Sen. Cory Booker’s presidential bid looks like it might be on life support.
The New Jersey Democrat’s campaign manager warned staff that Booker may have to hang up his presidential aspirations unless he can raise nearly $2 million in less than two weeks.
The campaign will not have a “legitimate long-term path forward” without an additional $1.7 million in the next 10 days as the end of third quarter fundraising is reached, a memo from Addisu Demissie warned on Saturday.
“We have reached a critical moment, and time is running out. It’s now or never: The next 10 days will determine whether Cory Booker can stay in this race and compete to win the nomination,” the memo stated.
“Cory 2020 needs to raise an additional $1.7 million by September 30 to be in a position to build the organization necessary to continue competing for the nomination. Without a fundraising surge to close out this quarter, we do not see a legitimate long-term path forward,” it read.
The 2020 Democrat contender tweeted his own message confirming the urgency of the situation.
It’s an unusual move for a campaign like ours to be this transparent, but there can be no courage without vulnerability. I want people to see where we are and understand that we have a pathway to victory, but I can’t walk it alone. https://t.co/akjhAxjVey
— Cory Booker (@CoryBooker) September 21, 2019
“This isn’t an end-of-quarter stunt. This is a real, unvarnished look under the hood of our campaign at a level of transparency unprecedented in presidential politics,” Booker claimed.
We’re at a crossroads in this campaign. We need to raise $1.7 million by September 30 to be in a position to build the organization we need to compete for the nomination—and we can do it—but if we don’t, we don’t see a legitimate long-term path forward.
— Cory Booker (@CoryBooker) September 21, 2019
“While we invested early in building an outstanding organization in our Newark headquarters and the February early states, other campaigns have, in recent weeks, surpassed us in scale and begun spending on paid persuasion efforts online and on television,” Booker’s memo on Saturday read.
“Between that and the likely increase in the DNC’s debate-qualifying thresholds, which would require significant funds to meet, it is probable there are only four campaigns in this race with the money necessary to build and sustain the national organization needed to win the nomination,” the memo continued. “I’ll be blunt: We aren’t among them today, but with your help, we can be.”
Booker qualified for the third and fourth Democratic presidential primary debates after declaring his candidacy in February. But recent polls have shown he is trailing behind his 2020 rivals, former Vice President Joe Biden and Sens. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts and Bernie Sanders of Vermont.
Former Chair of the Democratic National Committee, Donna Brazile, thinks it might be time for Booker to “say goodbye to 2020.”
(Video: Fox News)
“I’ve been there,” the former CNN contributor and current Fox News contributor said on “Fox & Friends,” citing her experiences as a campaign manager and campaign staff member.
Brazile noted the expenses of keeping office spaces in multiple locations, paying office staff and especially travel costs for the candidate.
“Perhaps this is time to say goodbye to 2020,” she said, reacting to Booker’s fundraising plea.
This is a herculean challenge—but it can be done. I know because we’ve done it before. So today, I’m asking for your help. Chip in $5, $10—whatever you can—to help keep my voice in this race: https://t.co/thGpnEeVEd
— Cory Booker (@CoryBooker) September 21, 2019
But while not offering much encouragement, she insisted Booker has a bright future ahead as she noted the race will only be coming into “sharper focus” as the qualifying threshold will get higher and the field will “whittle down” before Thanksgiving.
“Booker is a young man, he has a bright future, he’s a proven leader,” she said. “This is not the end of Cory Booker.”
But many Twitter users begged to differ.
And another one bites the dust!
See ya!— patty (@FatboyGirl2020) September 21, 2019
The masses are obviously not getting whatever your messsage is.
— GREGORY LIOI (@abigpersonality) September 21, 2019
So you’re saying after 10 days we never have to hear from you again?
— Mark the informed voter (@American7832) September 21, 2019
Lol President Trump raised 15 million in deep blue CA last week.
— Swamp News?? (@TheSwampDC) September 21, 2019
You’re polling at less than 4% why do you want $2 million more? To get up to 5%? Come on now you never had a chance, just drop out already.
— Justin J. Salinas (@IndominusMonsta) September 21, 2019
— ?Laura? (@laura_Co_9) September 21, 2019
Sure. Travel the country eating corn dogs & smiling at folks knowing all along you can’t help them while your constituents who already elected you to a position languish? Well, that’s politics & here is a career politician. Very sad
— BP (@5RNSW) September 21, 2019
BS. This is you begging for donations.
— Mr. Cashman (@cashman_makers) September 21, 2019
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Originally from New York, Powers graduated from New York University and eventually made her way to sunny South Florida where she has been writing for the BizPacReview team since 2015.
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