Cory Booker on New Jersey and the nor'easter: "[It's] testing the resolve and the grit of my state and my city and obviously this region"

As a powerful nor'easter pounds the Tri-State area, on Wednesday evening Cory Booker weathered the storm and made his way to the "Piers Morgan Tonight" studio for a live primetime interview.

On the heels of Superstorm Sandy the Newark, New Jersey Mayor characterized the recent bouts of extreme conditions as "Mother Nature's one-two punch," which is "testing the resolve and the grit of my state and my city and obviously this region."

Citing 25,000 people still without power, the Garden State politician admitted that challenges lie ahead:

"This is going to take continuous pulling together, standing together, and fighting together, because this has just been a brutal 10-day stretch for this metropolitan region."

Meanwhile, as a staunch Barack Obama supporter and regular on the campaign trail, Booker described his feelings upon seeing the president secure a second term:

"A lot of it was just relief. There were a lot of gains that I specifically saw for people in my city," said the 43-year-old Democrat. "This whole 'Obamacare' that's gotten so tortured. The reality is, there are millions of Americans that have access to healthcare. Those that were being denied by big insurance companies for coverage, are going to be able to keep their coverage."

In addition to the medical and economical impact that will now be felt following Tuesday, Booker was equally enthused by some of the social initiatives that emerged:

"This was a moment in our nation when we took another step forward on issues of inclusion, of equality," he told Piers Morgan. "First time ever you see marriage equality passing in other states. People recognizing, 'Hey, you and me, created by the same God, we are all Americans, we should have equal protection under the law."

Watch the clip, and listen to the interview, as the Newark Mayor lends his insights to precipitation and politics.
-
» Follow Piers Morgan Tonight on Twitter