Cory Booker backs Hillary Clinton at Democratic convention with paean to patriotism, national unity

Sen. Cory Booker speaks at the Democratic National Convention — (Image credit: Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images)

Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.) gave an impassioned speech at Monday's Democratic National Convention, speaking loudly and eloquently on patriotism, American history, and why he believes Donald Trump is a terrible choice for president. The speech began by noting that America's founders signed the Declaration of Independence in Philadelphia, saying they also made a "Declaration of Interdependence," Booker said. The Democrats are in Philadelphia this week to "reaffirm our values," he said, to make America "more inclusive, more expansive, and more just."

America put a man on the moon, sequenced the genome, and did other wonders not as individuals, Booker said. "We did that together. And so this is the highest call of patriotism. Patriotism is love of country, but you can't love your country without loving your countrymen and countrywomen," even if you don't always agree with them. "We are not called to be a nation of tolerance, we are called to be a nation of love," he said, defining tolerance as "I'll stomach your right to be different."

Booker then turned to Trump, saying he paints with "a broad, divisive brush," and noting Trump's pledge to run America like he runs his business, Booker laughed. "I'm from Jersey," he said, and "we've seen how he leads in Atlantic City," running casinos into the ground and stiffing contractors. "America, at our best, we stand up to bullies," he said, and when we work together instead of just taking for themselves. "I support Hillary Clinton because these are our values, and she has been paying it forward all her life," he said.

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There were occasional disruptive chants from the audience, including "Black Lives Matter," appearing to throw Booker off his stride. But he ended what sounded kind of like a national campaign speech with a call to vote for Hillary Clinton, because with Clinton as president, he said, "America, we will rise." You can watch Booker's big finale below. Peter Weber

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Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.