Chris Christie may have thought he was paying Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.) a compliment by calling him “articulate,” but many Twitter users saw it as a dog whistle.
Booker announced Friday that he was running for the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination. Considering they are both New Jersey politicos, it was a natural topic for Christie to discuss at an event hosted by The Washington Post the same day.
Christie actually thinks Booker could be a threat to Trump’s re-election prospects.
“Cory Booker: talented, smart, articulate, hope that he stays in this campaign to the roots that I saw him establish in New Jersey,” Christie said. “He was someone who was pro-voucher, he was pro-charter school, he was somebody who was tough on crime in the city of Newark. If he stays in that lane, and is the articulate, inspirational guy that he is, then I think he’s got a legitimate chance to be a serious potential problem for the president in the general election.”
The former New Jersey governor made it clear he liked Booker, but his use of the word “articulate” came across as a patronizing, backhanded compliment.
During the primary stages of the 2008 presidential campaign, Joe Biden came under fire when he praised then-opponent Barack Obama as “the first mainstream African-American who is articulate and bright and clean and a nice-looking guy.”
Obama still chose Biden as his running mate.
Many Twitter users also noted that Christie’s compliment came across as a dog whistle:
Thanks for complimenting a black politician on the ability to speak coherently and fluently.
Genuine question: can anyone cite a single instance where a White politician has been described as ‘articulate’ by a Republican? https://t.co/Yo0ftRno46
Chris Rock on how Colin Powell always got the same compliment: "'Speaks so well' is not a compliment, ok? 'Speaks so well' is some shit you say about retarded people that can talk!
He's a fuckin' educated man? How the fuck did you expect him to sound?"
Yep. Racist trope bullshit. @GeorgeWill implied yesterday that @amyklobuchar would have a better chance of winning ( than @KamalaHarris ) because she's a midwesterner (subtext:white) because she isn't "angry" (subtext: racist "angry black woman" trope). F*ck him.
In this Sept. 4, 2012, photo, Newark Mayor Cory Booker addresses the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, N.C. President Barack Obama may face the voters in two months, but several Democrats are already laying the groundwork for a future White House run. Up-and-coming Democratic stars like Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley, Virginia Sen. Mark Warner, Booker and others are making the rounds before state delegations and at private events surrounding the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
Cory Booker
Newark Mayor Cory Booker talks to supporters during an election night victory party after winning a special election for the U.S. Senate, Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2013, in Newark, N.J. Booker and Republican Steve Lonegan faced off to fill the U.S. Senate seat left vacant by the death of Sen. Frank Lautenberg. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Cory Booker
Newark Mayor Cory Booker walks out of a polling booth after casting his vote in a special election for the vacant New Jersey seat in the U.S. Senate, Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2013, in Newark, N.J. Booker is going up against Republican Steve Lonegan. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Cory Booker
In this Oct. 9, 2013, photo. Senate candidate Democrat Cory Booker answers a question after debating Republican Steve Lonegan at Rowan University in Glassboro, N.J. Booker's path to the Oct. 16 Senate election has been bumpier than anticipated. Even Republicans had expected Booker to cruise to victory by a wide margin over Lonegan in the special election to replace former Sen. Frank Lautenberg, who died in June. While Booker holds a double-digit lead in most polls, the Newark mayor has faced sustained Republican criticism that has exposed vulnerabilities that could hamper him should he seek even higher office someday. (AP Photo/Mel Evans)
U.S. Senate candidates Cory Booker responds during the second televised debate with Steve Lonegan at Rowan University in Glassboro, N.J., Wednesdahy, Oct. 9, 2013. (AP Photo/Philadelphia Inquirer, Michael Bryant, Pool)
U.S. Senate candidate Cory Booker gestures during the second televised debate at Rowan University in Glassboro, N.J., Wednesday Oct. 9, 2013. (AP Photo/Philadelphia Inquirer, Michael Bryant, Pool)
Cory Booker
Cory Booker, Mayor of Newark, N.J., speaks at a rally to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the 1963 March on Washington on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial on Saturday, Aug. 24, 2013, in Washington. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
Stephen M. Sweeney, Cory Booker
New Jersey Senate President Stephen M. Sweeney listens, left, as Senate candidate Newark Mayor Cory Booker addresses a gathering of supporters at an event in Deptford Township, N.J. Tuesday, June 18, 2013. Several lawmakers and local officials gathered Wednesday with Booker to announce their endorsements, saying he has the best chance of the four Democrats in the race of winning the seat. (AP Photo/Mel Evans)
Cory Booker
Newark Mayor Cory Booker speaks during a news conference in Newark, N.J. on Saturday, June 8, 2013 to announce his plans to run for the U.S. Senate seat that opened with the death of Frank Lautenberg (D-N.J.). Booker, 44, is currently serving in his second term as mayor. (AP Photo/Rich Schultz)
Cory Booker
In this photo provided by Washington University in St. Louis, Newark, N.J., Mayor Cory Booker delivers the commencement address at Washington University in St. Louis, Friday, May 17, 2013, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Washington University in St. Louis, Joe Angeles)
Cory Booker
Newark, N..J. Mayor Cory Booker gestures as he speaks before first lady Michelle Obama, at the Partnership for a Healthier America's second Building a Healthier Future Summit on childhood obesity, Friday, March 8, 2013, at George Washington University's Lisner Auditorium in Washington. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
Cory Booker
FILE- In this June 17, 2012 file photo, Newark N.J. Mayor Cory Booker delivers a commencement address during graduation ceremonies on the Stanford University campus in Stanford, Calif. In a 1992 column in The Stanford Daily, his college newspaper, Booker wrote that he was "disgusted by gays" before a transformative experience with a gay peer counselor changed his views. (AP Photo/Paul Sakuma)
Cory A. Booker
FILE - In this Wednesday, Oct. 10, 2012 file photograph, Newark Mayor Cory A. Booker addresses a gathering in Willingboro Township, N.J. On Thursday, Dec. 20, 2012, Booker ruled out a bid for New Jersey governor and is eyeing a run for U.S. Senate in 2014. Booker's announcement on Twitter Thursday ended months of speculation over whether the Democratic Party's biggest draw would seek to challenge Gov. Chris Christie in next year's governor's race. (AP Photo/Mel Evans,file)
Cory Booker
In this Wednesday, Oct. 10, 2012 photograph, Newark Mayor Cory Booker, center, addresses a gathering at a campaign event for Shelley Adler in Willingboro Township, N.J. Adler is challenging incumbent, former Philadelphia Eagles football star, Republican Rep. Jon Runyan in the 3rd Congressional District. New Jerseys most recognizable politicians, Democrat Booker and Republican Gov. Chris Christie, are buttressing their national profile this election season, stumping for candidates eager to cash in on their growing popularity and name recognition while simultaneously earning their own political chits. The two men say they are being party loyalists and answering calls to help elect their chosen candidates. (AP Photo/Mel Evans)
Cory Booker
Newark Mayor Cory Booker addresses the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, N.C., on Tuesday, Sept. 4, 2012. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
Newark Mayor Cory Booker speaks to delegates during the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, N.C., on Tuesday, Sept. 4, 2012. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Cory Booker
Newark Mayor Cory Booker addresses the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, N.C., on Tuesday, Sept. 4, 2012. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
Chris Christie, Cory Booker
In an image made from video provided by Gov. Chris Christie's office, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, right, and Newark Mayor Cory Booker perform in a video parody that spoofs the mayor's heroics and Christie's vice presidential potential. The video played Tuesday, May 15, 2012 at the New Jersey Press Association's Legislative Correspondents Club show. (AP Photo/Gov. Chris Christie's office)
Affluent Americans may want to double-check how much of their bank deposits are protected by government-backed insurance. The rules governing trust accounts just changed.
Former NBA guard Darius Morris has died at the age of 33. He played for five teams during his four NBA seasons. Morris played college basketball at Michigan.
Jason Fitz and Frank Schwab join forces to recap the draft in the best way they know how: letter grades! Fitz and Frank discuss all 32 teams division by division as they give a snapshot of how fans should be feeling heading into the 2024 season. The duo have key debates on the Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants, New Orleans Saints, Los Angeles Rams, New England Patriots, Las Vegas Raiders and more.
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