Watch Sen. Obama and Cong. Bean play dodgeball with the Press

Additional links added to this post at 6:00 pm on Sunday, April 30.
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Senator Obama: What I said was is that the consequences of such an attack would be enormous. And, that we had not exhausted our diplomatic approaches to dealing with Iran.

Jeff Berkowitz: ... Given that statement, is there still a window of opportunity, even though you are saying the consequences would be enormous; Is there a time at which you would like to go through that window of opportunity?
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The "Public Affairs," dodgeball podcast episode makes its debut with Senator Obama, Congresswoman Bean and the Chicago Press Corps. [See here, anytime].

In addition to Obama-Bean, you have a choice of 20 different episodes of “Public Affairs," to watch on your computer, right now,including State Senate 27th Dist. Republican Nominee Matt Murphy [Palatine], Republican State Treasurer nominee, State Senator and heroine of the Chicago Tribune Editorial Board Christine Radogno, NBC-5 News' Dick Kay, the Republican nominee and Democratic incumbent in the 8th CD, David McSweeney and Congresswoman Bean, respectively; Tony Peraica, Republican nominee for Cook County Board President; Forrest Claypool, who came close to beating John Stroger in the 2006 Democratic Primary for Cook County Board President; Cong. Jan Schakowsky [D-Evanston, 9th CD] [See here].
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Do you need something exciting in your life? Well, then, my gentle readers and viewers, watch Senator Barack Obama and Cong. Bean on your computer; then read the partial transcript, below; then read the analysis. It doesn’t get much better than that. As they say, the best things in life are free. Except for lunch, of course.
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Senator Obama: I am deeply concerned about Iran. I don’t think there is any doubt that Iran is seeking nuclear weapons and that would be enormously de-stabilizing. And, I believe that we shouldn’t take any options off the table, theoretically. As a practical matter, the notion that we would launch nuclear weapons into Iran or invade Iran, I think, is a recipe for disaster. And, we have to make sure that we are approaching the problem of Iran and its nuclear capacity with the most forceful diplomatic approaches possible. That diplomacy has not been exhausted. I agree with my Republican colleague on the Foreign Relations Committee, Senator Dick Lugar, that we need to have direct talks with Iranians, something that we have not even attempted to do. We need to work closely with the Russians and Chinese, Indians and others that have better relationships with Iran than we do, to try to figure out how to break this impasse but to the extent that we are seriously proposing some of the strategies that have been reported in Seymour Hersh’s article, for example, I think that would be disastrous.
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Senator Obama: We don’t have enough troops for an invasion [of Iran]. The potential repercussions of even an air bombing campaign, for example, presumes that you actually know where these target sites [in Iran involved in the building of a nuclear weapon capability] are. Many of these potential nuclear sites are in civilian areas. Many of them are underground bunkers. You would be talking about enormous civilian casualties. This isn’t some clean surgical strike of the sort that Israel launched against Iraq back in the early 90s [Ed. Note. I think Sen. Obama meant to say early 80s, as in 1981]. This would be an extraordinarily serious and difficult military task and so we need to make sure that we are re-doubling our efforts diplomatically, thinking about how can we ratchet up sanctions and put a squeeze on Iranians, but also give them a place to land if they are willing to stand down.
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Mary Frances Bragiel [WBBM 780 AM Radio]: Congressman [sic], do you think the Bush tax cuts should be made permanent?

Congresswoman Melissa Bean: I have supported the tax cuts that have come before me since I have been in Congress [But, see here, for her opponent's view of Cong. Bean on tax cuts].

Jeff Berkowitz: Do you think they should be made permanent?

Senator Barack Obama: Let’s finish up here [Senator Obama directed the questioning back to the topic of separate legislation sponsored by Cong. Bean and him to prevent third party tax return preparers from disclosing or disseminating to other third parties information the tax return preparers received or used to fill out their clients’ tax returns, even if the client whose tax return is being filed signs a written consent to such disclosure or dissemination.].
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Mary Frances Bragiel: Congressman [sic], do you want to answer again-- continue answering in regard to [whether] the Bush tax cuts should be made permanent?

Congresswoman Melissa Bean: I have supported the tax cuts that have come to me so far. We haven’t seen anything proposed yet to further that. [See here for an additional exchange with Cong. Bean on tax cuts and here for an exchange with Cong. Bean on trade and additional links to other discussions with Cong. Bean].

Jeff Berkowitz: Congresswoman, can I ask you one thing on Iran?

Cong. Bean: You can ask me offline [Ed. Note: Offline ?]

Jeff Berkowitz: Well, can I ask you now since the Senator just commented? Can I ask you to comment on the Senator’s statement that conventional arms, bombing, not nuclear, [to take out Iran’s developing nuclear capability] would be inappropriate at this time?

Senator Obama: That’s not what I said, Jeff. Don’t put words in my mouth and then ask Melissa to comment.

Jeff Berkowitz: Well, let me ask you Senator. It sounded as if you were saying [use of] nuclear arms, even tactical, by the United States would be certainly inappropriate. It sounded as if you said conventional arms, bombing, would involve great civilian damage [in Iran] and therefore [would] also [be] inappropriate, at this time.

Senator Obama: What I said was is that the consequences of such an attack would be enormous. And, that we had not exhausted our diplomatic approaches to dealing with Iran.

Jeff Berkowitz: Could I ask you a question on that. Given that statement, is there still a window of opportunity, even though you are saying the consequences would be enormous; Is there a time at which you would like to go through that window of opportunity?

Senator Obama: Jeff, I am not going to speculate on that.

Julian Green [Obama press secretary]: Jeff, come on, we’re not going to do that.

Senator Obama: I am not going to speculate on the scenarios.

Another reporter: One last thing, can you tell us about Alexi?

Senator Obama: What I’ll do is, why don’t we break it up…I’m going to defer to my press secretary. Do you want to? Are you done?

Cong. Bean: I have to go. I’ll just say on the discussion of diplomacy, I echo his [Sen. Obama’s] opinions on that. I do have to depart, but thank you all very much for attending and we’ll answer some follow-up questions. Thanks. [at which point, Cong. Bean left Sen. Obama and the podium and stopped in the back of the room to answer a few questions from those reporters who chose to leave Sen. Obama to question Cong. Bean. Senator Obama then proceeded to answer questions about the Democratic Party nominee for State Treasurer, Alexi Giannoulias, whom Obama had endorsed big time in the Democratic Primary. Giannoulias is under siege in the press for [a] loans made by his family bank to “borrowers of questionable background,” who some in the press have argued are “part of the Outfit” and [b] for Alexi’s involvement or asserted involvement in issuing such loans. Senator Obama also proceeded to answer questions about whether he was calling for Defense Secretary Don Rumsfeld to step down].
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Senator Barack Obama [D- IL] and Congresswoman Melissa Bean [D-Barrington, 8th CD], speaking at a Joint Press Conference, Chicago Loop, April 17, 2006.
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The issue that the above highlights is whether Senator Obama is currently willing to take a clear, cogent position on significant public policy issues or whether he is becoming an equivocator. He seemed to come close to taking a clear position on the issue of taking military action regarding Iran, before I questioned him.

That is, as indicated, above, Senator Obama essentially said it would be a mistake, at this time, for the U. S. to try to take out, by bombing with conventional weapons, the “nuclear capability,” of Iran. The consequences in terms of civilian damage, etc., would be enormous, he said. The military operation might not succeed. And, besides, we haven’t exhausted diplomatic efforts, Senator Obama said.

When Sen. Obama said that, first term Congresswoman Bean [D-Barrington] was standing right next to him. She was there to see if Obama could spread a little of his brilliance on her, and get good press in the 8th CD as a result. The obvious question, it seemed to me, was “Does Bean agree with Obama on Iran." The 8th CD is quite a bit more conservative than the State of Illinois, in general, and thus the Congresswoman might not want to parrot the good Senator’s views on foreign policy. Or, she might. That is the point of a press conference. The press gets to ask questions to get answers.

So, apparently sensing that my question put Cong. Bean in a tough position, Sen. Obama played her knight in shining armor and deflected the question. Obama said I was putting “words in his mouth,” and then I had asked Cong. Bean to comment on that. Really? So, Obama is saying it might be appropriate, at this time, for the U. S. to use conventional arms to take out the growing capability of Iran to produce nuclear weapons? I don’t think he would agree to that. And, yet he got upset when I paraphrased him as saying that such action would be “inappropriate, at this time.”

Thus, what is the space that Sen. Obama occupies between not saying the action is appropriate now and not saying the action is inappropriate now. It would seem to be the same space that Senator Kerry occupies when he says, “I voted for the military spending bill for Iraq just before I voted against it.” That is the kind of Senator Barack Obama seems to want to be. It took Kerry twenty years in the U. S. Senate to get there and Obama got there in only one. That’s a remarkable, if depressing, achievement.

For those of us who know and admire Senator Obama, it is a sad sight to see. Since he had appeared on our television show “Public Affairs,” seven times in the five years preceding his election to the U. S. Senate, I got a pretty good idea of his ability and willingness to answer questions directly, thoughtfully and articulately. You might not always agree with then- State Senator Barack Obama, but you knew where he stood.

Remember, this was the Democratic Primary candidate for the U. S. Senate who took a clear, loud, articulate position against the Iraq War in the fall of 2002. When I asked Obama on my show in 2003 and again in 2004, before the 2004 U. S. Senate primary election, how he would differentiate himself from his opponents, since they all opposed the war in Iraq and they all had expressed “concerns,” previously, State Senator Obama said, “anybody can have concerns, we all have concerns.” He went on to argue that what the people of Illinois needed was a U. S. Senator who would take a position, argue the position articulately and vigorously, and neither waffle nor simply express “concerns.”

Now, U. S. Senator Obama has become an artful dodger. That is, Senator Obama treats a press conference like a dodgeball game, at least on the tough public policy questions, and he now plays dodgeball very well.

The real question about Iran is what if the U. S. pursues diplomacy with the help of China and Russia, as the Senator recommends, and it doesn’t pan out, say, in two years. And, assume the sanctions don’t pan out, as well. That is, either the U. S. can’t get them imposed by the U. N. or they have little impact, whether they have the support of the U. N. or not.

Let’s assume it will take five years for Iran to develop its nuclear weapon capability, as some argue [others argue it will be a considerably longer or shorter time period]. In two years, the Iran nuclear program will have been further developed and the civilian damage and other complications in Iran no doubt greater if the U. S. were then to seek to “take it out.”

Would the good senator oppose the U. S. using conventional military operations in Iran at that time? We don’t know. He wouldn’t want to “speculate,” he says. But, you know what, Senator Obama has “lots of concerns.”

Chicago Tribune columnist and blogger Eric Zorn says now [2008] might be the time for Senator Obama to run for President. And, as usual, Zorn might be right. At the rate at which Obama is transforming himself, after Obama has been Senator for another 10 years, you might not even recognize him, at least intellectually, what with all those concerns but with very few clear positions.

Perhaps Senator Obama better run for President before he becomes another Senator Kerry. Because at that time, the nation’s voters might say, “I voted for Barack Obama just before I voted against him.”
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Jeff Berkowitz, Show Host/Producer of "Public Affairs," and Executive Legal Recruiter doing legal search can be reached at JBCG@aol.com
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Could Dock end the Daley Dynasty?

Come back this evening and this weekend for “All new and improved,” postings, dealing with:

1. Kudos to WTTW and Jack Roeser, the Odd Couple
2. The ethically challenged Governor and CPS
3. Is Democratic State Treasurer nominee Alexi Giannoulias ready for Prime Time?
4. Could Barack Obama be the next John Kerry?
5. Republican State Treasurer nominee and State Senator Christine Radogno [R-Lemont] featured on "Public Affairs," this Monday night through-out the City of Chicago on Cable Ch. 21 at 8:30 pm. [Go here to watch, or listen to, our program with Sen. Radogno, and 19 others, on your computer right now].

I am taping Bill Dock Walls this Sunday afternoon for our television show “Public Affairs.” Dock Walls, who worked in the Harold Washington Administration for two years, is the first declared candidate to take on Mayor Daley in Chicago's February 27, 2007 election [April 17, 2007 run-off between the two candidates receiving the highest vote totals, if no one receives more than 50% of the vote.]

That, of course, assumes the 64 year old Mayor runs again. Barring any indictments that come much closer to him than those already handed down by the U. S. Attorney’s office and barring any more serious health issues for the Mayor’s wife and himself [Some of the City Hall wags suggest the Mayor doesn't look to be 100%, of late], the smart money says Mayor Daley runs one more time.

One, there is nothing Mayor Daley would rather do than be Mayor. Two, paraphrasing Senator Obama’s maxim about every man’s goal in life, Daley is still trying to (a) make up for his father’s mistakes [he made a few] and (b) live up to his father’s expectations. If Mayor Richard M. Daley runs and serves out his next term, that would make twenty-two years in office, one more than Mayor Richard J. Daley. Doing so is not, of course, a way of besting his Dad, but of pleasing him.

Richie Daley knows that nothing would make the Old Man happier than seeing Richie carry the torch a little further up that hill. And, if all goes as planned, it would mean that in 2011, a Daley would have been the Mayor in Chicago for 43 of the, then, last 56 years. As Ronald Reagan would say, “Not bad, not bad at all.”

Trying to prevent that scenario is the man “Sitting in the dock of the bay,” that is Dock Walls. Is Dock Walls a credible challenger to the Mayor? Can he put Daley on the Dock? Is he confident Cong. Jesse Jackson, Jr. will not get in the race? Rev. Meeks? If Jesse, Jr. or Rev. Meeks does, could Dock resist the pressure to get out? We hope to find out the answers to these and many other questions this Sunday.

Please send any suggested topics, questions or relevant information to me at the below email address for this Sunday’s taping with Dock Walls. Unless otherwise indicated, all such communications to me are assumed to be “not for attribution.”

Oh yes, if Dock Walls succeeds, he promises to stay there only eight years. Dock will term limit himself. No dynasty plans for Dock. Dock Walls, meet David McSweeney, 8th CD Republican nominee, who has promised to term limit himself, if he wins in November, to six years.
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Jeff Berkowitz, Show Host/Producer of "Public Affairs," and Executive Legal Recruiter doing legal search can be reached at JBCG@aol.com
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Better than Cubs v. White Sox : Berkowitz and Bill Dock Walls

Chicago Mayoral candidate Bill Dock Walls answers a few questions on the various editions of the "Public Affairs," program- from show host and executive legal recruiter Jeff Berkowitz about Mayor Daley and other potential City of Chicago Mayoral Candidateseducation, school vouchers, Renaissance 2010 and privatization; a global minimum wage, a liveable wage and job creation/destruction; restoring Meigs Field as a Loop Airport; Public Corruption, the Daley Dynasty and the Daley Administration; Millenium Park and cost over-runs; uneven economic development in Chicago; Cong. Jesse Jackson, Jr., Cong. Guitterez, Cook County Commissioner Forrest Claypool, Chicago Elections Commissioners Langdon Neal, hanky panky, privitization and reformers; O'Hare and Peotone Airports; and much, much more.

"Public Affairs," is featuring Mayor Candidate Bill Dock Walls this week in 35 Chicago Metro suburbs [See, below, for a detailed suburban airing schedule] on Comcast Cable; this coming Monday night [May 15] through-out the City of Chicago on CANTV, Cable Ch. 21 at 8:30 pm; And, right now, on the "Public Affairs," podcast page on your computer [See here].

The "Public Affairs," podcast page gives you a choice of 20 different episodes of “Public Affairs," in addition to the show with Bill Dock Walls.[See here].
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Jeff Berkowitz: …People think he [Cong. Jesse Jackson, Jr.] may be running [for Mayor]. If he gets in, you get out?

Bill Dock Walls: No. absolutely, I am not getting out under any circumstances. Cong. Jackson and I talk on a regular basis. He is quite supportive of what I am doing. And, I am supportive of what he is doing. I support Peotone airport, for example…
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Jeff Berkowitz: Have you talked to him [Cong. Jackson, Jr.] recently.

Bill Dock Walls: Yes, I talked to him just the other day.

Jeff Berkowitz: And, what has he said?

Bill Dock Walls: He congratulated me. He brings people to meet me. And he introduces me as the Next mayor for the City of Chicago.

Jeff Berkowitz: He says he’s supporting you for Mayor of the City of Chicago?

Bill Dock Walls: Well, I can’t say that he’s supporting me for Mayor of the City of Chicago…

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Jeff Berkowitz: He’s [Cong. Jesse Jackson, Jr.] not running currently [for Mayor], but might he change his mind in a month or two.

Bill Dock Walls: You never know. You never know.
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Jeff Berkowitz: Cliff Kelly would be your Karl Rove?

Bill Dock Walls: Cliff Kelly is a great supporter, but no, he’s not my Karl Rove.
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Bill Dock Walls: For example, the Chairman of the Board [of Election Commissioners for the City of Chicago], Langdon Neal, receives "no bid," contracts from Daley, to the tune of millions of dollars, so he can’t be impartial.

Jeff Berkowitz: What kind of contracts?

Bill Dock Walls: He does, for example, eminent domain and land acquisition for the O’Hare expansion [for the City of Chicago], so he can’t be fair and unbiased.

Jeff Berkowitz: Are those legal services?

Bill Dock Walls: They are legal services that he provides, Langdon Neal [that is].

Jeff Berkowitz: So, you are accusing Langdon Neal of hanky panky?

Bill Dock Walls: I am not accusing him of hanky panky, but I am saying that he is not above suspicion in that particular capacity.

Jeff Berkowitz: So, how do you neutralize him?

Bill Dock Walls: Well, you neutralize him by getting someone who doesn’t receive “no bid,” contracts from the Mayor [or the City of Chicago] .
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Jeff Berkowitz: You are talking about a Supt. [of the Chicago Public Schools] who is Arne Duncan?

Bill Dock Walls: CEO

Jeff Berkowitz: Whatever you want to call him. The President of the Chicago Board of Education is Michael Scott?

Bill Dock Walls: Yes,

Jeff Berkowitz: You think Scott and Duncan ought to be removed?

Bill Dock Walls: Absolutely. When a team is losing, they don’t fire the players, they usually get a new coach.

Jeff Berkowitz: So, you dump Michael Scott; you dump Arne Duncan?

Bill Dock Walls: Absolutely.

Jeff Berkowitz: First thing? That’s the first thing you do when you become Mayor?

Bill Dock Walls: No. The first thing I do when I become Mayor is restore Meigs Field.

Jeff Berkowitz: You are big on Meigs Field?

Bill Dock Walls: Yes, I am very big on Meigs Field because one, it was an economic engine, particularly for McCormick Place and as you noticed we are now No. 3 in terms of conventions in the United States.
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Jeff Berkowitz: You talk to [Cong.] Luis Gutierrez [D-Chicago, 4th CD]? Is he going to support you?

Bill Dock Walls: I don’t know what Luis Gutierrez is going to do.

Jeff Berkowitz: You never talk to him?

Bill Dock Walls: No, I don’t have conversations with Luis Gutierrez. [Ed. Note: Perhaps not, Dock Walls was spotted in the audience at the City Club of Chicago lunch program yesterday when Cong. Gutierrez received a standing ovation before the Congressman spoke to an overflow audience of several hundred. Cong. Gutierrez spoke as if he were forming an informal exploratory committee for a Mayoral run, but he said he had to talk with his spouse, who was in the audience, before he made the decision to run for Mayor— a decision which he said he would make between Labor Day and the November election. He declined to discuss the subject with his wife, then and there, when I suggested that. Substantively, Cong. Gutierrez focused, in his remarks, on the need to improve education [he likes charter schools but did not mention vouchers—which I hear are especially popular in minority communities], reform government and grow jobs in the City of Chicago] See here for a somewhat different take on Cong. Gutierrez’s speech.

Jeff Berkowitz: He is still thinking about running for Mayor.

Bill Dock Walls: But, that would be good. I support Luis Gutierrez’s run for Mayor if he thinks this is the time—
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Jeff Berkowitz: … [during] the last 51 years, a Daley has been Mayor of Chicago for 38 years.

Bill Dock Walls: That’s right.

Jeff Berkowitz: A Daley Dynasty?

Bill Dock Walls: Yeah, no doubt about it.

Jeff Berkowitz: Leads to corruption? Absolute power corrupts absolutely?

Bill Dock Walls: That is correct. Whether they intend it or not.

Jeff Berkowitz: You’d like to debate Mayor Daley?

Bill Dock Walls: I’d love to debate Mayor Daley and I look forward to debating Mayor Daley…

Jeff Berkowitz: Yeah, if he were sitting in a chair right here and you had an opportunity to question him… [or assume I’m] Mayor Daley, shoot me a question—give me your best shot.

Bill Dock Walls: The first question I would ask Mayor Daley is what has he done to bring the people of the City of Chicago together? Why don’t we have balanced economic development throughout the City of Chicago? Why don’t we have a police department that is reflective of the population in the City of Chicago? Black, White, Latino and Asian.

Jeff Berkowitz: You don’t think it is?

Bill Dock Walls: No, absolutely not.

Jeff Berkowitz: The senior people in the police department. One [leader] is white, the next person’s black.

Bill Dock Walls: No, that’s absolutely incorrect.

Jeff Berkowitz: Cline is white, who is the Deputy to Cline? [Ed. Note: Philip Cline is the Supt. of the Chicago Police Department].

Bill Dock Walls: It’s not just that. I said rank, file and Commander. So, it’s not just the two top positions.

Jeff Berkowitz: You don’t think he has made great strides… to make the department much more ethnically diverse?

Bill Dock Walls: For example, when you look at the fire department, there’s a consent decree that goes back to 1980 that says that you have to have forty-eight percent minorities in the fire department, and that hasn’t happened under his administration.
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Public Affairs, with Mayor Candidate Bill Dock Walls, was recorded on April 30, 2006 and is airing on the Suburban edition of Public Affairs this week [week of May 8] and on the City of Chicago edition of Public Affairs on Monday night, May 15 at 8:30 pm on Cable Ch. 21. See, below, for a detailed, regular suburban airing schedule for Public Affairs . The show with Bill Dock Walls is available, right now, as a video podcast at the Public Affairs Cinema Complex, along with more than twenty other shows, which are also airing there. [See here].
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In 25 North Shore, North and Northwest suburbs, the show airs tonight in its regular Tuesday night time slot: 8:30 pm on Comcast Cable Ch. 19 or 35, as indicated, below.

In 10 North Shore suburbs, the show is airing in its regular airing slot at 8:30 pm on Comcast Cable Ch. 19 this week on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, as indicated, below.

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The episode of Public Affairs, featuring Chicago Mayoral Candidate Bill Dock Walls airs tonight:

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

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

and this Wednesday and Friday night at 8:30 pm on Comcast Cable Channel 19 in Bannockburn, Deerfield, Ft. Sheridan, Glencoe, Highland Park, Highwood, Kenilworth, Lincolnshire, Riverwoods and Winnetka.
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Jeff Berkowitz, Show Host/Producer of "Public Affairs," and Executive Legal Recruiter doing legal search can be reached at JBCG@aol.com
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Better than Hannity & Colmes: Berkowitz & Kay

"Public Affairs," is featuring Dick Kay, tonight [April 24] through-out the City of Chicago on CANTV, Cable Ch. 21 at 8:30 pm ; And, on the "Public Affairs," podcast page on your computer [See here]. Dick Kay has been the Political Editor and Host of City Desk at NBC-5 News for almost four decades.

The "Public Affairs," podcast page gives you a choice of 20 different episodes of “Public Affairs," including, in addition to our show with Kay, shows featuring the Republican nominee for State Treasurer, Sen. Christine Radogno, and Congresswoman Bean [D-Barrington] and her challenger in the 8th CD, David McSweeney [R-Barrington Hills] [See here]. The show with Sen. Radogno also airs in 35 North Shore, North and Northwest suburbs this week on Comcast Cable.
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Blago and Judy to rumble on City Desk
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Jeff Berkowitz:… Let’s talk about the Governor’s race. Rod Blagojevich. Judy Baar Topinka. We’re taping this in early April. You will be having them on City Desk some time in May.

Dick Kay[host of City Desk on NBC 7]: Let me, uh-

Jeff Berkowitz: A discussion [with] Rod and Judy.

Dick Kay: As you know, City Desk is unstructured. It will not be a debate and I will let them give them their head if they want to question each other, they can do that, whatever they want to do. Obviously, I’ll try to moderate that, to make sure they don’t feel like either one’s slighted. I think it’s going to be the end of May, and it will probably air- The Governor has agreed to do it. He just hasn’t said “yes” to the date, but we are tentatively shooting for Sunday morning, May 28, for this program, City Desk.

Jeff Berkowitz: program. You will be retiring on June 1, so it will be kind of like your last time. Kind of like when [Quarterback] Terry Bradshaw, when he was inducted into the [Football] Hall of Fame, he said-- Oh, for one more time to place his hands under the butt of his center.

Dick Kay: Yeah [laughs]. I don’t plan to do that.

Jeff Berkowitz: You don’t want to place your hands under-

Dick Kay: It probably will be my last show. My plan is to retire June 1st. I guess Friday is June 2nd, [and] I could technically do another one, but I don’t think I will.

Rod’s image: Investigations of his Administration
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Jeff Berkowitz: All right, so right now, you’ve got Rod Blagojevich, the incumbent Governor. He’s been there for almost four years—will have been there for four years. He’s got fifteen million dollars. He’s a Democrat, in a Democratic state. Shouldn’t this be a cakewalk for him?

Dick Kay: Well, yeah, it should be a cakewalk for him, but Rod Blagojevich is sometimes, as you know, his own worst enemy. I mean, there are—the biggest problem for Rod Blagojevich is image. And, here’s a guy who is conscious of image. But, the biggest problem is the image that there are so many federal investigations of his administration and his friends and his fundraisers. And, you know, it’s created a great deal of distrust. Topinka and the Republicans like to call it “pay to play,” campaign contributions for appointments and contracts. So far, regardless of what they say-- there are no absolutes—so far, they haven’t touched the Governor, in these investigations. Doesn’t mean they won’t. Doesn’t mean they-

Jeff Berkowitz: Tony Rezko, Chris Kelly. Big fundraisers.

Dick Kay: Big fundraisers.

Jeff Berkowitz: [There are] people thought to be snooping around there.

Dick Kay: They are. They are.

Jeff Berkowitz: Joe Cari has—already had a plea agreement with the feds. Perhaps, they spoke there of “public official A”-

Blagojevich as Official A
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Dick Kay: Well, he [Blago] has admitted that he is “Official A.” There is no question that Governor Blagojevich is “Official A.” But, Joe Cari, that was all hearsay. What Joe Cari said was—he didn’t say that they were taking campaign contributions in exchange for this business. What Joe Cari [said] was that Levine—Stuart Levine, who is under indictment—told him that’s the way it was working.

Jeff Berkowitz: Right.

Dick Kay: Well, everyone says, “Why would any U.S. Attorney go along with this and present this kind of information if it weren’t true?” Well, I don’t know if it’s true.

Jeff Berkowitz: Well, why would he? He kind of tips his hand where he’s going. Why do you suppose-

Dick Kay: Well, everybody knew where he was going, but-

Jeff Berkowitz: Maybe he wanted to shake the tree a little bit, and see what would fall off, and maybe somebody would start talking.

Dick Kay: Probably.

Jeff Berkowitz: You think somebody dropped a dime?

Dick Kay: I think they probably—I think they probably are all talking.

Topinka’s Tough Row to Hoe
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Jeff Berkowitz: Judy Baar Topinka, on the other side of the fence, as the state Treasurer, started a practice that Pat Quinn hadn’t, that is, taking campaign contributions from banks with which she does business.

Dick Kay: Umhmm.

Jeff Berkowitz: Got a lot of criticism for that. Is she anybody to talk about pay to play?

Dick Kay: I think that Judy, as the campaign goes on, I think that she’ll have a tough row to hoe, because I believe that Judy has her own problems with a) taking campaign contributions. I think they identified--the Gidwitz people, in the primary—identified something in the neighborhood of two hundred thousand dollars from contractors doing business with the Treasurer’s office, banks, et cetera, giving money to Judy.

Jeff Berkowitz: Might have been six hundred thousand dollars.

Dick Kay: Judy has that hotel loan still pending. She tried to get rid of it—

Jeff Berkowitz: Settled for twenty five cents on the dollar.

Dick Kay: Twenty five cents on the dollar.

Jeff Berkowitz: [Bill] Cellini and his Board [members] are out there giving contributions to Judy? That’s what Oberweis said.

Dick Kay: Well, I don’t know that they were giving contributions-

Jeff Berkowitz: To her campaign.

Dick Kay: It was a Republican deal.

Jeff Berkowitz: Okay.

Dick Kay: And Judy wanted to—the other thing is, at one point there was an investigation of Judy’s office into the use of [state employees as] political workers. I mean, [state] office workers putting time into the campaign.

Jeff Berkowitz: Two or three years ago, right?

Dick Kay: I don’t know if that’s still over. I mean, I haven’t heard anybody-
say it’s over. I never heard anybody say it started.

Jeff Berkowitz: Yeah.

Dick Kay: There’s a couple of people who will tell you that, in fact, they have talked to the U.S. Attorney’s office, but it’s been a couple of years.

Topinka’s Problems with Conservatives
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Jeff Berkowitz: Yeah. So, she’s got that concern. You know, also, she got thirty eight percent of the vote. So, the great majority of the people in the Republican primary voted for someone else, including thirty two percent for Jim Oberweis. We would conclude that that’s probably fairly conservative vote? Can she, a social moderate, and maybe a moderate in other ways, too, get the people who voted for Jim Oberweis behind her, those Republicans?

Dick Kay: No, the problem—no, I don’t think she’ll get the conservative Republican vote. I mean, because they’re already trying to find a way out. Some of them are talking about switching to [Senator and Rev.] Meeks if he gets in the race.

Rev. Meeks
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Jeff Berkowitz:But, that’s not going to happen. Meeks is no more attractive to them than Judy. He may be on social issues, but not on economic issues.

Dick Kay: I don’t know that he’s attractive, period. I mean, the guy—the first thing he wants to do is raise income taxes. He says he doesn’t, but he wants a tax swap, property taxes for income taxes. He came up a week ago and asked for-- I don’t know how many millions he wants for-- prison guards. His list of demands grows, and at a time when people are criticizing state spending, he’s still out there talking about tax increases and budget growth.

Jeff Berkowitz: So, Reverend James Meeks, the state senator, is out there trying to increase contributions, somehow, from the Governor a commitment for education, for what he would view as, his constituents, who are in large part African Americans. The Hispanic Caucus has--

Dick Kay: It seems-

Jeff Berkowitz: Said the same thing. He’ll make a deal. Is that what you think happens?

Dick Kay: I think they’ll make a deal, or he won’t run. He’s already filed as a Democratic candidate for re-election to the Senate-

Jeff Berkowitz: Right.

Dick Kay: If he runs, he loses his Senate seat. He says he’s willing to give it up, but I find that hard to believe.

Jeff Berkowitz: So, how does that--what’s that race come down between Blagojevich and Judy Baar Topinka? Is it too early to tell, or can you-

Topinka’s Ethnic Style
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Dick Kay: I think that Judy will—Judy has one other problem, and it’s a matter of—first of all, she will get crossover. A lot of women like her. Her positions on social issues are good. A lot of women will cross from the Democratic party that once supported Blagojevich and go to Judy. On the other hand, Judy continues to pop off. It was part of her charm as the Treasurer, candidate for Treasurer. It was not the kind of thing that will engender respect for a candidate for Governor. I mean, she said the other day, “he [Gov. Blagojevich] has weasely eyes.” She tried to back out of that and say, that’s because he [Blago] doesn’t look at you when he talks. And, she’s-

Jeff Berkowitz: So, that’s a problem.

Dick Kay: Her effort- she’s well liked, but her effort to be this down-to-earth person—I think in the end it will hurt her, if she continues along those lines.

Jeff Berkowitz: Too down to earth. Tom Roeser, a conservative, radio personality, said she’s a “low rent” candidate. Is that being too tough?

Dick Kay: Judy is a great ethnic lady, proud of her heritage. She’s always been a tough talker, from her days in the legislature, all the way through. I mean, but you can’t tell a nationally syndicated columnist [George Will] that you want Bush to raise money for you at an undisclosed location in the dead of night. And, that they talked her into "getting in the race [for Governor]."

Jeff Berkowitz: But, her aide said that.

Dick Kay: But, she [Topinka] was there. She was present and she didn’t say, “No, I don’t mean this.”

The Money Game
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Jeff Berkowitz: Edgar says she has to raise ten million dollars. Rod already has fifteen. Is that the-

Dick Kay: She won’t raise ten million dollars, but the Republican party will be there. I mean-

Jeff Berkowitz: How much will she have to spend at the end of the day?

Dick Kay: I think she will probably approach five, six, seven million. I don’t know.

Jeff Berkowitz: Rod’s got fifteen [million dollars]. How much will he have at the end of the day? .

Dick Kay: Well, the way he’s been spending it-- he won’t have anything left. She’s got wealthy backers, Kjellander and a lot of these people. She’s got millionaires in her corner, you know. And, so, I think she’s going to raise some money.

Jeff Berkowitz: In Illinois, they could write her a check for a million if they wanted to.

Dick Kay: The difference in this, though, is that Judy Baar Topinka is well known. I mean, Judy Baar—you don’t need fifteen million dollars—because she doesn’t have any program to present to the people. I mean, her program is “let’s defeat Rod Blagojevich.” And, everybody knows her because she’s been in politics now, for what-- twenty, thirty years in Illinois?

A Referendum on Rod
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Jeff Berkowitz: So, she wants to make it a referendum on Rod. Rod wants to make it a choice and say, “here’s my “All Kids” program, here’s my program for all kids having access to pre-school. What have you got, Judy?” Is that what Rod’s doing?

Dick Kay: He’s got a good record, if you are an average working stiff in Illinois. He’s got a record that says we covered the doughnut in prescriptions for senior citizens, we provided health care for every kid in Illinois... We’ve going to provide pre-kindergarten school. We kept the minimum wage—we raised it and we want to raise it again. We decoupled from the federal employment overtime regulations. Our people continue to get overtime. I think he—and he improved education, too, in terms of raising standards. Has he done enough for education? No, but I think you could probably never do enough for education.

Jeff Berkowitz: In terms of the education lobby, teachers’ unions, what they want

Dick Kay: Well, yes, of course, I mean that’s what Meeks wants, too.

Jeff Berkowitz: But, the Republicans would say, about jobs, there should have been an increase…with the recovery of about 250K jobs, they say there has been an increase of about 20,000 jobs. Do they have a point?
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Public Affairs, with Dick Kay, was recorded on April 9, 2006 and is airing on the City of Chicago edition of Public Affairs tonight, April 24 at 8:30 pm on Cable Ch. 21. . The show with Dick Kay is also available as a video podcast at the Public Affairs Cinema Complex, along with nineteen other shows, which are also airing there. [See here].
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Partial transcript draft of the Public Affairs show with Dick Kay was 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, Show Host/Producer of "Public Affairs," and Executive Legal Recruiter doing legal search can be reached at JBCG@aol.com
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Meincke "...[George Ryan] would have been found guilty far faster."

Joel Weisman [Chicago Week moderator: Let’s talk about one big thing that didn’t happen and that was [former Governor] George Ryan taking the stand [in his own defense]. In retrospect, do you think that might have made a difference?

Paul Meincke [ABC-7 News]: Yeah, I think the deliberations would have been far shorter. He would have been found guilty far faster.
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Bob Crawford [WBBM 780 AM Radio, Political Editor Emeritus]: I think George Ryan’s gruff demeanor would not have come across very well with the jury and I have a feeling that under the pressure of constant questioning by the prosecution, he might have even blown his cool, and I think that’s what Dan Webb was really worried about—putting George up there and having George start running wild.
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WTTW’s, Chicago Tonight, Chicago Week in Review, April 21, 2006

I would say Meincke's and Crawford's comments pretty much support what I wrote two months ago [See here], in contrast to the view of NBC-5 News, WTTW and Chicago Sun-Times political expert Carol Marin, who seems to have gone astray on this one:

Carol Marin: And that’s what we always heard that he wanted…he’s a great politician, he [George Ryan] knows how to work a crowd, he was ready to convince the jury.
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George Ryan sweet talk the Jury? I don’t think so. Maybe Carol is older than I thought and older than she looks. Maybe she remembers a younger, better politician George Ryan than I ever saw. Because the George Ryan I remember running for Governor, or even Secretary of State, was no charmer of the common man or the common woman, or any regular voter, for that matter.
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So, if George was a “great politician,” as Marin puts it, it was because he was a master of backroom deals and tossing the taxpayers and others’ money around—and translating those tosses into votes …

Yes, George Ryan could work a crowd. A crowd of pols, that is. So, when he gave the State of the State or the State of the Budget, there was pork for everybody, Democrats and Republicans, and George would kiss them all, as long as they would kiss George’s backside …but that ain’t “working a crowd.” More like rotund George working the Rotunda, doing his quid pro quos.

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… Work a crowd? Sweet talk the Jury? Not really, Carol. George was better at “working you over.”
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Jeff Berkowitz, Show Host/Producer of "Public Affairs," and Executive Legal Recruiter doing legal search can be reached at JBCG@aol.com
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Obama, Bean and McSweeney on Bush's Tax Cuts

Mary Frances Bragiel [WBBM 780 AM Radio]: Congressman [sic], do you think the Bush tax cuts should be made permanent?

Congresswoman Melissa Bean: I have supported the tax cuts that have come before me since I have been in Congress.

Jeff Berkowitz: Do you think they should be made permanent?

Senator Barack Obama: Let’s finish up here [Senator Obama directed the questioning back to the topic of separate legislation sponsored by Cong. Bean and him to prevent third party tax return preparers from disclosing or disseminating to other third parties information the tax return preparers received or used to fill out their customer’s tax returns, even if the client whose tax return is being filed signs a written consent to such disclosure or dissemination.].
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Mary Frances Bragiel: Congressman [sic], do you want to answer again-- continue answering in regard to [whether] the Bush tax cuts should be made permanent?

Congresswoman Melissa Bean: I have supported the tax cuts that have come to me so far. We haven’t seen anything proposed yet to further that.
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Senator Barack Obama [D- IL] and Congresswoman Melissa Bean [D-Barrington, 8th CD], Joint Press Conference, Chicago Loop, April 17, 2006.
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McSweeney on Taxes: an issue contrast? [See here for a more complete discussion of this issue]
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Jeff Berkowitz: Now, you’ve referred to taxes and the Democratic position, but Congresswoman Bean has said on this set that she supported the extension of the Bush tax cuts for dividends and for cap[ital] gains. She supported that. You would support that.[Go here to watch show with Cong. Bean, taped Jan. 29, 2006].

David McSweeney: I would support-

Jeff Berkowitz: There’s no difference between you and her on that issue, right?

David McSweeney: Jeff, I would support making President Bush’s tax cuts permanent. Melissa Bean was on your show and she said she had no position on that. She said that she had not decided how she was going to go.

Jeff Berkowitz: On the marginal rates-

David McSweeney: On the overall Bush tax cuts.

Jeff Berkowitz: So, you’d make them [the Bush Tax Cuts] permanent, and she favored an extension. But, to be fair, the dividend and cap[ital] gains proposal from the Republican party was only for an extension.

David McSweeney: That’s why the Republican party’s in so much trouble on the national level. We’re just tinkering around with two year extensions, which I would have supported, but I favor bold steps. We need to make-

Jeff Berkowitz: You want to go further than the Republican party.

David McSweeney: I want to go much further than the Republican leadership. That’s why our popularity is so low as a Party-- because we’re taking half steps.

Jeff Berkowitz: Marginal rates, you would include those. You would make those cuts, on the marginal rates of taxation, permanent. Congresswoman Bean said that she wanted to look at the state of the economy at that time, when it is proposed; She wanted to look at what income levels you are talking about. That would be an issue difference? Is that an issue difference

David McSweeney: That’s a bunch of double talk.

Jeff Berkowitz: Is that a major difference between you and-

David McSweeney: It absolutely is. That’s a bunch of double talk. You can’t have it both ways. I favor reducing marginal tax rates and making President Bush’s tax cuts permanent. End of story.
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Public Affairs, with David McSweeney [R-Barrington Hills], the Republican Nominee in the 8th Cong. District, was recorded on March 26, 2006 and aired on the City of Chicago edition of Public Affairs , April 10 at 8:30 pm on Cable Ch. 21. The show with candidate McSweeney is also available as a video podcast currently at the Public Affairs Cinema Complex, along with eighteen other shows, which are also airing there. [See here].
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Show with McSweeney partial transcript draft 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, Show Host/Producer of "Public Affairs," and Executive Legal Recruiter doing legal search can be reached at JBCG@aol.com
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Fear and Loathing at the Cook County GOP Tonight

As I wrote two years ago, politics at the Cook County GOP is similar to what Henry Kissinger said about university politics, “It’s so vicious because so little is at stake.” [See here]. See here and here for more about the 2004 Cook County GOP Convention.

Tonight, the Cook County GOP, along with the other 101 Republican county parties, holds it biennial convention to elect a Cook County GOP chairman and State GOP central committee members, to represent the 19 congressional districts in the state. The 50 Republican Ward Committeemen from the City and 30 Republican Township Committeemen from the suburbs, vote, on a weighted basis, for Cook County COP Chairman.

The convention is at the Hyatt, West Tower, in the Loop. The City of Chicago portion of the meeting starts at 6:00 pm and the Suburban show at 7:00 pm.

Those Republican committeemen who represent townships or wards that are within part or all of a congressional district also have a vote in the election of that Congressional District’s state central committee member. Many of the State Central committee members exercise no discretion and do as they are told by their sponsors, but there are exceptions. For example, they seem to have managed, under the leadership, if not the guidance, of then State Party Chairman Topinka, to make the disastrous decision to select Alan Keyes to replace Jack Ryan, when Jack withdrew as the Republican nominee for the U. S. Senate.

Certain Cook County Republican committeeman will have at least some say in the election of 13 state central committee members. Further, it is reported that more than one candidate is running in 12 of the 19 districts. Competition, the patron saint of the consumer, committeeman and voter. [See here].

The Cook County GOP had been a nothing organization and/or run by a Democratic plant, for decades up until 2002, when Maureen Murphy, Commissioner from the Cook County Board of Review, was elected its Chairman. Maureen made a strong effort to start running and supporting Republican candidates for say, State Rep. and State Senator in many minority areas where the word, Republican, was viewed, at best, as a foreign word. Many, of course, under the adage that “no good deed goes unpunished,” criticized Chairman Murphy’s efforts as a waste of resources. However, Maureen Murphy deserves credit for reviving the notion that the Cook County GOP has the potential to become a viable, countywide organization—and that it could contribute to the re-birth of a Republican Party in Cook County and in the City of Chicago.

Nonetheless, Maureen had her critics, and some of the support in her own base eroded during her brief tenure. Cook County Reform Commissioner Tony Peraica, who even then, was at loggerheads with Maureen, popped up to challenge her re-election at the 2004 Cook County Convention. Peraica had then, and still has, his share of enemies within the Party. A compromise choice, Gary Skoien, Palatine Township Republican Committeeman, emerged as the victor, if you can call having to run the Cook County GOP a win.

So, tonight, Cook County GOP Chairman Gary Skoien,who has managed to make no major enemies in the last two years, will be re-elected easily with 80% to 90% of the weighted vote against his only likely challenger, Tony Castrogiovanni, Berwyn Township Republican Committeeman. Castrogiovanni called into Tom Roeser’s radio show, “Potical Shootout,” a few weeks ago and told Gary Skoien, for the world to hear, that he would support Skoien for Chairman. Now, Castrogiovanni is running against him. Welcome to the Cook County GOP. Castrogiovanni seems to running under the “we hate Peraica,” ticket and he views Skoien as too close to Peraica.

I reported [here] that Maureen Murphy wanted to return as GOP Cook County Chair. Peraica and others had told me that, and it seemed quite credible. This was especially the case in light of the resources and help that were being poured into Lyons Township by Maureen and others, e.g., former State Rep. Eileen Lyons, to take that committeeman title and vote away from Peraica [and give it to a 28 year old sandwich shop owner]. However, Maureen Murphy had told me prior to my writing on that subject that she had no interest in being Cook County GOP Chairman and she was not running and would not run. I inadvertently neglected to report that information and for that, I apologize to Maureen and my gentle readers.

Nevertheless, hostility toward Peraica from Board of Review Commissioner Murphy, Cook County Board member Liz Gorman and many others within the Party remains strong. Maureen, just a few weeks ago, expressed concern to me about a “switcheroo,” i.e., a scenario in which Skoien decides at the last minute not to run for Chairman, and Peraica does, and the Peraica detractors are left with Peraica—a man they view as no better than a tyrannical leader.

As Maureen is fond of saying, “Tony does not play well with others in the sandbox,” a trait she attributes in part to him learning politics and survival in the Daleys’ 11th ward and in the Democratic Party, and having been born and spent his very early boyhood years in war-torn Croatia. In short, Peraica critics and supporters would say, Tony’s weakness is his strength, he is a very, very aggressive, tenacious, no holds barred political scrapper.

Skoien has indicated to me that he would not support Peraica under any circumstances for Chairman. This is because he believes Peraica has to focus on his Cook County Board President race. Others suggest that Peraica might use the Chairman’s role to inappropriately focus the entire Cook County GOP effort on his race, to the neglect of the other candidates, e.g., Cook County Treasurer, Sheriff, etc.

So, the anti- Peraica forces are now focusing their energy on the possible election tonight of a Deputy Cook County GOP Chairman, in case, as they put it, Gary Skoien gets hit by a bus—or maybe falls off a horse. They certainly don’t want that position to be held by Peraica, for all the reasons stated above. And, since even people who can work with Peraica, e.g., Skoien, will not support Peraica for the reasons stated above, the Deputy is unlikely to be Peraica. Nor, is it likely to be someone who is closely aligned or identified with Team Murphy-Gorman-Lyons-Caprio [Paul Caprio is Executive Director of Family-Pac and he has been an ally of Murphy and Gorman]. New Trier Republican Organization Committeeman Tolbert Chisum, who started out supporting Peraica in 2004 for Chairman-- and then threw his support to Skoien, might be a safe, consensus choice. However, a more likely choice for Deputy Cook County GOP Chairman is State Rep. and Schaumburg Committeeman Paul Froehlich, who was an early supporter of Jack Ryan, meaning we have come full circle, sort of.

In other news, tonight, watch for Chicago GOP chairman, Clark Pellett, to have his four year reign cut short, by a special election, called for by a petition with sufficient signatures, for a special election tonight at 6:00 pm. The word on the street is that Clark has been too “territorial,” and has not done much.

I asked Skoien last Friday, in light of the above, whether the Cook County GOP could be unified, especially for Peraica’s run for Cook County Board President. Skoien, who not only is an optimist by birth, but a very smart, charming guy, and who seems to have picked up some of his political skills from Jim Edgar, said,

I am certainly going to work on it and I know Tony is going to work on it and…if people really focus on John Stroger or whoever the candidate is and focus on what is going on in County Government, there should be a good chance that people get united. There is never going to be a great, great love between certain of those factions but I think it is something that can be successfully healed for a successful election.

As most know, a good part of Skoien’s charm is that he is ever the optimist. Tonight, he will need to put that trait to work.
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Jeff Berkowitz, Show Host/Producer of "Public Affairs," and Executive Legal Recruiter doing legal search can be reached at JBCG@aol.com
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George Ryan: "The verdict was in."

The press flocked to Room 2119 at the Federal Courthouse in the Loop, with most hearing around 10:30 am on Monday morning that “The verdict was in,” and the court would be revealing the verdict at 11:00 am. By 11:00 am, the left side of the courtroom was filled with about 70 media members and the rest were being sent to the overflow room.

Nothing happened at 11:00 am, but after that the big folks filtered in, including U. S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald, Lead Defense Counsel for George Ryan, Dan Webb and then George, himself, and his co-defendant, Larry Warner. On the media side, Carol Marin, of WTTW, NBC-5 News and the Chicago Sun-Times, sat there patiently with her colleagues, but then left and brought back fellow Sun-Times columnist Cathleen Falsani.

Falsani, the hip, lefty religion columnist, was decked out in a black leather jacket to match her image. Treating it somewhat like a dinner party, Marin sandwiched Falsani between Kass and herself, noting the same to Falsani. There you go, two very different world views, I imagine: John Kass and Cathleen Falsani.

After over an hour of waiting, the room started getting quiet, as people sensed the court would be in session soon, and Judge Pallmeyer started the proceedings at 12:15 pm. The big event was over in fifteen minutes. As Eric Zorn discusses here, it was much quicker than anyone thought it would be. Guilty, as charged, on all counts, Ryan and Warner.

As Zorn further discusses [here], nine of the Ryan jurors held a press conference, shortly after the verdict. It was impressive. They understood why they didn’t have to see cash being placed in George Ryan’s hand before they could decide his guilt for such actions: circumstantial evidence. They understood closing arguments were not evidence, observing they heard more than enough evidence, before hearing those arguments, to have a foundation for their jury deliberations. They seemed to have understood how to bring alternate jurors into the deliberations, when the judge replaced other jurors who became tainted.

They were aware of the attempt by the Court to keep out of the trial George Ryan’s adulation by many for his moratorium on the death penalty, and his commutation of those on death row to life in prison. Similarly, they understood the deaths of the Willis children were also not a part of the body of the evidence to consider at trial, and they apparently followed those understandings.

They also knew which issues to address, and which to say, “no comment,”

In short, this was a savvy, conscientious jury. Winston and Strawn may watch the tape and find reversible error for their client, George Ryan, but I don’t think they will find it in the jury process. Of course, there may reversible error in other aspects of the conduct of the trial.
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What does it all mean? Is George Ryan a “tragic figure,” as Phil Ponce suggested on Monday evening’s Chicago Tonight, which focused exclusively on George Ryan: his background, the trial, the verdict and the verdict’s implication for other politicians in Illinois. About seven months ago, I wrote this and I think it still pretty much sums up where we are on George Ryan:

Carol, Carol: George Ryan can’t cop a plea. Try him, if you must. Convict him, if you must. Put him in jail for the rest of his life, if you must. Indeed, crucify him, if you must. But, he has his legacy. Senator Dick Durbin, his fellow Democrats and the mainstream media have seen to that. Yes, the media may turn on him over the next few weeks. But will Professor Larry Marshall, from Palo Alto, turn on George? Will Senator Durbin, while trying to defeat Supreme Court nominee Roberts [the man who Durbin thinks will undo Blackmun’s Roe] come back from Washington, DC to turn on George? I don’t think so. A deal is a deal.

Indeed, will you Carol? Will you turn on George?
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Jeff Berkowitz, Show Host/Producer of "Public Affairs," and Executive Legal Recruiter doing legal search can be reached at JBCG@aol.com
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Berkowitz plays “Stump Dick Kay.”

Jeff Berkowitz: Daley gets a lot of the Black vote because he [Daley] has been there for Stroger and Stroger, or his machine in the 8th Ward will be there for him.

Dick Kay: But, don’t forget Harold Washington won for Mayor in a three way race against—

Berkowitz: Who is going to be the third person there?

Dick Kay: I don’t know [show ends]
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Dick Kay, Political Editor and Host of City Desk at NBC-5 News, answers a few questions, on the various upcoming editions of the Public Affairs program- from show host and executive legal recruiter Jeff Berkowitz about the 2006 Guv race, other statewide races, the fall Cook County Board President race and the 2007 Mayor’s race.

"Public Affairs," is featuring Dick Kay, this coming week in 35 Chicago Metro suburbs on Comcast Cable; a week from this coming Monday night [April 24] through-out the City of Chicago on CANTV; And, on the "Public Affairs," podcast page on your computer, shortly [See here].

The "Public Affairs," podcast page gives you a choice of 20 different episodes of “Public Affairs," including shows featuring the Republican nominee and Democratic incumbent in the 8th CD, McSweeney and Bean, respectively; Tony Peraica, Republican nominee for Cook County Board President; Forrest Claypool, who came close to beating John Stroger in the 2006 Democratic Primary for Cook County Board President; and Cong. Jan Schakowsky [D-Evanston, 9th CD]. [See here].
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Dick Kay started at NBC-5 News as a writer/producer in 1968, but found himself covering, as an NBC reporter, what became known as the police riots at the Democratic National Convention. Kay, who became a full time NBC reporter in 1970, will step down on June 1, but not before he hosts one last key discussion— between Guv candidates Blagojevich and Topinka, on NBC-5 News' City Desk in May. Be there or be square. No levis or capris, please—as the radio announcer used to say when inviting youngsters to rock concerts at El Monte Legion Stadium, just outside of LA. BTW, Kay started in radio, but not in LA.
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A Happy Easter and a Happy Passover to all our readers and viewers who celebrate such.
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Dick Kay: …I wish him all the success in the world. I wish him long life but I think there will not be a John Stroger on the ballot in November [for Cook County Board President]. I think what you asked earlier is—there probably will be another Democratic candidate [for that position].

Jeff Berkowitz: Emil Jones, state senator [and President of the State Senate]?

Dick Kay: Emil Jones is a possibility. Terry Peterson, Chairman of the Housing Authority.

Berkowitz: Chicago Housing Authority.

Dick Kay: My guess would be Commissioner Bobbie Steele [,too]. Mike Madigan is going to have a big say about this, the Speaker. He is going to have a major play in this. Some people said Dorothy Brown [Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County]. Dorothy Brown has an exploratory committee for Mayor. She is not going to be picked when she is ready to challenge the Mayor

Berkowitz:: They don’t feel that they can trust her.

Dick Kay: They don’t feel that they can control her.

Berkowitz: What about Great White Hopes [for County Board President]. Anybody there, Jim Houlihan?

Dick Kay: I mentioned Houlihan and Mike Sheehan. I think they’d have a fight on their hands if they didn’t go with an African American but…

Berkowitz: There will be somebody running against Daley [for Mayor]…

Dick Kay: I think there will be somebody. The question is—

Berkowitz: Somebody of substance? Somebody who is credible?

Dick Kay: I think [Rev. and State Senator] Meeks wants to run for Mayor. And, I am not sure, but I believe Rev., I mean

Berkowitz: Jesse Jackson, Jr.

Dick Kay: Cong. Jesse Jackson, Jr. is weighing the possibility. You know [Cong.]Luis Gutierrez wants to run for Mayor and has said so, publicly.

Berkowitz: But, they can’t all do it, so

Dick Kay: He [Cong. Gutierrez] won’t do it if Cong. Jackson does it.

Berkowitz: Luis won’t.

Dick Kay: Won’t, but he’ll be with him [Jackson].

Berkowitz: That would make sense for Rev. Meeks, who is a good guy and getting known and runs a big church—but not quite the same broad city [wide] base and name recognition as Cong. Jesse Jackson, Jr. So, are we looking at Jesse, Jr. taking on Daley at this point?

Dick Kay: If Daley runs.

Berkowitz: Oh, he’s going to run- for sure.

Dick Kay: Provided nothing happens again to his health and provided these scandals don’t continue.

Berkowitz: If it is Jesse, Jr. against Mayor Daley, who wins that?

Dick Kay: Tough race.

Berkowitz: Daley gets a lot of the Black vote because he [Daley] has been there for Stroger and Stroger, or his machine in the 8th Ward will be there for him.

Dick Kay: But, don’t forget Harold Washington won for Mayor in a three way race against—

Berkowitz: Who is going to be the third person there?

Dick Kay: I don’t know [show ends]
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Public Affairs, with Dick Kay, was recorded on April 9, 2006 and is airing on the Suburban edition of Public Affairs next week [week of April 17] and on the City of Chicago edition of Public Affairs on Monday night, April 24 at 8:30 pm on Cable Ch. 21. See, below, for a detailed, regular suburban airing schedule for Public Affairs . The show with Dick Kay will also be available, shortly, as a video podcast at the Public Affairs Cinema Complex, along with nineteem other shows, which are also airing there. [See here].
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In 25 North Shore, North and Northwest suburbs, the show airs this coming week in its regular Tuesday night time slot: 8:30 pm on Comcast Cable Ch. 19 or 35, as indicated, below.

In 10 North Shore suburbs, the show is airing in its regular airing slot at 8:30 pm on Comcast Cable Ch. 19 this week on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, as indicated, below.

The show with Dick Kay will also be available shortly as a video podcast currently at the Public Affairs Cinema Complex, along with nineteen other shows, which are currently airing there[See here]. The show with Dick Kay will also air throughout the City of Chicago one week from this coming Monday night, April 24 at 8:30 pm on CANTV, Cable Ch. 21.
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The episode of Public Affairs, featuring Dick Kay, airs this coming Tuesday night:

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

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

and this Monday, Wednesday and Friday night at 8:30 pm on Comcast Cable Channel 19 in Bannockburn, Deerfield, Ft. Sheridan, Glencoe, Highland Park, Highwood, Kenilworth, Lincolnshire, Riverwoods and Winnetka.
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Jeff Berkowitz, Show Host/Producer of "Public Affairs," and Executive Legal Recruiter doing legal search can be reached at JBCG@aol.com
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Better than Claypool: Peraica on TV and Streaming

Jeff Berkowitz: Would Emil Jones, President of the State Senate, now probably the odds-on favorite to get that position—you know, people say that they would like Emil there because he’ll play ball, is that right?

Tony Peraica: That’s right.

Jeff Berkowitz: And so--

Tony Peraica: He would not be a reformer.
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Jeff Berkowitz: Is [Cook County Assessor] Jim Houlihan- one of the Great White [Democratic] Hopes to take that position—would he be a reformer?

Tony Peraica: No.
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Tony Peraica: I am not Forrest Claypool, am I? Do I look like Forrest Claypool?

Jeff Berkowitz: Actually, you do look a little like him.

Tony Peraica: Big Laugh [Show ends].
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"Public Affairs," is featuring Tony Peraica [R-Riverside] Republican Nominee for President of the Cook County Board, this week in 35 Chicago Metro suburbs on Comcast Cable; a week from this coming Monday night through-out the City of Chicago; And, on your computer, right now. [See here].
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Watch Tony Peraica, Republican nominee for Cook County Board President, on your computer, right now. [See here for the Podcast Page]. The video and audio podcast page has twenty recent episodes of "Public Affairs," including, in addition to Peraica, Congresswoman Bean [D- Barrington, 8th CD]; 8th CD Republican nominee David McSweeney [Barrington Hills]; Democratic State Rep. nominee Judith-Rae Ross [Skokie] and State Senator Ira Silverstein [D-Chicago].
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For more about Cook County Board issues and politics, See here.

For a description of some of the topics covered in the "Public Affairs," show with Tony Peraica, Republican nominee for Cook County Board President, see here.

For a partial transcript of the show with Tony Peraica, Republican nominee for Cook County Board President, see here.

For an additional transcript of this week's "Public Affairs," show with Tony Peraica, see, below.
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Show host Jeff Berkowitz and Republican nominee for President of the Cook County Board, Tony Peraica, discussed possible selections by the Cook County Democratic Central Committee to be the Democratic nominee for President of the Cook County Board in the event that President Stroger withdraws his candidacy for re-election to that position in the fall:

Jeff Berkowitz: Is [Cook County Commissioner] Bobbie Steele a reformer? Would she change government in the way that you would like to change it?

Tony Peraica: No.

Jeff Berkowitz: Is [Cook County Assessor] Jim Houlihan- one of the Great White [Democratic] Hopes to take that position—would he be a reformer?

Tony Peraica: No.

Jeff Berkowitz: Would Sheriff Sheehan- another Great White Hope- would he be a reformer?

Tony Peraica: I don’t think so.

Jeff Berkowitz: Would Emil Jones, President of the State Senate, now probably the odds-on favorite to get that position—you know, people say that they would like Emil there because he’ll play ball, is that right?

Tony Peraica: That’s right.

Jeff Berkowitz: And so--

Tony Peraica: He would not be a reformer.

Jeff Berkowitz: Emil would not be a reformer…Anybody who gets slated in that position is slated because they’ll play ball, right? This is a pay to play state?

Tony Peraica: Look, these are all individuals who have worked in the vineyards of the regular Democratic Party for the last thirty years and you think they are going to bring reform to anything?

Jeff Berkowitz: [Ald.] Ricky Munoz is said to be an Hispanic reformer and wasn’t he supporting Stroger?

Tony Peraica: You would have to ask him. I have no idea.

Jeff Berkowitz: It seemed like I saw him there [at Stroger headquarters, following along with Sen. Donne Trotter, who was speaking to the cameras on behalf of the Stroger campaign, that evening]…Cong. Luis Gutierrez, was he supporting Stroger?

Tony Peraica: I believe he did, yes.

Jeff Berkowitz: Is he a reformer?

Tony Peraica: No.

Jeff Berkowitz: All right, are you going to get Forrest Claypool to support you?

Tony Peraica: I hope to, yes.

Jeff Berkowitz: You working on that?

Tony Peraica: I am working on it.

Jeff Berkowitz: And, you think he could bring you his supporters?

Tony Peraica: I think he could bring a sizeable number.
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Jeff Berkowitz: [Republican County Board Commissioner Liz] Gorman says she has issues to discuss before she endorses you [for Cook County Board President].
You know about those issues?

Tony Peraica: I am sure she will come up with some and I look forward to that discussion.

Jeff Berkowitz: So, you can put this on a positive note? You can win African-American votes. You can unite things in the Republican Party. You can be the next Cook County Board President [the first Republican in almost four decades, since Richard Ogilvie was elected in 1968, to hold that position].

Tony Peraica: That’s right. It will take approximately 650,000 votes to make up that 51% in Cook County with a 50% turnout of registered voters and I believe that I can do that, absolutely.

Jeff Berkowitz: You’ve got to do very well in the suburbs, right?

Tony Peraica: Very well in the suburbs and we have to double the [Republican] vote in the City. About 250,000 [in the City and 400,000 in the suburbs].

Jeff Berkowitz: In the suburbs, you would emphasize the cost of Cook County Government; in the communities that benefit from these services, you would say that you could provide these services better. Is that the way to do it?

Tony Peraica: No question about it. And, also the proposals that were put together by Commissioner Quigley recently and by Commissioner Hansen in 1974 about reinventing Cook County Government is something that I would actually try to put into practice and merge some of these departments, eliminate the corruption and insider deals, eliminate some of the duplicative levels of management, people who are making over $100,000—

Jeff Berkowitz: Privatize things more?

Tony Peraica: Well, some things, perhaps, should be privatized.

Jeff Berkowitz: The unions will be against you just like they were against Claypool for his privatization [when he was running the City of Chicago Parks Dept.]

Tony Peraica: You’re assuming things again without having any factual basis for it.

Jeff Berkowitz: Were the unions against Claypool?

Tony Peraica: I believe they were.

Jeff Berkowitz: So, why are they not going to be against you?

Tony Peraica: I am not Forrest Claypool, am I? Do I look like Forrest Claypool?

Jeff Berkowitz: Actually, you do look a little like him.

Tony Peraica: Laughter, big time! [Show ends].
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In 25 North Shore, North and Northwest suburbs, the show airs tonight in its regular Tuesday night time slot: 8:30 pm on Comcast Cable Ch. 19 or 35, as indicated, below.

In 10 North Shore suburbs, the show is airing in its regular airing slot at 8:30 pm on Comcast Cable Ch. 19 this week on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, as indicated, below.

The show with Cook County Board President Republican nominee Tony Peraica is also available as a video podcast currently at the Public Affairs Cinema Complex, along with nineteen other shows, which are currently airing there[See here]. The show with Tony Peraica will also air throughout the City of Chicago this coming Monday night, April 17 at 8:30 pm on CANTV, Cable Ch. 21.
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The episode of Public Affairs, featuring Cook County Board President Republican nominee Tony Peraica [R-Riverside],airs tonight:

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

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

and this Monday, Wednesday and Friday night at 8:30 pm on Comcast Cable Channel 19 in Bannockburn, Deerfield, Ft. Sheridan, Glencoe, Highland Park, Highwood, Kenilworth, Lincolnshire, Riverwoods and Winnetka.
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Public Affairs, with Cook County Board President Republican nominee Tony Peraica [Riverside] was recorded on April 2, 2006 and is airing on the Suburban edition of Public Affairs this week [week of April 10] and on the City of Chicago edition of Public Affairs on Monday night, April 17 at 8:30 pm on Cable Ch. 21. See, above, for a detailed, regular suburban airing schedule for Public Affairs . The show with County Board President nominee Peraica is also available as a video podcast currently at the Public Affairs Cinema Complex, along with nineteem other shows, which are also airing there. [See here].
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Jeff Berkowitz, Show Host/Producer of "Public Affairs," and Executive Legal Recruiter doing legal search can be reached at JBCG@aol.com
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Better Than Tavis Smiley: A virtual McSweeney-Bean discussion

Links added at 7:00 pm on Monday evening.

Jeff Berkowitz: Okay, if, now-on this eighty-three percent thing. If it did come out that you were voting with the Republican leadership eighty-three percent of the time, you wouldn’t find that, necessarily, [to be] anything wrong about you, if you were there for-

David McSweeney: No, I wouldn’t, if that’s what the number turned out to be.

Jeff Berkowitz: Okay.

David McSweeney: But... I’m going to fight for what I believe in. Melissa Bean is trying to say that she’s some kind of moderate, but, again, she has voted with that [Democratic] leadership eighty three percent of the time. And, Jeff, this is a leadership that is dominated by the most liberal aspects of the Democratic party. Nancy Pelosi, who is for tax increases, for an increase in federal spending, for a unilateral, immediate withdrawal on the war on terror. I don’t believe that represents the mainstream of Illinois.

Jeff Berkowitz: Well, let’s parse that a little.
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Jeff Berkowitz: On that issue, on the war issue, there’s really not-

David McSweeney: Jeff, I don’t know if there is. Listen, we don’t know where Melissa Bean stands. And, that’s why I look forward to the twenty four debates that we’re hopefully going to have. Bill Scheurer, who is running as an independent, if he gets on the ballot, should also be part of those debates...
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Jeff Berkowitz: So, you’d make them [the Bush Tax Cuts] permanent, and she favored an extension. But, to be fair, the dividend and cap[ital] gains proposal from the Republican party was only for an extension [of the cuts].

David McSweeney: That’s why the Republican party’s in so much trouble on the national level. We’re just tinkering around with two year extensions, which I would have supported, but I favor bold steps. We need to make-
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From "Public Affairs," taped Live to Tape on March 26, 2006.
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Tonight, the City of Chicago edition of "Public Affairs," features David McSweeney [R-Barrington Hills], the Republican Nominee in the 8th Cong. District. McSweeney is taking on first term Congresswoman Melissa Bean [D-Barrington] in a district that went for President Bush in 2004, 56 to 44.

McSweeney won by a surprisingly large margin, 10 points, over his closest competitor, Kathy Salvi, in a six candidate primary. The program airs at 8:30 pm tonight on Cable Ch. 21; through-out the City of Chicago;

The program can also be watched on your computer, any time. [See here].

The show is a "virtual debate," with McSweeney being challenged to compare and contrast his views to those of the Democratic incumbent, Cong. Bean, as articulated by Jeff Berkowitz, the show host and an Executive Legal Recruiter doing legal search.

For more about tonight's show's topics, some history of the 8th CD and partial transcripts of the show with candidate David McSweeney, see here and here.
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McSweeney, an independent conservative?
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Jeff Berkowitz: Okay, you stake out some positions on which you might be viewed as [holding a position] contrary to the Republican Party position, you might be viewed as an independent.

David McSweeney[R-Barrington, 8th CD candidate]: An independent conservative. I don’t want to change [what I have said].

Jeff Berkowitz: Okay.

David McSweeney: I’m going to say the same things that I’ve said when I was first on your show last year. I’m not going to be changing my positions on the issues. I didn’t have any of the Republican leadership in Washington supporting me during the primary. I'm glad to have their [the Republican leaders] support right now. But, I want to tell you that I’m going to continue to fight for what I believe in. We need to change “business as usual” in Washington. We need to create jobs or we’re going to continue to lose our resources and jobs to China and India. That’s my message. Let’s reform Congress. Let’s get back to the basics of cutting taxes, reducing spending, and that’s what I’m going to fight for.

The significance of voting with leadership 83% of the time
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Jeff Berkowitz: Okay, if, now-on this eighty-three percent thing. If it did come out that you were voting with the Republican leadership eighty-three percent of the time, you wouldn’t find that, necessarily, [to be] anything wrong about you, if you were there for-

David McSweeney: No, I wouldn’t, if that’s what the number turned out to be.

Jeff Berkowitz: Okay.

David McSweeney: But, I’m going to take every vote at a time. And, I’m going to fight for what I believe in. Melissa Bean is trying to say that she’s some kind of moderate, but, again, she has voted with that [Democratic] leadership eighty three percent of the time. And, Jeff, this is a leadership that is dominated by the most liberal aspects of the Democratic party. Nancy Pelosi, who is for tax increases, for an increase in federal spending, for a unilateral, immediate withdrawal on the war on terror. I don’t believe that represents the mainstream of Illinois.

Jeff Berkowitz: Well, let’s parse that a little.

David McSweeney: Sure.

McSweeney and Bean on the War- an issue difference?
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Jeff Berkowitz: Let’s start with the war, which many people view as one of the major issues. Would you agree?

David McSweeney: It is a major issue. It is a major issue.

Jeff Berkowitz: Now, Melissa Bean has said she’s not for an immediate withdrawal. She’s also not for staying the course without looking at things like performance standards. So, she’s saying it would be naïve to have immediate withdrawal. It would be naïve to sort of be a rubber stamp of the President’s “stay the course.” It sounds to me as if she’s staking out a middle ground. A moderate middle ground-

David McSweeney: Well, Jeff, I would-

Jeff Berkowitz: And, you would agree. You don’t want an immediate withdrawal. But, would you disagree with having some performance standard goals, in terms of Iraqi training? In terms of Iraqi soldiers standing up as U.S. soldiers stand down. That sounds to me like what Congresswoman Bean said when she was on this show. Would you necessarily disagree with that position on the war?

McSweeney challenges Bean to 24 Debates
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David McSweeney: Well, I one hundred percent look forward to debating Melissa Bean. I did see her on your show. That is one of a few appearances she has made, and I want to meet her twenty four times in twenty four townships so we can debate this issue.

Jeff Berkowitz: You’re issuing a challenge for twenty four debates?

David McSweeney: In each of the twenty four townships in the 8th congressional district. I think we owe that to the voters and we can discuss important issues. But, let me tell you where I stand, Jeff, to answer your question specifically. We cannot set a timeline. We have to defeat the terrorists. Senator Joe Lieberman, from Connecticut, came back and said there are five to ten thousand insurgents and al-Qaeda terrorists, and we have to complete the mission. And what that means is that we need to help them transition to a quasi-Democratic form of government. I agree with what Senator McCain said this morning, that we have to move very quickly to form a coalition government there and that they need to take the steps themselves to do that. We also need to defeat the terrorists and we also need to train those Iraqi forces. Setting a timeline will hand a victory to the terrorists and I think that’s a mistake.

Jeff Berkowitz: But, your opponent, Congresswoman Bean said she doesn’t want to set a timeline. So, it sounds like you’re in agreement on that issue.

David McSweeney: Melissa Bean voted for Nancy Pelosi as Speaker of the House. Nancy Pelosi will keep the Democrats in control.

Jeff Berkowitz: So, you’re going to keep coming back to that-

David McSweeney: Well, I’m not-

Jeff Berkowitz: On that issue, on the war issue, there’s really not-

Independent Bill Scheurer, a factor in 8th CD race?
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David McSweeney: Jeff, I don’t know if there is. Listen, we don’t know where Melissa Bean stands. And, that’s why I look forward to the twenty four debates that we’re hopefully going to have. Bill Scheurer, who is running as an independent, if he gets on the ballot, should also be part of those debates. And, Bill has a very set platform that I disagree with, but we respect each other because we are able to tell each other where we stand.

Jeff Berkowitz: Even if Scheurer doesn’t participate, would you like to do some one-on-ones, right here, on Public Affairs?

David McSweeney: Absolutely.

Jeff Berkowitz: With Congresswoman Bean.

David McSweeney: Absolutely.

Debates on Public Affairs?
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Jeff Berkowitz: How many [on this show], three or four debates would be good?

David McSweeney: I’ll do as many as you’ll allow me to do.

Jeff Berkowitz: Okay.

David McSweeney: Because I think we owe it to the people of Illinois to tell them exactly where we stand. I have been very clear from the beginning. I will continue to be clear. Melissa Bean knows that. And, so do the voters.

Jeff Berkowitz: We should be clear that Congresswoman Bean, before she was a congresswoman, came on this set in August of 2004. We appreciate it. She was a candidate then. Phil Crane did not come on, then. She came on in January of 2006, as a congresswoman. We appreciated that. I hope she’ll continue to come back as you have come back on this show. This is your sixth time. We don’t play favorites. We like everybody to come on the set, both separately and jointly to debate and discuss the issues, and everybody will be treated fairly, as we have you, David McSweeney, and as we have Congresswoman Bean.

David McSweeney: Well, Jeff, we owe that to the voters and that’s why I think the debates are so important and we can sit down and talk about the important issues of our time.

Bean and McSweeney on Taxes: an issue contrast?
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Jeff Berkowitz: Now, you’ve referred to taxes and the Democratic position, but Congresswoman Bean has said on this set that she supported the extension of the Bush tax cuts for dividends and for cap[ital] gains. She supported that. You would support that.

David McSweeney: I would support-

Jeff Berkowitz: There’s no difference between you and her on that issue, right?

David McSweeney: Jeff, I would support making President Bush’s tax cuts permanent. Melissa Bean was on your show and she said she had no position on that. She said that she had not decided how she was going to go.
Jeff Berkowitz: On the marginal rates-

David McSweeney: On the overall Bush tax cuts.

Jeff Berkowitz: So, you’d make them [the Bush Tax Cuts] permanent, and she favored an extension. But, to be fair, the dividend and cap[ital] gains proposal from the Republican party was only for an extension.

David McSweeney: That’s why the Republican party’s in so much trouble on the national level. We’re just tinkering around with two year extensions, which I would have supported, but I favor bold steps. We need to make-

Jeff Berkowitz: You want to go further than the Republican party.

David McSweeney: I want to go much further than the Republican leadership. That’s why our popularity is so low as a Party-- because we’re taking half steps.

Jeff Berkowitz: Marginal rates, you would include those. You would make those cuts, on the marginal rates of taxation, permanent. Congresswoman Bean said that she wanted to look at the state of the economy at that time, when it is proposed; She wanted to look at what income levels you are talking about. That would be an issue difference? Is that an issue difference

David McSweeney: That’s a bunch of double talk.

Jeff Berkowitz: Is that a major difference between you and-

David McSweeney: It absolutely is. That’s a bunch of double talk. You can’t have it both ways. I favor reducing marginal tax rates and making President Bush’s tax cuts permanent. End of story.

Jeff Berkowitz: But, is there, is there a level at which you would not extend the marginal rate cuts? In other words, you generally favor tax cuts. The tax cuts that occurred from President Bush in 2001 and 2003 and the Congress were across the board. So, if somebody was making two million dollars, they got a tax cut, as well as somebody making fifty thousand dollars, right?

David McSweeney: They were across the board tax reductions, and that’s what we need to do.

Jeff Berkowitz: No matter what. But, is there a level at which you would say, for supply side reasons, in other words, it doesn’t make a lot of sense to cut the tax rates for somebody making two million dollars a year. Would you put a ceiling on those tax cuts?

David McSweeney: What we need to do is to make President Bush’s tax cuts permanent. And, we need to move towards tax simplification.

Jeff Berkowitz: But, without any ceilings on the income level?

David McSweeney: No. Absolutely not.

Following or Differing with Senator Dick Durbin
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Jeff Berkowitz: Durbin, on the other side, Senator Durbin, said he would approve of tax increases for families with incomes over a hundred and fifty thousand. You, obviously, wouldn’t agree with that, right?

David McSweeney: Jeff, all that’s going to do is kill jobs in the United States. Small businesses are creating ninety percent of the jobs in America. If you raise marginal tax rates, you will kill jobs, and more jobs will head over to China and India. That’s a terrible mistake.
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Public Affairs, with David McSweeney [R-Barrington Hills], the Republican Nominee in the 8th Cong. District, was recorded on March 26, 2006 and is airing on the City of Chicago edition of Public Affairs tonight, April 10 at 8:30 pm on Cable Ch. 21. . The show with candidate McSweeney is also available as a video podcast currently at the Public Affairs Cinema Complex, along with eighteen other shows, which are also airing there. [See here].
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Transcript draft 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, Show Host/Producer of "Public Affairs," and Executive Legal Recruiter doing legal search can be reached at JBCG@aol.com
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