Amid Hurricane Sandy's wake of death and widespread devastation in New York and New Jersey, a few positives have emerged: the generosity of volunteers, a collective spirit of positivity and resilience -- and Cory Booker's tweets.
The mayor of Newark, NJ has long been an Internet hit, but he's taken his mastery of Twitter to a whole new level in recent days as Newark slowly recovers from the storm. Booker isn't just using the platform to tweet press releases or other updates on infrastructure and rebuilding developments -- he's also responding directly to residents' logistical questions, praising their strength in the face of hardship, making plans to personally deliver supplies and even riffing off some mentions in hilarious fashion.
Booker rose to Internet fame and accidentally inspired a "Super Mayor" meme this spring after, among other things, saving a woman from a burning building and using Twitter to help constituents deal with a massive blizzard. Check out the the tweets below to see how Booker has been adding to his political and social media legend over the past week.
1. Funny:This is how rumors start. It was putting 2 straws in my diet coke RT @cbhillelbrian: I hear Booker put up 2 power poles with his bare hands— Cory Booker (@CoryBooker) November 3, 2012
2. Funnier: I believe in you. I know this is a problem you can handle. RT @dat_nigga_reee a my nigga i m running out of hotpockets to put in the oven— Cory Booker (@CoryBooker) November 1, 2012
3. Funniest: Sir, it looks like you live in Dublin, Ireland. I've got 99 problems & your ditch ain't one MT @leedalyire Can u sort the pothole outside?— Cory Booker (@CoryBooker) November 5, 2012
4. Also Funny: "Highly Caffeinated" RT @spadaque: What's 'Cory' short for?— Cory Booker (@CoryBooker) November 4, 2012
5. Encouraging: Don't know but UR living with courage & resiliency NOT a savage RT @lifechanger14: where is power 4 irvington, tired of living like a savage— Cory Booker (@CoryBooker) November 1, 2012
6. Receptive: Understood. RT @fit_good: You need to do a better Job getting the power back on in the rest of Newark. My ward has no power!— Cory Booker (@CoryBooker) November 1, 2012
7. Exceptional: Where are u? Can I bring blankets, etc? RT @_lovelyedith: We have had no power since Monday & it's been freezing with no heat! Please help!— Cory Booker (@CoryBooker) November 2, 2012
8. Beyond exceptional: I can deliver baby supplies. Can u DM me your exact address? RT @_coderedd_boss I live in Oscar Miles Village and I have a 2 week old baby.— Cory Booker (@CoryBooker) November 1, 2012
9. Practical: Yes. RT @majjicwoman: is it dangerous to boil water to keep warm?— Cory Booker (@CoryBooker) November 1, 2012
10. Knowledgable:It will be a wait but yes RT @nycbamabelle arriving At Newark airport tonight mayor will I get a cab— Cory Booker (@CoryBooker) November 2, 2012
11. Unflappable:Sincerely, God bless you RT @eddiev7: hey saw u on meet the press regurgitating talking points and sounding like a Buffoon! great job turd!— Cory Booker (@CoryBooker) November 4, 2012
12. Quotable:They make me humble not stumble RT @leeannhealey Don't let the haters get you down!— Cory Booker (@CoryBooker) November 4, 2012
13. Observational: God has a sense of humor. On Garside convincing diabetic 2go 2 hospital. We see a fire, run to it & its a guy w/ a BBQ pit. No rescue needed— Cory Booker (@CoryBooker) November 1, 2012
Thumbnail image courtesy Flickr, veni markovski