so even if he did say something we didn't already know, no one would hear it.

I'm fond of saying that we live in a kaleidoscopic world where all our choices are black and white, so even if ALL of the above bullet points - and more, are correct, that doesn't mean that what Senator Booker did was not profoundly meaningful. There were, however, clues in his speech that might refute those arguments.

#1. When Senator Booker broke Strom Thurmond's 1957 filibuster record ( more on that later), Senator Schummer asked for permission to ask a question, to which Senator Booker replied, "Normally I have to listen to you, but not this time. This time, I will keep the floor. This is my time." This makes evident that there have been times when Senator Booker has remained silent when he wished to speak and held back when he wanted to act. Whether the budget cloture vote was one of those times, we may never know.

#2. There comes a time in everyone's life when they say, enough is enough, and after listening to Senator Booker speak, it was clear that after hearing from his constituents, his family and friends that, he could no longer sit still and do nothing. Senator Booker has undoubtedly seen the Movie "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington". For those who have never seen the film, it is about the story of Jefferson Smith, an idealistic man appointed to the Senate. Once in D.C., Smith is confronted with the harsh realities of corruption and entrenched power. Despite being outmatched by the establishment, he becomes a symbol of hope and integrity to the public by fighting to expose and combat the widespread corruption in government. It's about the power of the individual against a corrupt system and the enduring value of democracy and public service. So, it is not surprising that a common refrain in Senator Booker's speech was, "The power of the people is greater than that of people in power." In this sense, his "filibuster" was not about what he was trying to stop, but about what he was trying to start.

#3. As anyone who watches the news knows, even if his speech is 15 minutes long, all they have time for on the "News" is a 15-second soundbite. Short clips that some editor in a newsroom thought summarized or would draw in enough viewers to justify taking up air time to increase ratings are all we get to see. For those of us who actually tune in to watch actual speeches? It's up to us to distill even 1-hour speeches for the rest who don't.

There is something else to keep in mind, and Senator Booker - being a student of history whose parents had to fight racism and discrimination to buy a house in NJ. Who could only do so with John Lewis's help by deceiving the real estate agent in charge of the sale. Senator Booker is acutely aware of the power of hate and racism. One of the long-standing symbols of the conviction and stamina of those who keep bigotry and prejudice in their hearts is Strom Thurmond's 1957 filibuster. A filibuster to prevent the disruption of a social order of segregation and institutionalized racism. His extended speech—lasting 24 hours and 18 minutes—was meant to prevent the enactment of federal voting rights and challenges to segregation. Something that is now back on the table as our government attempts to roll back many of the gains America made in the intervening years.

Breaking, no shattering, that 24 hours and 18 minutes speech in defense of the system that enabled Senator Booker to stand on the floor of the Senate and make that speech symbolized the defeat of hatred and bigotry with the power of Love and inclusiveness. He abolished the notion that anger is more powerful than compassion or that vitriol can silence prayer.

It should not be lost on any of us what Senator Booker repeated again and again. His idols who fought in the 1960s did not advocate for bigger dogs to fight the dogs trained to attack them. When they stood to speak, they did not complain about the sheriffs who were beating them or the rights that were denied them. They spoke of the promise of freedom, of a brighter future. They demanded to be seen and heard. They demanded the injustice be recognized based on the promise of our constitution that only lives because it resides in the hearts of all who yearn to be free. Free in the sense that we recognize the rights of others to live their lives as they see fit, not freedom that results in a few exercising their freedoms to oppress the rest.

I was struck by one interaction Senator Booker had with Senator Duckworth, a retired Army National Guard lieutenant colonel serving as the junior United States senator from Illinois, who, while serving her country in Iraq, was shot down by enemy fire and lost both legs and some mobility in her right arm. She was the first female double amputee from the war. Despite her injuries, she was awarded a medical waiver to continue serving for another ten years until she retired as a lieutenant colonel. After she had been shot down, she was visited by Senator John McCain, who jokingly told her that it didn't take a hero to fly into an RPG; it took a hero to fly into enemy territory to rescue her and the rest of the crew. He said this not to denigrate her service but to diminish his own experience of getting shot down over enemy territory in Vietnam.

Everyone I know has stories they repeat to themselves and others, and if you know them long enough, you hear the same story many times. So when she related what the late Senator McCain had said to her, I realized he likely said something like that within earshot of the current president, who later used it as an attack line against him. There were many moments of enlightenment like this in the 12 hours I spent listening to Senator Booker speak, so you'll forgive me if I digress for a moment to dwell on this one exchange.

#1. As McCain acknowledged, it takes a hero to fly into enemy territory, shot down or not.

#2. In the case of John McCain, what defined him as a man is what happened AFTER he was shot down and was offered an early release from the prison camp but chose to stay and endure discomfort and torture out of a deep sense of honor and loyalty.

In the 25 hours Senator Booker spoke there were many more stories of personal sacrifice, honor and courage. So its not surprising that he sees these things as core American values that will motivate us to "get into good trouble" and fight back.

This was the road map the fool on the hill was laying out for us: one where we do not complain but inspire. One where we do not sit quietly back, hoping for things to get better, but step into the fight and get into good trouble.

After spending over 25 hours on his feet, Senator Booker was not grandstanding or making a point; he was setting an example and doing what leaders do: Sacrificing his personal comfort and convenience to inspire us to do more. Hoping he could reach us with his final words from the floor of the Senate:

The power of the people is greater than the people in power. This is not about left or right, it is about right or wrong. I need my fellow citizens to get into good trouble.