Last night I caught an interview with the Mayor of Newark, NJ, Cory Booker, on MSNBC, commenting on the election.  Pushed by the interviewer to talk about ideology, Booker snapped back: "It's not about left or right.  It's about moving forward or backward."

I know every war is fought like the last one, but when are journalists going to figure out what the real story line is with this presidential election?

Rather than grind my teeth, I'd like to offer up two other interviews with Booker.  The first was conducted in May 2007 for The New Yorker magazine festival; the second is from this spring with Bill Moyers. 

Like Chicago's mayor, Richard Daley, Booker is focused on results, despite intimidating odds, proving cities can work.  And that's why the next administration will confound the talking heads--surfacing the best ideas, trusting us to know the difference, and delivering results. 

Originally posted @ Ann Oliveri