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\f0\fs30 \cf0 \cb2 (Image source: {\field{\*\fldinst{HYPERLINK "http://twitter.com/CoryBooker/status/275639290724249604"}}{\fldrslt
\cf3 Twitter / @CoryBooker}}) \f1\fs24 \
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\f0\b\fs30 \cf0 BY MALLORY PERRYMAN \f1\b0\fs24 \
\
\f0\b\fs30 ANCHOR CHRISTINA HARTMAN \f1\b0\fs24 \
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\f0\fs30 \cf0 A New Jersey mayor is making good on a promise to walk a week in the shoes
of an American on food stamps. Newark Mayor Cory Booker is trying out the Supplemental
Nutrition Assistance Program -- or SNAP. {\field{\*\fldinst{HYPERLINK "http://myfox8.com/"}}{\fldrslt \cf3 Here\'92s
WGHP}}. \fs24 \cf4 \
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\b\fs30 \cf0 \'93Cory Booker was challenged by a Twitter follower from North Carolina
to see if he could live off of food stamps for a week. Well in New Jersey the payout
is about $133 a person for a month...\'94 \b0\fs24 \cf4 \
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\fs30 \cf0 That breaks down to around $33 a week, which is about how much Booker spent
on this week\'92s grocery run. {\field{\*\fldinst{HYPERLINK "https://twitter.com/CoryBooker/status/275639290724249604/photo/1"}}{\fldrslt
\cf3 His receipt}} includes beans, corn, and an apple.
\f1\fs24 \ \
\f0\fs30 Booker says the challenge is meant to raise awareness about what it\'92s really
like for Americans using the food assistance program.
\f1\fs24 \ \
\pard\pardeftab720 {\field{\*\fldinst{HYPERLINK "http://www.snaptohealth.org/snap/snap-frequently-asked-questions/"}}{\fldrslt
\f0\fs30 \cf3 According to Snap to Health}} \f0\fs30 , in 2011 nearly
\b 46 million \b0 Americans participated in SNAP, with an
average monthly benefit of about $134 a person. \f1\fs24 \
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\f0\b\fs30 \cf0 76% of families \b0 using SNAP included children --
\b 16% went to individuals \b0 with a disability -- and
\b 9% to seniors \b0 .
\f1\fs24 \ \
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\f0\fs30 \cf0 But radio host John Gambling tells {\field{\*\fldinst{HYPERLINK "http://www.myfoxny.com/"}}{\fldrslt
\cf3 WNYW}} -- Booker\'92s challenge is a stunt -- and it could be misleading. \'a0
\f1\fs24 \ \
\f0\fs30 John Gambling: \b \'93To suggest that you can survive on
food stamps... not many people exist on exclusively food-stamp monies. They are a supplement.\'94
\b0\fs24 \cf4 \ \
\fs30 \cf0 If the challenge is a publicity stunt -- it\'92s generating plenty of headlines.
\f1\fs24 \ \
\f0\fs30 And that\'92s not uncommon for Booker, according to {\field{\*\fldinst{HYPERLINK
"http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2012/12/04/will-cory-booker-parlay-heroics-high-profile-into-a-run-for-governor.html"}}{\fldrslt \cf3 The Daily Beast\'92s David Freelander}}.
\f1\fs24 \ \
\f0\fs30 Freelander points out Booker has been {\field{\*\fldinst{HYPERLINK "http://articles.nydailynews.com/2012-04-13/news/31332981_1_mayor-cory-booker-daring-rescue-ledger"}}{\fldrslt
\cf3 in the news for rescuing a woman from a burning home}}...
\f1\fs24 \ \
\f0\fs30 ...{\field{\*\fldinst{HYPERLINK "http://www.care2.com/causes/using-twitter-a-snow-shovel-cory-booker-helps-to-dig-out-newark.html"}}{\fldrslt \cf3 taking to the streets after a snowstorm}}
to dig out constituents... \f1\fs24 \
\
\f0\fs30 ... and {\field{\*\fldinst{HYPERLINK "http://www.corybooker.com/mayor_opens_his_doors_during_sandy"}}{\fldrslt
\cf3 opening the doors of his home to those displaced by Superstorm Sandy}}.
\f1\fs24 \ \
\f0\fs30 All good Samaritan acts that could drum up support for a mayor who might want
to take on popular New Jersey Governor Chris Christie in the next election.
\fs24 \cf4 \ \
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\b\fs30 \cf0 \'93The thinking for why Booker would take the plunge now is that even if
he were to lose against Christie, he would boost his name ID in order to run four years
from now, or to run for the U.S. Senate.\'94 \b0\fs24 \cf4 \
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\fs30 \cf0 The Daily Beast reports Booker\'92s office has signaled he won\'92t run for reelection
as mayor in 2014. \f1\fs24 \
\
\f0\fs30 You can follow Booker\'92s Food Stamp Challenge {\field{\*\fldinst{HYPERLINK "https://twitter.com/CoryBooker"}}{\fldrslt
\cf3 on his Twitter page}} \f1\fs24 \
\
\f0\fs30 And follow us, {\field{\*\fldinst{HYPERLINK "http://twitter.com/newsyvideos"}}{\fldrslt
\cf3 @newsyvideos}}, to keep up with today\'92s top stories.}