Cory Booker is a genius. I could sense it the

first day I met him. His enormous

intelligenceissurpassedonlybyhisheart.

He is compassionate, committed,

charismaticandgenerousofspirit.He

defines servant leader.

Years ago, when he moved into the projects

of Newark, N.J., and I asked why that was

necessary, he responded, "You can best

serve what you know." And long after he

won the job of mayor, he remained in his tiny

inner-city flat — not to make a point but to

make a difference.

On the desk in his office are scriptures from

about eight different religions. He studies

them all. He is a man of, for and about the

people. I've watched him give bear hugs as

frequently as other politicians shake hands.

I believe Cory, 41, could have been elected Senator, but he chose the harder and arguably more

important job of running New Jersey's biggest and often most challenging city.

The work of reforming the schools in Newark represents his Mount Everest — a ferocious challenge —

but he's helped raise $100 million thanks to Mark Zuckerberg and a partnership with Republican

governor Chris Christie. If anybody can do it, I believe Cory will.

He's Newark's biggest cheerleader now, but I'm looking forward to the day we all get to cheer him on

wherever politically he chooses to go.