Sun-Times' Sneed gets the U. S. Constitution wrong: Sandi and Jesse Jackson, Jr. may still sleep together

Revised, supplemented and links added on Friday at 1:00 pm
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Well, Michael Sneed, as usual, is, at best, half right: Article 1, Section 2, of the U. S. Constitution, prior to Sneed’s amendment of today, stated, “No person shall be a Representative …who shall not, when elected, be an inhabitant of that state in which he shall be chosen.”
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Sneed’s homework assignment tonight: Read the Constitution. She might find it even more appealing than Desperate North Shore Housewives, soon to be showing at...
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Dumbsville No. 1

The nice thing about working for the Chicago Sun-Times, if you are Michael Sneed, is that you can often write dumb things and nobody- at least nobody in a position of authority over Sneed at the paper- will notice or give a damn. You might think an editor would catch Sneed’s errors. Think again.

Sneed, in her Sun-Times column of today, tells us that Cong. Bobby Rush, battling cancer, is being urged to resign “so a successor would be in place before the November election.” [Of course, this reporter wishes Cong. Rush well in his battle with cancer].

Cong. Rush urged to resign so Dem Party Bosses can rule

Actually, what Sneed means to write, is that Cong. Rush is being urged to resign so that the people in the District won’t have a say in who replaces Cong. Rush, at least initially. If Rush were to resign after the November 4, 2008 election, a special election would be called to fill out his term. The people of the 1st Cong. District, not the Democratic Party bosses, would decide who represents them.

The Stroger to Stroger, Lipinski to Lipinski hand-off

But, if Rush steps down now, the Democratic Ward bosses and Township Committeeman bosses in the 1st Cong. District would decide who replaces Rush on the November ballot. (And, then two years later, that person could run as an incumbent). Further, if Rush were to wait a bit, the party bosses could avoid the possibility of an independent stepping up and filing to run in opposition to the pols’ choice. In other words, this is sort of the Cook County Board President John Stroger to Todd Stroger, Cong. Bill Lipinski to Dan Lipinski hand-off for which the Illinois Democratic Party has become so well known.

Chicago’s Democratic Royal Families

Of course, the Stroger to Stroger, Lipinski to Lipinski hand-off is just a variant of the Democratic aristocracy or Royal Families who rule in Illinois: Madigan to Madigan, Daley to Daley, Hynes to Hynes, Jackson to Jackson and Mell to (son-in-law) Blagojevich. In short, these folks believe, as they have essentially told Forrest Claypool and others, “If God had intended for you to hold [high] public office, he would have given you a different last name.” Yes, yes, this reporter knows, Jones to Obama is sort of an exception—the exception that proves the rule. And, of course, a Senate President like Emil Jones using his power to help his mentee (with the unlikely name of Obama) become first a State Senator and then a U. S. Senator is somewhat different from the above “hand-offs.”

Committeemen and Ward Bosses

Sneed goes on to tell us that Chicago Ald. Sandi Jackson (Cong. Jesse Jackson, Jr.’s spouse) is on the short list to replace Rush. Sneed also reports Ald. Freddrenna Lyle and Rush’s wife, Carolyn have been lobbying Dem. Committeemen to be appointed as Rush's replacement. Sneed should have included Democratic Chicago Ward bosses along with the Democratic suburban township committeemen she referenced to be lobbied. Rush’s 1st Cong. District spans some suburbs as well as portions of Chicago’s south side. Of course, Ald. Jackson would also be “lobbying Dem. Committeemen and Ward bosses.”

Ald. Jackson (whose spouse is the Congressman from the 2nd Cong. District) lives with her family in the 2nd Cong. District-- to the extent, that is, that they live in Illinois and not Washington, DC.

Dumbsville No. 2

Sneed goes on to tell her gentle readers not to worry about Ald. Jackson’s residence because, as Sneed says:

Please note: A candidate does not have to live in the congressional district when running for election but would have to move into the district after winning to take the seat.

Sneed, half right.

Well, Sneed, as usual, is half right: Article 1, Section 2, of the U. S. Constitution, prior to Sneed’s amendment of today, stated, “No person shall be a Representative …who shall not, when elected, be an inhabitant of that state in which he shall be chosen.” So, yes, Ald. Jackson would not have to be a resident of the 1st Cong. Dist. when running for election. She would just have to be an “inhabitant of Illinois,” when elected. But, Ald. Jackson would not have to “move into the [1st Cong. D]istrict after winning to take the seat,” as Sneed contends Ald. Jackson would.

8th CD Bean actually can vote for Kirk-- or Seals

Indeed, even if Sneed has not read the Constitution, you would think she might be aware of a U.S. Rep. in Illinois who doesn’t live in her District, or a number of U. S. Reps who have run and are running with no commitment to move into their Districts. For example, Illinois 8th Cong. District Congresswoman Melissa Bean [watch here], who was redistricted a block or two out of the District prior to her election to that seat in 2004, has not moved into her District, even though she is now completing her second term. Major Tammy Duckworth (D-Hoffman Estates), who ran in the 6th CD in 2006 had no plans to move into the District if she had beat Peter Roskam.

Further, the current 6th CD Democratic candidate, Jill Morgenthaler (Des Plaines), as far as this reporter knows, has no plans to move into the District if she beats Congressman Roskam (R-Wheaton, 6th CD)[Watch Roskam and Duckworth] [Candidate Morgenthaler’s [Watch here] house was in the 6th CD when she moved into that District with her husband decades ago, but they were re-districted out of the 6th CD in 1990]. Democrat Dan Seals, running for a second time in the 10th CD against 8 year incumbent Mark Kirk (R-Highland Park) lives a few blocks outside the 10th CD, and Seals has made no commitment, as far as this reporter knows, to move into the 10th CD, if elected [Watch Seals and Kirk, here].

Homework for Sneed

Sneed, or a Sun-Times editor, might consider reading the Constitution some time. It’s not that long (only about 27 pages in this reporter’s Oak Hill Publishing Company pocket book edition). And, it would be very instructive for Sneed to know what’s in the Constitution and what’s not. Indeed, having mastered the Constitution, Sneed might even become a Strict Constructionist, if not an Originalist. How happy would that make Justices Scalia and Thomas?

Michael Sneed also should learn a bit more about the U. S. Representative (Bean) for the District to the west of the Illinois 10th CD, the district in which her long time North Shore residence is located. Further, Sneed should bone up on the residential facts and residential commitments (or lack thereof) of those running for Congress in the 10th CD-- as well as in other nearby, Chicago Metro suburbs.

Sneed’s homework assignment tonight: Read the Constitution. She might find it even more appealing than Desperate North Shore Housewives, soon to be showing at a theater near you or perhaps in a future edition of Playboy Magazine, re-printing, no doubt, their old interview with Milton Friedman.
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Jeff Berkowitz, Show Host/Producer of "Public Affairs," and Executive Legal Recruiter doing legal search can be reached at JBCG@aol.com. You may watch "Public Affairs," shows with Presidential Candidates Obama, McCain, Giuliani and Cox, last Monday night's show in Chicago and Aurora with State Senator and Senate Minority Whip Kirk Dillard (R-Westmont), this week's show in the suburbs with Colonel Morgenthaler and shows with many other pols at www.PublicAffairsTv.com
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Recently posted shows on the Public Affairs Youtube page include next week's show in the suburbs with State Rep. Jim Durkin (R-Western Springs), this week's show in the suburbs with 6th CD Democratic candidate Colonel Jill Morgenthaler, last Monday night's show in Chicago and Aurora with Sen. Dillard, and our prior shows with former Presidential Candidate John Cox, Dem. Campaign consultant Pete Giangreco, State Rep. John Fritchey (D-Chicago), Senator and Deputy Republican Senate Leader Christine Radogno (R-Lemont) and many other pols

Way better than any Obama-Clinton Election TV Analysis, Berkowitz w/Col. Morgenthaler (Illinois 6th CD) on Iran and the Economy, Cable and Streaming

Colonel Jill Morgenthaler (D-Des Plaines; 6th CD): I am knocking Bush and Cheney. [watch show w/Morgenthaler].

Jeff Berkowitz: Just those two? There are other Republicans. Are you knocking Peter Roskam-- he’s your opponent.

Colonel Jill Morgenthaler: He’s not standing up for stopping the War. He’s not standing up for helping people with this mortgage crisis. He [Cong. Roskam] actually voted against...So, yes, I guess I am knocking him [Roskam].
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Jeff Berkowitz: You’re saying President Bush is using Iran to distract us from the economic problems of the United States?
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Jeff Berkowitz: So, you’re saying it could take ten years, maybe it could take fifteen years, you just don’t know?

Colonel Jill Morgenthaler: No, we don’t know.

Jeff Berkowitz: For Iran to have a nuclear capability.
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Colonel Jill Morgenthaler: Oh no, you never take it[the military option] off the table.
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Jeff Berkowitz: You would commit to be here if [Cong. Peter Roskam] says he will be here?

Colonel Jill Morgenthaler: Yes.

Jeff Berkowitz: All right, Peter, where are you? We’ll find out.
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Colonel Jill Morgenthaler: We need stronger border control, especially along the northern border, that’s been neglected.
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This week’s suburban edition of “Public Affairs,” features 6th Congressional District candidate Colonel Jill Morgenthaler (D-Des Plaines). The show was taped on May 4, 2008.

The show with 6th CD candidate Col. Morgenthaler (Retired after thirty years of military service), is available 24/7 on your computer.

Public Affairs contacted Cong. Roskam’s office a few weeks ago to ask if he would commit to tape Public Affairs, either individually or with his opponent, Colonel Morgenthaler, so that our viewers and his potential voters could learn more about his positions on the issues. Cong. Roskam did not return our call. Colonel Morgenthaler agreed weeks ago to tape the show and she kept her commitment.

Colonel Jill Morgenthaler, Illinois 6th CD Dem. candidate, debates and discusses, with Jeff Berkowitz, Public Affairs show host and Executive Legal Recruiter, Iraq and Iran; the Economy, the mortgage crisis, gas prices and oil companies; Education and charter schools; Immigration; Gays, Guns, God and Abortion and much, much more. For a more detailed list of show topics, see below.
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The suburban airing schedule for Public Affairs is included, below.
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The show with Illinois 6th CD candidate Jill Morgenthaler (D-Des Plaines) will also air throughout the City of Chicago this coming Monday night, at 8:30 pm on Cable Ch. 21 (CANTV) and in Aurora and surrounding areas on that same Monday night at 7:30 pm on ACTV, Cable Ch. 10.
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A partial transcipt of the show with candidate Morgenthaler is included, directly, below:

Knocking Bush and Cheney

Colonel Jill Morgenthaler: …I just feel so strongly that Washington, Bush, Cheney have had no strategy. No strategy on the economy, on the War, on Healthcare, on energy. That’s what we’re lacking. And, what I’d like to do is bring my ability to work with people regardless of Democrat or Republican.

Jeff Berkowitz: But, you’ve just knocked Bush—

Colonel Jill Morgenthaler: Um-um.

Jeff Berkowitz: And Cheney—

Colonel Jill Morgenthaler: Yup.

Jeff Berkowitz: And Republicans in general for mismanaging the War, for mismanaging the Economy and then you say, but, you would like to work with Democrats and Republicans--

Colonel Jill Morgenthaler: I am knocking Bush and Cheney.

Knocking Roskam

Jeff Berkowitz: Just those two? There are other Republicans. Are you knocking Peter Roskam-- he’s your opponent.

Colonel Jill Morgenthaler: He’s not standing up for stopping the War. He’s not standing up for helping people with this mortgage crisis. He [Cong. Roskam] actually voted against the Mortgage Finance Bill. He’s not standing up for children and healthcare. He’s voted down Medicare being required to be competitive for senior citizens the way the VA has competitive prices for veterans. So, yes, I guess I am knocking him [Roskam].

Jeff Berkowitz: Well, let’s deconstruct some of this. We’ll get to Roskam in a minute, we’ll get to Bush, but let’s start more generally with the economy, let’s start with…
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President Bush using Iran to Distract the American people?

Colonel Jill Morgenthaler: …And. I believe that President Bush is using Iran to try to distract us from our economic problems and what we really need—

Jeff Berkowitz: Wait, you believe that the President of the United States is doing that. You’re saying he is using Iran and Iraq to distract us—

Colonel Jill Morgenthaler: Not Iraq.

Jeff Berkowitz: Not Iraq. That’s a real problem?

Colonel Jill Morgenthaler: Iran, Yeah.

Jeff Berkowitz: You’re saying President Bush is using Iran to distract us from the economic problems of the United States?

Colonel Jill Morgenthaler: Why else would we have an admiral on the front page of the Chicago Tribune talking about Iran when it’s diplomacy. This should be [Secretary of State] Condoleezza Rice and the State Department if we’re truly involved in having a dialogue.

Jeff Berkowitz: Well, Condoleezza Rice would tell you that Iran is a major problem. I’ve seen that just recently—seen Condoleezza Rice speak [about that] in the last week.

Colonel Jill Morgenthaler: Well, she should be the one speaking about Iran.

Jeff Berkowitz: Well, she is.

Colonel Jill Morgenthaler: Not the Admiral.

Jeff Berkowitz: Well, both.

Colonel Jill Morgenthaler: Military is our last solution.

Jeff Berkowitz: Well, it is a combination of military, diplomacy, economics—right?

Colonel Jill Morgenthaler: Military is our last solution.

Jeff Berkowitz: Well, it is. But, even Hillary Clinton doesn’t take it off the table.

Colonel Jill Morgenthaler: Oh no, you never take it off the table.

IS HILLARY RIGHT ABOUT A PROTECTIVE UMBRELLA FOR SAUDI ARABIA, ET AL?

Jeff Berkowitz: Hillary Clinton has actually proposed a [U. S. protective] umbrella for countries like Saudi Arabia if Iran is going to be troublesome to them. You’ve heard that, right?

Colonel Jill Morgenthaler: Yes.

Jeff Berkowitz: Did Hillary get that right?

IS IRAN A REAL THREAT?

Colonel Jill Morgenthaler: Right now, Iran is not a real threat.

Jeff Berkowitz: They’re not?

Colonel Jill Morgenthaler: They do not have military capacity to hurt America. The same as Iraq did not have the capacity to hurt us in 2001.

Jeff Berkowitz: Well, how far is Iran from nuclear capability?

Colonel Jill Morgenthaler: It’s moving—

Jeff Berkowitz: How far? A year, two years?

Colonel Jill Morgenthaler: The national intelligence estimate says it does not have the capacity.

Jeff Berkowitz: Right now.

Colonel Jill Morgenthaler: So, we have to monitor—monitor and dialogue. We do not need to be rattling our sabers.

Jeff Berkowitz: You know this as well as anybody; You’ve got a Master’s degree in Strategic Studies and …

HOW LONG BEFORE IRAN HAS A NUCLEAR CAPABILITY?

Colonel Jill Morgenthaler: Do I have an estimate? No. We’ve got to watch it.

Jeff Berkowitz: So, you’re saying it could take ten years, maybe it could take fifteen years, you just don’t know?

Colonel Jill Morgenthaler: No, we don’t know.

Jeff Berkowitz: For Iran to have a nuclear capability.

Colonel Jill Morgenthaler: Right, we have to watch.

Jeff Berkowitz: For those who say, they may have it in two to three years, we’ve got to do something now--

Colonel Jill Morgenthaler: No, we’ve got to talk now.
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Obama or Clinton?

Jeff Berkowitz: …brief distraction: Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama, who are you supporting in that race?

Colonel Jill Morgenthaler: Either one. I-

Jeff Berkowitz: You’re not taking sides?

Colonel Jill Morgenthaler: No, I need to win my race.
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What to do about illegal immigration?

Jeff Berkowitz: Immigration, big issue, what do you think? Should there be a fence across the border? Should there be drones? Should we have stronger border control?

Colonel Jill Morgenthaler: We need stronger border control, especially along the northern border, that’s been neglected.

Jeff Berkowitz: Northern border? Do we need—we’re going to continue to speak as the credits roll, but I very much want to thank our guest, Colonel Jill Morgenthaler, thank you so much for coming—

Colonel Jill Morgenthaler: Thank you.

Where is Peter Roskam?

Jeff Berkowitz: Jill is, of course, a candidate in the 6th Cong. District. She is a Democrat. She is running against the incumbent, first term Republican incumbent Peter Roskam. We’d like to see Peter come out and answer similar questions, if not the same questions. You would like to see Peter here and you would have a casual conversation?

Colonel Jill Morgenthaler: That would be nice.

Jeff Berkowitz: Discussing the issues?

Colonel Jill Morgenthaler: Sure.

Jeff Berkowitz: You would commit to be here if [Cong. Peter Roskam] says he will be here?

Colonel Jill Morgenthaler: Yes.

Jeff Berkowitz: All right, Peter, where are you? We’ll find out.
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Colonel Jill Morgenthaler, Illinois 6th CD Democratic candidate (Des Plaines), debates and discusses the issues with show host and executive legal recruiter Jeff Berkowitz this week on the suburban edition of "Public Affairs."

Col. Morgenthaler spent five years in the active military (1976-81) and twenty-five years in the Army Reserves. She was activated for service in Bosnia (1996) and Iraq (2004). Jill Morgenthaler was appointed by Gov. Blagojevich to head up Illinois’ Homeland Security office during 2005-07. Colonel Morgenthaler worked for fourteen years in public affairs and community outreach at Argonne National laboratory; in other jobs involving marketing in the private sector and also for the U. S. Department of Commerce.

Colonel Morgenthaler received her undergraduate degree from Penn State University, a Master’s Degree in International Policy from the Monterey Institute for International Studies and a Master’s in Strategic Studies from the Army War College.

The Illinois 6th CD has about 80% of its population in Northeast DuPage County and about 20% in Northwest Cook County, including the O’Hare Airport suburbs. The late Republican Cong. Henry Hyde (R-Addison) held the seat for thirty-two years before creating an open seat by not seeking re-election in 2006. Former Republican State Senator Peter Roskam (Wheaton) won the seat by only two points in a tough race in November, 2006 with Democrat candidate, Major Tammy Duckworth.

Colonel Morgenthaler lives in Des Plaines with her husband Kerry and their two kids. Topics discussed during this episode of “Public Affairs,” with Col. Morgenthaler include whether “It’s the War, stupid,” or It’s the Economy, stupid? Why Col. Morgenthaler would knock Bush, Cheney and Roskam. Are the U. S. oil companies making above normal rates of return? Is Morgenthaler supporting Hillary or Barack? Should we have a federal gasoline tax holiday this summer? Should we place a windfall profits tax on domestic oil companies? Do taxes on oil companies come from shareholders, employers and customers, or could they come from somewhere else?

Did Cong. Roskam support the Mortgage Finance bill? Should he have? Should taxpayers help those homeowners who bought more house than they could afford? Did various home buyers misrepresent their financial condition when buying a home? Are homes being sold in 6th CD suburbs like Bensenville, Mt. Prospect, Des Plaines, Wheaton, Arlington Heights and Hoffman Estates or are we facing a “depression,” in housing?

Is the housing crisis a part of a routine business cycle or should we blame the President, the Federal Reserve and/or the Congress for the downturn in the economy, high gas prices and declining housing prices? What is the difference between Cong. Roskam and 6th CD challenger Col. Morgenthaler on Iraq? Do we need more diplomacy to deal with winning or resolving the Iraq War? Is President Bush using Iran to “try and distract us from our economic problems?”

Is Iran “right now a real threat,” to the U. S.? Can we make a reasonable estimate of how many years it will take for Iran to possess a nuclear capability? Does Col. Morgenthaler think it was a good idea for Israel to have taken out the nuclear facility that Syria was developing with the help of North Korea?

Did the Surge in Iraq work? Does Col. Morgenthaler believe in a timeline for American combat troops to be withdrawn from Iraq?

Should No Child Left Behind be mended? Ended? Charter schools expanded? School Vouchers-school choice offered as an option to parents?

Should we ban earmarks? Does Roskam want to ban earmarks?

“Gays, Guns, God and Abortion,” as Democratic National Committee Chair Howard Dean has said. Should we have any governmental restrictions on abortion? Should same sex marriage be permitted? Should the feds bring back the ban on assault weapons?

Stronger border control? Northern border? Southern boarder? A fence? Better employer controls as to whom to hire? Path to Citizenship for illegal immigrants in the country? Would that be rewarding illegal behavior? Should we do anything that might be viewed as rewarding illegal behavior?

Does Col. Morgenthaler commit to discuss the issues on Public Affairs with Cong. Roskam? Would Cong. Roskam make a similar commitment? Where is Cong. Peter Roskam?
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This week’s suburban episode of Public Affairs with guest 6th Cong. District candidate Colonel Jill Morgenthaler (D-Des Plaines) airs:

tonight at 8:30 pm on Comcast Cable Channel 19 in Buffalo Grove, Elk Grove Village, Hoffman Estates, parts of Inverness, Lincolnwood, Morton Grove, Niles, Northfield, Palatine, Rolling Meadows and Wilmette

and tonight at 8:30 pm on Comcast Cable Channel 35 in Arlington Heights, Bartlett, Glenview, Golf, Des Plaines, Hanover Park, Mt. Prospect, Northbrook, Park Ridge, Prospect Heights, Schaumburg, Skokie, Streamwood and Wheeling.

and this week on Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 8:30 pm airing on Comcast Cable Channel 19 in Bannockburn, Deerfield, Ft. Sheridan, Glencoe, Highland Park, Highwood, Kenilworth, Lincolnshire, Riverwoods and Winnetka.
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Jeff Berkowitz, Show Host/Producer of "Public Affairs," and Executive Legal Recruiter doing legal search can be reached at JBCG@aol.com. You may watch "Public Affairs," shows with Presidential Candidates Obama, McCain, Giuliani and Cox, last night's show in Chicago and Aurora with State Senator and Senate Minority Whip Kirk Dillard (R-Westmont), this week's show in the suburbs with Colonel Morgenthaler and shows with many other pols at www.PublicAffairsTv.com
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Recently posted shows on the Public Affairs Youtube page include next week's show in the suburbs with State Rep. Jim Durkin (R-Western Springs), this week's show in the suburbs with 6th CD Democratic candidate Colonel Jill Morgenthaler, last night's show in Chicago and Aurora with Sen. Dillard, and our prior shows with former Presidential Candidate John Cox, Dem. Campaign consultant Pete Giangreco, State Rep. John Fritchey (D-Chicago), Senator and Deputy Republican Senate Leader Christine Radogno (R-Lemont) and many other pols

Better than Hannity and Matthews: Berkowitz w/Sen. Dillard on Obama, McCain and the Combine, Cable and Streaming

Links to Dillard TV ad for Obama and to John Cox's questions re the McKennas added on Tuesday at 3:00 pm

Jeff Berkowitz: Notwithstanding all that [Wright, Rezko and Ayers], you don’t regret for a minute that you did that TV ad for Barack Obama [airing last December during the Iowa Caucus]?

Senator Kirk Dillard (R-Westmont): Not really, I mean he was a friend, I’m proud of what we did together. He clearly knew going in that I was for John McCain...
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Jeff Berkowitz: Andy McKenna, Sr. owns a big chunk of the Chicago Bears [says John Cox]. The Bears depend on Mayor Daley for the lease of Soldier field. Cox says you never see a Burger King, you never see a Wendy’s at O’Hare airport. Why? [he says] because McDonald’s has a franchise there. It goes to McKenna, Sr. This is what John Cox is saying. [Go here to read Cox's questions and discussion][Go here to watch the show with Cox].
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Senator Kirk Dillard: It’s a good thing that I passed that ethics law, so that you and Professor Redfield from the University of I[llinois] can have twenty-four hour access to where all the money goes. It lets you follow the money trail.

Jeff Berkowitz: Transparency, but—

Senator Kirk Dillard: John Cox is asking great questions.
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Tonight's City of Chicago and City of Aurora edition of "Public Affairs," features State Senator and former DuPage County Republican Party Chairman Kirk Dillard (R-Westmont). The show with Senator Dillard airs throughout the City of Chicago tonight at 8:30 pm on Cable Ch. 21 (CANTV) and also tonight in Aurora and surrounding areas at 7:30 pm on ACTV, Cable Ch. 10. The Aurora station, Aurora Community Television, Comcast Cable Ch. 10, reaches all of Aurora, Bristol, Big Rock and parts of Oswego, Sandwich, Sugar Grove and Montgomery.

Turn on, Tune in and watch discussions on tonight's show in Chicago and Aurora with Senator Dillard about Republican Dillard's TV ad for Democrat Obama-- will it reappear in the General Election; the continuing saga of the State GOP, how McCain may be similar to Democrat Obama, why the Republican base is concerned about a President McCain, why Senator Dillard does not share those concerns, the Illinois Combine as distinct from economic development and much more. Go here for a partial transcript of tonight's show, as well as links to more detailed list of topics discussed on tonight's show and for more about our guest,
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You may also watch the show with Senator Dillard, here.
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A partial transcript of Tonight's City of Chicago and City of Aurora edition of Public Affairs [featuring Senator Dillard and taped on April 27, 2008, is included, below:

Republican Dillard’s TV ad for Democrat Obama

Senator Kirk Dillard (R-Westmont): [Bill Ayers] is on the public payroll and teaching, but what he did is wrong… and I don’t know Mr. Rezko or Bill Ayers—I wouldn’t know them if they walked in the studio together—you know, really problematic stuff and that’s why the public needs to ask hard questions and that’s why you have a bruising Presidential Campaign—it is to flush this stuff out.

Jeff Berkowitz: Notwithstanding all that [Wright, Rezko and Ayers], you don’t regret for a minute that you did that TV ad for Barack Obama [airing last December during the Iowa Caucus]?

Senator Kirk Dillard: Not really, I mean he was a friend, I’m proud of what we did together. He clearly knew going in that I was for John McCain, although that was eighteen-nineteen months ago. You know my guess is he thought John McCain was probably not going to be our nominee. But, I have been a McCain supporter for many years and you know, Barack knew it. I limited what I said to just that [Obama] did work with Republicans in Springfield and nothing else. [Watch Dillard TV ad for Obama].

Will the Dillard TV ad air for Obama in the General Election?

Jeff Berkowitz: You put a limitation on his use of that ad in the general election?

Senator Kirk Dillard: I have spoken to his staff and said if Barack is the nominee, and it is still not settled as we sit here [April 27], but when it is a head on head race, pull the ad.

Jeff Berkowitz: And, you think they’ll honor that?

Obama and McCain: Soul brothers?

Senator Kirk Dillard: I would hope they honor that because I think Senator McCain will come back…I think the McCain campaign will say look, somebody who knows Senator Obama is for me, John McCain, and many of the reasons that I am for John McCain, Jeff, are the reasons that I actually struck a friendship with Barack: John McCain works well with both political parties; John McCain has worked on ethics reforms at the national level. But, the difference is John McCain has national foreign policy experience and I most importantly believe that America needs a check and balance, whether it is Mitt Romney or Mike Huckabee or John McCain, the Republicans are a good balance and we need a check and balance on [Speaker] Nancy Pelosi and a Democrat Congress, so there are many reasons why I am for John McCain.
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The McKennas, Mayor Daley and John Cox’s questions:

Jeff Berkowitz: Cox says Andy McKenna, Jr. is the State GOP Chairman. His father is Chairman of McDonald’s- that’s Andy McKenna, Sr.

Senator Kirk Dillard: Right.

Jeff Berkowitz: Andy McKenna, Sr. owns a big chunk of the Chicago Bears [says Cox]. The Bears depend on Mayor Daley for the lease of Soldier field. Cox says you never see a Burger King, you never see a Wendy’s at O’Hare airport. Why? [he says] because McDonald’s has a franchise there. It goes to McKenna, Sr. This is what John Cox is saying.

Dillard’s ethics law: a check on the McKennas?

Senator Kirk Dillard: It’s a good thing that I passed that ethics law, so that you and Professor Redfield from the University of I[llinois] can have twenty-four hour access to where all the money goes. It lets you follow the money trail.

Jeff Berkowitz: Transparency, but—

Senator Kirk Dillard: John Cox is asking great questions.

Jeff Berkowitz: …I think Cox is saying—is this why Andy Jr. is not going after Mayor Daley on corruption, in the City, because you never really hear that.

Senator Kirk Dillard: I don’t know.

John Kass, the McKennas and the Illinois Combine

Jeff Berkowitz: …[John] Kass says the [Illinois] Republicans can’t go after corruption because you’re sort of tied in with the Combine. What’s your response?

Senator Kirk Dillard: You know I don’t want to get into the McKennas but I think that the ethics law that I passed with Senator Obama as the co-sponsor gives you the ability to look at these hard questions, including John Cox’s so—those are good questions.

Follow the money

Jeff Berkowitz: So, you think you are getting at it with that law?

Senator Kirk Dillard: No doubt about it. That’s how you track the money.

Jeff Berkowitz: And, you think you need more legislation or will that do it?

Senator Kirk Dillard: I think it does it. I mean what more could you want. You can see everything over $150 that is taken in or spent… you wouldn’t even know this stuff if it weren’t for that law. The law works and it works really well.

The Combine or Economic Development?

Jeff Berkowitz: So, is there an Illinois Combine?

Senator Kirk Dillard: Of course, there’s an Illinois Combine.

Jeff Berkowitz: And you don’t like it. You would like to remove the Illinois Combine?

Dillard defies his caucus?

Senator Kirk Dillard: I would certainly like to dismantle the Combine with respect to personal gain. But I don’t want to get rid of and I don’t like the word Combine—I don’t want to get rid of the regional cooperation that’s there between DuPage County and Mayor Daley with respect to economic development around O’Hare. Or, what we just saw in the RTA package, which was passed from right here where this studio is, working with [Senators] John Millner, Dan Cronin and I to benefit Joliet and Naperville, while taking care of the North Shore, as well. You know, the Skokie Swift in Evanston needs transportation. Evanston is a major metropolis. And, you know, Chicago has to have a mass transit system, Jeff, it’s what make our city different than any others. And, if I can, for a small sales tax, get property tax relief in DuPage County, while keeping our system great, I’m for it, regardless of what the rest of my caucus thinks and …
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Jeff Berkowitz, Show Host/Producer of "Public Affairs," and Executive Legal Recruiter doing legal search can be reached at JBCG@aol.com. You may watch "Public Affairs," shows with Presidential Candidates Obama, McCain, Giuliani and Cox, tonight's show with Senator Dillard and shows with many other pols at www.PublicAffairsTv.com
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Recently posted shows on the Public Affairs Youtube page include next week's show in the suburbs with State Rep. Jim Durkin (R-Western Springs), this week's show in the suburbs with 6th CD Democratic candidate Jill Morgenthaler,(tonight's show in Chicago and Aurora with Sen. Dillard and our prior shows with former Presidential Candidate John Cox, Dem. Campaign consultant Pete Giangreco, State Rep. John Fritchey (D-Chicago), Senator and Deputy Republican Senate Leader Christine Radogno (R-Lemont), State Rep. Lang (Part 2), State Rep. Lang (Part 1) , WGN Radio political pundit Paul Green, Senator and 2010 Illinois Republican Primary Gubernatorial candidate Bill Brady,former State Senator Steve Rauschenberger, assessing Barack Obama, Republican U.S. Senate Republican nominee Dr. Steve Sauerberg, Senator Durbin, State Rep. Julie Hamos (D-Evanston,IL) , State's Attorney for Cook County Republican nominee and Cook County Board Member Tony Peraica; and Anita Alvarez, Chief Deputy to current State's Attorney for Cook County Dick Devine and now the Democratic nominee for State's Attorney of Cook County

Berkowitz joins Paul Vallas on Tom Roeser's Political Shoot-out radio show tomorrow night

Revised and supplemented significantly at 2:30 pm on Saturday
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Jeff Berkowitz will join Paul Vallas as a guest tomorrow night [Mother's Day] on Tom Roeser’s weekly, Sunday, call-in radio show, Political Shoot-out, WLS 890 AM Radio, from 8:00 pm to 9:00 pm. Vallas is the man who re-made and reformed the Chicago Public School ("CPS") system, under Mayor Daley, from 1995 to 2001, as its CEO-Superintendent.

Vallas had a very strong assist from Gery Chico, then the President of the Board of Education at CPS [Vallas and Chico were known as Messrs Inside and Outside at CPS]. Vallas was dumped by the Mayor(as was Chico)--or he simply left the CPS-- in the summer of 2001 to make a run for Governor in the Democratic Primary. Paul Vallas came close to beating Blago, and Roland Burris was a close third (36-34-30). Blagojevich, of course, went on to beat Jim Ryan (52-45) and the rest, as they say, is history. Vallas left Illinois to take on the Philadelphia public school system for a few years and he is now in the last year of his contract with the Recovery School District in New Orleans. The smart money says Vallas is taking a good look at a run for Illinois Governor in 2010.

Vallas was quite popular with Republicans in the Chicago Metro suburbs and Chicago Democratic minority residents-- with both of those demographics liking what he did at CPS. It would be a daring and sensible move for Democrat Vallas to consider entering the Republican Party Primary for his 2010 run for Governor. Vallas could be the the State GOP's messiah and he could, at the same time, avoid what is shaping up to be a crowded 2010 Democratic Guv Primary. That political party change by Vallas would also dovetail nicely with Vallas' newfound appreciation for School Vouchers-School Choice [ See Tom Roeser] and his longtime appreciation for the societal benefits of privitization, for which Vallas drew much flak while at the CPS and during the 2002 Democratic Guv primary.
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You say you don't live within the WLS broadcast area? Not to worry. You can go here to listen to the program, live, on the web.[You may encounter some technical problems in signing on-- allow five minutes, or so, for following the prompts for technical difficulties, and you should be able to hear WLS live on the web] See here for Tom’s Blog which has Tom's thoughts on a great many matters, political and otherwise.

Upset with something Berkowitz said on his show [www.PublicAffairsTv.com], something he wrote on this blog or just the way he looks? Tom Roeser’s show on Sunday night is your chance to fire back. A free fire zone, so to speak. Also, you can help shape the show and its topics by calling in with your questions and comments—312-591-8900. Democrats, Republicans, Libertarians, Centrists, Independents, Peronistas, Communists [no collect calls, please], Putin followers, elitists, clingers to religion and guns, outside agitators and others are, of course, all welcome.

Tomorrow night's show may touch on the Springfield six-ring circus, including the possible impeachment of Governor Blagojevich and whether there is credible evidence of an impeachable offense by Blago [Watch here the forthcoming Public Affairs show with Rep. Durkin [dealing in part with this topic], the Blagojevich meltdown and the toxic tone in Springfield among Dems which might help the Republicans be resurrected in Illinois; Are the Republicans in Illinois now the party of ethics and better jobs [[Watch here this past week's suburban edition of Public Affairs show with Senator Dillard dealing in part with this topic], will there be an operating or capital budget before May 31, should there be state government provided healthcare insurance for all low income and middle class individuals in Illinois who need it? Should there be a Chicago casino, should there be more gaming and perhaps additional casinos in Illinois,For a look back at how the more things change, the more they stay the same, See here for a March 25, 2007, retro TV interview with Illinois Chief Operating Officer John Filan about Gov. Blagojevich's long defunct Gross Receipts Tax, archived shows with State Reps. Mary Flowers [D-Chicago] and Jim Durkin [R-Western Springs] discussing State Budget and Tax issues ].

Who knows, we may even discuss education, economics, school vouchers- school choice, rcovery in New Orleans, Governor Bobby Jindahl's chances to be McCain's VP [Vallas now reports to Gov. Jindahl], charter schools, jobs and free lunches .

This reporter doesn't know the topics for tomorrow night—they are determined by Mr. Roeser, with some incisive suggestions, no doubt, by his lovely, energetic and intelligent wife Lillian. However, an educated guess is that the questions will consist of various Illinois political and New Orleans recovery issues, possibly selected from the following questions, some of which are holdovers from prior episodes of "Political Shootout," or "Public Affairs."

Of course, you can call and ask any of the below questions or whatever you like. As with University of Chicago Ph. D. prelim questions in economics over the years, many of the questions on Political Shoot-out stay the same each week, only the answers change [or do they?]. And you are Free to Choose, so to speak, as this is the land of Milton Friedman, the late, great Nobel Prize Laureate in Economics from the University of Chicago [WWMFS, i.e., what would Milton Friedman say? is the question we classically ask, followed with:

--What would the last five years have looked like in Illinois under a Governor Vallas? the next five years?

--WasChicago Sun-Times columnist Laura Washington correct, once upon a time, to be concerned that "concealed carry," would put a dangerous person with a gun next to her in a movie theater, or is that more likely to be the case without a concealed carry law?

--Was Barack Obama Emil Jones' show pony, as Senator Rauschenberger contends? [watch here]

--Was Obama way too cautious in his handling of the Pastor Disaster?

--Is Obama's cautious nature both his strength and his weakness?

--In light of what has transpired about Rev. Wright, Rezko and Ayers, does Sen. Dillard reqret the TV ad he cut for Obama last year. [Watch Sen. Dillard discuss this topic].

-Will the state GOP cave in the next few months on its hostility to increased taxes? Will House Republican leader Cross lead the capitulation?

-Will 2006 10th CD Democratic nominee Dan Seals come back to beat Cong. Kirk [R-Highland Park] this year? Does Obama's almost certain presence at the top of the ballot result in an almost certain loss for suburban agenda Kirk? Are both Seals and Kirk playing a prevent defense?

-Is WTTW's Chicago Tonight in need of an aggressive political interviewer to boost its sagging ratings and its lack of balance? Which cable TV personality in the Chicago Metro area could provide it?

-Is it past time for a change in leadership in the State GOP?

-Can the new face surprise and take the RNC position from both LaHood and Rauschenbeger at the State GOP convention in Decatur in early June?

- Could Colonel Jill Morgenthaler (D-Des Plaines) upset first term Republican incumbent Cong. Peter Roskam in the Illinois 6th CD? Watch Morgenthaler go after Roskam here. Is Roskam hiding from Public Affairs?
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Jeff Berkowitz, Show Host/Producer of "Public Affairs," and Executive Legal Recruiter doing legal search can be reached at JBCG@aol.com. You may watch "Public Affairs," shows with Presidential Candidates Obama, McCain, Giuliani and Cox and many other pols at www.PublicAffairsTv.com
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Recently posted shows on the Public Affairs Youtube page include a week from now's show in the suburbs with State Rep. Jim Durkin (R-Western Springs), this coming week's show in the suburbs with 6th CD Democratic candidate Jill Morgenthaler,(this past week's show in the suburbs with Sen. Dillard and (previously posted) last week's show in the suburbs with former Republican Primary Presidential Candidate John Cox, reflecting (a) on the similarity of much of Cox's message to that of Obama and (b) on the Illinois Combine, which in Cox's view, seems still to have a grip on the State GOP and some of its leaders, our prior show with Dem. Campaign consultant Pete Giangreco, our prior show with State Rep. John Fritchey (D-Chicago), our prior shows with Senator and Deputy Republican Senate Leader Christine Radogno (R-Lemont), State Rep. Lang (Part 2), State Rep. Lang (Part 1) , WGN Radio political pundit Paul Green, Senator and 2010 Illinois Republican Primary Gubernatorial candidate Bill Brady,former State Senator Steve Rauschenberger, assessing Barack Obama, Republican U.S. Senate Republican nominee Dr. Steve Sauerberg, discussing his Democratic opponent--Senator Durbin-- and domestic, cultural and foreign policy issues, State Rep. Julie Hamos (D-Evanston,IL), discussing Barack Obama, as well as various Illinois Budget issues (spending, mass transit, capital budget, education, gaming and taxes) , State's Attorney for Cook County Republican nominee and Cook County Board Member Tony Peraica; and Anita Alvarez, Chief Deputy to current State's Attorney for Cook County Dick Devine and now the Democratic nominee for State's Attorney of Cook County

Better than Marin w/Proft: Berkowitz w/ Sen. Dillard on Dillard's ad for Obama and the Kjellander-Rove two step, now streaming at a computer near you.

Jeff Berkowitz: ... [T]here are reports that in 2004 it was Bob Kjellander’s job, to get [Karl] Rove to reign in [U. S. Attorney] Pat Fitzgerald- maybe to get rid of him so that this corruption investigation around Blagojevich wouldn’t go ahead.

Senator Kirk Dillard: Right.
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Jeff Berkowitz: And, if that were true, then the whole thing about the Illinois Combine becomes more problematic for you, right?

Senator Kirk Dillard: It does and I am not sure that’s true. I mean, nobody is going to mess around, in their right mind, with the United States Attorney. But, I like Pat Fitzgerald and I very much like Peter Fitzgerald who...went out and found Pat Fitzgerald
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Senator Kirk Dillard: I think Peter [Roskam] is doing a great job...

Jeff Berkowitz: [Colonel] Jill Morgenthaler is challenging him [in the Illinois 6th CD]. She’ll be our guest next week [Watch the show w/Morgenthaler,now, here]...
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This week’s suburban edition of “Public Affairs,” featuring State Senator and Republican Senate Whip Kirk Dillard (R-Westmont), is now streaming here. For more about the show and its topics, go here.

A partial transcript of the show, taped on April 27, 2008, is included below.
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Jeff Berkowitz: You worked for [Gov. Jim] Thompson for five years?

Senator Kirk Dillard (R-Westmont): Right.

Jeff Berkowitz: Thompson signed on with Blagojevich in 2002 as Chair of his transition committee.

Senator Kirk Dillard: Um-um.

Jeff Berkowitz: Thompson’s firm, Winston & Strawn, became counsel to Blagojevich in the federal investigation which has gone on to the present. Thompson sat with George Ryan in the courtroom when [Ryan] was on trial and [Thompson’s] firm, Winston & Strawn, was defending that, pro bono

Senator Kirk Dillard: Right.

Jeff Berkowitz: That was a twenty million dollar gift to George Ryan. Now there are reports that in 2004 it was Bob Kjellander’s job, that is, we’ve gotten some testimony from somebody who is pleading guilty in that whole Tony Rezko mess that it was Bob Kjellander’s job to get [Karl] Rove to reign in [U. S. Attorney] Pat Fitzgerald- maybe to get rid of him so that this corruption investigation around Blagojevich wouldn’t go ahead.

Senator Kirk Dillard: Right.

Jeff Berkowitz: Well, that’s only one man saying that at this point but how troubling is that to you?

Senator Kirk Dillard: Very. I mean Pat Fitzgerald’s been a tremendous United States Attorney.

Jeff Berkowitz: And, if that were true, then the whole thing about the Illinois Combine becomes more problematic for you, right?

Senator Kirk Dillard: It does and I am not sure that’s true. I mean, nobody is going to mess around, in their right mind, with the United States Attorney. But, I like Pat Fitzgerald and I very much like Peter Fitzgerald who appointed and went out and found Pat Fitzgerald [Ed. Note: Technically, President Bush appointed U. S. Attorney Fitzgerald, but at the request of Illinois’ then junior senator, Peter Fitzgerald]. I mean those were great moves and I always supported Peter Fitzgerald, just like I supported Peter Roskam and cleared the path for Peter Roskam to become the Congressman from DuPage County when I was the Chairman of the DuPage County Republican Party. [By “cleared the path for Roskam,” Dillard is probably referring primarily to his role in state senator Carol Pankau’s and state senator Dan Cronin’s decision not to run in the 2006 6th CD Republican Primary]. Because I think if I didn’t clear the field for Peter Roskam, you’d probably be talking about Tammy Duckworth as the Cong. from the 6th Cong. Dist. and those numbers would be one different. [Sen. Dillard was apparently referring to the composition of the Illinois Congressional delegation, which after the election on March 8, 2008 of Democrat Bill Foster in the 14th CD Special Election to fill the seat of retired Speaker, Dennis Hastert, is now 11 Democrats to 8 Republicans].

Jeff Berkowitz: Yeah, and we’ll see. It could change because [Cong. Roskam] won by only 2000 votes.

Senator Kirk Dillard: I think Peter [Roskam] is doing a great job. I think he is secure as the Congressman there. He can’t lay down. But—

Jeff Berkowitz: [Colonel] Jill Morgenthaler is challenging him. She’ll be our guest next week [Watch the show w/Morgenthaler, here]. So, we are taping her-- so we’ll see—

Senator Kirk Dillard: She’s the top aide to Governor Blagojevich. [Ed. Note, Col. Morgenthaler was the head of Illinois’ Homeland Security office from 2005 to 2007 in the Gov. Blagojevich administration].

Jeff Berkowitz: Well, we’ll see what she has to say about that…
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Jeff Berkowitz, Show Host/Producer of "Public Affairs," and Executive Legal Recruiter doing legal search,
can be reached at JBCG@aol.com. You may watch "Public Affairs," shows with Presidential Candidates Obama and McCain, former Presidential candidate Richardson-- and many other pols, including now this week's show in the suburbs with Sen. Dillard, last week's show in the suburbs with John Cox and our recent shows with Pete Giangreco, Senator Radogno, Rep. Lang, and and WGN Political Pundit and Roosevelt University Professor Paul Green at www.PublicAffairsTv.com
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Recently posted shows on the Public Affairs Youtube page include (now posted this week's show with Sen. Dillard and (previously posted) last week's show in the suburbs with former Republican Primary Presidential Candidate John Cox, reflecting (a) on the similarity of much of Cox's message to that of Obama and (b) on the Illinois Combine, which in Cox's view, seems still to have a grip on the State GOP and some of its leaders, our prior show with Dem. Campaign consultant Pete Giangreco, our prior show with State Rep. John Fritchey (D-Chicago), our prior shows with Senator and Deputy Republican Senate Leader Christine Radogno (R-Lemont), State Rep. Lang (Part 2), State Rep. Lang (Part 1) , WGN Radio political pundit Paul Green, Senator and 2010 Illinois Republican Primary Gubernatorial candidate Bill Brady,former State Senator Steve Rauschenberger, assessing Barack Obama, Republican U.S. Senate Republican nominee Dr. Steve Sauerberg, discussing his Democratic opponent--Senator Durbin-- and domestic, cultural and foreign policy issues, State Rep. Julie Hamos (D-Evanston,IL), discussing Barack Obama, as well as various Illinois Budget issues (spending, mass transit, capital budget, education, gaming and taxes) , State's Attorney for Cook County Republican nominee and Cook County Board Member Tony Peraica; and Anita Alvarez, Chief Deputy to current State's Attorney for Cook County Dick Devine and now the Democratic nominee for State's Attorney of Cook County

Better than the Obama-Clinton Election Analysis: Senator Dillard w/ Berkowitz on Dillard's ad for Obama and the Combine, Cable and now Streaming

The show w/Senator Dillard (R-Westmont) is now streaming 24-7.
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This week’s suburban edition of "Public Affairs," features State Senator and former DuPage County Republican Party Chairman, Kirk Dillard (R-Westmont) discussing and debating, with show host Jeff Berkowitz how Obama stacks up to McCain, the Republican Party's message, the Kjellander-Patrick Fitzgerald two step, the McKenna questions, whether it made sense for Republican Dillard to have done a TV ad for Democratic Presidential Candidate Barack Obama, whether that ad, which aired during the Iowa caucus in late 2007, will re-appear if Obama is on the Democratic Presidential ticket, whether the Republican Party is the party of ethics, whether the Illinois Combine is a continuing drag on the development of a reform Republican Party in Illinois, and much, much more. See, below, for a more detailed discussion of this week's topics discussed with Senator Dillard.
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The suburban airing schedule for Public Affairs is included, below.
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The show with Senator Dillard will also air throughout the City of Chicago this coming Monday night, at 8:30 pm on Cable Ch. 21 (CANTV) and in Aurora and surrounding areas on that same Monday night at 7:30 pm on ACTV, Cable Ch. 10.
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This week's suburban show, featuring Senator Dillard, taped on April 27, 2008, is now available on your computer.
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Fifteen year State Senator Kirk Dillard (R-Westmont), current Senate minority whip and former DuPage County Republican Party Chairman, debates and discusses with show host and executive legal recruiter Jeff Berkowitz whether Obama was Senate President Jones' show pony, whether the legislation worked on jointly by Dillard and Obama was significant and effective, why Obama is the first African-American to have a serious shot at being President and whether Obama's momentum has been seriously slowed by the revelations involving Rev. Wright, Tony Rezko and Bill Ayers.

Does Senator Dillard regret doing the TV ad for Obama? Was the ad an endorsement? Is there a similarity between Obama and McCain? Could the Blagojevich meltdown and the toxic tone in Springfield among Dems help the Republicans be resurrected in Illinois. Are the Republicans in Illinois now the party of ethics and better jobs. Why was it hard for the State GOP party leaders to dump National Republican Party committeeman Bob Kjellander? Did Kjellander do anything illegal? Unethical? Was he playing footsies with the Democrats? Much more than footsies?

Is there still an Illinois Combine? If so, would Senator Dillard like to destroy it? All of it? Some of it? Did the 2003-04 ten billion dollar pension bond sale make sense? Did some in the Illinois Republican Senate Caucus feel those Republicans who supported the Blagojevich bond sale (including Sen. Dillard) had knifed the Republican caucus in the back? Had they?

John Cox, 2008 Republican Primary candidate for President, suggested that Andy McKenna Sr.'s business interests, e.g., his ownership interest in the Chicago Bears may have an impact on Andy McKenna Jr.'s political statements and actions he has taken in his role as State GOP chairman. What does Senator Dillard think about that?

Is Illinois the best state for pundits, scholars and law enforcement to examine the intersection of money, business and politics? Do the family financial interests of State GOP Chairman and 2004 U. S. Senate Republican Primary Candidate Andy McKenna, Jr. relate to that intersection? Does that intersection involve relationships and the interaction between McDonald's, the Chicago Bears, Burger King, the McKennas’ family business, Mayor Daley, the McKenna's political activities and the City of Chicago government? Is there a a symbiosis in Illinois between the people who are making money through government and business and the politics of the situation? Is the symbiosis called the Daley-Ryan Combine, the Daley-Thompson combine or the Daley-McKenna Combine?
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State Senator Kirk Dillard (R-Westmont) spent his first decade out of law school working as (1) Governor Jim Thompson's Director of Legislative Affairs, (2) a judge in Illinois' Court of Claims and (3) Chief Staff for Governor Edgar. Dillard has spent the last 15 years working as a State Senator and as a partner in the Chicago office of the now 700 attorney, 12 office, national law firm Locke, Lord Bissell and Liddell Senator Dillard also put in a stint as DuPage County Republican Chairman.
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This week’s suburban episode of Public Affairs with guest Senator Kirk Dillard (R-Westmont) airs:

tonight at 8:30 pm on Comcast Cable Channel 19 in Buffalo Grove, Elk Grove Village, Hoffman Estates, parts of Inverness, Lincolnwood, Morton Grove, Niles, Northfield, Palatine, Rolling Meadows and Wilmette

And tonight at 8:30 pm on Comcast Cable Channel 35 in Arlington Heights, Bartlett, Glenview, Golf, Des Plaines, Hanover Park, Mt. Prospect, Northbrook, Park Ridge, Prospect Heights, Schaumburg, Skokie, Streamwood and Wheeling.

and this week on Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 8:30 pm airing on Comcast Cable Channel 19 in Bannockburn, Deerfield, Ft. Sheridan, Glencoe, Highland Park, Highwood, Kenilworth, Lincolnshire, Riverwoods and Winnetka.
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Jeff Berkowitz, Show Host/Producer of "Public Affairs," and Executive Legal Recruiter doing legal search,
can be reached at JBCG@aol.com. You may watch "Public Affairs," shows with Presidential Candidates Obama and McCain, former Presidential candidate Richardson-- and many other pols, including soon this week's show in the suburbs with Sen. Dillard, last week's show in the suburbs with John Cox and our recent shows with Pete Giangreco, Senator Radogno, Rep. Lang, and and WGN Political Pundit and Roosevelt University Professor Paul Green at www.PublicAffairsTv.com
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Recently posted shows on the Public Affairs Youtube page include (to be posted within a day here) this week's show with Sen. Dillard and (already posted) last week's show in the suburbs with former Republican Primary Presidential Candidate John Cox, reflecting (a) on the similarity of much of Cox's message to that of Obama and (b) on the Illinois Combine, which in Cox's view, seems still to have a grip on the State GOP and some of its leaders, last week's show in the suburbs with Dem. Campaign consultant Pete Giangreco, our prior show in the Cities of Chicago and Aurora with State Rep. John Fritchey (D-Chicago), our prior shows with Senator and Deputy Republican Senate Leader Christine Radogno (R-Lemont), State Rep. Lang (Part 2), State Rep. Lang (Part 1) , WGN Radio political pundit Paul Green, Senator and 2010 Illinois Republican Primary Gubernatorial candidate Bill Brady,former State Senator Steve Rauschenberger, assessing Barack Obama, Republican U.S. Senate Republican nominee Dr. Steve Sauerberg, discussing his Democratic opponent--Senator Durbin-- and domestic, cultural and foreign policy issues, State Rep. Julie Hamos (D-Evanston,IL), discussing Barack Obama, as well as various Illinois Budget issues (spending, mass transit, capital budget, education, gaming and taxes) , State's Attorney for Cook County Republican nominee and Cook County Board Member Tony Peraica; and Anita Alvarez, Chief Deputy to current State's Attorney for Cook County Dick Devine and now the Democratic nominee for State's Attorney of Cook County

Better than Obama w/Russert: Cox w/Berkowitz on Obama, McCain, Clinton and the Combine-- Cable and Streaming

Jeff Berkowitz: …in you view, he’ll do just as badly in appointment of Supreme Court Justices, McCain will, that is, as will Clinton or Obama—is that your view?

John Cox: Maybe not, I’m not willing to say that. But, I am willing to say we might get another Souter...
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John Cox: It’s not that I don’t like [Mitt Romney], it’s just that I don’t believe him. The switches in position—
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John Cox: If Obama is the nominee, [Illinois 10th CD Cong. Mark] Kirk loses.
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Jeff Berkowitz: But, you would almost be glad to see that? You would be glad to see Bob Barr [Libertarian presidential candidate to be] tip it to the Democrats?

John Cox: That’s a real tough one Jeff. Because...
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John Cox: I am not prepared to say that because of how I got screwed by the media.
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John Cox: They’re going to lose. Yeah, I think [8th CD Republican candidate Steve Greenberg] was all talk.
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Tonight's City of Chicago and City of Aurora edition of "Public Affairs," features 2008 Republican Presidential Primary Candidate John Cox. The show with Cox airs throughout the City of Chicago tonight at 8:30 pm on Cable Ch. 21 (CANTV) and also tonight in Aurora and surrounding areas at 7:30 pm on ACTV, Cable Ch. 10. The Aurora station, Aurora Community Television, Comcast Cable Ch. 10, reaches all of Aurora, Bristol, Big Rock and parts of Oswego, Sandwich, Sugar Grove and Montgomery.

Turn on, Tune in and watch discussions about Obama, Clinton, what's wrong with the State GOP, how Cox's message was similar to that of Democrat Obama, potential VP pics for McCain, why the Republican base is concerned about a President McCain and much more. Go here for a more detailed list of topics discussed on tonight's show and for more about our guest, John Cox.
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You may also watch the show with former Presidential Candidate John Cox, here.
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A partial transcript of Tonight's City of Chicago and City of Aurora edition of Public Affairs [featuring John Cox], and taped on April 20, 2008, is included, below:
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Can conservatives trust McCain on Supreme Court Appointments?

John Cox: ...and [McCain’s] friend, Charlie Black (who I know really well), is running McCain’s campaign, so it is not hard to understand that Jack [Kemp] is supporting McCain.

Jeff Berkowitz: What about the judges? The Supreme court justices—it’s likely that--

John Cox: I don’t believe that McCain will appoint them.

Jeff Berkowitz: …in you view, he’ll do just as badly in appointment of Supreme Court Justices, McCain will, that is, as will Clinton or Obama—is that your view?

John Cox: Maybe not, I’m not willing to say that. But, I am willing to say we might get another Souter, or somebody like that [Justice David Souter, who was relatively unknown at the time of his appointment to the Supreme Court, is thought by conservatives to be perhaps one of the worst of a number of bad decisions, e.g., raising taxes, by President George Herbert Walker Bush]…

Jeff Berkowitz: You don’t think you’ll get another Alito, another Roberts, another Scalia—

John Cox: I think McCain is saying that now, just like—

Jeff Berkowitz: You don’t trust—

John Cox: I don’t trust [McCain].

Jeff Berkowitz: You don’t trust this guy.

John Cox: I don’t.

Jeff Berkowitz: Although…some people say he is the one Republican who could win [in November] because so many people in America-- Democrats, Independents and Republicans-- trust him. They trust him, John.

John Cox: No, we know him.

Jeff Berkowitz: They trust him, John.

John Cox: We know him. He has been around forever, he is older than…
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Romney, Portman, Kasich or Sanford for VP?

John Cox: …Romney spent 80 million dollars and got nowhere because nobody believed him, either.

Jeff Berkowitz: Talk Vice-President-- you don’t like Mitt Romney for Vice-President.

John Cox: It’s not that I don’t like [Mitt Romney], it’s just that I don’t believe him. The switches in position—

Jeff Berkowitz: What about Rob Portman [former Congressman from Ohio]? Do you know him? Believe him?

John Cox: I don’t know as much about him. He might be decent. I’d like to see John Kasich, actually. I know John.

Jeff Berkowitz: Mark Sanford, Governor of South Carolina.

John Cox: Mark Sanford, if he was running [for President], I would have been supporting him. I wouldn’t have been running for President.

Jeff Berkowitz: So you’d love to see him as Vice-President.

John Cox: He’s a business guy who kept his promises on term limits. He’s a real fiscal conservative. And, he’s not afraid to stand up to the entrenched interests in South Carolina.
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Almost glad to see McCain lose?

Jeff Berkowitz: But, you would almost be glad to see that? You would be glad to see Bob Barr [Libertarian presidential candidate to be] tip it to the Democrats?

John Cox: That’s a real tough one Jeff. Because I certainly don’t want to see the country hurt in any respect. On the other hand, going through some short term pain of another Carter—I mean Carter gave rise to Reagan because things got so bad and so stupid under Carter that the country finally woke up and said okay, let’s give conservatism a try. Reagan I think advanced this country tremendously. Reagan wasn’t perfect by any stretch of the imagination, but we made tremendous advances, we finally did something about the cold war…
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Post game comments by John Cox.

Will Mark Kirk go down for the count? Is Bean a sure winner?

John Cox: If Obama is the nominee, [Cong. Mark] Kirk loses. [Cong. Kirk (10th CD) is the eight year Republican incumbent representing Illinois' affluent Northshore and Chicago metro north and northwest suburbs; Cox finished 5th among ten Republican Primary candidates when Kirk won the nomination and then the seat in 2000 over then Highland Park Democratic State Rep. Lauren Beth Gash by two percentage points].
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Jeff Berkowitz: The Republicans don’t have a chance of picking up Cong. Melissa Bean’s seat [D-Barrington, 8th CD]? You’ve seen what’s happened to Steve Greenberg. He’s got no money, does he?

John Cox: They’re going to lose. Yeah, I think [Steve Greenberg] was all talk.
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Did Cox get his money’s worth?

Jeff Berkowitz: Would you run again? For President? You spent a million dollars?

John Cox: I have to tell you, I enjoyed it.

Jeff Berkowitz: The best million dollars you ever spent?

John Cox: I am not prepared to say that because of how I got screwed by the media.

Jeff Berkowitz: You spent a million?

John Cox: I spent a million.
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Jeff Berkowitz, Show Host/Producer of "Public Affairs," and Executive Legal Recruiter doing legal search,
can be reached at JBCG@aol.com. You may watch "Public Affairs," shows with Presidential Candidates Obama and McCain, former Presidential candidate Richardson-- and many other pols, including tonight's show in Chicago and Aurora with former Presidential candidate John Cox, last week's show with political consultant Pete Giangreco, prior shows with State Rep. John Fritchey, State Senator Radogno, Rep. Lang, and WGN Political Pundit and Roosevelt University Professor Paul Green and select prior shows going back to 2005 at www.PublicAffairsTv.com
*********************************************
Recently posted shows on the Public Affairs Youtube page include tonight's show in the cities of Chicago and Aurora with former Republican Primary Presidential Candidate John Cox, reflecting (a) on the similarity of much of Cox's message to that of Obama and (b) on the Illinois Combine, which in Cox's view, seems still to have a grip on the State GOP and some of its leaders, last week's show with Dem. Campaign consultant Pete Giangreco, our prior show with State Rep. John Fritchey (D-Chicago), Senator and Deputy Republican Senate Leader Christine Radogno (R-Lemont), State Rep. Lang (Part 2), State Rep. Lang (Part 1) , WGN Radio political pundit Paul Green, Senator and 2010 Illinois Republican Primary Gubernatorial candidate Bill Brady,former State Senator Steve Rauschenberger, assessing Barack Obama.

Better than Wrigley Field: Berkowitz w/John Cox on Obama, The Clintons, Bush, McCain and the McKennas, Cable and Streaming

Revised significantly at 6:00 pm on Tuesday and Combine links added at 9:00 pm on Tuesday.
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Jeff Berkowitz: John, help that Democratic voter in the Primary. Is Hillary saying the same thing as Barack? Or, is she different?

John Cox: No, I think Obama makes the correct assertion that Hillary is part of the problem. She is not going to solve the problem; She is going to perpetuate it.
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Jeff Berkowitz: Do we call that the Combine?

John Cox: John Kass calls it that. I think it is absolutely right on. [See here and cites therein for a discussion of the Combine, in action].

Jeff Berkowitz: It used to be the Daley-Ryan Combine. That was George Ryan. George is now doing time. So, what is it now? The Daley-Thompson Combine?
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Jeff Berkowitz: There has to be a connector [between the Ds and Rs]. Would you say Daley-McKenna Combine? Sounds like you are saying that.
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This week’s suburban edition of "Public Affairs," features John Cox, 2008 Republican Primary presidential candidate [and 2000 Republican Primary candidate for Illinois 10th CD, 2002 and 2004 Republican Primary U. S. Senate candidate; 2004 Republican Nominee for Cook County Recorder of Deeds, discussing and debating, with show host Jeff Berkowitz , some similarities in message between Obama and Cox, whether it is a problem for ex-presidents to make money by speaking and selling books and whether the Illinois Daley-Ryan Combine has been transformed into the Daley-Thompson or Daley-McKenna Combine and is that Combine a continuing drag on the development of a reform Republican Party in Illinois. See, below, for a more detailed discussion of this week's topics discussed with John Cox
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The suburban airing schedule for Public Affairs is included, below.
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The show with John Cox will also air throughout the City of Chicago this coming Monday night, at 8:30 pm on Cable Ch. 21 (CANTV) and in Aurora and surrounding areas on that same Monday night at 7:30 pm on ACTV, Cable Ch. 10.
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This week's suburban show, featuring John Cox, taped on April 20, 2008, is also available 24/7 on your computer.
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John Cox, 2008 Republican Primary Presidential candidate [Watch here], debates and discusses with show host and executive legal recruiter Jeff Berkowitz what the message of Barack Obama is on the campaign trail, including the way in which many people holding and running for office emphasize raising money and getting re-elected, the impact of special interests; the idea that Hillary Clinton is part of the problem, not the solution.

Is the amount of money made by Bill Clinton, post-Presidency, a presidential race issue; is the amount of money made by the Obamas during the last few years a presidential race issue; is money making by career pols an issue; have the Clintons and Bushes spent too much, taxed too much, not improved education enough and mismanaged government too much?

Obama and Cox have similar messages as to the “problem,” but very different solutions. But, there are similarities in that Obama and Cox both favor charter schools. On the other hand, Cox is an open proponent of school vouchers and Obama’s openness to school vouchers has varied during the last six years. In general, would Obama move toward the center either during or after the general election?

Cox would give varying grades to President Bush on Tax Cuts, the War on Terrorism, Management of the War, spending and judicial appointments. Cox is very concerned about both Obama’s and McCain’s lack of management experience. On a variety of issues, Cox is very concerned about Senator McCain as President and might agree with Ann Coulter that in the long run, the Republican Party might be better off if the Democrats were to win the Presidency in 2008.

Cox and Berkowitz debate whether a big part of the U. S. economy should be curtailed to deal with world climate change.

Cox and Berkowitz debate whether Bob Barr or Ralph Nader, as third party candidates, respectively, could tip the 2008 general election to Republicans or Democrats, respectively.

Is Jack Kemp right to support McCain and is that support due to the influence of mutual friends, who have an “interest,” in the McCain Presidency?

Did Gov. Mitt Romney “spend 80 million dollars and get nowhere because “nobody believed him.” Is Gov. Mark Sanford of South Carolina an attractive, Republican VP candidate? Former Cong. John Kasich? Former Cong. Rob Portman?

Is Illinois the best state to examine the intersection of money and politics?

Do the family financial interests of State GOP Chairman and 2004 U. S. Senate Republican Primary Candidate Andy McKenna, Jr. exemplify the problematic mixing of politics and personal business interests?

Is it appropriate to raise questions about the relationships between McDonalds, the Chicago Bears, politics, the McKennas’ family business interests, the City of Chicago and Mayor Daley? Is there a symbiosis in Illinois between the people who are making money through government and business and the politics of the situation? Is the symbiosis called the Daley-Ryan Combine, the Daley-Thompson combine or the Daley-McKenna Combine?

Should the state GOP leaders be changed? Are those individuals really "leaders." Is the real schism in the State GOP between the reformers and the non-reformers? Would SB 600 cure some of the problems relating to the operation of the Combine in Illinois?

Could the Democrats gain control of 14 of the 19 Illinois congressional seats on Nov. 4?
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A partial transcript of this week's suburban edition of "Public Affairs," with guest John Cox is included directly, below.
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Cox and Obama: A similar message?

John Cox: It’s interesting Jeff because the message I had was exactly the same message in many ways that Obama has today and that is that Washington is dysfunctional, Washington is totally ruled by special interest groups, by money. The average congressman spends 8 to 10 hours every day just raising money. Getting re-elected is paramount. Competence is not at all on the agenda. Corruption is more on the agenda than anything else. And, that’s Obama message and frankly that was the message that I had [when running for President in the Republican Primary].

Hillary and Obama: Different central messages?

Jeff Berkowitz: John, help that Democratic voter in the Primary. Is Hillary saying the same thing as Barack? Or, is she different?

John Cox: No, I think Obama makes the correct assertion that Hillary is part of the problem. She is not going to solve the problem; She is going to perpetuate it.

Jeff Berkowitz: Why?

John Cox: There is no argument that Hillary is going to keep her distance from lobbyists. There is no argument that she is not going to make money from politics. Look at her tax returns. One hundred ten million dollars from the last five years.

Jeff Berkowitz: She didn’t make that money, did she.

John Cox: Well, she and her husband.

Jeff Berkowitz: She made some. Book rights made about eight million dollars. But, mostly that is Bill Clinton making money after his Presidency. Writing books, speaking appearances. Ronald Reagan did that. Is something wrong with that?

John Cox: He [Reagan] made one speech. Caught a lot of flak.

Jeff Berkowitz: Two million dollars for speaking in Japan.

John Cox: Yeah, he made one speech, caught a lot of problems with it…

Jeff Berkowitz: It’s a free market—

John Cox: It is a free market.

Jeff Berkowitz: There is a demand for Bill Clinton to speak and he supplies it. Is he doing something wrong? You’re going to blame Hillary for being married to a guy who is making a lot of money?
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Bush Incompetence?

John Cox: But, overall [for Bush], because of the mismanagement of the War; because of the huge explosion—basically [Bush] gave away the Congress [due to] an orgy of spending—it was horrible.

Jeff Berkowitz: So, John, over-all, the conclusion? A, B, C, D, F? [for President Bush] The over-all grade?

John Cox: Bush?

Jeff Berkowitz: Bush.

John Cox: Oh, a C minus.
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Daley-McKenna Combine?

Jeff Berkowitz: State GOP chairman Andy McKenna, time for Andy to go? Is he exercising any leadership, whatsoever?

John Cox: You know what, Illinois, there is no better place to really examine the intersection of money and politics than Illinois. I mean Andy [McKenna, Jr., State GOP Chairman] is a decent enough guy, but his father is chairman of McDonalds, his father owns a BIG chunk of the Chicago Bears. The Bears depend on Mayor Daley for a Lease of Soldier Field…you never see a Burger King or Wendy’s at O’Hare airport because McDonalds has the franchise there. Now, I am sure Mr. Andy McKenna [Sr.] is going to be part of the buying group that is going to buy the Cubs. If he is not, his buddies are and the state [of Illinois] is in line to buy Wrigley Field.

Jeff Berkowitz: Which McKenna?

John Cox: The older McKenna

Jeff Berkowitz: Okay.

John Cox: But, don’t kid yourself. I mean it is all redounding to the benefit of the [McKenna] family here, okay? I mean its not like Andy, Jr. is going to sit here and go against his father on any of these issues.

Jeff Berkowitz: Because he [Andy McKenna, Jr.] inherits the money eventually?

John Cox: Of course. Of course.

Jeff Berkowitz: Has he inherited some, he has been given some already?

John Cox: Well, he [Andy McKenna, Jr.] runs the family business, right now.

Jeff Berkowitz: He is the President but not the Chairman of the Board, is that right?

John Cox: Yeah, he [Andy, Jr.] runs the family business but there is the intersection of money and politics.
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John Cox: The point is there is a symbiosis in Illinois between people who are making money and the politics and until we break that—

Jeff Berkowitz: Do we call that the Combine?

John Cox: John Kass calls it that. I think it is absolutely right on. [See here and cites therein for a discussion of the Combine, in action]

Jeff Berkowitz: It used to be the Daley-Ryan Combine. That was George Ryan. George is now doing time. So, what is it now? The Daley-Thompson Combine?

John Cox: I don’t know what it is. I don’t care what you call it.

Jeff Berkowitz: There has to be a connector [between the Ds and Rs]. Would you say Daley-McKenna Combine? Sounds like you are saying that.

John Cox: It’s not just one person or two people. It’s a whole list of people. And, it’s the [Republican] State Central Committee. Let’s face it—there’s a whole bunch of people on that Committee who depend upon politics for their living…
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This week’s suburban episode of Public Affairs with guest John Cox airs:

tonight at 8:30 pm on Comcast Cable Channel 19 in Buffalo Grove, Elk Grove Village, Hoffman Estates, parts of Inverness, Lincolnwood, Morton Grove, Niles, Northfield, Palatine, Rolling Meadows and Wilmette

And tonight at 8:30 pm on Comcast Cable Channel 35 in Arlington Heights, Bartlett, Glenview, Golf, Des Plaines, Hanover Park, Mt. Prospect, Northbrook, Park Ridge, Prospect Heights, Schaumburg, Skokie, Streamwood and Wheeling.

and this week on Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 8:30 pm airing on Comcast Cable Channel 19 in Bannockburn, Deerfield, Ft. Sheridan, Glencoe, Highland Park, Highwood, Kenilworth, Lincolnshire, Riverwoods and Winnetka.
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Jeff Berkowitz, Show Host/Producer of "Public Affairs," and Executive Legal Recruiter doing legal search,
can be reached at JBCG@aol.com. You may watch "Public Affairs," shows with Presidential Candidates Obama and McCain, former Presidential candidate Richardson-- and many other pols, including this week's show in the suburbs with John Cox, last week's show in the Chicago Metro Suburbs and this past Monday night's show in the City with Pete Giangreco, and our recent shows with Senator Radogno, Rep. Lang, and and WGN Political Pundit and Roosevelt University Professor Paul Green at www.PublicAffairsTv.com
*********************************************
Recently posted shows on the Public Affairs Youtube page include this week's show in the suburbs with former Republican Primary Presidential Candidate John Cox, reflecting (a) on the similarity of much of Cox's message to that of Obama and (b) on the Illinois Combine, which in Cox's view, seems still to have a grip on the State GOP and some of its leaders, last week's show in the suburbs with Dem. Campaign consultant Pete Giangreco, our prior show in the Cities of Chicago and Aurora with State Rep. John Fritchey (D-Chicago), our prior shows with Senator and Deputy Republican Senate Leader Christine Radogno (R-Lemont), State Rep. Lang (Part 2), State Rep. Lang (Part 1) , WGN Radio political pundit Paul Green, Senator and 2010 Illinois Republican Primary Gubernatorial candidate Bill Brady,former State Senator Steve Rauschenberger, assessing Barack Obama, Republican U.S. Senate Republican nominee Dr. Steve Sauerberg, discussing his Democratic opponent--Senator Durbin-- and domestic, cultural and foreign policy issues, State Rep. Julie Hamos (D-Evanston,IL), discussing Barack Obama, as well as various Illinois Budget issues (spending, mass transit, capital budget, education, gaming and taxes) , State's Attorney for Cook County Republican nominee and Cook County Board Member Tony Peraica; and Anita Alvarez, Chief Deputy to current State's Attorney for Cook County Dick Devine and now the Democratic nominee for State's Attorney of Cook County

Better than Monday Night Football: Berkowitz w/Giangreco on Obama, Clinton and more, cable and streaming

Jeff Berkowitz: Give me…the top three or four, in your guess, for VP?

Pete Giangreco: Maybe Evan Bayh—
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Tonight's City of Chicago and City of Aurora edition of "Public Affairs," features Democratic Political campaign consultant Pete Giangreco. The show with Pete Giangreco airs throughout the City of Chicago tonight at 8:30 pm on Cable Ch. 21 (CANTV) and also tonight in Aurora and surrounding areas at 7:30 pm on ACTV, Cable Ch. 10. The Aurora station, Aurora Community Television, Comcast Cable Ch. 10, reaches all of Aurora, Bristol, Big Rock and parts of Oswego, Sandwich, Sugar Grove and Montgomery.

Turn on, Tune in and watch discussions about Obama, Clinton, who transcends race, who is honest and who is not, potential VP pics, Obama's judgment and leadership skills and much more. Go here for a more detailed list of topics discussed on the show and for more about our guest, Pete Giangreco.
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You may also watch the Pete Giangreco show, here. **********************************************************
A partial transcript of Tonight's City of Chicago and City of Aurora edition of Public Affairs [featuring Pete Giangreco] is included, below:
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Jeff Berkowitz: Who would that choice [for Obama’s VP] be?

Pete Giangreco: Well…I would love if Senator Lugar[R-IN] were willing to do it; I think he would be an interesting guy.

Jeff Berkowitz: Do you think Barack Obama would make that offer?

Pete Giangreco: Oh, I have no idea. I think it is a little presumptuous to be talking about Vice-Presidents when we haven’t quite sewn up this nomination yet.

Jeff Berkowitz: Who else is on the short list [for VP]?

Pete Giangreco: Oh, I have no idea.

Jeff Berkowitz: Who would you predict would be on the short list…

Pete Giangreco: Oh, there are a lot of talented people.

Jeff Berkowitz: Give me…the top three or four, in your guess, for VP?

Pete Giangreco: Maybe Evan Bayh—

Jeff Berkowitz: …isn’t he supporting Hillary?

Pete Giangreco: Yeah, sure, who cares?

Jeff Berkowitz: …Keep going, he is, of course, a senator from Indiana.

Pete Giangreco: I think folks like Claire McCaskill, Kathleen Sebelius.

Jeff Berkowitz: Claire McCaskill would be?

Pete Giangreco: The [2nd year] Senator from Missouri. Kathleen Sebelius, who is a two term elected governor from a very red state, Kansas, where Barack Obama’s mother’s family is from, is interesting. She gave the response on the State of the Union. She is a really solid person.

Jeff Berkowitz: Keep going.

Pete Giangreco: Janet Napolitano [Governor, Arizona] is an interesting choice….Don’t forget John Edwards would probably make a good VP.

Jeff Berkowitz: Bill Richardson [Gov. of New Mexico]?

Pete Giangreco: Bill Richardson has shown tremendous ability.
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Jeff Berkowitz, Show Host/Producer of "Public Affairs," and Executive Legal Recruiter doing legal search,
can be reached at JBCG@aol.com. You may watch "Public Affairs," shows with Presidential Candidates Obama and McCain, former Presidential candidate Richardson-- and many other pols, including this week's show in the suburbs with former Presidential candidate John Cox,tonight's show in Chicago and Aurora with political consultant Pete Giangreco, prior shows with State Rep. John Fritchey, State Senator Radogno, Rep. Lang, and WGN Political Pundit and Roosevelt University Professor Paul Green and select prior shows going back to 2005 at www.PublicAffairsTv.com
*********************************************
Recently posted shows on the Public Affairs Youtube page include this week's show in the suburbs with former Republican Primary Presidential Candidate John Cox, reflecting (a) on the similarity of much of Cox's message to that of Obama and (b) on the Illinois Combine, which in Cox's view, seems still to have a grip on the State GOP and some of its leaders, Tonight's show in Chicago and Aurora with Dem. Campaign consultant Pete Giangreco, this past week's show in the Cities of Chicago and Aurora with State Rep. John Fritchey (D-Chicago), our prior shows with Senator and Deputy Republican Senate Leader Christine Radogno (R-Lemont), State Rep. Lang (Part 2), State Rep. Lang (Part 1) , WGN Radio political pundit Paul Green, Senator and 2010 Illinois Republican Primary Gubernatorial candidate Bill Brady,former State Senator Steve Rauschenberger, assessing Barack Obama.

Why Obama lost Pennsylvania and what's needed for an Obama win

The Demographics.

Some argue the short answer to the question of why Obama lost Pennsylvania