Booker brings his campaign again to South Jersey

Making his fourth campaign stop in South Jersey, Newark Mayor and U.S. Senate candidate Cory Booker visited Camden Wednesday night, telling residents that the violence-plagued city "one day is going to shock the nation."

Standing by Mayor Dana L. Redd, Booker, wearing an Under Armour T-shirt and shorts in preparation for a late-night run, said Washington "needs more voices of people who understand cities."

"Camden may have challenges, like Newark has challenges," Booker told about 75 supporters at Park Boulevard and Euclid Avenue who were ready to run with him as part of Michelle Obama's "Let's Move!" initiative, which Booker cochairs. "But we are not going to stop until it rises and rises and rises."

As Booker's campaign played music in the background, Ollie Williams of Camden watched him dance with children and adults alike.

"He's young. He's got some good ideas," she said. "I already voted by mail. If he wins, he'll do a good job, as Lautenberg did," she said, referring to Sen. Frank R. Lautenberg, whose death in June led to special elections for his seat.

Earlier in the day, Booker stopped in Cherry Hill.

"We're here together not because of any individual but because of the idea, the conviction, the dream, the hope, and the knowledge that we could be doing so much better - that there are children from Camden to Newark that are still not getting their fair share," Booker told about 200 people at the Camden County Democratic headquarters.

He decried what he described as the smuggling of guns into New Jersey, a lack of investment in infrastructure nationwide, and infringements on voting rights. "We have to stand up in a collective chorus of conviction and say, no, no, no: Not on our watch, not in this country, and definitely not in New Jersey," Booker said, wiping his brow and wearing a black coat, jeans, and a partly unbuttoned white shirt.

He also affirmed his support for Social Security and Medicare, an apparent response to criticism he received on Twitter from Assembly Speaker Sheila Oliver, who questioned Booker's stance on entitlements.

Oliver opposes Booker in the Aug. 13 Democratic primary, along with U.S. Reps. Frank Pallone and Rush Holt. On the Republican side, former Bogota Mayor Steve Lonegan is running against Alieta Eck, a Somerset County doctor.

Polls have consistently shown that Booker is the clear favorite in the race to replace Lautenberg.

The primary winners will meet in a special general election Oct. 16.

Booker's South Jersey visit came after he unveiled a plan Wednesday morning in Newark to boost U.S. manufacturing.

Speaking at a town-hall meeting at the Unionwear manufacturing facility, Booker proposed investing $600 million in the creation of at least 24 "manufacturing institutes" around the country.

These hubs would focus on ideas such as 3-D printing technology and building more efficient batteries for electric cars. In his 2014 budget, President Obama proposed funding $1 billion for the creation of 15 such centers.