Booker ‘furious’ over magazine article
He is compared to Will Smith’s character in the blockbuster post-apocalyptic movie, “I am Legend,” and quoted saying he would take a grenade if it meant saving Newark.
A lengthy Esquire magazine profile about Newark Mayor Cory Booker’s quest to transform Newark has drawn sharp criticism from Booker, who said his “blood boiled” while reading passages in the article.
Booker said yesterday he regretted granting unlimited access to the author of the profile, Scott Raab, a Glen Ridge resident and veteran journalist.
“I’m furious about the way he depicted the city and dehumanized the residents,” Booker said yesterday. He added, “He trashed the city and made it like no one else is important. Maybe I let my guard down.”