Newark mayor, Cory Booker, has been getting criticism because he has been exchanging flirty tweets and direct messages with an exotic dancer. The dancer, Lynsie Lee, works at a vegan strip club in Portland, Oregon. The tweets have seemed harmless so far, but Booker's reputation may be in jeopardy.

In one of the DMs, Booker says, “And the East Coast loves you, and by the East Coast, I mean me.” Lee replied, “Well now I’m blushing,” to which Booker responded, “It’s only fair.”

Lee has also suggested that she be Booker's first lady if he ever runs for president.

I don’t think these messages are as bad as people are making them out to be. This is simply a friendly, flirty conversation between two people that live totally different lives. The only reason why this story is a big deal is because Lynsie Lee is a stripper who posts topless pictures. Cory Booker is a single man, so he’s not betraying his significant other’s trust. Yes, the tweets and the DMS are flirty, but that does not mean that he was trying to have a sexual relationship with her. If anyone knows or follows Cory Booker on Twitter, he is a very friendly man who often interacts with his Twitter followers.

Lynsie Lee has even told Buzzfeed that “he was just flattering her.”

I could be wrong, maybe news will break that they did indeed have a sexual relationship. But right now, there is no concrete proof that they are carrying on. But even if they were having a sexual relationship, should that really matter? He’s a single man and if he fell in love with a stripper, so be it. As long as he’s not using funds from the campaign, or it’s distracting him from doing his duties as mayor, than it shouldn’t be a big deal.

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