New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker channeled the frustrations of many African Americans across the country by saying in the debate Wednesday that "black voters are pissed off and they're worried" about the Democrats' ability to win the 2020 presidential election.
The senator, who pointed out his own black identity, joined mixed-race African American Sen. Kamala Harris of California when he said black voters are tired of politicians stumping for their votes but failing to deliver on promises to end poverty, racism and unfairness in the justice system.
Their remarks came in a series of testy exchanges on race that pitted them against two of their white counterparts, South Bend, Ind., Mayor Pete Buttigieg and former Vice President Joe Biden.
Harris pointed to Buttigieg's troubles building support among black voters as a reason that Democrats should look to someone who has more of an "authentic" connection to that community. Buttigieg agreed that he needs to do better with those voters.
Booker attacked Biden for his recent statements opposing the national legalization of marijuana, a stand the senator said perpetuates racial inequities in the criminal justice system.
"I thought you might have been high when you said it," Booker said to Biden, drawing laughter from the audience.
"Marijuana in America is already legal for privileged people."
Harris and Booker also laughed after Biden tried to defend his close ties to the black community, both nationwide and among fellow lawmakers in Washington.
For his part, Biden insisted that he's a member of the diverse "Obama coalition" that Harris said the Democrats have to reconstitute in order to defeat President Donald Trump next year.
