Better than Monday Night Football: 6th CD Cegelis on TV/ Web

Tonight’s City of Chicago edition of "Public Affairs," features Christine Cegelis [D-Rolling Meadows] [See Christine's website here], one of the two announced candidates in the 6th Congressional District Democratic Primary [vying for the right to try to replace the retiring Cong. Henry Hyde]. The program with Democrat Cegelis airs throughout the City of Chicago tonight, Oct. 31 at 8:30 pm on CANTV, Cable Ch. 21.

You can also watch the show with Cegelis on a video podcast or listen to it on an audio podcast by going here. Also available at the Public Affairs Cinema are shows with U. S. Senator Barack Obama, 8th Cong. Dist. candidates David McSweeney and Kathy Salvi and Illinois OMB Director John Filan.

For a partial transcript of tonight's show and to read more about the 6th CD Democratic Primary and general election, please go here.
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Half Full [Kristol] or Half Empty [Lahood] ?

Cong. Ray LaHood [R-Peoria, 18th Dist.], about whom his critics would say, “Finds a cloud in every silver lining,” was portrayed as suffering from clinical depression yesterday after learning of Scooter Libby’s [the VPOTUS’ Chief of Staff] indictment. LaHood said, “There's no good in it for our party. Anyone who says otherwise is blowing smoke. Democrats will be salivating." [See here].

As LaHood suggests, the Libby indictment fits nicely with the Democrats’ plans to nationalize the ’06 Congressional elections around their argument that the national Republican Party suffers from a “Culture of corruption.” See this week’s suburban edition of "Public Affairs," with Cong. Jan Schakowsky [D-Evanston, 9th CD], who is trumpeting that argument, among others, as she campaigns to become Vice Chairman, the No. 4 leadership position in the House Democratic Caucus [a vacancy which will materialize in short order if Senator Corzine [D-NJ] wins the gubernatorial election in New Jersey in 10 days and Cong. Menendez, the current Chairman, is appointed to be New Jersey’s junior Senator, and replaced in the Democratic House Leadership by the current No. 4, See here.]

But, then there is the sunny side of the Republican Party, represented by Bill Kristol’s unflagging enthusiasm and optimism for intelligent, conservative programs, ideals and politicians [although Kristol did support John McCain for President in 2000, and Senator McGain is a quasi-conservative, at best; Kristol is the Editor of the Weekly Standard , a Fox News Channel contributor and one of the leaders of the successful movement to pressure Harriet Miers to withdraw her name as the Supreme Court nominee]:

The larger story on Friday was that [Special Prosecutor and U. S. Attorney Patrick] Fitzgerald indicted no one else…There was no conspiracy, high level or otherwise, at the White House, or involving the Defense Department or the State Department--all scenarios that enemies of the administration had been fantasizing about for months.

This does not mean, of course, that the Bush White House and its supporters should heave a sigh of relief and relax. It does mean that the administration and its allies have a chance now to go on the offensive: to make the tax cuts permanent, to look for occasions to insist on spending restraint, to make progress in restoring constitutional jurisprudence, and above all to make strides toward winning the war in Iraq, and the broader war on terror.[See here].

So, should the Republicans hold their heads in their hands and sob? Or, should they say the worst [a lethargic Presidential Reaction to Katrina, Brownie’s incompetence at FEMA, the indictment of House Majority Leader Tom Delay, Harriet Miers’ misguided nomination to the Supremes and the charges filed against Scooter Libby] is behind them and get ready to take the next hill?

Neo-con and conservative idea man Bill Kristol says, “Let’s go on offense and take that next hill.” Cong. Ray LaHood, who former Senator Peter Fitzgerald [R-IL] was fond of referring to as “Ray who,” doesn’t seem inclined to join Bill, as Bill gets ready to take on the likes of Cong. Schakowsky and her fearless minority leader, Cong. Nancy Pelosi [D-CA].

Will others pick up arms and join Bill Kristol in going on the offensive? Or, will they hang back with Cong. LaHood, who was one of three Republicans in the House to vote against the Contract with America, a document which most would agree was instrumental in bringing about the Republican Revolution in 1994 that allowed the Republicans to pick up 54 seats and gain the House Majority. LaHood was and is still mentored by former long-time House Minority Leader Bob Michel [R-IL], a leader who many Republicans thought had became too comfortable with his role as a minority leader, and who stepped aside when Cong. Newt Gingrich brought the House Republicans to the Promised land and became their Speaker.

So, the question is does Speaker Dennis Hastert have the fire in his belly to take on this fight with Minority Leader Pelosi and her energetic leadership team. First, he needs to try to put together a team that is clued into what Kristol is saying and knows how to take the fight to their loyal opposition. It is clear that Tom “ the Hammer,” Delay is otherwise occupied and new Majority Leader Blunt [R-MO] is not the right person for the job, as I told the Speaker a month ago [See here]. The first thing the Speaker needs to do is is find a good recruiter. Time's a wasting.
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Jeff Berkowitz, Host and Producer of Public Affairs and an Executive Recruiter doing Legal Search, can be reached at JBCG@aol.com
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Grover Norquist and Christine Cegelis on TV

In collaboration with the Illinois Channel [which is, generally, an Illinois analogue to C-Span], Jeff Berkowitz’s fifteen minute interview with Grover Norquist, President of the Americans for Tax Reform [Republicans who vote for tax increases are likened to ratheads in a Coke bottle-- they destroy the Party brand], is airing through-out the City of Chicago tomorrow morning at about 10:15 am on Cable Ch. 21 [CANTV] and again on Sunday morning at about 9:45 am on Cable Ch. 19 [CANTV]. Tune in about 5 minutes early to be on the safe side, as start times may not be exact. The program airs in 75 communities across the state of Illinois and in St. Louis and Jefferson counties in Missouri. See here for more about the show with Grover Norquist, to access the show as a webcast and for the airing schedule of the show in communities outside of Chicago.

Christine Cegelis, 6th Cong. Dist. Democratic primary candidate, is the featured guest on the City of Chicago edition of "Public Affairs," this coming Monday night. The program, hosted and produced by Jeff Berkowitz, airs at 8:30 pm on Cable Ch. 21 [CANTV].See here for more about the TV show with candidate Cegelis and for a partial transcript of the show. See here to watch a video podcast of the show with Cegelis, as well as shows with Senator Obama, Blagojevich OMB director John Filan, and 8th Cong. Dist. Republican Primary Candidates David McSweeney and Kathy Salvi.
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Jeff Berkowitz, Host and Producer of Public Affairs and an Executive Recruiter doing Legal Search, can be reached at JBCG@aol.com
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Eric Zorn's online Month in Review Panel/Watch Podcasts

Revised on Friday, 11:15 am.

Welcome to my regular readers and a special welcome to newcomers and readers from Eric Zorn's Chicago Tribune web log [Change of Subject]. Eric Zorn has recruited, or should I say drafted [Zorn being first and foremost of the liberal persuasion] me to participate in his online Month in Review panel.

Zorn’s blog tells you my choices, as well as those of my competitor bloggers, for the Most Significant story of the month, Winner of the month, Loser of the month, Over and Underreported and story to watch for Next Month predictions.

I have repeated, below, my choices, followed by my explanations, reasons, facts, arguments and rants in support of my choices, as well as some runner-ups. Significant revisions and updates of this post are noted at the top of the post, with a revised at ____ notation.

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Obama, Filan, Salvi, Cegelis and McSweeney Podcasts available on this site.

In addition to reading at this site, you can watch podcasts of our show, "Public Affairs," by going to "Four Easy Pieces." That post, at the bottom, has a link to the "Public Affairs Cinema," Complex, which lists four podcasts from which you can choose shows with (1) Senator Barack Obama [D-IL], (2)Christine Cegelis [D-Rolling Meadows, 6th CD], (3) John Filan, Director of OMB under Gov. Rod Blagojevich [D-IL]. Additional information about these shows is included in that post. The screening with Cook County Commissioner and Democratic Primary County Board President Candidate Forrest Claypool is listed on the post but is no longer airing at the Complex. Not included in the post but now available on the Show Choice Page are our separate shows with two 8th CD Republican Primary candidates David McSweeney [R-Barrington Hills] and Kathy Salvi [R-Mundelein]. The Salvi choice is not listed on the page as a podcast, but is available by clicking on the link with her name at the top of the page.

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Most Important Story— Governor Rod Blagojevich’s soap opera rendition of “All my children,” aka Governor Press Release’s “All kids,” healthcare insurance program.

Winner of the Month- Former Governor George Ryan. With more than a little help at his RICO trial in the form of favorable and erratic testimony from his “son,” Scott Fawell, George may walk out of court a free man.

Loser of the Month- Andrea Coutretsis, aka Scott Fawell’s fiancee and her kids. Testifying like he loved George Ryan more than his girlfriend and her kids, who Scott said he “loved like his own,” he gave better testimony for George than an honest man would give. Essentially, Scott appeared to lie, or at least paint a glowing, self –serving picture of the nature of some of George’s and Scott’s activities, while George was Secretary of State and Scott was his Chief of Staff and campaign manager. Fawell’s girlfriend, Andrea Coutretsis, will do some prison time and her kids will suffer. Scott’s pending additional sentence will be reduced, but not as much as it could have been. As usual, 71 year old George Ryan has the last laugh. Somebody ought to put a black hat on George, put him on a horse and put him in a Western. He is a natural [bad guy].

Most Over-Reported Story- The Chicago White Sox. Showing itself to be the hic town that I always knew it was, Sox mania changed WTTW’s Chicago Tonight [and Chicago Week in Review], probably forever, to Sports Tonight. The Sun-Times immersed itself in ridiculous ten page, or more, Sox wrap-around news coverage over each daily newspaper; the Tribune splashed the Sox on the front page and the evening local TV newscasts were even worse. Folks, its grown men hitting, chasing and throwing a little ball. Meanwhile, almost six out of every ten kids in the CPS can’t read at grade level and no-one is discussing School Vouchers/School Choice, but by all means, let’s have more coverage of sports, and especially on our public TV station, whose mission would be to close the gap in commercial sports coverage? What a travesty public affairs programming on public TV in Chicago has become.

Most Under-Reported Story- The emerging Hot Republican Gubernatorial Primary [Also, my pick in June, July, August and September].

Story to Watch next month— The U. S. Attorney’s investigation of Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s hiring practices at IDOT and DCFS explodes through-out Blago’s administration.
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Explanations and Runners-up

Most Significant Story: The Governor’s “All kids,” healthcare insurance program for kids is an important story in that Blago caught the attention of the press in a positive way for a change. With his approval rating in the upper 30s, this is exactly what the doctor ordered, so to speak. Of course, there are obvious structural flaws in the whole idea.

If it is just for kids, is it the presumption that the parents have an insurance program for themselves. If so, why don’t we find out why they don’t have the kids on their program and if is something like they can’t afford the additional payments, why not subsidize the additional payments to the parent's program. Why expand the involvement of the government as an insurer of healthcare. In short, why not use the government to finance supplemental payments to private sector insurers? Is it the whole idea of Blago that the government can provide insurance, in the form of an expanded medicaid program, more efficiently than the private sector? If so, they got that wrong.

As usual, the Republicans seem to have been caught flatfooted and either don’t know what to say [other than Sen. Rauschenberger, and even he got a little shaky this week on Chicago Tonight and perhaps in the state senate] or supported the above. The Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce and the Illinois Hospital Association seemed to buckle under to pressure, threats and intimidation—and endorsed the above expansion of the inefficient Medicaid program.

This is an important story, but one about a program that ultimately will not improve consumer welfare and the public well-being.

Runner-up: The barrage of investigations opened by the U. S. Attorney’s office involving the Governor’s hiring and patronage practices, including IDOT, DCFS and IGA. The only reason this isn’t the most significant story is that, publicly, it is just getting started and it could combine and dovetail with the investigations and indictments in the Pension board area to bring the Apocalypse to Gov. Blagojevich in the next few months.
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Winner of the Month: As Eric Zorn points out in his month in review comments, former Gov. George Ryan had some downs during his continuing RICO trial, but when the government’s star witness, Scott Fawell [See above] helps the defense as much as the prosecution, that is not a good sign. George could still become a “deadman walking,” so to speak, but score this month for the man who, in a truly shameful act, commuted the sentences of dozens of clearly guilty, heinous, murderers from execution to a life sentences. This was a cynical attempt to win the undying gratitude of the anti-capital punishment lobby, which George thought would help him with the editorial boards and public opinion. George Ryan thought that improved standing with the media and public might raise the cost of a prosecutor indicting him, but he was wrong. George might have also thought his commutations of the death sentences would be a way of tampering with his jury pool. On that, of course, the jury is still out.

Runner-up: Possibly Mayor Daley. With U. S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald [N.D., IL] probably moving ahead with indictments today of major national Republican Party figures Karl Rove and Scooter Libby, the affection for him in the Republican Party could diminish rapidly, and he therefore might be “promoted,” by the President out of the U. S. Attorney’s office, removing Mayor Daley’s No. 1 nemesis, which might then clear the field in 2007 of any credible opponents to Daley’s re-election, e.g., Cong. Jesse Jackson [D- Chicago].
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Loser of the Month: Andrea Coutretsis [See above discussion of Loser of the month for explanation].

Runner-up: Ron Gidwitz. This Republican Gubernatorial candidate is spending millions on ads, but getting no traction in the polls. He has held such important appointed positions as Chairman of the State Board of Education and Chairman of the Board of the City Colleges of Chicago. However, he just isn’t ready to run for Governor. Ron clearly needs some seasoning as a candidate for office. Because he is an unknown and unproven moderate in the Republican Primary for Governor, he has virtually no chance, especially if the other potential moderate in the race, Judy Baar Topinka, continues to hover in the wings. If Topinka were to declare she is not running, Gidwitz might be able to pick up a large chunk of Topinka’s moderate support, but not enough to win.
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Most over-reported Story: The Chicago White Sox [See above]

Runner-up: Jim Edgar’s indecision about running for Governor. Edgar would have made the Republican Primary more interesting and perhaps, if he won the primary, he would have made the general election more interesting, too. But, the long run-up to Edgar’s decision not to run was quite boring. Almost all the pundits correctly anticipated that he would not run, but each journalist had to keep her oars in the water, just in case she was wrong.

2nd Runner-up: Judy Baar Topinka. More Hamlet, More indecision: To run or not to Run, that is the question. This is even less interesting with Topinka replacing Edgar as Hamlet. And, of course, the media ignore the baggage a Judy run for Governor would highlight and how she would deal with same. And, other than being pro-Choice and pro-Gay Rights, what do the media know about Topinka's stands on issues?
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Jeff Berkowitz, Host and Producer of Public Affairs and an Executive Recruiter doing Legal Search, can be reached at JBCG@aol.com
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Senator Obama: You Gotta have Heart

This press release just in from Barack Obama, the Democratic Junior Senator from the State of Illinois:

Earlier this morning, the White House announced the withdrawal of the nomination of Harriet Miers to the Supreme Court.

This decision provides the President with a unique opportunity as he searches for a nominee to replace Ms. Miers – an opportunity to bring the nation together and name someone who has the qualifications, the experience, and the independence to serve the United States as a Supreme Court Justice. That is what the American people are looking for, and that is what our country deserves from a President who has often pledged to be a uniter, and not a divider. [Emphasis Supplied].

Of course, the question for Senator Obama is- Didn’t the President do that when he nominated [now Chief Justice] John Roberts to replace Chief Justice Rehnquist? Didn’t [then judge] Roberts have the qualifications, experience and independence to serve as a U. S. Supreme Court Justice?

The junior Senator from Illinois determined that Judge Roberts didn’t make it through his confirmation filter. Senator Obama found Justice Roberts lacking in “heart,” as he would define it. When Senator Obama says “has the qualifications,” should he spell out that he means “heart,” as Obama would define it? Senator Obama was in the voting minority of his own party when he opposed Judge Roberts’ confirmation and in the 22% voting minority of the entire Senate opposing Roberts’ confirmation.

Of course, being in the minority on a vote doesn’t necessarily mean someone is wrong. Indeed, it was Thoreau who argued for civil disobedience by saying, “when the laws are unjust, the place for the just is in jail.” However, you have to wonder if Senator Obama’s “heart theory,” of Supreme Court nominee qualifications will survive the test of time. Or, whether it will even be repeated in his decision on the next nominee.

As I wrote in September [see here]:

In essence, Obama said, to be the Chief Justice of the United States, a nominee must pass the Obama ideological litmus tests by having a “heart,” that has historically held, currently holds and promises to hold in the future:

1. Affirmative action is an appropriate and Constitutional response to the history of race discrimination;
2. There is and should continue to be a Constitutional right of privacy for a woman to have an abortion;
3. The commerce clause of the Constitution empowers Congress to speak to issues of broad national interest that may be only tangentially related to what is easily defined as inner-city commerce; and
4. A person who’s disabled has the Constitutional right to be accommodated so that they can work along side the non-disabled.

With respect to each of the above constitutional questions, Senator Obama concluded, “the critical ingredient is supplied by what’s in the judge’s heart.”

Really, now. I would have thought that these are issues that should be decided based on a justice’s understanding and analysis of the Constitution, the laws of the United States, the precedent, the briefs and the arguments. That’s why students at the University of Chicago used to study the “Elements of Legal Reasoning,” as opposed to say, the “Elements of Legal Emotions.”

How will Senator Obama decide if the next nominee is qualified? Will he assess the ability of the nominee to engage in thoughtful, intelligent and judicious Legal Reasoning or will he judge her by the quality of her Legal Emotions? Well, Senator Obama has already told us,"You Gotta have heart."
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Jeff Berkowitz, Host and Producer of Public Affairs and an Executive Recruiter doing Legal Search, can be reached at JBCG@aol.com
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Kaleidoscope Economy: Watch Cegelis on Cable or on Web

This week’s suburban edition of "Public Affairs," features Christine Cegelis [D-Rolling Meadows] [See her campaign website ], one of the two announced candidates in the 6th Congressional District Democratic Primary [vying for the right to try to replace the retiring Cong. Henry Hyde].

You can also watch the show with Cegelis on a video podcast or listen to it on an audio podcast by going here.
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The program with Democrat Christine Cegelis also will air throughout the City of Chicago on this coming Monday night, Oct. 31 at 8:30 pm on CANTV, Cable Ch. 21. See, below, for a detailed suburban airing schedule for Public Affairs.
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The Lithuanian Cegelis, a Catholic, pro-choice, hard working single mom with two adult sons, came within six points of upsetting Cong. Henry Hyde [R-Addison] in 2004. Cegelis is trying to pull a Melissa Bean, meaning she never stopped running-- she has been campaigning for the last two years-- and hopes that the second time is the charm. [Democrat Bean took two consecutive tries to topple, last year, 35 year Republican incumbent Phil Crane in the 8th CD]. Cong. Hyde, 81 and having served the 6th Cong. District since being elected in the Watergate year of 1974, is not seeking re-election. Trial lawyer Peter Roskam , an experienced state senator [R-Wheaton] who is pro-life and a strong proponent of school choice and gun owner rights, is running in an uncontested Republican Primary.

Cegelis has had some trouble raising significant amounts of money, and she has less than 50K “on hand.” Her Democratic Primary opponent, Wheaton College Professor Lindy Scott, just joined the campaign last quarter and he has less than 17K “on hand.”

Senator Roskam, on the other hand, has almost 550 K “on hand,” and he is continuing to pile up the dollars, so that he can use them to define whichever Democrat shows up at his doorstep. Congressman and DCCC Chairman Rahm Emanuel [D-Chicago] knows better than almost anybody how that game is played and he does not want to forfeit one of the thirty or so “open or otherwise competitive congressional seats,” next fall.

This is especially the case because Chairman Emanuel thinks he can put a Democrat in the Speaker’s chair. He and others in the Party think they can nationalize the Congressional races [ala Newt Gingrich in 1994] around the theme that the national Republican Party is dominated by a “culture of corruption,” [See next week’s suburban edition of “Public Affairs,” with Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky, who is looking to move into the No. 4 House Democratic caucus leadership position as an articulate proponent of that campaign theme].

Thus, it is said that Rahm is looking for a wealthy candidate who can file soon and self fund her race [See Archpundit, here]. That might seem unfair to the articulate and personable Christine Cegelis. As I said, she has put the last two years of her life into this race and she demonstrated she was a credible candidate in a now only slightly Republican District. And she did that by running against a 30-year incumbent congressman who had a tremendous reservoir of good will not just with Republicans, but also with Democrats and Independents [notwithstanding his leadership role in the impeachment of President Clinton].

Of course, who ever said politics was fair? Moreover, as Archpundit suggests, if Christine doesn’t have the money to defend and define herself-- and fight back, Roskam will win in a cakewalk. So, you see, Rahm is doing Christine a favor by finding someone who can self-fund. But, I don’t think she is going to thank him if he does. Nor will Senator Roskam. Some common ground between Peter and Christine. As they say, politics makes strange bedfellows.
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This week’s suburban edition of Public Affairs features Christine Cegelis debating and discussing the economy, taxes, jobs, abortion, same sex marriage, embryonic stem cell research, airports, guns, free trade, offshore sourcing, the kaleidoscope world economy and much, much more with show host and Executive Legal Search Specialist Jeff Berkowitz.
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You can watch the show with Cegelis on a video podcast, by going here or listen to it on an audio podcast .
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A partial transcript of the show with Christine Cegelis is included, below.
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Jeff Berkowitz: You know a lot of businessmen in the 6th congressional district. You’re going to ask them for financial support. Are you going to tell them they’re getting this all wrong?

Christine Cegelis: Well, you know, when you work with a large multinational corporation, a lot of times-- you hate to say this-- but a lot of times, it is the gut, this project we’re going to ship off because we’ve gotten a low bid on it, but they never follow up on the study to say what ended up having to be done to make it right, and you see that a lot in data processing projects. It’s the project over-run, the amount of time it takes, money.

Berkowitz: Okay. So, you’re going to try to convince companies they should do it [make the product] in the US, not outside, they are not saving any money. We call it, when we talked about this last time, we call it outsourcing because everybody else does, but it’s really-

Christine Cegelis: Offshoring. Yes.

Berkowitz: Sending work offshore, or outside the country. And that’s one thing you’re just going to try to convince them. Barack Obama, when he was running for the U. S. Senate- [he] said we’re incentivizing things the wrong way, in terms of taxes. We should be rewarding people in our tax code for work that’s done here [in this country].

Christine Cegelis: Umhmm.

Berkowitz: Instead of, he said, we’re really charging-- or people who do the work here are paying higher taxes. But, I’m wondering, he’s [Obama] been there [in the U. S. Senate] eight or nine months, has that changed? I know he’s not in the majority, in terms of the Democratic Party, but is he pushing for that? You would know. You’re a Democrat; he’s a Democrat.

Christine Cegelis: [Laughter]

Berkowitz: Have you talked to Barack lately?

Christine Cegelis: No, I haven’t talked to him lately. And, I, I don’t know-

Berkowitz: You don’t know what the Democrats in general are doing about that? Because, you know, it’s funny, it was a big issue, you might remember that in 2004, and I just don’t hear people talking about that anymore.

Christine Cegelis: I have never stopped talking about it. But, I agree with you. It’s probably-part of it is that they’re not …the majority party. And, it’s pretty hard [for the Democrats] to get anything passed at this point.

Berkowitz: Hmm. Not completely, though. You know, Barack has sponsored, he’s cosponsoring, a bill with … Tom Coburn [R-OK], a pretty conservative senator from Oklahoma. They both think there should be a CFO to oversee reconstruction in New Orleans for Hurricane Katrina.

Christine Cegelis: Umhmm.

Berkowitz: Well, [if] Barack can work with Coburn on that, I suppose he can work with Republicans on other things. Well, we should say we’d like to have Barack on the show; we’re trying and we’ll try to have him back. He was on last July. So, we’re not holding you accountable for that, but then we can ask him, and he can tell us what he is doing. All right, so, you’re talking about jobs; you’re talking about the economy, you’re talking about taxes, you’re talking about trade, you know, last time you said you were, you would not have supported NAFTA if you were there, would you have?

Christine Cegelis: At the time-

Berkowitz: That’s ten years ago.

Christine Cegelis: Yeah, ten years ago, it sounded like a good idea. And, now that I’ve-

Berkowitz: North American Free Trade Agreement: Lower tariffs, all sorts of things to help trade. Sounded like a good idea. You might have supported that then, but looking back, you’re saying no.

Christine Cegelis: Yeah.

Christine Cegelis. Looking back, I’m saying “no,” and I definitely would not have supported CAFTA.

Berkowitz: The Central American Free Trade Agreement. You differ with your sister from the 8th congressional district, Melissa Bean, I’m using sister figuratively, but, of course, there’s a lot you have in common. She ran a second time; she lost the first time against [then US rep] Phil Crane [R-Wauconda], she beat him the second time. She’s in a district [the eighth, in the northwest suburbs] that is thought to be, you know, fairly Republican [56-44, Bush-Kerry]. She’s a Democrat; you’re running a second time, and you’re running in a district [the sixth] that’s thought to be fairly Republican [53-47 Bush-Kerry]. You’re a Democrat. Now, of course, [Cong.] Henry Hyde is stepping down-

Christine Cegelis: Umhmm.

Berkowitz: [State Sen.] Peter Roskam’s there. But, you know, she [Bean] straddled that. She supported CAFTA because she thought that was good for her district [the eighth]. [Have] you talked with Congresswoman Bean [D-Barrington] about that?

Christine Cegelis: Uh, I haven’t spoken with her about it directly. I guess that I have just always felt that CAFTA was a bad idea for the American workers. It’s a bad idea for the small businessmen here; it’s a bad idea for the people in Central America.

Berkowitz: Doesn’t trade-Adam Smith [Wealth of Nations] said trade’s good: promotes jobs, across the country, across the world. Is he wrong?

Christine Cegelis: It depends on how it’s done. But, particularly, when we are at a disadvantage in the way this particular trade agreement is written; American workers are at a disadvantage. I think it’s best to say that it is nothing more than another way to offshore our jobs.

Berkowitz: You think.

Christine Cegelis: I do believe that, yeah.

Berkowitz: So, you don’t think if we export more things, we also benefit [in terms of jobs]-- There are exports that come out of the sixth congressional district; you agree, right?

Christine Cegelis: There will be some exports. And, there will be some-

Berkowitz: There could be some job creation right there.

Christine Cegelis: It could be. But, I think it’s going to be smaller job creation than creating the actual manufacturing. It will not, particularly with CAFTA, because it’s textiles, that’s not going to be something that’s high in our area. But, I don’t think that CAFTA is going to really create jobs here in the United States, and I think it doesn’t protect the workers in Central America.

Berkowitz: …There’s this phrase-I don’t know who came up with it-an economics professor at Columbia University, but Rahm Emanuel actually referred to this [at a City Club of Chicago speech]. He didn’t say he necessarily believed in it, but he thought it was an interesting idea. He said-you know Rahm, [Democratic] congressman from the 5th congressional district [and Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee Chairman], I just mention Democrats on this show. But Rahm talked about it, it’s the idea of a kaleidoscope economy, you understand that? Kaleidoscope world, have you heard that before?

Christine Cegelis: I’ve heard that before.

Berkowitz: What does that mean?

Christine Cegelis: Well, you know, that there’s so much that can be added and changed, and, as you change one piece of it, the whole outlook changes.

Berkowitz: All right. So, you keep shaking it up. As a kid, you had a kaleidoscope, you shake it, it looks one way; you shake it up, it looks another. So, I think the idea is that one day-- China could be more efficient at something. The next day-- it could be Spain.

Christine Cegelis: Umhmm.

Berkowitz: The next month it could be the United States.

Christine Cegelis: Well-

Berkowitz: So, it’s not a matter of just saying low cost here, high cost there. Technology [and comparative advantage] changes rapidly and entrepreneurs are constantly looking around, seeing how to do it better and work better. Does that make sense to you?

Christine Cegelis: It does make sense. And, you know, that would be great if that’s the way it worked. And, I always think back to my own international economics course, where we spent a lot of time exploring this, and how this really works to the advantage of everything. And then, the last day of the class, when I thought I finally got the theory down, my professor looked us in the face and said, “But, it doesn’t work that way because politics changes everything.”

Berkowitz: Really?

Christine Cegelis: [Laughter] So, it’s a great theory, but it doesn’t work-- because politics changes everything!

Berkowitz: So, you think politics swamps economics.

Christine Cegelis: It does!

Berkowitz: Stumps [trumps] economics.

Christine Cegelis: It does! For instance, China can heavily invest, their government can heavily invest in their manufacturing-- that the United States is not doing, because they’re a Communist country. They have a different political system than we do. So, they’re always going to have that advantage of having money pumped back in from the government.

Berkowitz: But, that’s the inefficiency of it, because they could put money in when it doesn’t warrant it, and therefore, they’re producing something they shouldn’t. And, China is supposed to be getting stronger because they’re in many ways trying to mimic capitalism.

Christine Cegelis: In some ways, but—and I think their government is pretty strong.
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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.
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Transcript drafts prepared by Amy Allen, who also does research for “Public Affairs,” and has her own political blog [[See here]].
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Jeff Berkowitz, Host and Producer of Public Affairs and an Executive Recruiter doing Legal Search, can be reached at JBCG@aol.com
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Berkowitz's Grover Norquist interview webcast and cablecast

In collaboration with the Illinois Channel [which is, generally, an Illinois analogue to C-Span], Jeff Berkowitz’s fifteen minute interview with Grover Norquist, President of the Americans for Tax Reform, is airing this week in 75 communities through-out the state of Illinois [including Chicago] and in St. Louis and Jefferson counties in Missouri. Berkowitz is the host and producer of “Public Affairs.” You can watch the webcast by going to the Illinois Channel, and at the same site, you can go to “Distribution,” and locate on which channel and when the Illinois Channel airs in your neck of the woods, if you prefer to watch the cablecast on your TV.

The Illinois Channel is cablecast in two hour blocks of time. Thus, for example, in Springfield, IL, you can watch Illinois Channel programming on Municipal Channel 18 on Tuesday and Thursday at 7:00 pm [as well as at other times and channels listed on the Illinois Channel site].

The Norquist interview is the second segment of the two hour block of programming, and thus, for example, should air at about 8:15 pm in Springfield on tomorrow night [Tuesday] and Thursday. You might tune in at 8:10 pm to be on the safe side. Or better yet, tune in at 7:00 pm and watch a conference that deals with “How the legislature really works,” and then stay tuned for the Norquist Interview, followed by a half hour oral argument before the Illinois Supreme Court.

The Berkowitz interview with Norquist was sandwiched in between various speaking engagements Mr. Norquist had on October 11, 2005 in Chicago.

Topics covered include Ratheads in Coke bottles; the “No tax increase pledge,” how and when the National Republican Party became “branded,” as the “we won’t raise your taxes party,” Presidents Reagan, George Herbert Walker Bush and Bush on tax cuts; Goldwater on tax cuts, Reducing the size and scope of government; Harriet Miers’ Supreme Court nomination-- and her critics and supporters; Tax cuts, welfare reform, social programs and helping low income people; programs Republicans should support to help low income people; Davis-Bacon Act; No Child Left Behind Act; School choice, school vouchers; Federal spending and dealing with Hurricane Katrina; the War in Iraq.
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Jeff Berkowitz, Host and Producer of Public Affairs and an Executive Recruiter doing Legal Search, can be reached at JBCG@aol.com
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Salvi, 8th CD candidate and Cegelis, 6th CD candidate, on TV

Tonight’s "Public Affairs," program in the City features Kathy Salvi, 8th Cong. Dist. Republican Primary candidate, interviewed by show host and producer Jeff Berkowitz.

The show with Salvi is airing tonight at 8:30 pm on Cable Ch. 21 [CANTV] through-out the City of Chicago. See here for more about and a partial transcript of tonight’s show and for links to another partial transcript of tonight’s show that deals with tort reform and the Salvi's net worth, and information about the 8th CD Republican Primary and the other candidates.

The show with Kathy Salvi will be available to watch or listen to as a video or audio podcast on this site within the next few days.
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This week's suburban edition of "Public Affairs," and next Monday night's City of Chicago edition of "Public Affairs," features Christine Cegelis, 6th Cong. Dist. Democratic Primary Candidate. See the end of this post for a detailed suburban airing schedule. See here to watch a video podcast or to listen to an audio podcast of the show and to read about Cegelis, her primary and the general election in the 6th Cong. District.
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Jeff Berkowitz, Host and Producer of Public Affairs and an Executive Recruiter doing Legal Search, can be reached at JBCG@aol.com
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The Topinka Watch: Tick Tock, Tick Tock

Cook County Commissioner Tony Peraica [R- Riverside], running for Cook County Board President in an uncontested Republican Primary, announced last night on Tom Roeser’s Political Shoot-out radio program [the fastest hour in radio] that State Treasurer Judy Baar Topinka would have a press conference today at 1:00 pm. Peraica also predicted that his “neighbor and good friend- Topinka,” would announce she is not running for Governor. Peraica said he would support Judy if she does run for Governor, notwithstanding his differences with her on her "moderate," stands on "social issues," e.g., gay rights and abortion.

Peraica was contradicted this morning by Dave Loveday, a spokesman for Topinka on political issues, who said that Topinka is in Quincy today and would be making no announcement today, and he doubted she would be doing so tomorrow as she will be downstate then, as well.

Loveday said Topinka is “struggling,” with her decision. She wants commitments from Washington and elsewhere that she would have enough money to deal with Gov. Blagojevich’s treasure chest once she came out of the primary. It is expected the Governor will have 25 million dollars, or so, to define his Republican opponent, and Judy remembers how Governor Edgar defined Dawn Clark Netsch when she came out of a tough Democratic primary in 1994. It wasn’t pretty. For Dawn, that is.

Loveday, previously the press guy for the RTA, said Judy is confident she can win the Republican Primary, based on the existing field of Republican gubernatorial candidates. Loveday would not "speculate," when I asked him how comfortable Judy is that she could win, if the field narrowed to one or two conservatives, as opposed to the currently three, and possibly four, conservatives in the Republican Primary. [See here].

Loveday said this is a tough decision for Judy, in that her supporters know she wants financial commitments, and they keep coming up to her and ask, “How about this? Will that work?” So, she struggles as she asks herself, “How about that.” As always in Chicago politics, it is a matter of the “dees and dats”
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Jeff Berkowitz, Host and Producer of Public Affairs and an Executive Recruiter doing Legal Search, can be reached at JBCG@aol.com
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Berkowitz on Roeser's Radio Program Sunday Night: After West Wing.

Jeff Berkowitz will be a guest this coming Sunday night on Tom Roeser’s Political Shoot-out, WLS 890 AM Radio, from 8:00 pm to 9:00 pm [See here for more about the show and See here for Tom’s Blog]. The show will also be joined by Tony Peraica, running unopposed in the Republican Primary for that party’s nomination for Cook County Board President [See here].

Peraica is part of the Gang of Four, who hope to bring the Apocalypse Now to the 76 year old, 11 year Democratic incumbent President of the Cook County Board, John Stroger, who was first elected to the Board Presidency in 1994, over the Conscience of the Conservative Movement in Illinois, Joe Morris. Stroger has been on the County Board for more than three decades.

In addition to Peraica, two additional members of the Gang of Four, aka the Cook County reformers, are seeking to displace Stroger from his throne, and they, of course, are Democratic County Board Members Forrest Claypool [who said he had raised about a million dollars when he was on my show in September, watch the Claypool show, here] and Mike Quigley, who I understand had raised about 300 K as of that time.

Of course, the political grapevine is rife with rumor and innuendo about various “backroom deals,” in the works that might affect who the next Cook County Board President will be, including establishment alternatives to Stroger. The position is viewed by the pols as quite a plum, as the Cook County Hospitals, Temporary Juvenile Detention Centers, Jails, etc., are viewed as a patronage heaven for the regular Democratic Party in Chicago and Cook County.

That is why the reform Commissioners Claypool, Quigley, Peraica and Suffredin are viewed as such a threat to the lifeblood of the Regular Dems in Cook County. If not Stroger, they certainly want another one of their own in that position. After all, with the Hired Truck, Hired Tow and Hired Thief programs being turned over to a court appointed “monitor of hiring,” by the Daley Administration, eventually the Democratic Party’s monopoly in the City of Chicago and County of Cook could be threatened without the patronage jobs and contracts that keep the City and County a “one Party Town.” Dollars [patronage jobs and contracts] are the “mother’s milk,” of politics.

Upset with something I said on my show? something I wrote on this blog?—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 by calling in with your questions and comments—312-591-8900. Democrats, Republicans, Independents and others are, of course, all welcome.

I don’t know the topics—which are determined by Mr. Roeser, exclusively, and are kept, under Lock and Key, and under the watchful eye of Tom’s wife, Lilian Roeser [Behind every great man, there is a greater woman], until just before the show. However, an educated guess is that the questions will consist of various Cook County, city of Chicago, downstate and Statewide issues, possibly selected from the following questions, some of which are holdovers from what I suggested in this blog before I was on the show in July [See here].

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. And you are free to choose, so to speak:

• Could Tony Peraica beat John Stroger?
• How much money would Peraica need to beat Stroger?
• Will Stroger’s proposed tax increase lose for a third year in a row?
• Can the Stroger-Daley forces get to Earlean Collins?
• Is Tom Roeser right in suggesting the Republican activists should let RNC member Bob Kjellander be?
• What’s the real reason for Topinka’s indecision?
• Will Topinka run for Governor?
• Can Claypool push Quigley out of the Cook County Board President Democratic Primary race?
• Will the Governor’s All Kids health care proposed legislation be passed overwhelmingly and cement his re-election?
• Does the Governor’s use of State Employees outside the health care area to promote his All Kids proposed legislation constitute the use of state resources for political purposes, and therefore is it akin to George Ryan-Scott Fawell activities, for which, in part, George is now on trial?
• Will the U. S. Attorney’s office be attending the Governor’s event this Sunday to decide if your tax dollars are being put to political use? Will Fawell be at his side or will Pat Fitzgerald send Fawell back to prison, via Indiana?
• Is Senator Obama a likely VP pick in 2008?
• Will Jim Edgar play a role in the November, 2006 election?
• Who raised, this summer, one million dollars, in one evening, for their school voucher- school choice foundation.
• Who will replace Dick Kay?
• Will John Sullivan be a credible Democratic primary challenger to Cong. Dan Lipinski in the 3rd Cong. District?
• Will John Ascot be a credible Democratic primary challenger to Cong. Danny Davis in the 7th Cong. District?
• Is the pruning of the Republican Gubernatorial Primary candidates about to start?
• Is Cong. Bean vulnerable in the 8th CD?
• Will Rahm Emanuel find a rich candidate to self-fund as a challenger to Christine Cegelis and Lindy Scott in the 6th CD Democratic Primary?
• Can Cong. Kirk be beat in the 10th CD?
• Can Cong. Evans be beat in the 17th CD?
• Have the corruption eruptions and turmoil in the Daley Administration slowed?
• Has Daley turned the corruption eruptions around?
• Did Mary Dempsey make a difference?
• Who will replace Bob Sirott? An expanded role for Phil Ponce?
• And, of course, much, much more.
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Jeff Berkowitz, Host and Producer of Public Affairs and an Executive Recruiter doing Legal Search, can be reached at JBCG@aol.com
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Berkowitz to appear on CrossStreet radio program

Jeff Berkowitz will be a guest on the radio show, CrossStreet, this Saturday morning from 7-8:30 am on WKRS 1220 AM Radio, “The Voice of Lake County". Joan Conlisk, who hosts the show with Karen Cunningham, tells me the hosts try to show both, or multiple sides of issues, and not necessarily take liberal/conservative/Democrat/Republican positions.

This Saturday morning we will probably provide an overview of some current candidates and officeholders [perhaps in the 8th and 10th Congressional Districts, and the Governor’s race], highlight some important issues [such as high gas prices, Harriet Miers and the Supreme Court, Illinois’ high unemployment rate, the War, healthcare and education] and discuss candidates’ and officeholders’ positions. We may also be discussing national, state and local issues more broadly.

During a part of the show, CrossStreet will also have an employment issues guest and portion of the show will be related to employment topics.

Of course, you can shape the content of the show, ask questions, take a whack at me, etc., by calling 847 244 1220. For more about the show, its hosts and the station in general, go here.

I am told the show’s signal reaches from Waukegan into Wisconsin on the north and into Evanston on the south, to the Lake on the east and to the west across the 10th and 8th Congressional Districts in Lake and portions of Cook County.

So, please give us a call and let us what is on your mind.
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Jeff Berkowitz, Host and Producer of Public Affairs and an Executive Recruiter doing Legal Search, can be reached at JBCG@aol.com
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Topinka: Scared of a Non-Scary Conservative?

Chicago Sun-Times columnist Lynn Sweet wrote yesterday here, “The single biggest reason [Judy Baar] Topinka will decline to jump into the GOP race has to do with the lack of financial commitments from the GOP establishment." Another big reason might be a fear that a few of those male conservatives who are currently in [or thinking of getting in] the race for Governor might get out of the race, especially if Topinka gets in. That would leave Topinka with a possibly difficult one moderate on two conservatives, or an impossible to win "one on one", in which case Topinka doesn't win the Republican primary-- in which case money for the general election to take on Hot Rod is not her biggest problem.

Well, the drum rolls have started for Friday’s expected decision by Judy. The Chicago mainstream media, led by Lynn Sweet, tell us that “none of the other Republicans in the governor's race matches Topinka's stature and popularity." Sweet,Capitolfax’s Rich Miller and the Tribune’s Rick Pearson have become Judy’s pied pipers. Popular? Perhaps, but mostly as a State Treasurer who knows how to make friends with such machine type Democrats as Cong. Rush and former Cong. Bill Lipinski, with whom Judy is notorious for making deals. That might explain some of her popularity at the polls.

As to the rest, there certainly is a non-negligible moderate wing in the Illinois Republican Party. Corinne Wood worked that wing for 27% of the vote in the 2002 Republican gubernatorial primary, coming in third to Pat O’Malley’s 29% and Jim Ryan’s 44% [both of whom were clearly right of center]. Topinka, in her three general election wins for Treasurer, got that moderate wing, large chunks of the remainder of the Republican Party and lots of Dems, in part from her deals with same, in part from the perks of the office [at least in her last two runs] and in part from her zesty campaign style.

Further, let’s be honest. Conservatives, the base in the Republican Party, don’t care a great deal about State Treasurer and who occupies that office. Sure, they worry a little bit that the person who occupies that office might eventually move up to something more important, such as Governor, but mostly they say they will cross that bridge when they get to it. Indeed, not just conservatives, but liberals, Democrats, whatever—nobody cares who the Treasurer is.

As to stature, Webster’s Collegiate says that stature is a “status gained by achievement.” Topinka Stature? What could Lynn Sweet point to as supporting JBT’s stature? Her views or accomplishments on education? Spending? Taxes? Health Care? Roads? Pork? Jobs? George Ryan? I don’t think so. Not a one.

Topinka’s election three times as Treasurer? Similar to Dan Hynes stature as twice elected Comptroller? [Now, plug your ears, Jim Oberweis] Those two offices almost by definition have no stature. Does anybody care who the Treasurer is? Does anybody care who the Comptroller is? Does anybody know what those people do? or don't, as the case may be.

But, if we listen to the Chicago mainstream media, e.g., the Sun-Times' Sweet, Capitolfax’s Miller, WTTW’s Brackett, Roosevelt University’s Green, Republican activist Robling, Judy is almost the second coming.

Elizabeth Brackett, moderator on WTTW’s Chicago Tonight [last night]: Once Jim Edgar decided not to run, the way was cleared for Judy Baar Topinka—she is now the one Republicans are waiting to hear from [sic].

Chris Robling, former Executive Director of the Cook County GOP, guest on Chicago Tonight and sometimes thought to be a Movement Conservative: Well, I think she has the premier position in the Party right now. I think she is really [the] first among equals…

Brackett: She is the top Republican Candidate, potential candidate. A recent [Chicago Tribune] poll showed that she had 31% and the next candidate [Jim Oberweis] was 15 points down…
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Paul Green [Roosevelt University Professor and Chicago Tonight guest]: They [the Republican Party] don’t have anybody else, other than Topinka, who has any kind of statewide recognition…

Brackett: James Oberweis…he has run before and he seems a little—a little bit tired from his previous races…[ what was Brackett thinking? First, Oberweis goes crazy when people call him James, it’s Jim, Elizabeth. Second, Tired? Anybody who has seen Oberweis in action knows he seems like he is on “speed.” Tired? We all should be so tired.]

The 31% thing. Guess what folks, Topinka is one of two moderates, and quite a bit stronger than her competitor in that wing of the party- Ron Gidwitz. If you add up the moderates in that poll, you get 35%. If you add up the conservative numbers in the poll [Oberweis, Rauschenberger, Brady and Birkett, who is not officially in the race], you get 34%.

Could three of the four conservatives in the Republican Primary for Governor drop out? Is the Pope Catholic? DuPage State’s Attorney Joe Birkett is not even in yet, so he could surely get out as fast as you can say Brian Dugan or Jeanine Nicarico. Downstate State Sen. Bill Brady has already impressed people and started to get some statewide name recognition. He would make a good Lt. Gov. running mate for one of the others.

Oberweis is second in the polls, but a surge in the 2004 Senate race and an almost perfect sweep of the Editorial Boards by Rauschenberger came close to allowing Steve to catch Oberweis for a second to Jack Ryan. All things considered, this might be the year for Oberweis to try to win a race and take on Dan Hynes for Comptroller. Be a Party guy and there is still time to be Governor.

Then what happens, you have a non-scary conservative neck and neck, if not ahead, of the “First among equals,” Judy Baar Topinka. And, given the dominance of the conservative base in the Republican Primary, we have to expect the undecideds to break to the remaining conservative in the race.

Now, this Rosy Scenario for Steve might be a little scary to Judy Baar Topinka. Perhaps it is this scenario and not Karl Rove’s inability to come up with five million dollars that might cause Judy to bow out this Friday. Of course, she wouldn’t want to say this. Who would?
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Jeff Berkowitz, Host and Producer of Public Affairs and an Executive Recruiter doing Legal Search, can be reached at JBCG@aol.com
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Kathy Salvi: A 2nd Amendment Gal

This week’s suburban edition of Public Affairs features Kathy Salvi, who is running in the 8th CD Republican Primary for the right to take on Cong. Melissa Bean [D-Barrington, 8th CD] and her one million dollars [current cash on hand].

For an update on how much money Cong. Bean is raking in and how her Republican potential challengers are doing on that score, see here and here [Sweet says Cegelis may get boot from Rahm]. In the Illinois delegation, Bean [$1.4 million] was second only to Speaker J. Dennis Hastert [$1.9 million] in third quarter money raising. And, here you thought "diamonds were a girl's best friend." Forget it, now she says, "Give me hard cash, or make that hard dollars."

For a partial transcript of the portion of this week's show with Kathy Salvi that deals with tort reform and the Salvi's net worth, a detailed suburban airing schedule of “Public Affairs,” and for a link to learn more about Kathy Salvi and to her web site,see here.

We discuss and debate on the show with Kathy Salvi the Bush Tax Cuts, the economy, tort reform and non-economic damage caps, the War, WMD, North Korea [Kim Mentally Ill], Iran, education and school vouchers [including the famous Berkowitz backpack] and in deference to Democratic Party Chairman Howard Dean—we touched on Gays, Guns, God and abortion, and uped him one by also discussing embryonic stem cell research.

As to guns and gun control, Kathy Salvi said on the show that she is a “2nd Amendment Gal,” and sought to disassociate herself from her husband’s [Al Salvi] fairly sharp reversal in ’97 of his somewhat harsh views on gun control that Al had taken in his 1996 U. S. Senate run. Kathy Salvi said she “stood by her man,” but she is her “own woman,” and Al is his “own man,” [but they are one in marriage as man and woman and they do have six kids].

However, I think Kathy agreed that she had some involvement in Al’s 1996 and 1998 campaigns and wasn’t just staying in the kitchen at the time and “baking cookies.” Kathy Salvi also indicated that she supported concealed carry [which by the way, thirty one states in the U. S. have as their law in one form or another, and according to a man who has produced many scholarly studies on the subject, John Lott, are safer as a result of that legislation].

And, then on trade, we had this exchange:

Jeff Berkowitz: Free Trade. Are you a free trader?

Kathy Salvi: Absolutely.

Jeff Berkowitz: You would have supported NAFTA [the North Atlantic Free Trade Agreement]?

Kathy Salvi: NAFTA or CAFTA [the Central American Free Trade Agreement]?

Jeff Berkowitz: NAFTA. That was 10 years ago. Would you have supported NAFTA?

Kathy Salvi: I want to tell you this. As these bills come before me on the free trade issue, I will want to look and determine how our American workers are being treated. Are they being handled fairly? And, while I wasn’t in there on the negotiations of NAFTA, or more recently, CAFTA—you know CAFTA is a hard call- I probably would have supported it.

Jeff Berkowitz: …NAFTA?

Kathy Salvi: I probably would have supported that, too.

Jeff Berkowitz: Now, [the 8th CD incumbent, Congresswoman] Melissa Bean supported CAFTA. So, is there any difference between the two of you on that?

Kathy Salvi: But, let me just say this on CAFTA. You know the jury’s still out. I think we gained a lot more than we lost but we have to make sure that any future trade bill has protections for our American workers, period. And, they just can’t be in language. It has to be in hard, solid protection.

Jeff Berkowitz: So, you wouldn’t say you are a 100% free trader?

Kathy Salvi: Oh, I am.

Jeff Berkowitz: You are?

Kathy Salvi: I am.

Jeff Berkowitz: Subject to what you just said.

Kathy Salvi: Yeah, subject to protections for American workers. Absolutely.
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Kathy Salvi, candidate in the 8th Cong. Dist. Republican Primary, recorded on October 9, 2005, and as the program is airing on the suburban edition of “Public Affairs,” this week [Week of Oct. 17] and on the City of Chicago edition of “Public Affairs,” Monday night, October 24 at 8:30 pm on CANTV, Cable Ch. 21.
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Better than Monday Night Football- Obama grilled by Berkowitz

Tonight’s "Public Affairs," program in the City features U. S. Senator Barack Obama, interviewed by show host and producer, Jeff Berkowitz. The program was recorded fifteen months ago, a week before the now junior U. S. Senator from Illinois became a national Barock Star [he was already a local one] with his Keynote speech at the Democratic Convention.

The show with Obama is airing tonight at 8:30 pm on Cable Ch. 21 [CANTV] through-out the City of Chicago. [See here to view the show as a webcast from this site, for more about the show and for a link to partial transcripts of the show with Senator Obama].

Although the show is more than a year old, as the French say: “The more things change, the more they stay the same.” The enduring issues then and now: Healthcare, Education, Jobs and the War. Seems like just yesterday. As with the old Ph.D. prelims in economics at the University of Chicago, the questions stay the same from year to year—just the answers change.

On the other hand, we discuss some of then Senate Candidate Obama’s potential initiatives. Has he followed through over the last year? Were they the right initiatives? Is Obama on the right track? We discuss, you decide.
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Jeff Berkowitz, Host and Producer of Public Affairs and an Executive Recruiter doing Legal Search, can be reached at JBCG@aol.com
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Berkowitz's Ari Fleischer interview webcast and cablecast

In collaboration with the Illinois Channel [which is, generally, an analogue to C-Span], Berkowitz’s ten minute interview with former White House Press Secretary Ari Fleischer is airing this week in 75 communities through-out the state of Illinois [including Chicago] and in St. Louis and Jefferson counties in Missouri. You can watch the webcast by going to the Illinois Channel, and at the same site, you can go to “Distribution,” and locate on which channel and when the Illinois Channel airs in your neck of the woods, if you prefer to watch the cablecast on your TV.

The Illinois Channel is cablecast in two hour blocks of time. Thus, for example, in Springfield, IL, you can watch Illinois Channel programming on Municipal Channel 18 on Tuesday and Thursday at 7:00 pm [as well as at other times and channels listed on the Illinois Channel site].

The Fleischer interview is the last segment of the two hour block of programming, and thus, for example, should air at about 8:50 pm in Springfield on tomorrow night [Tuesday] and Thursday. You might tune in at 8:45 pm to be on the safe side. Or better yet, tune in at 7:00 pm and watch U. S. Senator Dick Durbin [D- IL], Congressman Ray LaHood [R- Peoria], Former Governor Jim Edgar interviewed by Illinois Channel’s Executive Director Terry Martin and then stay tuned for the Fleischer Interview.

The Berkowitz interview with Ari Fleischer preceded a Republican Jewish Coalition event at the Renaissance Hotel in Northbrook, at which the former White House press secretary under President George W. Bush was speaking on October 9, 2005. Topics covered included the Harriet Miers Supreme Court nomination, the indictment of House Majority Leader Tom Delay, the potential indictment of White House senior adviser Karl Rove and or Vice-President Dick Cheney’s Chief of Staff, Scooter Libby, Iraq and the Bush legacy.
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Jeff Berkowitz: Do you know her [Harriet Miers] well enough to know that she is going to construe the Constitution strictly or narrowly and she is not going to be a judicial activist? Do you know that?

Ari Fleishcher: I know the President well enough to know that I don’t think he would have picked somebody who would have done otherwise. I can’t say that about any of the people who could have been named because my background is not that of a legal expert and I have never put constitutional questions to Harriet [Miers] or anybody else. But, I do now the person making the appointment and I know him very well and that’s George W. Bush and I think he has a very good sense of what he wants on that bench [the U. S. Supreme Court], the direction in which he wants to move the Court and I think you have to take that into consideration when you weigh who he ultimately picked.
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Jeff Berkowitz, Host and Producer of Public Affairs and an Executive Recruiter doing Legal Search, can be reached at JBCG@aol.com
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Four Easy Pieces: Watch Obama, Filan, Claypool and Cegelis

A "Public Affairs," Cinema (“PAC”)complex: Four Easy Pieces-- four video and audio podcasts for the price of one. What can I say—the Best Things in Life are Free. And, you can tell it to the birds and bees... Watch from this site Barack Obama, John Filan, Forrest Claypool and Christine Cegelis interviewed by show host Jeff Berkowitz.

From Healthcare, Education, Taxes and the War to Illinois Pension Fund and Illinois corruption issues to turmoil and cronyism at Cook County's Provident Hospital to patronage, waste and inefficiency at Cook County's Juvenile Temporary Detention Center to Chicago corruption to tax cuts, the Economy, globalism and back to the War. Quite a trip.

Perhaps you are in the mood for a bit of Senator Barack Obama. Then go to the PAC [See below] and choose Obama on Public Affairs, recorded a week before the now junior U. S. Senator from Illinois became a national Barock Star [he was already a local one] with his Keynote speech at the Democratic Convention. The show with Obama is also airing Monday night [Oct. 17] at 8:30 pm on Cable Ch. 21 [CANTV] through-out the City of Chicago. [See here for a list of the topics discussed and more about the show and here for a partial transcript of the show with Senator Obama].

Alternatively, perhaps you are in the mood for a ten billion dollar pension bond sale, the pros and cons of monetizing the IOUs to the pension fund-- so to speak-- and the controversy over the report in the Joe Cari plea agreement, which, when combined with "reliable sources," suggests that the Blagojevich Administration was involved in using the pension fund placement of debt to coin campaign contribution. Then go to the PAC [See below] and choose John Filan, Blago’s Director of OMB on Public Affairs, recorded on September 25, 2005.

Or, maybe you would like to catch up with Cook County Board Politics and Public Policy, as well learn more about Forrest Claypool’s run for the Democratic Party’s nomination for Cook County Board President. Then go to the Public Affairs Cinema [See below] and choose Forrest Claypool, Cook County Board President who was Mayor Daley’s first Chief of Staff in 1989-91 and who came back for a second stint in 1997-98. Claypool will tell you, of course, that he earned his stripes as the CEO of the Chicago Parks Department.

Last, but not least, you might be wondering about what is cooking in the process to replace Cong. Henry Hyde [R-Addison] in the 6th CD, when he steps down in January, 2007, after serving 32 years in that seat. Well then, you should go to the PAC and take a look [See below] at Christine Cegelis [D-Rolling Meadows], who is running against Lindy Scott in the Democratic Primary for the right to take on State Senator Peter Roskam [R-Wheaton],who managed to clear the field earlier this year in the Republican Primary of the likes of State Senator Carole [as in Carole Lombard] Pankau, former DuPage County Recorder of Deeds JP "Rick," Carney and State Senator Dan Cronin [who left before he came in, sort of]. The Public Affairs show with candidate Cegelis was taped this afternoon and will air in the Suburbs the Week of October 24 and throughout the City of Chicago on Hallowen [8:30 pm, Cable Ch. 21- CANTV].

Yes, I know, all of the above shows are with Democrats. As all of our regular viewers know, over the long run with Public Affairs, we are very fair and balanced, or as I like to say, tough, but fair. So, not to worry, we will have some Republicans on our webcasts shortly.

To watch any of the above-discussed shows at the "Public Affairs Cinema,” complex, please go here.
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Jeff Berkowitz, Host and Producer of Public Affairs and an Executive Recruiter doing Legal Search, can be reached at JBCG@aol.com
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Senator Roskam: 2 conservatives could Destroy Things

Jeff Berkowitz: Rauschenberger and O’Malley [former] allies, working together, they get in [the race for Governor] and go at it against each other and divide up the vote, and give it to Judy Baar Topinka?

Senator Peter Roskam: It could happen. Stranger things have happened.

Berkowitz: But, you think more than two conservatives are necessary for that to happen?

Roskam: No, I think two conservatives together could completely, ah—

Berkowitz: Destroy things?

Roskam: Yeah. From my point of view, to make it real—

Berkowitz: For you, destroy. For those people who are pulling for Judy, they could—

Roskam: Right, right, right [laughter].

Berkowitz: It all depends where you sit…
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State Senator Peter Roskam [R-Wheaton], when he last appeared on “Public Affairs,” in December, 2004 speculated that former State Senator Pat O’Malley was more likely than not to get into the 2006 gubernatorial race [See here] and that two conservatives running against each other, as well as against State Treasurer Judy Baar Topinka in the Republican Primary, could completely destroy things, from his point of view.

Now, ten months later, Judy Baar Topinka and Pat O’Malley still have not announced whether they are running for Guv or not, but Judy’s announcement of her decision is said to be imminent. [See here, Edgar would support Judy]. Further, it is said to be a “yes,” if she can line up commitments of at least 10 million dollars through the General Election.

There already are three conservative candidates [State Senators Rauschenberger and Brady, and mega-millionaire businessman Oberweis] officially in the race, with another conservative [DuPage County State’s Attorney Joe Birkett] participating in Republican Primary Candidate forums, attending events and apparently poised to jump in the race. Moderate Republican and mega-millionaire businessman and City of Chicago civic leader Ron Gidwitz is also officially in the race, but he is only polling, at best, in the 3 to 5% range, even after dropping large chunks of his estimated 100 million dollar, or more, net worth on two television ads.

So, it would seem with two, three or more “conservative candidates,” likely to be in the Republican Gubernatorial Primary, State Treasurer Judy Baar Topinka's decision to join the "Boys in the Band," so to speakcould "destroy things for the conservative cause," as Senator Roskam agreed, if Topinka decides to jump into the pool next week, as anticipated, making quite a splash, accordion and all. [But, see here for a poll showing Rauschenberger beating Blagojevich, if he gets that far]

We haven’t been able to get Senator Roskam back on our show, although we have been trying for the last half year or so, ever since it became clear he would run in the 6th Cong. Dist. to replace Congressman Henry Hyde, who is not seeking re-election after thirty two years in the House of Representatives. We are told by Roskam's campaign manager, Ryan [My gosh, yet another Ryan] McLaughlin, that Ryan is studying partial transcripts of “Public Affairs,” so Ryan can decide whether he should recommend to Senator Roskam that he tape my show, notwithstanding that Peter Roskam appeared on our show several times before Ryan came on the scene. We hope we pass Ryan’s test and get on Ryan's list.

Meanwhile, we don’t know if State Senator Peter Roskam has changed his mind on his assessment of the Republican Gubernatorial Primary, or more importantly, what his views are on the domestic and foreign policy issues of the day and what his ability is to answer tough questions on same.

On the other hand, Christine Cegelis [See here], who is favored to win a now two candidate Democratic Primary in the 6th CD and be Roskam’s opponent in the general election, will be taping our show for a third time in the last year. While we have not endorsed candidates in the past, we have endorsed the notion that all candidates for office and incumbents should do what Christine Cegelis has done and is doing, i.e., come on “Public Affairs,” and answer tough questions about the issues in the race. The voters deserve no less.

If you, my gentle readers and viewers, have any questions or topics you would like to see discussed when we tape our show with 6th Cong. District candidate Christine Cegelis this coming Sunday afternoon, please send me an email [See below] with same. If I use the question, I will only identify you by name if you indicate I should do so. If you like, please also indicate your village of residence.

We did receive in the last few days a press release noting that the Addison Township Republican Committeemen’s Organization [ATRCO] has endorsed State Senator Roskam in his bid for the 6th CD Seat. I am glad to get Senator Roskam’s press releases [along with those of all other candidates and incumbents], but that can’t be too much of a news flash. Last time I looked, Senator Roskam had cleared his primary of any opponents. Did we think the Addison Republican Organization would endorse a Democrat? Now, that would be news.
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Jeff Berkowitz, Host and Producer of Public Affairs and an Executive Recruiter doing Legal Search, can be reached at JBCG@aol.com
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Kathy Salvi: A Republican Trial Lawyer. An Oxymoron?

Revised on Thursday at 6:00 pm to add links to the partial transcripts of the May and January, 2005 shows with David McSweeney and to discussions of 8th CD race.
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Jeff Berkowitz: Now, we only have a few minutes left. So, with that, [please] answer that question that I asked.

Kathy Salvi: Ask me my position on tort reform.

Jeff Berkowitz: No, you don’t get to [frame your own questions]. The question to you is, “Do you support caps on non-economic damages?
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Next Week’s suburban edition of Public Affairs features Kathy Salvi, who is running in the 8th CD Republican Primary for the right to take on Cong. Melissa Bean [D-Barrington, 8th CD]. Kathy officially entered the race a few weeks ago but unofficially it was about three months ago. This was her first appearance on our show. There are a number of topics we didn’t cover, so we hope to have her back. For more about Kathy Salvi, see the feminine mystique and see her campaign site.

For more about the 8th CD race and one of Kathy’s primary competitors, David McSweeney, see here. McSweeney has been on the show three times. This reflects the fact that David McSweeney has been in the race, in one form or another, since January and has been quite willing to come on our show and discuss the issues. McSweeney’s early start gives him quite a jump in terms of campaign organization, staffing, grass roots organization and message development-- and perhaps in terms of some key endorsements.

For partial transcripts of appearances by 8th CD candidate primary candidate David McSweeney on "Public Affairs," in May, 2005, January, 2005 and January, 2005 See here, here and here, respectively.

For more about another candidate, Rep. Bob Churchill [R- Grayslake], who only recently entered the 8th CD Republican Primary, see here [Rep. Churchill appeared on our show in late spring; We only spent a portion of our time with Rep. Churchill on national issues because he was only thinking about running in the 8th CD primary; most of our time was spent on state legislative issues].

For more about another 8th CD candidate, Teresa Bartels, and our phone interview with Teresa, see here. Teresa has scheduled three appearances for our show and canceled three appearances, so our viewers and we know a little less about her. We hope to have her on the show, but she has not yet committed to a new date for doing so.

Also running in the 8th CD Republican Primary are Arron B. Lincoln and Ken Arnold [See here].

The first term incumbent Congresswoman in the 8th CD, Melissa Bean, was last on our show in August, 2004 See here. We have been trying since she took her seat in January, 2005 to have her back. Team Bean tells me she would like to come back and in our last conversation, they indicated they would try to produce the witness, I mean the candidate, for a December, 2005 taping.
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A partial transcript of our show with candidate Kathy Salvi is included, below:
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Jeff Berkowitz: Tort Reform. You support caps on non-economic damages?

Kathy Salvi: Well, here. On tort reform, I have a brother-in-law who is the former head of the McHenry County Medical Society.

Jeff Berkowitz: What’s his name?

Kathy Salvi: Tom Salvi. Dr. Tom Salvi of Crystal Lake. I have a brother-in-law who is the former head of the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association.

Jeff Berkowitz: His name would be?

Kathy Salvi: Pat Salvi.

Jeff Berkowitz: And, you have a husband Al Salvi, who is no slouch himself as a trial lawyer.

Kathy Salvi: That’s right. But, if anybody knows the tort issue from all sides, backwards and forwards, it would be Kathy Salvi. [who is a pretty good trial lawyer herself, having taught her husband how to be a trial lawyer].

Jeff Berkowitz: Yes or no, would you support those caps on non-economic damages.

Kathy Salvi: So, let me just tell you—what I am completely support of [is] meaningful tort reform. Every bill that comes before—
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Jeff Berkowitz: Now, we only have a few minutes left. So, with that, [please] answer that question that I asked.

Kathy Salvi: Ask me my position on tort reform.

Jeff Berkowitz: No, you don’t get to [frame your own questions]. The question to you is, “Do you support caps on non-economic damages? Because people suspect that with Al Salvi and all of those relatives you just mentioned, they would propel you not to support that [caps on non-economic damages].”

Kathy Salvi: I will support nothing that will erode our civil justice system. And, I believe a cap on non-economic damages will do nothing to drive down malpractice insurance premiums.

Jeff Berkowitz: I take that as a No. [Let’s go to] net worth. People have wondered-- Your net worth should have been filed [by now]. It wasn’t filed a few weeks ago [when your federal form was due]. That’s important- because [people] want to know your commitment. What is the net worth of the Salvi family?

Kathy Salvi: It was filed on the 30th.

Jeff Berkowitz: What is your net worth?

Kathy Salvi: Which I think was the 30th day [after the filing of the Kathy Salvi candidacy?].

Jeff Berkowitz: What is your net worth?

Kathy Salvi: I think it will come in somewhere in the range of my other opponent, Mr. McSweeney.

Jeff Berkowitz: Which would be what? 5 to 6 million dollars?

Kathy Salvi: Where was he?

Jeff Berkowitz: 5 to 6 million dollars?

Kathy Salvi: Somewhere in that range.

Jeff Berkowitz: All right, so how much are you folks going to commit to spend on this campaign?

Kathy Salvi: Somewhere in that—

Jeff Berkowitz: How much will you and Al spend on this campaign.

Kathy Salvi: We have many people behind us. We are raising money every single day.

Jeff Berkowitz: What is the biggest issue in the Republican Primary?

Kathy Salvi: We will put ourselves fully and completely into this race, Jeff, but I can’t tell you—[The End].
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Kathy Salvi, candidate in the 8th Cong. Dist. Republican Primary, recorded on October 2, 2005, and as the program will air on the suburban edition of “Public Affairs,” next week [Week of Oct. 17] and on the City of Chicago edition of “Public Affairs,” Monday night, October 24 at 8:30 pm on CANTV, Cable Ch. 21.
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The suburban edition of Public Affairs regularly airs in ten North Shore suburbs three times each week: Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 8:30 p.m. on Comcast Cable Channel 19 in Winnetka, Bannockburn, Deerfield, Ft. Sheridan, Glencoe, Highland Park, Highwood, Kenilworth, Lincolnshire and Riverwoods.

In twenty-four North Shore, North and Northwest suburbs, the Kathy Salvi show will air once this coming week [Week of Oct. 17] in its regular time slot: Tuesday at 8:30 p.m. on either Comcast Cable Channel 19 or Channel 35, depending on the suburb. The show airs this coming Tuesday night [Oct. 18] at 8:30 pm on Comcast Cable Ch. 19 in Buffalo Grove, Elk Grove Village, Hoffman Estates, Lincolnwood, Morton Grove, Niles, Northfield, Palatine, Rolling Meadows and Wilmette. Also, the show airs Tuesday night [Oct. 18] at 8:30 pm on Comcast Cable Ch. 35 in Arlington Heights, Bartlett, Glenview, Golf, Des Plaines, Hanover Park, Mt. Prospect, Northbrook, Park Ridge, Prospect Heights, Schaumburg, Skokie, Streamwood and Wheeling.
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The "Public Affairs," program with Kathy Salvi also will air through-out the City of Chicago Monday night, Oct. 24 at 8:30 pm on CANTV, Cable Ch. 21.
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Berkowitz grills Gidwitz: Better than Monday Night Football

Tonight’s "Public Affairs," program in the City features Ron Gidwitz, one of the four announced candidates for Governor in the Republican Primary. The program airs through-out the City of Chicago tonight at 8:30 pm on CANTV, Cable Ch. 21.

The show with Gidwitz also airs tonight and later this week in the suburbs.

See here for a partial transcript of tonight’s show, more about Ron Gidwitz and the other Republican gubernatorial candidates and a detailed suburban airing schedule for Public Affairs.

For more about Ron Gidwitz, including his positions on issues, ads he is running and an up to date list of campaign contributions [Gidwitz is voluntarily posting contributions within 48 hours of depositing the check] see his campaign web site here. To date, including money his relatives and he have donated to his campaign, Gidwitz has raised more than 3.3 million dollars. The contributions include 19 greater than or equal to $50,000 and more than half of those do not come from individuals whose last name is Gidwitz.

See here and here for partial transcripts of Ron Gidwitz's appearance on our show about six months ago.
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Jeff Berkowitz, Host and Producer of Public Affairs and an Executive Recruiter doing Legal Search, can be reached at JBCG@aol.com
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