Updated Saturday October 9, 2004 at 7:15 pm. This week's [week of Oct.11] suburban TV edition of "Public Affairs," features: State Rep. Candidate Michele Bromberg [D- Skokie, 17th Dist.], who is taking on incumbent State Rep. Beth Coulson; Also, below, discussion of Speaker Mike Madigan/Minority Leader Tom Cross/Paul Tully/Kathy Ryg/Archpundit/Rich Miller/Capitolfax/cross on a Cross/Alan Keyes/Time on a Cross/crossed by Cross/Carol Marin on Judy and Tom as the silent Republican Majority?
****************************
Jeff Berkowitz: Do you take money from Trial Lawyers?
State Rep. Candidate Michele Bromberg: Ummmm, a few who are very close friends of mine.
***************************
Berkowitz: What is the biggest difference, as you talk to the voters, as you see it, between you and [your opponent] Beth Coulson?
Bromberg: Beth Coulson is a Republican and I’m a Democrat.
*********************************
Michele Bromberg, Democratic Candidate [from Skokie] for State Rep. in the 17th District. Bromberg was interviewed on “Public Affairs,” in a show that was recorded on October 3, 2004 and will air in the suburbs this week [Week of Oct. 11] and throughout the City of Chicago on Monday, Oct. 18, 2004 at 8:30 pm on Cable Ch. 21 [CANTV].
******************************
What are OUR Values/Bromberg/Coulson/ Speaker Mike/Trial Lawyers/ Taxes/Real Estate Assessments/Reproductive Choice/Live Birth Abortions/Affordable Housing/Gun ownership/Prescription drugs and much, much more are debated and discussed in this coming week’s suburban edition of “Public Affairs.” The show features State Rep. Candidate Michele Bromberg [D- Skokie, 17th Dist.] debating and discussing public policy issues and politics with show host and legal recruiter Jeff Berkowitz.
A discussion of the race in the 17th, a partial transcript of the “Public Affairs,” show with state rep. candidate Michele Bromberg and an airing schedule for the show are all included, below. And, come back to this blog over the next few days-- more partial transcripts and some breaking news about the 17th District race-- with perhaps wider implications, to appear.
************************
As almost all political aficionados know, the Illinois State Rep. 17th District race should be another nail biter. This is the case notwithstanding some polling data on Larry Handlin’s site [www.archpundit.com] suggesting otherwise. Larry has pulled some of the poll numbers, but he left some up—including the "head to head," indicating Republican/Independent eight year incumbent Elizabeth (Beth) Coulson [from Glenview] is ahead 44-11, over her challenger Democrat Skokie Village Trustee/Nurse Michele Bromberg.
Rich Miller in his new blog [www.capitolfax.blogspot.com] states the Republican benchmark polls, “appear to be outdated [as in-- perhaps mid-summer] or otherwise not quite right.” Not quite right? That is the understatement of the year. Looks like Archpundit was Crossed by Wunderpol Cross.
Since the time those polls were taken, Speaker Mike Madigan has been funneling resources to Bromberg, in a major league way-- as Miller notes. On the other side, Minority Leader Tom Cross, whose staff acknowledge Cross has a hefty cross [Alan Keyes] to bear in districts like the 17th-- and Leader Tom doesn’t have the muscle of the Speaker to help him carry the cross, appears to be pulling out all stops to keep the seat Republican/[Independent?
Indeed, one gets the impression that Cross will be spending so much of his time, energy and resources in and on the 17th that he might be able to establish residency there.
BTW, the Cross effort in the 17th is in sharp contrast to the 59th, where Republican State Rep. candidate Paul Tully appears to have been abandoned by Cross—even though (1) Tully’s opponent, Kathy Ryg, won that district for the first time in 2002 by only 107 votes (2) Tully’s intellect, down home style and intensity, along with the 2002 numbers for the 59th, should make Tully a Tier one candidate. Tully, with the resources, would certainly be a Tier one candidate. Is Cross taking a dive in the 59th? Perhaps Tully, who is moderate on abortion, is not moderate enough for Leader Cross’ new Republican minority.
Although we have spoken to Leader Cross’ staff, we can’t seem to get Leader Cross to return our calls—he is a very busy guy. However, it does appear that he returns Carol Marin’s phone calls. Lucky Carol, must be nice to have friends like Leader Tom. And the price? Writing nice, unquestioning puff pieces about ambitious Tom and recently ambitious Judy, or so it would appear.
Back to the 17th, Gore-Bush was 59-41. Pat Hughes was the bright, hardworking candidate who carried the flag for the Democrats in 2002, after he won a bruising, razor-thin primary victory [which included a follow-up Gore v. Bush lawsuit by Bender against Hughes] over Michael Bender, who many viewed as favored by Speaker Mike in the primary. Hughes-- bright, articulate and moderate—was in many ways a Democratic Coulson look-a-like, except for gender and incumbency, but Hughes lost to Coulson by 684 votes in a district that Speaker Mike had re-districted to be another Mike Madigan roll call vote [Prior to re-districting, Beth Coulson represented the 57th, a district which was quite a bit safer for Beth, and which she had been winning easily; About 35% to 40% of Beth's old 57th District is now in the new 17th].
However, Speaker Mike was distracted a bit last time around and he didn’t think he had the right demographic candidate in Catholic, male Hughes in a district that has a significant Jewish population. This time around, Speaker Mike has a candidate more to his likeing for the district-- an Observant, Jewish female-- who doesn’t mind striking a very partisan Democratic tone, notwithstanding an occasional comment to the contrary. Also, as a village trustee/nurse, the pols think Bromberg will be more under the Speaker’s thumb than would Hughes, a Loop lawyer who was [and is] thought to have more of a mind of his own.
****************************************
Jeff Berkowitz: We are going to continue to speak as the credits roll, but I very much want to thank [for coming here to “Public Affairs”] Michele Bromberg, who of course is the Democratic candidate, running in the 17th District for State Representative. She is running against Beth Coulson, who is a Republican and sometimes says she is an Independent, is that right?
Michele Bromberg: Yes.
Berkowitz: Now, what do you think about that? Is Beth Coulson an independent?
Bromberg: Beth Coulson is not an independent. She takes money from the Republican Party. She gives money to the Republican Party. She also is ummm- she does not stand up for OUR values.
Berkowitz: Who is OUR values? What do you mean OUR values? Who is OUR values? Who is OUR?
Bromberg: The Democratic values. [She is] very tied into the Republican—
Berkowitz: She is a Republican.
Bromberg: She is a Republican. She is part of the Republican Party—
Berkowitz: You are a Democrat.
Bromberg: I am a Democrat and proud of it.
Berkowitz: People have a choice between a Democrat and a Republican? She says she is—
Bromberg: She takes money from—
Berkowitz: She says she is an independent, but you are not so sure.
Bromberg: No, she definitely says she is an independent. She takes money from drug companies. She takes money from—
Berkowitz: Would you take money from drug companies?
Bromberg: Absolutely not.
Berkowitz: Would you take money from teachers’ unions?
Bromberg: I believe in the teachers’ values.
Berkowitz: Are they a special interest? Because you talk about not taking money from “special interests.”
Bromberg: They are not a special interest. They are- They are educating the future of [the] State of Illinois.
Berkowitz: Trial Lawyers. Are Trial Lawyers a special interest?
Bromberg: They are trying to work through different things with the doctors—
Berkowitz: Do you take money from Trial Lawyers?
Bromberg: Ummmm, a few who are very close friends of mine.
Berkowitz: A few? If they are very close friends, you take it. But, if there was a Trial Lawyers Association that wanted to donate to your campaign, would you take money from them?
Bromberg: I, uh, I- it hasn’t come up yet. I don’t know. Again, I, uh, have to- think about that further.
Berkowitz: What is the biggest difference, as you talk to the voters, as you see it, between you and Beth Coulson?
Bromberg: Beth Coulson is a Republican and I’m a Democrat.
*********************************
Michele Bromberg, Democratic Candidate [from Skokie] for State Rep. in the 17th District, running against eight year incumbent, Elizabeth [Beth] Coulson [R- Glenview, 17th Dist.]. Bromberg was interviewed on “Public Affairs,” in a show that was recorded on October 3, 2004 and will air in the suburbs this week [Week of Oct. 11] and throughout the City of Chicago on Monday, Oct. 18, 2004 at 8:30 pm on Cable Ch. 21 [CANTV].
********************************
The suburban edition of "Public Affairs," is regularly broadcast every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 8:30 pm on Comcast Cable Channel 19 in Bannockburn, Deerfield, Ft. Sheridan, Glencoe, Highland Park, Highwood, Kenilworth, Lincolnshire, Riverwoods and Winnetka.
The suburban edition also is broadcast every Tuesday night at 8:30 p.m. on Comcast Cable Channel 19 in Buffalo Grove, Elk Grove Village, Hoffman Estates, Lincolnwood, Morton Grove, Niles, Northfield, Palatine, Rolling Meadows and Wilmette and every Tuesday night at 8:30 p.m. 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.
The City edition of Public Affairs airs throughout the City of Chicago every Monday night at 8:30 on Cable Ch. 21 [CANTV].
The “Public Affairs,” show with State Rep. Candidate Bromberg will air throughout the City of Chicago on Monday, Oct. 18, 2004 at 8:30 pm on Cable Ch. 21.
**********************************************
Jeff Berkowitz, host and producer of “Public Affairs,” can be reached at JBCG@aol.com
***********************************************
****************************
Jeff Berkowitz: Do you take money from Trial Lawyers?
State Rep. Candidate Michele Bromberg: Ummmm, a few who are very close friends of mine.
***************************
Berkowitz: What is the biggest difference, as you talk to the voters, as you see it, between you and [your opponent] Beth Coulson?
Bromberg: Beth Coulson is a Republican and I’m a Democrat.
*********************************
Michele Bromberg, Democratic Candidate [from Skokie] for State Rep. in the 17th District. Bromberg was interviewed on “Public Affairs,” in a show that was recorded on October 3, 2004 and will air in the suburbs this week [Week of Oct. 11] and throughout the City of Chicago on Monday, Oct. 18, 2004 at 8:30 pm on Cable Ch. 21 [CANTV].
******************************
What are OUR Values/Bromberg/Coulson/ Speaker Mike/Trial Lawyers/ Taxes/Real Estate Assessments/Reproductive Choice/Live Birth Abortions/Affordable Housing/Gun ownership/Prescription drugs and much, much more are debated and discussed in this coming week’s suburban edition of “Public Affairs.” The show features State Rep. Candidate Michele Bromberg [D- Skokie, 17th Dist.] debating and discussing public policy issues and politics with show host and legal recruiter Jeff Berkowitz.
A discussion of the race in the 17th, a partial transcript of the “Public Affairs,” show with state rep. candidate Michele Bromberg and an airing schedule for the show are all included, below. And, come back to this blog over the next few days-- more partial transcripts and some breaking news about the 17th District race-- with perhaps wider implications, to appear.
************************
As almost all political aficionados know, the Illinois State Rep. 17th District race should be another nail biter. This is the case notwithstanding some polling data on Larry Handlin’s site [www.archpundit.com] suggesting otherwise. Larry has pulled some of the poll numbers, but he left some up—including the "head to head," indicating Republican/Independent eight year incumbent Elizabeth (Beth) Coulson [from Glenview] is ahead 44-11, over her challenger Democrat Skokie Village Trustee/Nurse Michele Bromberg.
Rich Miller in his new blog [www.capitolfax.blogspot.com] states the Republican benchmark polls, “appear to be outdated [as in-- perhaps mid-summer] or otherwise not quite right.” Not quite right? That is the understatement of the year. Looks like Archpundit was Crossed by Wunderpol Cross.
Since the time those polls were taken, Speaker Mike Madigan has been funneling resources to Bromberg, in a major league way-- as Miller notes. On the other side, Minority Leader Tom Cross, whose staff acknowledge Cross has a hefty cross [Alan Keyes] to bear in districts like the 17th-- and Leader Tom doesn’t have the muscle of the Speaker to help him carry the cross, appears to be pulling out all stops to keep the seat Republican/[Independent?
Indeed, one gets the impression that Cross will be spending so much of his time, energy and resources in and on the 17th that he might be able to establish residency there.
BTW, the Cross effort in the 17th is in sharp contrast to the 59th, where Republican State Rep. candidate Paul Tully appears to have been abandoned by Cross—even though (1) Tully’s opponent, Kathy Ryg, won that district for the first time in 2002 by only 107 votes (2) Tully’s intellect, down home style and intensity, along with the 2002 numbers for the 59th, should make Tully a Tier one candidate. Tully, with the resources, would certainly be a Tier one candidate. Is Cross taking a dive in the 59th? Perhaps Tully, who is moderate on abortion, is not moderate enough for Leader Cross’ new Republican minority.
Although we have spoken to Leader Cross’ staff, we can’t seem to get Leader Cross to return our calls—he is a very busy guy. However, it does appear that he returns Carol Marin’s phone calls. Lucky Carol, must be nice to have friends like Leader Tom. And the price? Writing nice, unquestioning puff pieces about ambitious Tom and recently ambitious Judy, or so it would appear.
Back to the 17th, Gore-Bush was 59-41. Pat Hughes was the bright, hardworking candidate who carried the flag for the Democrats in 2002, after he won a bruising, razor-thin primary victory [which included a follow-up Gore v. Bush lawsuit by Bender against Hughes] over Michael Bender, who many viewed as favored by Speaker Mike in the primary. Hughes-- bright, articulate and moderate—was in many ways a Democratic Coulson look-a-like, except for gender and incumbency, but Hughes lost to Coulson by 684 votes in a district that Speaker Mike had re-districted to be another Mike Madigan roll call vote [Prior to re-districting, Beth Coulson represented the 57th, a district which was quite a bit safer for Beth, and which she had been winning easily; About 35% to 40% of Beth's old 57th District is now in the new 17th].
However, Speaker Mike was distracted a bit last time around and he didn’t think he had the right demographic candidate in Catholic, male Hughes in a district that has a significant Jewish population. This time around, Speaker Mike has a candidate more to his likeing for the district-- an Observant, Jewish female-- who doesn’t mind striking a very partisan Democratic tone, notwithstanding an occasional comment to the contrary. Also, as a village trustee/nurse, the pols think Bromberg will be more under the Speaker’s thumb than would Hughes, a Loop lawyer who was [and is] thought to have more of a mind of his own.
****************************************
Jeff Berkowitz: We are going to continue to speak as the credits roll, but I very much want to thank [for coming here to “Public Affairs”] Michele Bromberg, who of course is the Democratic candidate, running in the 17th District for State Representative. She is running against Beth Coulson, who is a Republican and sometimes says she is an Independent, is that right?
Michele Bromberg: Yes.
Berkowitz: Now, what do you think about that? Is Beth Coulson an independent?
Bromberg: Beth Coulson is not an independent. She takes money from the Republican Party. She gives money to the Republican Party. She also is ummm- she does not stand up for OUR values.
Berkowitz: Who is OUR values? What do you mean OUR values? Who is OUR values? Who is OUR?
Bromberg: The Democratic values. [She is] very tied into the Republican—
Berkowitz: She is a Republican.
Bromberg: She is a Republican. She is part of the Republican Party—
Berkowitz: You are a Democrat.
Bromberg: I am a Democrat and proud of it.
Berkowitz: People have a choice between a Democrat and a Republican? She says she is—
Bromberg: She takes money from—
Berkowitz: She says she is an independent, but you are not so sure.
Bromberg: No, she definitely says she is an independent. She takes money from drug companies. She takes money from—
Berkowitz: Would you take money from drug companies?
Bromberg: Absolutely not.
Berkowitz: Would you take money from teachers’ unions?
Bromberg: I believe in the teachers’ values.
Berkowitz: Are they a special interest? Because you talk about not taking money from “special interests.”
Bromberg: They are not a special interest. They are- They are educating the future of [the] State of Illinois.
Berkowitz: Trial Lawyers. Are Trial Lawyers a special interest?
Bromberg: They are trying to work through different things with the doctors—
Berkowitz: Do you take money from Trial Lawyers?
Bromberg: Ummmm, a few who are very close friends of mine.
Berkowitz: A few? If they are very close friends, you take it. But, if there was a Trial Lawyers Association that wanted to donate to your campaign, would you take money from them?
Bromberg: I, uh, I- it hasn’t come up yet. I don’t know. Again, I, uh, have to- think about that further.
Berkowitz: What is the biggest difference, as you talk to the voters, as you see it, between you and Beth Coulson?
Bromberg: Beth Coulson is a Republican and I’m a Democrat.
*********************************
Michele Bromberg, Democratic Candidate [from Skokie] for State Rep. in the 17th District, running against eight year incumbent, Elizabeth [Beth] Coulson [R- Glenview, 17th Dist.]. Bromberg was interviewed on “Public Affairs,” in a show that was recorded on October 3, 2004 and will air in the suburbs this week [Week of Oct. 11] and throughout the City of Chicago on Monday, Oct. 18, 2004 at 8:30 pm on Cable Ch. 21 [CANTV].
********************************
The suburban edition of "Public Affairs," is regularly broadcast every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 8:30 pm on Comcast Cable Channel 19 in Bannockburn, Deerfield, Ft. Sheridan, Glencoe, Highland Park, Highwood, Kenilworth, Lincolnshire, Riverwoods and Winnetka.
The suburban edition also is broadcast every Tuesday night at 8:30 p.m. on Comcast Cable Channel 19 in Buffalo Grove, Elk Grove Village, Hoffman Estates, Lincolnwood, Morton Grove, Niles, Northfield, Palatine, Rolling Meadows and Wilmette and every Tuesday night at 8:30 p.m. 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.
The City edition of Public Affairs airs throughout the City of Chicago every Monday night at 8:30 on Cable Ch. 21 [CANTV].
The “Public Affairs,” show with State Rep. Candidate Bromberg will air throughout the City of Chicago on Monday, Oct. 18, 2004 at 8:30 pm on Cable Ch. 21.
**********************************************
Jeff Berkowitz, host and producer of “Public Affairs,” can be reached at JBCG@aol.com
***********************************************
<< Home