Every so often, I look back at what is still the best thing I've ever read about potential 2020 presidential candiate Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J.

Back in 2012, when Booker gained national media attention for a series of kind gestures, otherwise known as political stunts, the New York Times did God's work and actually looked at how the then-Newark, N.J., mayor may have looked cute receiving a super hero costume on "Ellen," but his entire city was a wreck.

As Booker now makes trips to New Hampshire and decides whether he wants to run for the Democratic nomination, it's important to once again remember this absolute work of art from the New York Times:







Last spring, Ellen DeGeneres presented Mr. Booker with a superhero costume after he rushed into a burning building



In recent days, Mr. Booker has made the rounds of the national media with his pledge to live on food stamps for a week. But his constituents do not need to be reminded that six years after the mayor came into office vowing to make Newark a 'model of urban transformation,' their city remains an emblem of poverty. When snow blanketed this city two Christmases ago, Mayor Cory A. Booker was celebrated around the nation for personally shoveling out residents who had appealed for help on Twitter. But here, his administration was scorned as streets remained impassable for days because the city had no contract for snow removal.Last spring, Ellen DeGeneres presented Mr. Booker with a superhero costume after he rushed into a burning building to save a neighbor . But Newark had eliminated three fire companies after the mayor’s plan to plug a budget hole failed.In recent days, Mr. Booker has made the rounds of the national media with his pledge to live on food stamps for a week. But his constituents do not need to be reminded that six years after the mayor came into office vowing to make Newark a 'model of urban transformation,' their city remains an emblem of poverty.



Conservatives will spend a lot of time mocking Booker's overwrought performances during the Supreme Court confirmation hearings for Justice Brett Kavanaugh, which were undeniably embarrassing. But this beautiful New York Times article is so much worse.

[Read more: President Trump lashes 2020 Democrats: 'Horrible' Cory Booker, 'disgrace' Elizabeth Warren, 'one percent' Joe Biden]