Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.) is notoriously tough to pin down for an interview in the halls of the U.S. Capitol, but the freshman senator proved more indulgent while aboard Air Force One.
Booker dropped by the press cabin while on his virgin flight aboard the presidential aircraft, a quick jaunt back to Washington after a presidential speech to service members at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst in his home state of New Jersey.
{mosads}Booker chatted with reporters about his new vegan diet, his time as mayor of Newark, and his interest in reforming criminal justice. He also reflected on his working relationship with New Jersey Gov. Christie — who also attended Monday’s event in New Jersey — as well as his first 13 months in the Senate.
Booker may have been drawn back to the cabin by the presence of Washington Post reporter Katie Zezima, a member of Monday’s traveling press pool and a veteran of the Associated Press’s New Jersey bureau.
But the New Jersey senator seemed simply to be enjoying his first flight on Air Force One. Reporters say they spotted Booker snapping a picture with the plane while greeting the president upon his arrival.
That was, at least, until getting some good-natured teasing from Obama, who ambled back to discover Booker with the reporters in the rear of the plane.
“Shocker!” Obama said with a laugh. “I should’ve known you’d be back here talking to the press.”