25th Hour: Why Cory Booker’s Speech Was the Screen Performance of the Year

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Was it a little like William Wallace’s freedom speech in Braveheart?

Did it contain the drama of Don Larsen working toward that World Series perfect game?

Perhaps it had a feel akin to Spalding Gray in his performance of “Swimming to Cambodia,” where the storyteller assumes the role of a ringmaster in a circus.

As a gaming enthusiast, I found myself immersed in an exciting role-playing scenario when Senator Cory Booker stepped onto the Senate floor on Monday night and continued into Tuesday. He generously provided us ample time to think and compare his words to various video game scenarios. Here’s one way I saw it:

“I was deep into a high-stakes, virtual quest, where every word counted, every action mattered. Senator Booker became my in-game ally, battling against the odds, advocating for justice, and rallying support just like a seasoned hero. It was an engaging, thrilling experience that left me feeling inspired and motivated to join him in his mission.

It’s possible that you haven’t watched the entire 25-hour speech by the Democratic senator on YouTube or C-SPAN, perhaps only the last hour, a few minutes, or even a second. However, I encourage you to watch the whole thing if you have the chance, as it was a captivating performance that could potentially win an Emmy due to its intricate nuances and ambitious delivery.

Or more casually:

You might not have caught the entire 25-hour speech by the Democratic senator on YouTube or C-SPAN, but if you get a chance, it’s worth watching. It was so well done that it could be Emmy-worthy with its subtle layers and impressive performance.

In simpler terms, Booker’s speech criticizing Trump and Musk’s policies was a dramatic political performance, but without the usual props like chairs, food, or bathroom breaks. He spoke for an unprecedented length of time, surpassing Strom Thurmond’s record by quite a margin. Using large looseleaf binders filled with facts and reading from index cards, he presented his case. He acknowledged the Parliamentarian, took breaks by allowing other senators to ask extended questions (which were more like comments than actual questions), and even gave his voice a rest. Booker skillfully combined grand constitutional principles with practical economic yardsticks, creatively adapting Ronald Reagan’s famous 1980 debate question, “Are you better off now than you were four years ago?” to the current circumstances, asking instead, “Are you better off now than you were 71 days ago?

Essentially, Booker wasn’t just doing something ordinary; instead, he was crafting an extravagant cinematic event, a series that could easily win awards, and remarkably, all 25 hours of it were released simultaneously. Although the outcomes are extremely grave, the methods used originated from some of our most beloved forms of entertainment. By observing various aspects of Booker’s performance, you would encounter diverse narratives; join at different points, and you would perceive varying genres.

For extended periods, the conversation felt like an informal podcast discussion, as Booker interacted playfully with other Senators or even inserted humorous segments (his portrayal of Elon Musk attempting to explain to Joe Rogan why Social Security is a Ponzi scheme, complete with Musk’s distinctive verbal mannerisms, was particularly reminiscent of a comedy club.)

He developed a set of secondary characters, among them was an unseen character portraying his mother, a resident of Las Vegas, whose role in this context was filled by Senator Jacky Rosen from Nevada.

Just like many admired figures, Booker had his signature phrase. “I’ll temporarily step back for a question while still keeping control,” he repeated consistently, each utterance making viewers grip slightly tighter; if he were to swap the words and relinquish control, the game would be over.

Occasionally, his words carried a tone reminiscent of televangelism, with grand orations about seizing the “moral moment.” In fact, when he passed the mic to Chris Coons from Delaware, a man schooled in divinity at Yale, we heard biblical references and talks on the Bible’s compassion towards the less fortunate. When not steeped in divine discourse, his speech resonated with the spirit of secular faith, and John Lewis, our revered High Priest, stood tall. His tales of martyrdom during the Civil Rights era echoed, along with his mantra of good trouble, becoming a recurring theme for Booker.

The research process was undeniably crucial, given the vast array of facts and policies at play – from shutting down Social Security offices to modifying veterans benefits, all the way to intricate details within the Federalist Papers. This task demanded as much organization as creativity. Much like Sam Rockwell relies on his acting coach, Cory Booker relies on his Hill staffers. However, despite all the preparation, Booker had to make it appear effortless. As Michael Chekhov, a performance expert, once said, “An actor must burn with passion but maintain coolness,” and Booker seemed to embody this. He joked about his time on stage, expressed his love for microphones, and poked fun at himself in a way that made us root for him. Instead of trying to impress us with his endurance, Booker shared our doubts, making the effort seem collaborative rather than record-breaking.

The ongoing debate about whether he would reach his goal prompted thoughts of the 1990s cult documentary “Hands on a Hardbody” in which various modest competitors attempted to win a truck by maintaining their grip longer than others on a Nissan. This time, however, the prize was not a truck but rather supremacy in history, a concept that Booker embraced enthusiastically. Thurmond delivered his record-breaking speech in 1957, laden with segregationist sentiment and opposition to the Civil Rights Act. Booker subtly reminded us that Thurmond could now be surpassed by an individual whose background was exactly what Thurmond had spent his career trying to suppress.

Maybe the hidden flavor in the captivating TV dish – the mysterious seasoning that Booker shared with us – was his insight into the inner workings of the Senate, presenting it as a friendly gathering similar to your own office colleagues. Booker often incorporated anecdotes like his text conversations with Connecticut senator Chris Murphy, mentioned Ted Cruz’s informal comments during speeches about triggering a fire alarm, and even joked about refusing Chuck Schumer’s request to ask a question, saying it was the only time he would ever say ‘no’, similar to a boss you occasionally challenge yet still respect.

Regarding his style, Booker might be most influenced by shows like The Kardashians, The Simple Life, and other early reality series featuring proto-celebrities. These programs tantalize us with the allure of untouchable glamour, then pull back the curtain to reveal ordinary people living their lives just like us. When Booker mentioned he had a tale about another senator but wasn’t ready to share it yet—a phrase he repeated frequently—it piqued our interest, much like an intriguing uncle who promises to reveal a secret only on special occasions, such as Thanksgiving.

As the speech progressed, Booker’s YouTube audience significantly increased. On Monday night, it was only 10,000 people, but by Tuesday morning, with more people waking up and discovering he was still speaking, the number skyrocketed. By the time Booker approached the record on Tuesday evening, the channel had amassed over 140,000 viewers. (Millions more would eventually watch him on television and in clips on X and Instagram.) The speech they witnessed bore a resemblance to Mr. Smith Goes Washington. Despite not being typically associated with Democratic elites, Booker’s Jersey accent and allusions to his college-football days immediately dispelled any such notions.

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The audience for Booker’s speech grew substantially over the course of a day. Initially numbering 10,000 on Monday evening, it multiplied as more people tuned in when they woke up Tuesday and realized he was still speaking. By the time Booker got close to breaking the record on Tuesday evening, the viewership had swelled to 140,000. (Later, millions more would watch him on television and social media platforms like X and Instagram.) The speech was reminiscent of Mr. Smith Goes Washington. Although Booker might not be seen as a typical Democratic figure, his Jersey accent and references to his college-football days instantly countered any suggestion of political elitism.

Frank Capra’s influence was palpable in numerous ways. Whenever Booker kept revisiting his villainous character as “the world’s most powerful man and the world’s richest man,” Elon Musk appeared on different news outlets, handing out oversized checks reminiscent of a campaign tactic, effectively embodying the role of a Henry Potter-like figure in this unspoken “It’s a Wonderful Filibuster” drama.

Booker, much like the Oscar-nominated performances of Robert De Niro in “Raging Bull” and the climbers in “Free Solo,” has realized that audiences are captivated by genuine physical dedication. Whether it’s packing on pounds for a role or scaling the side of a cliff with nothing but your fingertips, pushing past the limits set by nature instantly resonates with viewers. In a social media post Monday, Booker expressed his determination to give his all to this role, hinting at both his unwavering commitment and his doubts about whether he could pull it off.

The event carried an unprecedented level of dramatic tension, reminiscent of a no-hitter game or a basketball player scoring 60 points in three quarters, that neither Congress nor its speeches typically possess. This was evident in the lack of recognition or mention during the entire duration, much like the announcers not acknowledging a no-hitter while the scoreboard showed zeros. As Ben Collins, an influential figure on Bluesky, pointed out, MSNBC and CNN should have treated this Cory Booker incident with the same intensity as they would a no-hitter or a historic basketball game. Eventually, MSNBC did take notice, placing the performance at the forefront of their programming, with host Ari Melber leading his show while a digital clock in the corner kept score.

The length contrasted significantly with our era of viral clips, as the speech seemed to deviate from the norms of platforms such as YouTube and TikTok, yet it captivated its audience in a raw, prolonged format reminiscent of Brutalist design. It’s no surprise that the enthusiastic comments flooded the YouTube live-chat or that the TikTok broadcast received over 400 million likes (!).

In the act of endurance that Booker undertook, there was also a clear message directed at a man who boasts about treating important occasions such as speaking in front of a joint session of Congress like an ultramarathon. Not long ago, Trump broke the record for the longest speech to a joint session with a 100-minute address — which Booker refers to as a brief interruption. In comparison, Joe Rogan appears to be a sudden news update when standing next to Booker.

Indeed, it wasn’t long before a truth emerged, one that mainstream right-wing outlets might shy away from acknowledging, yet resonated strongly within liberal circles: Booker had grasped the very platform that propelled Trump to the presidency initially.

It won’t come as a shock to those who closely follow Booker, given his history with screen drama. For four years until 2022, he was in a relationship with Rosario Dawson, and it’s possible that Ahsoka Tano passed on some tricks to Grogu from him. Also, remember that Booker gained national attention through film, starring in Marshall Curry’s documentary “Street Fight,” about his bid for Newark’s mayoralty which premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival 20 years ago. He has a keen understanding and benefits from compelling cinematic portrayals.

When binge-watching has decreased, Booker prompted us to recall – possibly even producers and content creators – the very aspects that initially drew us to it: the intrigue of an unpredictable ending, the charm of secondary characters we grow fond of, and the feeling of being engaged in something meaningful.

When liberal spirits are low, Booker stepped up to lift them. Now, the Democrats must decide their next move, as analysts try to gauge the impact of this short-lived surge. Claire McCaskill, a former Missouri senator and MSNBC pundit, described it as “a cool glass of water in the desert” after the speech concluded. Many Democrats felt renewed pride and optimism, a feeling that’s been rare since the election, and discussions soon shifted to upcoming rallies this weekend, the Democratic victory in the Wisconsin Supreme Court race, and other mobilizations.

As a gamer, I know all too well that the size of a game’s impact can’t be foreseen. But any seasoned player will tell you, capturing the attention of a distracted audience is always the toughest challenge. Booker managed to do just that. Now it’s up to the rest of the characters to ensure a satisfying ending to the story.

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2025-04-02 09:25