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Booker’s speech: A retreat from the ‘acquiescent liberal elite’ and an embrace of ‘good trouble’
April 2, 2025
Media Contact
Damien Sharp
Providing Democrats with a long-awaited boost in energy, yesterday liberal candidate Susan Crawford won a pivotal seat on the Wisconsin Supreme Court, despite heavy campaign spending by Elon Musk in support of her opponent. At the same time, Senator Cory Booker made Senate history by delivering the longest continuous Senate floor speech in the chamber’s history, in protest of President Trump’s policies.
Alexander Livingston, is a professor of government at Cornell University and studies social movements. He says Booker’s protest is long-awaited “good trouble” within the Democratic Party.
Alexander Livingston
Associate Professor in the Department of Government
“Booker’s speech was political protest at its best. Equal parts media stunt and civic education, the speech did something the Democrats have consistently failed to do since the election: steal the spotlight from Trump and disrupt his power to set the terms of media attention. Protests prove effective, not when they change policy, but when they spark further protests.
“Booker’s speech may prove a catalyst in activating Democratic voters and reconnecting what has been an acquiescent liberal elite with grassroots protests we have been seeing across the country. This is the kind of ‘good trouble’ the party needs right now.”
