McSweeney’s virtual debate with Cong. Bean: On TV and Streaming
Jeff Berkowitz: [Bush] Tax cuts. You’ve said that you want to make those permanent. Congresswoman Bean has supported the President when he has sought to extend the tax cuts. Is that the major difference between the two of you?
David McSweeney: Melissa Bean will take no stand, whether it be on your show, whether it be with multiple reporters in making the tax cuts permanent. That’s a fundamental issue in this race and she refuses to take a stand. She cannot hide from that issue. Let’s talk about her vote for the short term extension of capital gains and dividend tax cuts. What has she done- she voted a couple weeks back against the enabling legislation to allow that legislation to occur on the floor of the House. So, if [minority leader] Nancy Pelosi [D-San Francisco, CA] were speaker of the House, which Melissa Bean wants, that [Tax cut extension] legislation never would have appeared on the floor of the House.
************************************
"Public Affairs," is featuring David McSweeney this week in 35 Chicago Metro suburbs [See, below, for a detailed suburban airing schedule] on Comcast Cable; this coming Monday night [June 19] through-out the City of Chicago on CANTV, Cable Ch. 21 at 8:30 pm; And, by this weekend, on the "Public Affairs," podcast page on your computer [See here].
David McSweeney [R-Barrington Hills] has been challenging, often, first term, incumbent Cong. Melissa Bean [D-Barrington, 8th CD] to 24 debates, arguing they should hold a debate in each of the 8th Cong. District's 24 townships. While that sounds like a lot, when there was an open seat in the 10th Cong. District on the North Shore in 2000, Mark Steven Kirk and then State Rep. Lauren Beth Gash held 33 public forums. The winner of that race, now Cong. Mark Kirk [R-Highland Park, 10th CD] has held, at best, only a few forums with his Democratic opponents in 2002 and 2004.
So, perhaps we should ask, using the 10th CD as a benchmark, is the 8th CD race this year more like an open seat? One could reasonably argue yes. Cong. Phil Crane held in 2004 one forum, I believe, with his opponent, Melissa Bean [and I believe it was similar for Crane-Bean in 2002. And, for a variety of reasons, it could be argued Republican Cong. Crane [first elected to the Congress in 1969] was in hiding through-out much of the 2002 and 2004 election seasons and did not really run campaigns. So, although Melissa Bean was out there, in 2003-04, as she was in 2001-02, she really had few if any debates, from which the voters in the 8th CD could gather information about her views on the issues, while she was being challenged. Perhaps for those reasons, but more so for other reasons, McSweeney argues now is the time for Cong. Bean to engage her challenger numerous times in front of the 8th CD voters.
For her part, Cong. Bean says there will be plenty of time for debates, arguing she is busy at the moment with five day per week congressional sessions and demands on her time to meet with constituents. Congresswoman Bean's press secretary, Brian Herman, has indicated to me she would have more time to debate her challenger on our show, Public Affairs, when Congress begins its scheduled recess in August. We look forward to multiple appearances by Democrat Cong. Bean with her Republican challenger, David McSweeney, on our show, starting in August.
BTW, none of the above comments should be construed as giving Cong. Mark Kirk a pass for his reluctance to hold more than one or two public forums with his opponents in 2002 and 2004. Even an incumbent who was tested with thirty- three forums in his initial run ought to engage his opponent in at least eight true debates each election season.
***********************************************************
The "Public Affairs," podcast page gives you a choice of more than twenty different episodes of “Public Affairs," in addition to the show with 8th Cong. Dist. Republican Nominee David McSweeney [Barrington Hills]that will be posted by this weekend[See here]. The podcast page also includes press conferences held recently with Governor Rod Blagojevich and his Republican Challenger, State Treasurer Judy Baar Topinka, State Rep. Julie Hamos [D-Evanston], a show with Republican Presidential candidate John Cox, a show with Kevin White, the Republican nominee for the 5th Cong. Dist. seat currently held by Cong. Rahm Emanuel (D-Chicago), Professor Barry Chiswick, Distinguished Professor of Economics, University of Illinois at Chicago and Professor Hoyt Bleakley, Professor of Economics at the University of Chicago Graduate School of Business discuss and debate immigration, Mayoral Candidate Bill Dock Walls, State Senate Republican Nominee [27th Dist.] Matt Murphy; a recent joint press conference with Senator Obama [D-Illinois] and Congresswoman Bean [D-Barrington] dealing with, among other issues, Iran, Iraq, Defense Secretary Rumsfeld and tax cuts, Senator and Republican nominee for State Treasurer Christine Radogno, the Republican nominee and Democratic incumbent in the 8th CD, David McSweeney and Congresswoman Bean, respectively; Tony Peraica, Cook County Commissioner and Republican nominee for Cook County Board President and much, much more.
[See here].
*******************************************************
David McSweeney: …Remember what the so-called President of Iran has said. He has denied that the Holocaust exists and he multiple times has said that he wants to destroy Israel, he wants to destroy Western Civilization
Jeff Berkowitz: President Mahmoud Ahmadi Nejad-- did I get that right?
David McSweeney: You can call him the President, but he is a dictator of Iran and as far as I am concerned, we need to put the international pressure on. I have been very clear, but that’s another example—Melissa Bean said that she wanted to talk “offline,” when that question was asked [by you], I watched that press conference.
Jeff Berkowitz: If people want to watch that press conference, they can watch it on my blog [by going to our podcast page].
and watch the joint press conference held by Senator Barack Obama and Cong. Bean on April 17, 2006. That’s where you saw it? On my podcast page?
David McSweeney: I did. And, Senator Obama answered the questions. I happen to disagree with him in a number of areas, but at least Senator Obama will answer questions and he will put himself out there. Melissa Bean needs to go out there and she needs to answer questions and respond to where she stands on the important issues [of this race].
***********************************************
Jeff Berkowitz: [Bush] Tax cuts. You’ve said that you want to make those permanent. Congresswoman Bean has supported the President when he has sought to extend the tax cuts. Is that the major difference between the two of you?
David McSweeney: Melissa Bean will take no stand, whether it be on your show, whether it be with multiple reporters in making the tax cuts permanent. That’s a fundamental issue in this race and she refuses to take a stand. She cannot hide from that issue. Let’s talk about her vote for the short term extension of capital gains and dividend tax cuts. What has she done- she voted a couple weeks back against the enabling legislation to allow that legislation to occur on the floor of the House. So, if [minority leader] Nancy Pelosi [D-San Francisco, CA] were speaker of the House, which Melissa Bean wants, that legislation never would have appeared on the floor of the House. How do you explain why you vote for final form of the legislation to pass, but to kill it a few minutes before? It’s worse than John Kerry. And, that’s why she needs to explain herself to people …I am looking forward to debating these issues and having her finally explain where she stands on these multiple issues and reconciling all of her past statements and votes.
Berkowitz: Health insurance…Do you think something needs to be done by the government to make health insurance more economically attractive than it currently is?
McSweeney: I favor lawsuit reform, which will bring about a reduction in medical malpractice reform, cap off the enormous judgments that are driving doctors out of this state. I favor allowing small businesses to pool together for their insurance purchases. I also favor allowing people to buy insurance on a national basis over the internet. You can’t do that now. And, I am a big supporter of health savings accounts, that will help bring down healthcare costs.
Berkowitz: You favor imposing caps on non-economic damages [trial verdicts for pain and suffering] and making it so those federal caps would apply throughout the country?
McSweeney: Federal caps of $250,000. I am very supportive [of that]. There was [such] legislation that was voted on by the House; I support it, Melissa Bean voted against that last year.
Berkowitz: The caps on Non-Economic Damages?
McSweeney: Yes, it was HR-5.
Berkowitz: Is there an issue of federalism and states rights [regarding Non-Economic Damage caps]?
McSweeney: No, it is a federal issue. It is an issue of interstate commerce.
Berkowitz: On education, you have said that you would repeal No Child Left Behind, right?
McSweeney: I would because it is an unfunded federal mandate and it takes the focus off improving our math, science and engineering skills so that we can compete in a global market. What we should be doing is focusing on classroom education, not testing, and those should be set at the state and local level, not the federal level.
Berkowitz: And, yet you favor school vouchers. Is that a state and local issue? Would you do anything on the federal side to promote school vouchers?
McSweeney: Well, I am supportive of the efforts, for example, in Washington, DC, where they have an experimental [federally legislated school] voucher program.
Berkowitz: Cong. Bean-- did she have a chance to vote on that, do you know?
McSweeney: There has not been a vote [on that while she has been in Congress] to the best of my knowledge but she has come out in opposition to that [School vouchers for DC schools] in the past.
Berkowitz: Has she? Do you know if she is generally opposed to school vouchers?
McSweeney: We are going to have to ask Melissa Bean. My understanding of her record-I have read most of her record- is that she opposes vouchers, but again, she needs to come out in public and stop hiding behind the taxpayers’ expenditures that she uses for her mail [and] for her staff to run her campaign. She needs to tell people where she stands. I am for [school] vouchers, I think competition is good. ****************************************************
Public Affairs, with 8th Cong. Dist. Republican nominee David McSweeney [Barrington Hills], was recorded on June 4, 2006 and is airing on the Suburban edition of Public Affairs this week [week of June 12] and on the City of Chicago edition of Public Affairs on Monday night, June 19 at 8:30 pm on Cable Ch. 21. See, below, for a detailed, regular suburban airing schedule for Public Affairs . The show with 8th CD Republican Nominee David McSweeney [Barrington Hills] will also be available, by this weekend, as a video podcast at the Public Affairs Cinema Complex, along with more than twenty other shows, which are also airing there. [See here].
****************************************************
In twenty-five 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 ten North Shore suburbs, the show is also 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 episode of Public Affairs, featuring 8th Cong. Dist. Republican Nominee David McSweeney [Barrington Hills] 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.
In the ten suburbs identified immediately, above, there is a special airing of our show with State Rep. Julie Hamos [D-Evanston] tonight, Tuesday night, June 13 at 9:00 pm on Comcast Cable Channel 19.
****************************************************
Jeff Berkowitz, Show Host/Producer of "Public Affairs," and Executive Legal Recruiter doing legal search can be reached at JBCG@aol.com
******************
David McSweeney: Melissa Bean will take no stand, whether it be on your show, whether it be with multiple reporters in making the tax cuts permanent. That’s a fundamental issue in this race and she refuses to take a stand. She cannot hide from that issue. Let’s talk about her vote for the short term extension of capital gains and dividend tax cuts. What has she done- she voted a couple weeks back against the enabling legislation to allow that legislation to occur on the floor of the House. So, if [minority leader] Nancy Pelosi [D-San Francisco, CA] were speaker of the House, which Melissa Bean wants, that [Tax cut extension] legislation never would have appeared on the floor of the House.
************************************
"Public Affairs," is featuring David McSweeney this week in 35 Chicago Metro suburbs [See, below, for a detailed suburban airing schedule] on Comcast Cable; this coming Monday night [June 19] through-out the City of Chicago on CANTV, Cable Ch. 21 at 8:30 pm; And, by this weekend, on the "Public Affairs," podcast page on your computer [See here].
David McSweeney [R-Barrington Hills] has been challenging, often, first term, incumbent Cong. Melissa Bean [D-Barrington, 8th CD] to 24 debates, arguing they should hold a debate in each of the 8th Cong. District's 24 townships. While that sounds like a lot, when there was an open seat in the 10th Cong. District on the North Shore in 2000, Mark Steven Kirk and then State Rep. Lauren Beth Gash held 33 public forums. The winner of that race, now Cong. Mark Kirk [R-Highland Park, 10th CD] has held, at best, only a few forums with his Democratic opponents in 2002 and 2004.
So, perhaps we should ask, using the 10th CD as a benchmark, is the 8th CD race this year more like an open seat? One could reasonably argue yes. Cong. Phil Crane held in 2004 one forum, I believe, with his opponent, Melissa Bean [and I believe it was similar for Crane-Bean in 2002. And, for a variety of reasons, it could be argued Republican Cong. Crane [first elected to the Congress in 1969] was in hiding through-out much of the 2002 and 2004 election seasons and did not really run campaigns. So, although Melissa Bean was out there, in 2003-04, as she was in 2001-02, she really had few if any debates, from which the voters in the 8th CD could gather information about her views on the issues, while she was being challenged. Perhaps for those reasons, but more so for other reasons, McSweeney argues now is the time for Cong. Bean to engage her challenger numerous times in front of the 8th CD voters.
For her part, Cong. Bean says there will be plenty of time for debates, arguing she is busy at the moment with five day per week congressional sessions and demands on her time to meet with constituents. Congresswoman Bean's press secretary, Brian Herman, has indicated to me she would have more time to debate her challenger on our show, Public Affairs, when Congress begins its scheduled recess in August. We look forward to multiple appearances by Democrat Cong. Bean with her Republican challenger, David McSweeney, on our show, starting in August.
BTW, none of the above comments should be construed as giving Cong. Mark Kirk a pass for his reluctance to hold more than one or two public forums with his opponents in 2002 and 2004. Even an incumbent who was tested with thirty- three forums in his initial run ought to engage his opponent in at least eight true debates each election season.
***********************************************************
The "Public Affairs," podcast page gives you a choice of more than twenty different episodes of “Public Affairs," in addition to the show with 8th Cong. Dist. Republican Nominee David McSweeney [Barrington Hills]that will be posted by this weekend[See here]. The podcast page also includes press conferences held recently with Governor Rod Blagojevich and his Republican Challenger, State Treasurer Judy Baar Topinka, State Rep. Julie Hamos [D-Evanston], a show with Republican Presidential candidate John Cox, a show with Kevin White, the Republican nominee for the 5th Cong. Dist. seat currently held by Cong. Rahm Emanuel (D-Chicago), Professor Barry Chiswick, Distinguished Professor of Economics, University of Illinois at Chicago and Professor Hoyt Bleakley, Professor of Economics at the University of Chicago Graduate School of Business discuss and debate immigration, Mayoral Candidate Bill Dock Walls, State Senate Republican Nominee [27th Dist.] Matt Murphy; a recent joint press conference with Senator Obama [D-Illinois] and Congresswoman Bean [D-Barrington] dealing with, among other issues, Iran, Iraq, Defense Secretary Rumsfeld and tax cuts, Senator and Republican nominee for State Treasurer Christine Radogno, the Republican nominee and Democratic incumbent in the 8th CD, David McSweeney and Congresswoman Bean, respectively; Tony Peraica, Cook County Commissioner and Republican nominee for Cook County Board President and much, much more.
[See here].
*******************************************************
David McSweeney: …Remember what the so-called President of Iran has said. He has denied that the Holocaust exists and he multiple times has said that he wants to destroy Israel, he wants to destroy Western Civilization
Jeff Berkowitz: President Mahmoud Ahmadi Nejad-- did I get that right?
David McSweeney: You can call him the President, but he is a dictator of Iran and as far as I am concerned, we need to put the international pressure on. I have been very clear, but that’s another example—Melissa Bean said that she wanted to talk “offline,” when that question was asked [by you], I watched that press conference.
Jeff Berkowitz: If people want to watch that press conference, they can watch it on my blog [by going to our podcast page].
and watch the joint press conference held by Senator Barack Obama and Cong. Bean on April 17, 2006. That’s where you saw it? On my podcast page?
David McSweeney: I did. And, Senator Obama answered the questions. I happen to disagree with him in a number of areas, but at least Senator Obama will answer questions and he will put himself out there. Melissa Bean needs to go out there and she needs to answer questions and respond to where she stands on the important issues [of this race].
***********************************************
Jeff Berkowitz: [Bush] Tax cuts. You’ve said that you want to make those permanent. Congresswoman Bean has supported the President when he has sought to extend the tax cuts. Is that the major difference between the two of you?
David McSweeney: Melissa Bean will take no stand, whether it be on your show, whether it be with multiple reporters in making the tax cuts permanent. That’s a fundamental issue in this race and she refuses to take a stand. She cannot hide from that issue. Let’s talk about her vote for the short term extension of capital gains and dividend tax cuts. What has she done- she voted a couple weeks back against the enabling legislation to allow that legislation to occur on the floor of the House. So, if [minority leader] Nancy Pelosi [D-San Francisco, CA] were speaker of the House, which Melissa Bean wants, that legislation never would have appeared on the floor of the House. How do you explain why you vote for final form of the legislation to pass, but to kill it a few minutes before? It’s worse than John Kerry. And, that’s why she needs to explain herself to people …I am looking forward to debating these issues and having her finally explain where she stands on these multiple issues and reconciling all of her past statements and votes.
Berkowitz: Health insurance…Do you think something needs to be done by the government to make health insurance more economically attractive than it currently is?
McSweeney: I favor lawsuit reform, which will bring about a reduction in medical malpractice reform, cap off the enormous judgments that are driving doctors out of this state. I favor allowing small businesses to pool together for their insurance purchases. I also favor allowing people to buy insurance on a national basis over the internet. You can’t do that now. And, I am a big supporter of health savings accounts, that will help bring down healthcare costs.
Berkowitz: You favor imposing caps on non-economic damages [trial verdicts for pain and suffering] and making it so those federal caps would apply throughout the country?
McSweeney: Federal caps of $250,000. I am very supportive [of that]. There was [such] legislation that was voted on by the House; I support it, Melissa Bean voted against that last year.
Berkowitz: The caps on Non-Economic Damages?
McSweeney: Yes, it was HR-5.
Berkowitz: Is there an issue of federalism and states rights [regarding Non-Economic Damage caps]?
McSweeney: No, it is a federal issue. It is an issue of interstate commerce.
Berkowitz: On education, you have said that you would repeal No Child Left Behind, right?
McSweeney: I would because it is an unfunded federal mandate and it takes the focus off improving our math, science and engineering skills so that we can compete in a global market. What we should be doing is focusing on classroom education, not testing, and those should be set at the state and local level, not the federal level.
Berkowitz: And, yet you favor school vouchers. Is that a state and local issue? Would you do anything on the federal side to promote school vouchers?
McSweeney: Well, I am supportive of the efforts, for example, in Washington, DC, where they have an experimental [federally legislated school] voucher program.
Berkowitz: Cong. Bean-- did she have a chance to vote on that, do you know?
McSweeney: There has not been a vote [on that while she has been in Congress] to the best of my knowledge but she has come out in opposition to that [School vouchers for DC schools] in the past.
Berkowitz: Has she? Do you know if she is generally opposed to school vouchers?
McSweeney: We are going to have to ask Melissa Bean. My understanding of her record-I have read most of her record- is that she opposes vouchers, but again, she needs to come out in public and stop hiding behind the taxpayers’ expenditures that she uses for her mail [and] for her staff to run her campaign. She needs to tell people where she stands. I am for [school] vouchers, I think competition is good. ****************************************************
Public Affairs, with 8th Cong. Dist. Republican nominee David McSweeney [Barrington Hills], was recorded on June 4, 2006 and is airing on the Suburban edition of Public Affairs this week [week of June 12] and on the City of Chicago edition of Public Affairs on Monday night, June 19 at 8:30 pm on Cable Ch. 21. See, below, for a detailed, regular suburban airing schedule for Public Affairs . The show with 8th CD Republican Nominee David McSweeney [Barrington Hills] will also be available, by this weekend, as a video podcast at the Public Affairs Cinema Complex, along with more than twenty other shows, which are also airing there. [See here].
****************************************************
In twenty-five 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 ten North Shore suburbs, the show is also 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 episode of Public Affairs, featuring 8th Cong. Dist. Republican Nominee David McSweeney [Barrington Hills] 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.
In the ten suburbs identified immediately, above, there is a special airing of our show with State Rep. Julie Hamos [D-Evanston] tonight, Tuesday night, June 13 at 9:00 pm on Comcast Cable Channel 19.
****************************************************
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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