>>> MAJOR FUNDING FOR CHAT BOX WITH DAVID CRUZ IS PROVIDED BY MEMBERS OF THE NEW JERSEY EDUCATION ASSOCIATION.

MAKING PUBLIC SCHOOLS GREAT FOR EVERY CHILD.

MJN INSURANCE GROUP.

SERVING THE INSURANCE NEEDS OF NEW JERSEY RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES FOR MORE THAN ONE HUNDRED YEARS.

PROMOTIONAL SUPPORT IS PROVIDED BY INSIDER NJ.

A POLITICAL INTELLIGENCE NETWORK DEDICATED TO NEW JERSEY POLITICAL KNEW.

INSIDER NJ IS COMMITTED TO GIVING SERIOUS POLITICAL PLAYERS AN INTERACTIVE FORUM FOR IDEA, DISCUSSION AND INCITE.

ONLINE AT INSIDERNJ.COM.

>>> WELCOME TO CHAT BOX.

I'M DAVID CRUZ.

THIS IS OUR ANNUAL WHAT JUST HAPPENED SHOW.

WE'RE LOOKING AT THE RESULTS FROM TUESDAY'S MED TIRMS AND TRYING TO MAKE SENSE OF THEM.

WE'LL ALSO TRY TO ASSESS WHERE THE STATE AND THE COUNTRY ARE.

JOINING US TO TALK ABOUT THIS IS NEW JERSEY'S JR. SEEN STAR COREY BOOKER.

GOOD TO SEE YOU.

YOU'RE USUALLY A SMILING FACE BUT YOU'VE BEEN SMILING FOR BROADLY TODAY AND ON WEDNESDAY, AS WELL.

WHY ARE YOU SO HAPPY?

>> IT'S A RELIEF, CLEARLY.

YOU KNOW THE HISTORICAL TRENDS ARE WHEN ONE PARTY USUALLY GET DECIMATED IN THE MIDTERM ELECTIONS AND ESPECIALLY SO, WHEN WE HAVE A CHALLENGE NOW WITH INFLATION.

BUT I THINK THERE WERE A HISTORIC TRENDS GOING ON THAT REALLY HELP DEMOCRATS.

NUMBER ONE, THE FACT THE REPUBLICANS FIELDED NATIONALLY HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE THAT DENIED THE ELECTION RESULTS IN THE LAST ELECTION AND SAID THINGS OPENLY THEY WERE GOING TO UNDERMINE DEMOCRACY.

LIKE THE GOVERNOR CANDIDATE, GUBERNATORIAL CANDIDATE IN WISCONSIN WHO SAID IF I WIN REPUBLICANS WILL NEVER LOSE AN ELECTION AGAIN IN THIS STATE.

THAT WAS ONE THING.

NUMBER TWO, I THINK YOU HAD A REALITY THAT THE REPUBLICAN PARTY, EVEN FOR REPUBLICANS SHIFTED SO MUCH SO TO THE RADICAL RIGHT WHERE YOU HAVE PEOPLE SAYING OPENLY WE WANT TO PRIVATIZE SOCIAL SECURITY, CUT MEDICARE AND, OBVIOUSLY, THE BIG ONE, IS TAKE AWAY THE RIGHT OF AN INDIVIDUAL TO CONTROL THEIR OWN BODY.

EVEN IN EXTREME CASES OF RAIN AND INCEST.

THE FINAL THING IS I WAS TRAVELING TO A DOZEN STATES AND ACROSS NEW JERSEY WHEN I REMIND PEOPLE THE SIGNATURE LEGISLATION WHEN REPUBLICANS WERE IN CHARGE WAS A MASSIVE TAX CUT FOR THE WEALTHIEST CORPORATION AND INDIVIDUALS IN OUR COUNTRY WHO REALLY DIDN'T NEED IT AT THAT POINT.

WHEN DEMOCRATS WERE IN CHARGE AT A CRISIS THEY FOUGHT FOR WORKING PEOPLE.

THEY FOUGHT TO STOP EVICTIONS.

THEY FOUGHT TO LOWER PRESCRIPTION DRUG COSTS, HEALTH CARE COSTS.

THEY INVESTED IN JOB GROWTH WHICH WE'VE SEEN LIKE THE INFRASTRUCTURE ACT.

THE BREAD AND BUTTER THINGS THAT MAKES COMMUTES EASIER, HELPS TO DEAL WITH THE COST OF INFLATION AND MORE.

AND I THINK THOSE THREE THINGS BALANCED OUT TO STOP THAT RED TSUNAMI THEY WERE PREDICTING.

IN FACT, GIVE SURPRISE VICTORIES AROUND OUR STATE, AS WELL AS, IN THE NATION.

>> SO WHAT ARE THE IMPLICATIONS OF THAT AS WE GO FORWARD?

FIRST, REALLY DURING THIS LAME DUCK SESSION.

I KNOW THE LAST COUPLE OF MONTHS WE KEPT HEARING A LOT CAN GET DONE DURING LAME DUCK SESSION.

IS THAT WHEN PEOPLE WERE THINKING THE RESULTS WERE GOING TO BE DIFFERENT?

HOW WILL THE LAME DUCK SESSION BE NOW AS OPPOSED TO IF THERE WAS A BIGGER RED WAVE?

>> I'M HOPEFUL.

LOOK DESPITE ALL THE RANKER AND PARTISAN WARRIORSHIP TOO MUCH IN OUR COUNTRY.

CULTURE OF CON TEFRT GROWING AND TRIABLISM WE'RE SEEING.

WE'VE HAD A CONGRESS THAT'S GOTTEN REMARKABLY BIPARTISAN THINGS DONE.

I THINK A LOT OF THAT CREDIT GOES TO NEW JERSEY LEADERS WHO IN WASHINGTON ARE CENSURISTS.

WHAT WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO DO FROM THE BIPARTISAN INFRASTRUCTURE ACT, THE CHIPS AND SCIENCE ACT, THE FIRST GUN LEGISLATION IN 30 YEARS THAT'S GOING HELP MAKE OUR COUNTRY SAFER.

I THINK THAT A SPIRIT IS STILL STRONG.

YOU HAVE A PRESIDENT NO MATTER WHAT YOU WANT TO SAY IS ANOTHER GUY THAT'S A MODERATING FORCE IN OUR COUNTRY.

MENENDEZ AND MYSELF OUR GOALS HAVE BEEN TO FIND BREAD AND BUTTER COMMON GROUND THINGS TO DELIVER FOR NEW JERSEY AND WE'VE SUCCEEDED.

I HOPE THE LAME DUCK SESSION IS MORE OF THE SAME.

WE HAVE TO FUND OUR GOVERNMENT.

THERE'S A DEFENSE SPENDING BILL THAT HAS TO PASS.

THEN THERE'S THE BASIC THINGS I HOPE WE CAN DO THAT ARE POPULAR WITH ALL NEW JERSEY.

THE BIGGEST ONE ON MY AGENDA IS MAKING SURE THAT WE CAN GET THE EXPANSION OF THE CHILD TAX CREDIT WHICH HELPED ALMOST 90% OF NEW JERSEY FAMILIES.

THE BIGGEST MIDDLE CLASS TAX CUT WE'VE EVER SEEN FOR WORKING AND MIDDLE CLASS FAMILIES.

CUT POVERTY IN OUR STATE DRAMATICALLY.

THE IG BEST EVER IN NEW JERSEY AND OUR NATION IS THAT EXPANSION OF THE CHILD TAX CREDIT.

IF WE CAN MAKE THAT PERMANENT I THINK THAT GOES A LONG WAY TO ALLEVIATING THOSE KITCHEN TABLE CRISIS WE'RE HAVING NOW BECAUSE OF HIGHER INFLATION AND FOCUS BACK ON THE MIDDLE CLASS.

THE WORKING CLASS PEOPLE IN THIS COUNTRY WHO ARE, INDEED, STRUGGLING.

>> AS YOU SUGGEST IT'S STILL THE ECONOMY STUPID.

BUT THE REMEDIES FOR INFLATION COULD MEAN RECESSION.

THAT DOESN'T DO ANYBODY ANY GOOD ESPECIALLY IF YOU'RE A PARTY TRYING TO GET REELECTED IN 2024.

ARE YOU CONCERNED ABOUT THAT?

>> I WANT EVERYBODY TO KNOW AND I HAD TO REITERATE THIS A LOT THE LAST FEW MONTHS.

THIS IS NOT AN AMERICAN PROBLEM OF AMERICAN MAKING.

THIS IS A GLOBAL PROBLEM FROM SUPPLY CHAIN CRISIS, AS A RESULT OF THE PANDEMIC, CLEARLY THE WAR IN UKRAINE.

THERE ARE A LOT OF THINGS THAT ARE HAPPENING THAT MAKE THINGS VERY DIFFICULT FOR THIS COUNTRY BUT OUR INFLATION RATE IS LOWER THAN SAY MANY EUROPEAN COUNTRIES.

ON TOP OF THAT, WE ARE A NATION THAT, UNDER THIS PRESIDENT, HAVE BEEN TRYING TO MAKE THINGS BETTER LIKE THE LOWERING OF INSULIN COSTS, FOR EXAMPLE.

I KNOW THAT THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE CONCERNED WHEN WE PASS THE INFLATION REDUCTION ACT.

EVEN CONSERVATIVE ECONOMISTS HAD TO SAY YOU'RE LOWERING GOVERNMENT SPENDING OVERALL AND IT'S GOING TO HELP.

I THINK ALL OF US ARE ATTUNED TO THAT CONCERN.

YET, AT THE SAME TIME, THERE ARE THINGS WE CAN DO THAT COULD CREATE JOBS, CREATE ECONOMIC GROWTH, AND ALLEVIATE SOME OF THE PAIN FOR MIDDLE CLASS FAMILIES LIKE SAYING HEY.

YOU CAN KEEP MORE OF YOUR PAYCHECK.

WE'RE GOING TO GIVE YOU A CHILD TAX CREDIT AND EXPANSION OF THE EARNED INCOME TAX CREDIT.

I THINK WORKING PEOPLE CAN KEEP A LITTLE BIT MORE OF THEIR MONEY WE CAN GET THROUGH THIS TOGETHER.

I WAS HAPPY TO SEE THE INFLATION NUMBERS TICK DOWN A LITTLE BIT TODAY AS REPORTED.

>> THERE'S NO INDICATION THAT ANYBODY ON EITHER SIDE PARTICULARLY WANTS TO WORK WELL WITH THE OTHER SIDE.

WHEN YOU GO IN TO THE NEXT TWO YEARS ARE YOU MORE LIKELY TO SEE TALK OF IMPEACHMENT AND INVESTIGATIONS THAN YOU ARE ABOUT PROBLEM SOLVING ON THE ECONOMY AND OTHER ISSUES?

>> YEAH.

I'M WORRIED THAT I'VE HEARD -- >> I KNOW YOU'RE AN OPTIMIST.

I'M TRYING TO GET YOU NOT TO BE SO OPTIMISTIC.

>> ONE OPTIMISTIC TONE.

WE GOT A LOT OF BIPARTISAN STUFF DONE.

TWO OF MY BIGGEST BILLS TO HELP THE ECONOMY.

THE OPPORTUNITY BILL TO DEAL WITH CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM WERE DONE UNDER THE LAST REPUBLICAN PRESIDENT.

AS FAR AS POINTS ON THE BOARD FOR NEW JERSEY MYSELF AND OTHERS WHO ARE BIPARTISAN WORKERS, ANDY, KIM, JOSH, WE'LL BE ABLE TO DELIVER WINS FOR NEW JERSEY.

NOW THE ONE THING THAT IS A MORE PESSIMISTIC TONE.

I LISTEN TO MY COLLEAGUES.

WHEN SOMEONE TELLS YOU WHO THEY ARE, BELIEVE THEM.

WHAT I HEARD FROM A LOT OF REPUBLICANS RUNNING AROUND THE COUNTRY IS THEIR EXCITEMENT FOR REGAINING THE HOUSE HAD MUCH MORE TO DO WITH PLANS TO TAKE ON HUNTER BIDEN AND JOE BIDEN THAN PLANS TO DEAL WITH THE CRISIS IN INFLATION AND THE CRISIS, FRANKLY, STILL GOING ON WITH COVID.

THEY WERE NOT PUTTING FORTH ECONOMIC PLANS.

THE ONLY ONES I DID HEAR SCARED ME LIKE CUTTING SOCIAL SECURITY OR PRIORITIZING SOCIAL SECURITY AND CUTTING MEDICARE.

I DON'T KNOW WHAT THEY ARE GOING TO DO BEYOND THE FACT IF THEY CONTROL THE HOUSE THEY ARE GOING TO LAUNCH A SERIES OF INVESTIGATIONS IN TO HUNTER BIDEN'S LAPTOP AND THINGS THEY'VE BEEN TALKING ABOUT.

I DON'T KNOW WHAT THEIR PLANS ARE GOING TO BE FOR SOUND ECONOMIC POLICY TO HELP AT THE KITCHEN TABLE.

>> AND AS YOU LOOK AT THE LANDSCAPE HERE AND ACROSS THE COUNTRY, AS YOU SAID, YOU'VE BEEN STUMPING COAST TO COAST.

DOES THE RESULTS FROM THIS WEEK OR DO THE RESULTS FROM THIS WEEK SUGGEST THERE WILL BE MORE OF A CHALLENGE TO DONALD TRUMP COME 2024 AND LESS OF A CHALLENGE TO JOE BIDEN FROM INSIDE THE PARTIES?

>> I CAN'T TELL.

I'LL GIVE YOU WHAT MY STAFF TELLS ME NOT TO DO.

DON'T BE A POLITICAL PUNDIT.

>> DO IT.

>> BE A POLICY GUY AND FOCUS ON WHERE YOUR STRENGTH IS.

THE ONE THING I WANT TO SAY IS THERE IS A TEST GOING ON IN THIS NATION.

I THINK DONALD TRUMP, UNFORTUNATELY, IS FORCING THE TEST.

WHICH IS DO WE BELIEVE IN THE DEMOCRATIC PROCESSES?

THE CONTINUANCE OF GOVERNMENT.

WHAT HAS BEEN A LIGHT OF DEMOCRACY ALL OVER THIS COUNTRY.

DO WE CONTINUE IN THAT WAY EVEN IF IT'S TO THE DETRIMENT OF A PARTY OR SAY WE'RE ABOUT THE PERSON?

DONALD TRUMP, NO MATTER WHAT, WIN OR LOSE, EVEN IF IT'S UNDERMINING DEMOCRATIC TRADITIONS, DEMOCRATIC NORMS.

THAT'S THE TEST RIGHT NOW?

IT'S A TEST NOT GOING ON IN THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY IT'S A TEST GOING ON IN THE REPUBLICAN PARTY.

WHEN YOU HAVE A MAINSTREAM STATE LIKE US WHERE YOU HAD CANDIDATES RUNNING IN THIS ELECTION.

I WAS STUNNED FROM THE SCHOOL BOARD LEVEL ALL THE WAY UP TO SOME OF OUR REPUBLICAN CONGRESSIONAL CANDIDATES THAT COULDN'T ANSWER DIRECTLY THE QUESTION.

DID DONALD TRUMP WIN THE 2020 ELECTION OR NOT?

THAT IS WORRISOME.

I THINK REPUBLICAN PARTY IS GOING TO BE TESTED AND DO REPUBLICAN OFFICIALS WANT TO DRAG DOWN OUR DEMOCRACY FOR THE SAKE OF PETTY POLITICAL PARTISAN AIMS?

I'VE SEEN A LOT OF NOBLE REPUBLICANS AND THIS IS WHY I DON'T WANT TO PAINT WITH A BROAD BRUSH.

THERE ARE A LOT OF NOBLE PEOPLE IN THAT PARTY I MAY DISAGREE WITH ON SOME POLICY ISSUES BUT HAVE TAKEN EXTRAORDINARY STANDS IN DEFENSE OF DEMOCRACY.

THAT'S GOING TO BE, I THINK, REALLY ONE OF THE MORE IMPORTANT THINGS TO WATCH OVER THE COMING MONTHS.

>> AS A PARTISAN DEMOCRAT YOU WANT DONALD TRUMP AS THE REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE, DON'T YOU?

>> I'M NOT ONE OF THESE PEOPLE FOR DEMOCRATS TO WIN WE HAVE TO PUSH TO MAKE THE MOST EXTREME RADICAL PERSON.

THAT'S NOT WHAT I HOPE.

I THINK THE EPITAPH FOR THIS DECADE OR SO 50 YEARS FROM NOW IS GOING TO BE WHAT DID GOOD PEOPLE DO TO KEEP OUR DEMOCRACY?

TO KEEP OUR BASIC HUMAN FREEDOMS, FREEDOM TO MARRY WHO YOU WANT, FREEDOM TO CONTROL YOUR BODY, THE DEMOCRATIC NORMS THAT WE'VE SEEN ERODED OF RECENT.

AND SO I JUST WANT WHEN HISTORY CALLS LONG AFTER YOU AND I HAVE BEEN CALLED BACK TO OUR MAKER, MY FRIEND, I WANT TO BE ONE OF THE PEOPLE WITH A SOUND, BALANCED VOICE THAT KEPT CALLING PEOPLE NOT TO PARTISAN WINS BUT TO THE LARGER CALL OF OUR COUNTRY.

REMEMBER INCREDIBLE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE WINS WITH TWO WORDS, FOR ALL.

WE HAVE TO DO MORE AS A COUNTRY TO REMIND PEOPLE WE'RE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER.

WE NEED EACH OTHER AND THAT THIS HATEFUL POLITICS IS THE POISON WITHIN THAT MAKES US VULNERABLE TO ENEMIES WITHOUT.

>> SEE, THIS IS WHY NOBODY LIKES YOU.

YOU MENTION POLICY VERSUS POLITICS.

DOES YOUR PARTY HAVE A PROBLEM SOMETIMES ARTICULATING POLICY DIFFERENCE OR POLICY SOLUTIONS AND THEN KIND OF SOMETIMES JUST DEFAULTS BACK TO THE POLITICS OF THINGS?

I HEARD THAT CRITICISM THIS WEEK.

>> AS SOON AS YOU SAY POLITICAL PARTY YOU GET THIS VAST GROUP.

EITHER PARTY.

THEY HAVE GOVERNORS.

THEY HAVE STATE LEGISLATORS.

THEY HAVE CONGRESS PEOPLE.

SENATORS.

GETTING EVERYBODY TO BE ON ONE COURSE ALL THE TIME IS HARD.

AS I TRAVELED AROUND PEOPLE KNOW HOW TO TALK TO THEIR CONSTITUENCIES.

ANDY KIM, THIS NERD FROM BURRLINGTON COUNTY KNEW HOW TO TALK TO CONSTITUENTS.

FROM MARK KELLY OUT IN ARIZONA ALL THE WAY TO OUR HOME STATE POLITICIANS.

I TRUST THE PEOPLE WHO THEY WIN WHEN THEY KNOW THEIR COMMUNITIES AND CONSTITUENCIES.

THERE COULD BE CRITICISM ON BOTH PARTIES BUT THE REALITY WAS IF YOU LOOK TO THE NEIGHBOR TO THE WEST IN PENNSYLVANIA.

FETTERMAN TALKED TO THE CONCERNS OF PENNSYLVANIA.

HIS LAST CLOSING SPEECH WAS, I GOT KNOCKED DOWN BY A STROKE.

I HAD GREAT HEALTH CARE.

YOU DESERVE GREAT HEALTH CARE, TOO.

THAT'S NOT OUT OF THE REACH OF YOUR FAMILIES EXPENSES.

THOSE KIND OF THINGS HIT HOME, HIT HARD AND CLEARLY, IN THE STATE OF PENNSYLVANIA AND ELSEWHERE, MADE A DIFFERENCE IN WINNING AND LOSING THIS ELECTION.

>> WE SAW SOMETHING KIND OF UNIQUE IN OUR CURRENT DAY ENVIRONMENT.

CANDIDATES CONCEDING ON THE NIGHT OF THE ELECTIONS.

DOES THAT SUGGEST EITHER THAT THERE IS SOME CIVILITY RETURNING TO OUR POLITICS AND/OR THAT THE SYSTEM ITSELF HELD, AGAIN?

>> I THINK WE ARE STILL IN TURBULENT TROUBLED WATERS.

OUR ENEMIES KNOW IT.

RUSSIANS IF YOU LOOK WHAT THEY ARE DOING ON OUR SOCIAL MEDIA ACCOUNTS THEY THINK THEY CAN DISRUPT DEMOCRACY BY THROWING MATCHES ON THE FUEL OF HATE AROUND OUR COUNTRY.

THEY ARE TRYING TO WORK US UP IN A FRENZY AND UNDERMINE OUR DEMOCRATIC CIVILITY.

I THINK WE'RE STILL IN TROUBLESOME WATERS.

THOSE WHO TRY TO UNDERMINE THE GREATNESS OF AMERICA KNOW THAT AND TRYING TO EXPLOIT DIVISIONS.

BUT AT THE SAME TIME, I WILL ALWAYS BET ON AMERICA.

I WILL ALWAYS BET ON THE GOODNESS AND THE DECENCY.

SOMETIMES IT TAKES A WHILE BUT EVEN IN THE DEMAGOGUE DAYS OF McCARTHYISM.

IN THE END DECENCY WON OUT.

IN THE END CIVILITY WON OUT.

THE PENDULUM SWUNG A LONG WAY OUT OF THE REALM OF DECENCY AND CIVILITY.

MORE TOWARD A CULTURE OF CONTEMPT.

WHAT I BET ON IS IT'S COMING BACK.

WE AS AMERICANS LOVE OUR COUNTRY MORE THAN WE LOVE OUR PARTISAN DECIDE.

WE KNOW WE'RE BETTER TOGETHER.

WHEN WE UNITE THERE'S NOTHING WE CAN'T DO FROM BEATING THE NAZIS TO GETTING TO THE MOON.

AMERICANS ARE ANXIOUS, ESPECIALLY IN OUR REGION.

PEOPLE ARE TIRED OF THE WHACKY WINGS.

THEY WANT TO GET BACK TO SOLID, BREAD AND BUTTER HARD WORK OF BUILDING A BETTER COUNTRY FOR THE FUTURE.

>> WE SAW AS AN OPERATION THAT THE SYSTEM HELD EVEN IN MERCER COUNTY WHERE THE VOTING MACHINES WENT DOWN AND THEY ARE COUNTING PAPER BALLOTS.

THEY ARE NOT COUNTING THEM ONE AT A TIME BUT IT'S PAPER BALLOTS.

>> LOOK, AGAIN, I LOVE JERSEY.

WHEN I TRAVEL AROUND THE COUNTRY TO TRY THOEP OUT OTHER CANDIDATES IT'S GOOD TO COME HOME.

AGAIN, MOST OF US ARE IN THE BOX.

REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS MOST OF US ARE IN THE BOX.

I THINK, AGAIN, MURPHY, OUR SENATE LEADERSHIP AND HOUSE LEADERSHIP HAVE GOOD PLANS AND GOOD IDEAS.

AT THE END OF THE DAY I LOVE MY STATE BECAUSE WE RESIST THE EXTREMES.

I'M TELLING YOU IT'S BEEN A LOT OF SORT OF MAGA-LIKE RIGHT WING PEOPLE TRYING TO UNDERMINE THAT CIVILITY AND THAT BASIC GOODNESS OF JERSEY.

BUT I THINK WE SHOWED IN MERCER COUNTY WE CAN RESIST EVEN THE KIND OF THINGS THAT DO GO WRONG WHEN YOU HAVE A DEMOCRACY.

DEMOCRACIES CAN BE MESSY.

IT CAN BE SLOPPY.

BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY IT'S HOW MUCH WE HAVE COMMITMENT TO COME TOGETHER AND WEATHER WHATEVER STORM AND JERSEY DOES THIS WELL.

>> I HAVE TO SAY.

YOU LOST ONE SEAT IN ONE OF THE HOUSE SEATS IN NEW JERSEY FROM ONE OF YOUR STRONGEST CANDIDATES JUST AS A CONGRESSPERSON.

A LOT OF IT HAD TO DO WITH THE REDISTRICTING.

THAT FATE WAS SEALED IT SEEMED ONCE THEY AGREED ON WHAT THE REDISTRICTING WOULD BE.

DID TOM GET THE SHORT END OF THE PARTY'S STICK?

>> YEAH.

THE REDISTRICTING SHORT END.

BUT WHAT A CONGRESSMAN AND WHAT A CAMPAIGN.

THIS GUY, EVEN LOSING EXCEEDED EXPECTATIONS.

HE WASN'T JUST RUNNING AGAINST THE HEAD WINDS OF HIGH INFLATION, THE PRESIDENT THAT WAS IN POWER WAS HIS OWN PARTY IN A MIDTERM.

HE ALSO WAS RUNNING AGAINST A BADLY NEW DISTRICT THAT WAS DESIGNED TO EXCLUDE HIM.

I CONGRATULATE THE PERSON WHO IS NOW THE CONGRESSMAN OR CONGRESSMAN ELECT FROM THAT DISTRICT.

I LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH HIM BUT THERE IS A SHAME, I FEEL, ON US HAVING LET SUCH A GREAT PUBLIC SERVANT NARROWLY SPLIP OUT OF OUR HAND.

>> HIS NAME IS TOM CANE JR. YOU MAY NOT REMEMBER BECAUSE HE DIDN'T TALK TO ANYBODY IN NEW JERSEY.

SENATOR, A QUICK MINUTE FOR VIEWER QUESTIONS.

>> YEAH.

>> THIS IS NOT FROM YOUR MOM.

WHY AIN'T YOU MARRIED YET?

>> WELL, FIRST OF ALL, THIS IS A GOOD FRIEND WHO POKES AT YOUR WOUNDS.

A YEAR AGO I BROKE UP WITH SOMEBODY.

THE FIRST PERSON I EVER MOVED IN AND I THOUGHT WE WERE GOING TO MAKE IT ALL THE WAY.

WE ENDED UP NOT.

SHE'S STILL A DEAR FRIEND AND INCREDIBLE PARTNER IN WORK FOR THIS ELECTION FOR DEMOCRATS IN GENERAL.

YOU NEVER KNOW.

I'M SINGLE AND LOOKING FOR THAT WHICH ESCAPED BACHELORS LIKE YOU AND I WHICH IS MARITAL A BLISS.

I READ A LOT OF BOOKS DURING THE PANDEMIC ABOUT LONGEVITY.

HOW YOU LIVE NOT JUST A LONG LIFE BUT HEALTHY LONG LIFE.

SLEEP, CRITICALLY IMPORTANT.

EXERCISE, NOT AS MUCH AS PEOPLE THINK CONSISTENCY THERE.

DIET, BUT THE TWO THINGS I FOUND INTERESTING WAS ONE IS HOW YOU MANAGE STRESS.

I GOT BACK TO A DISCIPLINED MEDITATION PRACTICE AND PRAYER.

BUT THE OTHER ONE IS LOVE.

YOUR HUMAN CONNECTIONS.

THE COMMUNITY YOU BUILD AROUND YOU.

I WILL SAY I FOUND IT INTERESTING.

THAT'S NOT MARRIAGE OR ANYTHING BUT IT'S LIKE REMEMBER WE EVOLVE IN TIGHT KNIT GROUPS.

I WILL SAY THIS.

THE DATE IS INTERESTING.

MARRIED MEN LIVE LONGER THAN SINGLE MEN.

IT HAS NO AFFECT ON WOMEN THAT MIGHT BE FOR OBVIOUS REASONS.

MARRIED GUYS LIVE LONGER.

I PRAY THAT I CAN FIND A NURTURING PARTNER ESPECIALLY IN JOBS LIKE THIS THAT ARE HIGH STRESS.

YOU NEED SOMEBODY TO MAKE YOU REALIZE YOU'RE HUMAN AND TO TAKE OUT THE TRASH AND THAT NOT TO TAKE THE WORLD SO SERIOUSLY.

NOT TO WEAR SUCH A HEAVY GARMENT.

>> YOU'RE A WEIRD GUY WHO THINKS LOVE AND MARRIAGE GO TOGETHER?

>> I BELIEVE.

I BELIEVE.

>> AND THIS IS A QUESTION THAT I ALWAYS ASK YOU BECAUSE I WANT YOU TO KEEP UP WITH YOUR JAZZ STUDIES.

YOU COME UP WITH WEIRD ANSWERS TO WHAT MUSIC ARE YOU LISTENING TO?

>> I JUST LISTEN THIS MORNING ON MY RUN TO A NEW ALBUM THAT WAS DROPPED BY PJ MORTON.

I LOVE SOME OF HIS GOSPEL HITS.

I'VE BEEN LEANING A LOT ON MY GOSPEL ROUTES DURING THIS STRESSFUL ELECTION PERIOD.

I HAVE THIS -- I ALMOST FEEL LIKE I SHOULD MAKE IT PUBLIC.

I HAVE A MIX I GO TO ALL THE TIME.

NOW IT'S LIKE 140 SONGS.

EVERY TIME I HEAR A GOSPEL SONG I LOVE I PUT IT IN THE MIX AND PUT IT ON SHUFFLE AND PLAY IT.

>> LASTLY, PEOPLE KEEP SAYING THAT YOU'RE GOING TO RUN FOR GOVERNOR OF NEW JERSEY.

>> I THINK GOVERNOR OF NEW JERSEY IS ONE OF THE GREATEST JOBS IN AMERICA.

WE HAVE A GOVERNOR THAT'S SHOWING THAT YOU CAN ADVANCE SOUND FISCAL POLICY AND STILL PROTECT SORT OF THE FREEDOMS IN THE DIVERSITY OF AMERICA.

I'VE BEEN HONORED, ESPECIALLY RECENTLY, WITH HEIGHTENED ANTI-SEMATIC ATTACKS WITH A LOT OF CHALLENGES WE'RE SEEING WITH HATE CRIMES, IN GENERAL.

TO SEE THE KIND OF ADMINISTRATION AND TEAM HE'S BUILT FROM OUR ATTORNEY GENERAL TO THE STATE POLICE TO KEEP US SAFE AND STRONG IN NEW JERSEY.

I LOVE BEING AN EXECUTIVE MAYOR.

I GO WALKING AROUND THE CITY AND FEEL PROUD OF THE PARKS WE BUILT, SCHOOLS WE BUILT.

WHAT AN EXECUTIVE CAN DO TO REALLY HELP MOVE A CITY, A STATE, A NATION FORWARD BY GETTING PEOPLE BACK TO THIS IDEA WE HAVE COMMON CAUSE.

THE GOVERNOR'S JOB IS ATTRACTIVE TO ME BUT I LOVE BEING NEW JERSEY'S SENATOR.

I HAVE TO SAY, THIS HAS BEEN AN A INCREDIBLY PRODUCTIVE NINE YEARS I'VE HAD.

THE BILLS, AS ONE SENATOR TOLD ME, YOU'RE LIKE PUNCHING ABOVE YOUR WEIGHT FOR DELIVERING BIPARTISAN LEGISLATION.

I'M GOING TO STAY WHERE I AM.

I APPRECIATE PEOPLE SAYING THAT.

I'VE BEEN FLATTERED AS I RAN AROUND THE STATE THIS ELECTION HEARING PEOPLE ASKING IF I'D RUN.

I HAVE TO INTENTION OF DOING THAT.

>> IT REMINDS ME WE WERE TALKING ABOUT THIS BEFORE AND I SHOULD HAVE ASKED THEN.

AS FAR AS THE LAME DUCK SESSION GOES, I HEARD TALK THAT THERE COULD BE SOME MOVEMENT ON LEGALIZING MARIJUANA DURING THAT PERIOD.

DO YOU FEEL MORE OPTIMISTIC OR LESS ABOUT THAT?

>> I WOULD SAY THE SAME AS I WAS BEFORE I LEFT BEFORE THIS CAMPAIGNING SEASON.

THERE'S A GREATER UNDERSTANDING ON THESE ISSUES.

I JUST HAVE A FEELING THAT WE CAN GET SOMETHING DONE BUT THE PROBLEM WE HAVE RIGHT NOW IS THE CLOCK.

THERE'S VERY LITTLE TIME IN THIS LAME DUCK AND A LOT OF THINGS THAT PEOPLE WANT TO DO.

I TALK TO SCHUMER YESTERDAY.

IT'S JUST GOING TO BE HARD TO GET AS MUCH DONE AS WE NEED TO.

THEN WHEN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TAKES OVER, EVEN THOUGH THERE'S A LOT OF HOUSE MEMBERS FROM STATES THAT LEGALIZED MARIJUANA IN ONE WAY OR THE OTHER.

I DON'T SEE THE REPUBLICANS WANTING TO ADVANCE THAT.

IT'S EITHER NOW OR MIGHT BE MANY YEARS FROM NOW.

>> ALL RIGHT.

SENATOR COREY BOOKER.

THANK YOU FOR STICKING AROUND US.

>> IT'S GREAT TO SEE YOU.

I WILL NOTE WHAT YOU SAID OFF THE AIR YOU WERE HAPPY I DIDN'T COME THE MILE IT WOULD HAVE TAKEN TO GET IN PERSON.

FOR THE RECORD, EVERYBODY SHOULD KNOW.

HE DOESN'T LIKE BEING IN THE SAME ROOM WITH ME.

I DON'T KNOW IF IT'S TENSION THAT GOES BACK TO WHEN WE HAD A RADIO SHOW TOGETHER.

I KNOW YOU FEEL SOME KIND OF WAY.

I KNOW THE WORST ASSIGNMENT YOU EVER GOT WAS FOLLOWING ME AROUND ON A PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN TRAIL.

YOU WERE SO UNCOMFORTABLE HAVING TO GIVE LIGHT AND ATTENTION TO MY PRESIDENTIAL RUN.

>> WELL, WHAT I WAS MOST COMFORTABLE DOING WAS MESSING WITH YOU AMONGST ALL THE NATIONAL MEDIA.

>> YOU WERE DEFINITELY TRYING TO TAKE AWAY MY NATIONAL SHINE AND BRING ME BACK TO MY DAYS WHERE YOU A ATTACK ME FOR EVERYTHING IMAGINABLE.

I KNOW GOD PUT UZ FRENEMIES.

IF I RUN AGAINST I'LL BE READY FOR YOU THIS TIME CRUZ.

>> DID YOU SAY SOMETHING ABOUT RUNNING FOR PRESIDENT?

>> THAT'S WHY YOU SHOULD END AN INTERVIEW WHEN THE INTERVIEWING GOES OUT.

I HAVE NO INTENTION OF RUNNING FOR PRESIDENT.

I INTENT TO SUPPORT JOE BIND.

>> SENATOR GREAT TO SEE YOU.

THANKS.

>> THANK YOU.

TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF.

THAT'S CHAT BOX FOR THIS WEEK.

FOLLOW ME ON TWITTER AT DAVID CRUZ NJ AND DESCRIBE TO YOUTUBE TO SEE CHAT BOX AND REPORTERS ROUND TABLE FIRST AND FRESH CONTENT EVERY DAY.

I'M DAVID CRUZ.

FROM ALL THE CRUZ AT THE GATEWAY CENTER.

THANK YOU FOR WATCHING.

>>> MAJOR FUNDING FOR CHAT BOX WITH DAVID CRUZ IS PROVIDED BY THE MEMBERS OF THE NEW JERSEY EDUCATION ASSOCIATION.

MAKING PUBLIC SCHOOLS GREAT FOR EVERY CHILD.

NJM INSURANCE GROUP.

SERVING NEEDS OF NEW JERSEY RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES FOR MORE THAN ONE HUNDRED YEARS.

PROMOTIONAL SUPPORT PROVIDED BY INSIDER NJ.

A POLITICAL INTELLIGENCE NETWORK DEDICATED TO NEW JERSEY POLITICAL NEWS.

INSIDER NJ IS COMMITTED TO GIVING SERIOUS POLITICAL PLAYER AN INTERACTIVE FORUM FOR IDEA, DISCUSSION AND INCITE ONLINE AT INSIDERNJ.COM