New Jersey U.S. Senator Cory Booker and Sue Altman’s video featuring the phrase “Get in, loser!” as they shout “We’re taking back the House” is making waves, but not always for the right reasons.
Many viewers found the clip more cringeworthy than compelling, likening it to an awkward attempt by adults trying to seem hip by quoting Mean Girls, a movie that came out 20 years ago. The whole vibe felt more like an embarrassing throwback than a genuine rallying cry for political change.
“Ahh yes, the clown car is early for Halloween this year,” said New Jersey Senator Mike Testa.
In the cringe video, Cory Booker shoves driver Sue Altman was violently shoved by Booker, who once admitted that he groped a high school girl.
GET IN LOSER!
WE’RE
Thank you @CoryBooker for stopping by – glad to have you on our team to beat Tom Kean, Jr., stop Trump’s extreme Project 2025, and #FlipNJ7. pic.twitter.com/2fsuxJqsxj
— Sue Altman (@suealtman) October 8, 2024
The delivery was also a bit over the top, with the kind of exaggerated enthusiasm that felt more suited to a high school pep rally than a serious political campaign. It’s as if they thought simply yelling louder would make the message more impactful. Unfortunately, it came off as trying way too hard to connect with younger voters who, by now, have probably seen enough politicians awkwardly quoting pop culture in failed attempts to seem relatable.
While it’s clear that Booker and Altman were aiming to energize their base, the video mostly just underscores how tough it can be for politicians to hit the right note on social media. Sometimes, earnest policy discussions do more for a campaign than trying to go viral with a meme from 2004.
