URBANDALE, Iowa _ Sen. Cory Booker, who did not qualify for the Democratic debate in Los Angeles, spent Thursday evening greeting volunteers at a campaign field office here.
He didn't mention his absence from the debate stage, but instead argued that his campaign's momentum is growing in the state that holds the first nominating contest in the nation.
"You guys don't pay attention to the national polls. You pay attention to people, to their heart and their character," he told about 30 supporters gathered to run a phone bank.
The Democratic National Committee raised fundraising and donor thresholds to qualify for Thursday night's debate. Booker met the donor requirements but failed to receive enough support in polls. (The threshold was 4% in four national polls or 6% in two early-state polls.)
It's a larger quandary dogging Booker's campaign _ while his approval ratings are high and he is well received on the stump, his optimistic message of hope and love has failed to resonate with Democratic voters.
Booker, of New Jersey, whose voice remained hoarse after suffering a bout of the flu last week, said he disagreed with critics who have argued that voters want to see a fighter to take on President Donald Trump rather than hear a message about "love, grace and decency."
"I just think that's so wrong," he said, before jumping on the phone to call potential caucus supporters.
