Berkowitz one on one with Gov. Mitt Romney on the line-item veto

Jeff Berkowitz: Governor, Steve Chapman, local Chicago Tribune columnist, questioned a few weeks ago, if you are a strict constructionist [of the U. S. Constitution], how you can support the line item veto, about which he points out, Article II, Section 7 [of the Constitution] says strictly that you [as President] can veto the entire legislation, but not by line item and, two, he says that Rehnquist and Clarence Thomas decided the line item veto was unconstitutional-- and Chapman says you can’t get to be more of a strict constructionist than those two justices. What do you say to Chapman?

Governor Mitt Romney: [Justice] Scalia is a pretty good strict constructionist and Scalia felt that the line item veto was not in violation of the Constitution and there have been people on both sides. I have a team who have looked at this issue and likewise feel that this is not unconstitutional. The question, of course, when Rudy Giuliani fought the line item veto, he was not out fighting to try to protect the Constitution—it was not that he was serving the American public by looking at laws coming out of Washington and saying, I am going to fight against anything that I think is unconstitutional. No, he went to get money for New York City. This was about more money for New York, not protecting the Constitution. And, he put getting money for New York ahead of the President’s ability to reign in excessive spending. And, if we would have had the line item veto, the Bridge to Nowhere would be nowhere [Actually, it is nowhere, the appropriation was withdrawn]. If we’d have had the line-item veto, America would have saved billions and billions and billions of wasted dollars. Now, the President has put forward a new plan that allows for line item type review and members of Congress have done the same thing. Let’s pass one of those so that the President has the ability to cut out excessive spending. I used the line item veto in my State 844 times. It wasn’t found to be against our Constitution and it was written by the same guy, John Adams. And, using that line item veto I was able to stop some pretty bad things. There was a proposed $ 1.30 tax on every prescription drug in Massachusetts, I vetoed that. And, it was upheld. There was a proposal to end the construction of new charter schools. I vetoed that. And, it was upheld. And, so the line item veto works. It is a great way to reign in excessive speeding, I believe we should certainly have a line item veto for the President, and whether it is going to have to pass constitutional muster, of course, but there are proposals that can do that. And, my argument with the Mayor is why in the world would you use your clout to try to stop the President from reigning in excessive spending, particularly when people like Bob Dole and Newt Gingrich and [other] Republicans worked very hard to get that provision in
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Governor Mitt Romney, answering questions from the Chicago media on October 30, 2007 at a Press Conference held at the Chicago Executive Airport [previously known as Palwaukee airport] in Wheeling, IL (about 40 minutes northwest of the Chicago Loop). Romney, leading in the polls of Republican Presidential candidates in Iowa and New Hampshire, but trailing Mayor Giuliani, significantly, in the national polls, stopped in the Chicagoland area for a fundraiser at a hanger in the Airport, followed by an evening funder at a Winnetka home. Romney was on his way to Iowa.

Although the Romney campaign did not give any estimates of the amount of money it thought it would raise at the funders, this reporter, based on his analysis of the number of cars parked on streets adjacent to the Sheridan Road home in Winnetka , the price to attend and the reports of the number of people who were dropped off at the Winnetka home by chauffeurs, estimated the amount raised at the Winnetka Fundraiser to be about $250,000 to $300,000.

For more comprehensive report of the presser from the AP’s Deanna Bellandi and the Chicago Sun-Times Abdon Pallasch, respectively, go here and 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. You may watch "Public Affairs," shows with Presidential Candidates Richardson, Obama, McCain, Giuliani and Cox and many other pols at www.PublicAffairsTv.com
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Better than the Dem. Presidential Debate: The second in the TV Trilogy of State's Attorney Dem. Primary candidates

This week’s Chicago metro suburban edition of Public Affairs features Chicago Alderman Howard Brookins , one of apparently seven candidates in the Democratic Primary for State's Attorney of Cook County. See below for the Public Affairs suburban airing schedule.
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The show with Ald. Howard Brookins, Jr. also airs through-out the City of Chicago this coming Monday night [Nov. 5] at 8:30 pm on Cable Ch. 21 [CANTV] and on Monday night [Nov. 5] at 7:30 pm on Aurora Community Television, on Comcast Cable Ch. 10 in Aurora and some surrounding areas. The Aurora station reaches all of Aurora, Bristol, Big Rock and parts of Oswego, Sandwich, Sugar Grove and Montgomery.
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You may also watch the Howard Brookins show, along with the very recently podcast posted show with one of Brookins' competitors, Comm. Larry Suffredin, for the State's Attorney Democratic nomination, as well as other recent shows on the Public Affairs podcast page with 8th CD Republican candidate Kirk Morris, Senator Cullerton (D-Chicago), Rep. Lang (D-Chicago), Rep. Hamos (D-Evanston) and Senator Garrett (D-Lake Forest), 14th CD Republican Primary candidates Senator Chris Lauzen and Mayor Kevin Burns and former Senator Rauschenberger on your computer at PublicAffairsTV.com.

In addition to those shows, prior shows on the "Public Affairs," podcast page feature Presidential candidates Obama, Giuliani, Richardson, McCain and Cox, and many other pols, including Obama-Bean in April, 2006 and Bean in January, 2006 and opinion makers. You may also watch these "Public Affairs," shows and others at www.itunes.com and perhaps www.YouTube.com
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Chicago Ald. Howard Brookins, Jr. (21st Ward) has practiced law for two decades. His background includes working as an Assistant State's Attorney, Assistant Public Defender and Special Assistant Attorney General; criminal defense, personal injury and general litigation in private practice; trying hundreds of jury cases to verdict and arguing appeals in state and federal appellate courts.

Brookins received his undergraduate degree from Southern Illinois University and his law degree from Northern Illinois University. For more about Howard Brookins, Jr. and his campaign for State's Attorney of Cook County see BrookinsForJustice.com .

State's Attorney candidate Howard Brookins, Jr. debates and discusses with show host and Executive Legal Recruiter Jeff Berkowitz on this week's suburban edition of "Public Affairs," a broad range of State's Attorney of Cook County issues from what did State's Attorney Richard M. Daley and other high level Cook County State's Attorney officials know about torture by Chicago police to obtain confessions from the accused and when did they know it, to how best to allocate resources in the State's Attorney office, diversity hiring, lack of prosecution by the State's Attorney of Cook County of public corruption, whether the moratorium on capital punishment should be lifted, whether more guns result in less crime, whether Chicago should have a concealed carry law and whether Chicago residents ought to be able to own handguns to protect themselves in their home.
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For a compare and contrast of some of the views of Democratic Primary State's Attorney candidates Brookins, Suffredin and Allen, go here.
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A partial transcript of this week's suburban "Public Affairs," show with guest Alderman and State's Attorney of Cook County Candidate Ald. Howard Brookins, Jr. (D-Chicago) will be posted on this blog later this week.
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The airing schedule for the Chicago Metro suburban edition of "Public Affairs," is included directly, below.
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In twenty-five North Shore, North and Northwest suburbs, the "Public Affairs," show airs every Tuesday night in the regular weekly Public Affairs slot, 8:30 pm on Comcast Cable Ch. 19 or 35, as indicated, below.

In ten North Shore suburbs, the Public Affairs show airs three times each week in its regular slots at 8:30 pm on Comcast Cable Ch. 19, Monday, Wednesday and Friday, as indicated, below. ********************************************************
The suburban episode of Public Affairs with guest Chicago Alderman and State's Attorney of Cook County Democratic Primary candidate Howard Brookins Jr.airs:

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

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

and this week on Monday, Wednesday and Friday night at 8:30 pm, airing on Comcast Cable Channel 19 in Bannockburn, Deerfield, Ft. Sheridan, Glencoe, Highland Park, Highwood, Kenilworth, Lincolnshire, Riverwoods and Winnetka.
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Jeff Berkowitz, Show Host/Producer of "Public Affairs," and Executive Legal Recruiter doing legal search can be reached at JBCG@aol.com. You may watch "Public Affairs," shows with Presidential Candidates Richardson, Obama, McCain, Giuliani and Cox and many other pols at www.PublicAffairsTv.com
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Better than Monday Night Football: the first in the State’s Attorney Democratic Primary Trilogy shows.

Tonight's City of Chicago and City of Aurora editions of Public Affairs features Cook County Commissioner Larry Suffredin (D-Evanston), who is running in the Democratic Primary for State's Attorney of Cook County

Suffredin debates and discusses with show host and Executive Legal Recruiter Jeff Berkowitz a broad range of State's Attorney public policy issues.
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The show with Comm. Suffredin airs through-out the City of Chicago tonight [Oct. 29] at 8:30 pm on Cable Ch. 21 [CANTV] and tonight at 7:30 pm on Aurora Community Television, on Comcast Cable Ch. 10 in Aurora and some surrounding areas. The Aurora station reaches all of Aurora, Bristol, Big Rock and parts of Oswego, Sandwich, Sugar Grove and Montgomery.
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You may also watch the show with State's Attorney candidate Suffredin, along with other recently posted shows, including State's Attorney Candidate Brookins, Senator Cullerton, Rep. Lang (D-Chicago), Rep. Hamos (D-Evanston) and Senator Garrett (D-Lake Forest), 14th CD Republican Primary candidate Mayor Kevin Burns and former Senator Rauschenberger on your computer at PublicAffairsTV.com.

In addition to those shows, prior shows on the "Public Affairs," podcast page feature Presidential candidates Obama, Giuliani, Richardson, McCain and Cox, and many other pols, including Obama-Bean in April, 2006 and Bean in January, 2006 and opinion makers. You may also watch these "Public Affairs," shows and others at www.itunes.com
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Tonight's City of Chicago and City of Aurora edition of "Public Affairs," is the first in a trilogy of State’s Attorney candidate shows. The three guests featured are the top tier candidates for State’s Attorney of Cook County in the Democratic Party, to be held on February 5, 2007. Next week’s show in the City features Chicago Ald. Howard Brookins, Jr. (21st Ward), followed by Ald. Tom Allen (38th Ward). In the Chicago Metro suburbs, 5th year Cook County Commissioner Suffredin kicked off the trilogy last week, followed this week by 5th year Ald. Brookins and next week by 14th year Ald. Allen.

The airing order, due to some technical reasons, is different from the taping order, which was Brookins, Suffredin and Allen, so you may notice some apparently odd references during the Suffredin show to “last week’s Brookins show.”

It is anticipated that by the time the election filing period closes next Monday, the State’s Attorney Democratic Primary will have seven candidates. However, in terms of organization, base and resources (Suffredin and Allen are each planning to raise 1.5 million dollars for the primary), often the three most important things in winning any election, the top tier in this race is made up of Brookins, Suffredin and Allen, although not necessarily in that order. But, the First and Second Assistants to the current State’s Attorney, Dick Devine (who has been there for eleven years), Bob Milan and Anita Alvarez, respectively, could surprise, as the horse race handicappers say. Using that same vernacular, Tommy Brewer and Clayton Harris are said, at this point, to be “also rans.”

Although Suffredin, Brookins and Allen might all fall in the general category of Democratic liberals, there are a number of distinctions that leap out of you, even based only on Berkowitz’s half hour interviews of each, and even if we take a thumbnail or quick snapshot of the three.

Comm. Suffredin, for example, fits the mold of a North Shore or Evanston liberal. He has a lot of passion and seems to be the strongest proponent of gun control as a way to deal with the illegal use of guns. Suffredin is enthusiastic about a State ban on assault weapons and limiting gun purchases to one a month. Ald. Brookins, on the other hand, is open to thinking about concealed carry, but not ready to “go there,” yet. Ald. Allen talks more of getting guns out of the hands of the bad guys and seems more anxious to speak of a holistic approach to dealing with those who are using guns in the commission of crimes.

On diversity, Suffredin talks specifically of having a staff that is 20% minority, with Allen and Brookins both agreeing that the current office is not sufficiently diverse, but hesitating to set a specific number as a goal or target.

On Birge and torture, Ald. Brookins, of the three, seemed most willing to tar and feather Mayor Daley and State’s Attorney Devine for not doing enough to deal with that problem. Mayor Daley, of course, was the State’s Attorney while the torture or “police abuse,” as some would put it, was continuing and received pretty strong formal notice of it from his police superintendent. Dick Devine was Daley’s First Assistant at that time. [For a very current look at Mayor Daley, Torture and police brutality, go here].

As to capital punishment, Ald. Allen alone of the three candidates favors it, and even he does not seem ready to lift the moratorium, saying he is not sure “they have got their house in order.” Allen is also the strongest of the three in terms of favoring unionization of the State’s Attorney of Cook County office.

However, the above are simply meant to be illustrative of some of the differences between the top tier candidates. To catch the full flavor of the top tier candidates, you should watch the entire trilogy, starting with tonight’s show in the City with Comm. Larry Suffredin, who, by the way, is currently a partner in the same seventy attorney Loop law firm, Shefsky & Froelich, whence State’s Attorney Devine came. Small world.
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Of course, the above is just the Dems. As to the Republican candidates for State’s Attorney of Cook County, and yes, this reporter did say candidates-as in perhaps another trilogy, well-- that is another story for another day.
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For more on tonight's show, topics and the guest, including a partial transcript, go 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. You may watch "Public Affairs," shows with Presidential Candidates Richardson, Obama, McCain, Giuliani and Cox and many other pols at www.PublicAffairsTv.com
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Martire's tax chicanery works on Eric Zorn

Eric Zorn, Chicago Tribune columnist and the father of blogging in Chicago, takes a stab today at the question of whether Illinois is a low tax or high tax state. Zorn, like all of us, has views and biases, but, more than most, he tries to lay out issues fairly and come up with answers that make sense. His downfall today was to rely so much on Ralph Martire, Center for Tax and Budget Accountability. Zorn mentions others and discusses many more tax thinkers in his blog. However, for his column, Martire won Zorn’s heart.

Martire's Mission

Now, Ralph Martire is a nice guy and he has been a guest of Public Affairs [Watch Martire Feb. 25, 2007 episode in the Archives], which we appreciate. But, he is a man on a mission, not unlike someone running for political office, notwithstanding the purported non-partisan nature of his organization. And, that mission is to promote more spending and taxing at every government level: Federal, State, County, City, Village, whatever. Martire will find a “structural deficit” for every governmental entity (unless it sponsors school vouchers, in which case he would starve the beast).

Did Martire ever meet a tax hike he didn't like?

Zorn, in the comments section of his blog, defends Martire against the notion that Martire never met a tax hike he didn’t like by pointing to Martire’s opposition to Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich’s Gross Receipts Tax (“GRT”) or Todd Stroger’s proposed 2% increase in the Cook County sales tax. However, Martire only opposed the GRT because he predicted (correctly) that his proposed Tax Swap (Illinois HB 750) would have been easier to sell politically, was less regressive and would give the state about the same additional increase in net tax revenue as Blagojevich’s GRT. Similarly, Ralph would like more revenue for Cook County government—he just would prefer other sources to a sales tax increase.

Martire's sales job on Zorn

With that as a backdrop, we turn to the sales job Martire did on Zorn for Zorn’s column of today. Martire likes to speak of tax burden by deflating tax payments as a percentage of income. While that is okay for certain analyses, it is not a good way to do cross-sectional studies, i.e., analysis of how much states are taxing relative to each other, at the same point in time. For that, you want to look at taxes per capita.

Think about it. If you paid $30,000 for a cosmetic surgical procedure and your neighbor paid $20,000 for the same procedure of the same quality, would you say you got a good deal because your income was $200,000 and you paid only 15% of your income, while your neighbor, who earns $100,000 per year, paid 20% of his income for the same procedure? Of course not, you paid $10,000 more than your neighbor for the same procedure. You should not be a happy camper.

Illinois: a High Tax state.

If you look at the Tax Foundation data [See Table 1, at p. 3], you can see that Illinois’ per capita state and local tax payment is $4594, making it the 15th highest state and local tax payer in the country, i.e., a relatively high tax state. For example, you can go to Arizona and pay only $3603 per capita in state and local taxes or Michigan and pay $4202. Arizona and Michigan are lower tax states than Illinois, irrespective of what the per capita income is in Illinois relative to other states.

Martire's income deflator

Martire doesn’t like that outcome, so he uses an income deflator for the cross sectional analysis—and he makes a few other adjustments—and look, mom, Illinois is now a low tax state. Martire and his organization are now happy campers. They can go out and proselytize to Zorn and others for more government spending and more taxes. And, Zorn fell for it: hook, line and sinker. And, by the way, Martire engages in the same chicanery when he wants to argue education spending in Illinois (about $11,000 per kid per year) is “low,” relative to other states.

This reporter doesn't know why Jim Tobin (cited in Zorn’s column) and Greg Blankenship (cited in Zorn’s blog) didn’t argue this to Zorn. Or, maybe they did, and Zorn wasn’t persuaded.

For some studies, deflating by income might make sense. If you want to know if government is taking a larger chunk of society’s wealth over time—yes, by all means, deflate by income or wealth.

Martire: Killing the Goose that laid the Golden Egg

But, if you want to know which states are low tax states at any given point in time, stick to per capita analyses. Further, a state that keeps its taxes low relative to others will drive its income up (especially if services are similar to other states), and that state, other things equal, will attract new business and new citizens. And, Ralph Martire will then tell you that state is a low tax state that needs to raise its taxes—which, of course, would kill the goose that laid the golden egg.

As the man said, Ralph Martire can fool some of the people (perhaps including Zorn) all the time and all the people (perhaps including Zorn) some of the time, but he can’t fool all the people all the time. So, if you are going to invite Martire to speak to your group—you need to invite a competing viewpoint, as well, but who that person would be, I just don’t know. I just don’t know.
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Jeff Berkowitz, Show Host/Producer of "Public Affairs," and Executive Legal Recruiter doing legal search can be reached at JBCG@aol.com. You may watch "Public Affairs," shows with Presidential Candidates Richardson, Obama, McCain, Giuliani and Cox and many other pols at www.PublicAffairsTv.com
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More entertaining than Law and Order: Suffredin on Torture/Capital Punishment/Devine/Chicago cops/Englewood, on Cable and soon streaming

Jeff Berkowitz: But, the Mayor was the State’s Attorney in 1983 and he had as his First Assistant, Dick Devine. Is that why Dick Devine hasn’t done a number of things that you—

Comm. Larry Suffredin (D-Evanston): I have no idea, you’ll have to ask Dick Devine that.
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Jeff Berkowitz: So, you think people in Englewood and in other areas that are crime prone, they are getting—

Comm. Larry Suffredin: They are getting short shrift. They are not getting--
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Jeff Berkowitz: Is Todd Stroger a mistake as Cook County Board President?

Comm. Larry Suffredin: Todd Stroger at this point has certainly not shown the inclination to be a good Cook County Board President and he needs to—

Jeff Berkowitz: Do you take some responsibility since you supported him?
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Jeff Berkowitz: How much of a tax increase do you need [at the Cook County Board]?
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This week’s Chicago metro suburban edition of Public Affairs features Cook County Commissioner Larry Suffredin [D-Evanston], likely to be one of seven candidates in the Democratic Primary for State's Attorney of Cook County. See below for the Public Affairs suburban airing schedule.
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The show with Comm. Larry Suffredin also airs through-out the City of Chicago this coming Monday night [Oct. 29] at 8:30 pm on Cable Ch. 21 [CANTV] and on Monday night [Oct. 29] at 7:30 pm on Aurora Community Television, on Comcast Cable Ch. 10 in Aurora and some surrounding areas. The Aurora station reaches all of Aurora, Bristol, Big Rock and parts of Oswego, Sandwich, Sugar Grove and Montgomery.
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You may also soon watch the Suffredin show, along with the very recently podcast posted shows with 8th CD Republican candidate Kirk Morris, Senator Cullerton (D-Chicago), along with other recently posted shows, including Rep. Lang (D-Chicago), Rep. Hamos (D-Evanston) and Senator Garrett (D-Lake Forest), 14th CD Republican Primary candidates Senator Chris Lauzen and Mayor Kevin Burns and former Senator Rauschenberger on your computer at PublicAffairsTV.com.

In addition to those shows, prior shows on the "Public Affairs," podcast page feature Presidential candidates Obama, Giuliani, Richardson, McCain and Cox, and many other pols, including Obama-Bean in April, 2006 and Bean in January, 2006 and opinion makers. You may also watch these "Public Affairs," shows and others at www.itunes.com
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State's Attorney candidate Larry Suffredin debates and discusses with show host and Executive Legal Recruiter Jeff Berkowitz a broad range of State's Attorney of Cook County issues from what did State's Attorney Richard M. Daley and other high level Cook County State's Attorney officials know about torture by Chicago police to obtain confessions from the accused and when did they know it, how best to allocate resources in the State's Attorney office, diversity hiring, lack of prosecution by the State's Attorney of Cook County of Chicago public corruption, whether the moratorium on capital punishment should be lifted, whether more guns result in less crime, whether gun control laws should be expanded, whether Chicago Democrats can be sufficiently independent of the Democratic political leaders to discharge their State's Attorney responsibilities--if elected to that office, whether Chicago residents ought to be able to own handguns to protect themselves in their home, whether Cook County Board President Todd Stroger has done a good job and much, much more.
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A partial transcript of this week's suburban "Public Affairs," show with guest State's Attorney Candidate Larry Suffredin (D-Evanston) is included, directly, below.
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The Dick Devine-Larry Suffredin relationship: a plus, a minus or irrelevant?

Jeff Berkowitz: You’re at [the 70 attorney Chicago Loop law firm of] Shefsky and Froelich right now?

Comm. Larry Suffredin [Democratic Primary Candidate for State’s Attorney of Cook County]: Yes.

Jeff Berkowitz: You are a partner there.

Comm. Larry Suffredin: Yes.

Jeff Berkowitz: Before that, you rented space there?

Comm. Larry Suffredin: Yes.

Jeff Berkowitz: Back in ’96, who came out of that law firm? Dick Devine, right?

Comm. Larry Suffredin: Devine was there, yes, as a partner but I--

Jeff Berkowitz: When you were there—

Comm. Larry Suffredin: I was just a tenant.

Jeff Berkowitz: Were you working on his [State’s Attorney] campaign, though?

Comm. Larry Suffredin: I helped him in ’96, yeah.

Jeff Berkowitz: All right. You supported Dick Devine along the way?

Comm. Larry Suffredin: I’ve supported Dick Devine all along. Dick Devine is a very fine lawyer and a very good person.

Jeff Berkowitz: Well, then, how independent can you be if you find there are things you suggested—there are things that you’ve said the Office and he should have been doing that they haven’t been doing? How independent can you be as State’s Attorney when [Devine] has been somebody who has been a friend who you have been supporting all along the way?

Comm. Larry Suffredin: There’s a non-sequitur to your question.

Jeff Berkowitz: Well, the short question is—he’s been a friend of yours—

Comm. Larry Suffredin: Here’s what—If I am the State’s Attorney, my independence in this whole issue is to determine what has to be done on the day that I take office. Going forward, we’re going to get everything done. Going backward, we’ll go wherever the facts lead us. There are no people who have immunity from prosecution going backward. I will go—

Jeff Berkowitz: You don’t have to recuse yourself?

Comm. Larry Suffredin: I do not have to recuse myself. I probably know half the lawyers in the City of Chicago. I can’t —

Jeff Berkowitz: Some better than others…
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Mayor Daley, State's Attorney Devine and Comm. Larry Suffredin

Jeff Berkowitz: Everybody talks about the coziness and the Chicago way of doing politics.

Comm. Larry Suffredin: I have fought it the whole time since I have been elected.

Jeff Berkowitz: But, the Mayor was the State’s Attorney in 1983 and he had as his First Assistant, Dick Devine. Is that why Dick Devine hasn’t done a number of things that you—

Comm. Larry Suffredin: I have no idea, you’ll have to ask Dick Devine that

Jeff Berkowitz: Well, I know. But, isn’t that a problem. Now, you’re going to be the guy there.
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Race, Diversity and the State's Attorney office: an issue whose time has come?

Jeff Berkowitz: What percentage should you have to say Diversity is working [in the State’s Attorney office].

Comm. Larry Suffredin: I need to have at least a fifth of my staff to be minorities to feel that I am representing—

Jeff Berkowitz: 20%? What is it now? 6%?

Comm. Larry Suffredin: It is 7%. [That] is what they told me in a debate yesterday [Oct. 20].

Crine prone areas in Cook County get the short end of the stick?

Jeff Berkowitz: So, you think people in Englewood and in other areas that are crime prone, they are getting—

Comm. Larry Suffredin: They are getting short shrift. They are not getting—

Jeff Berkowitz: They are not getting the prosecutions?

Comm. Larry Suffredin: They are not getting the justice that I am getting: here in Evanston or in Niles Township or the other places I represent.

Has the Democratic Party failed to give equal justice to low income residents in Cook County?

Jeff Berkowitz: Why? Has the Democratic Party failed them? They have been there—

Comm. Larry Suffredin: It has nothing to do with the Democratic Party.

Jeff Berkowitz: 12 years [Ed. Note: Democrat State’s Attorney Dick Devine was first elected to that office in 1996; Democrats have held the Chicago mayoralty position, which in large part controls the Chicago Police Department, since 1955, and a Daley has held the position of Chicago Mayor for 39 of the last 52 years].

Comm. Larry Suffredin: It has to do with police resources, the Court’s resources and [how] the State’s Attorney office have allocated it. It has nothing to do with the Democratic Party. It has—that these public offices—

Jeff Berkowitz: They [the Democrats] have controlled the offices for twelve years.

Comm. Larry Suffredin: The public offices have failed to adjust and to insure and give confidence to the people of those communities.

Tax increases from the Cook County Board?

Jeff Berkowitz: Everybody is raising taxes now, including the Cook County Board—800 million dollars [of tax increase proposals, at least, for Cook County]

Comm. Larry Suffredin: I am against them all because we don’t need them.

Jeff Berkowitz: How much of a tax increase do you need?

Comm. Larry Suffredin: We don’t need a tax increase. That’s the whole problem.

Jeff Berkowitz: Nothing? Zero?

Comm. Larry Suffredin: We need some additional revenue—

Jeff Berkowitz: You’re telling Todd Stroger that?

Comm. Larry Suffredin: Yes, I am. In fact, just before I came here [on Sunday, Oct. 21], I told his Chief of Staff [Lance Tyson] that. We need some additional revenue and there are some revenue enhancements.

Has Todd Stroger failed as Cook County Board President?

Jeff Berkowitz: Is Todd Stroger a mistake as Cook County Board President?

Comm. Larry Suffredin: Todd Stroger at this point has certainly not shown the inclination to be a good Cook County Board President and he needs to—

Jeff Berkowitz: Do you take some responsibility since you supported him?

Comm. Larry Suffredin: No, because I looked at the race and it was between Peraica and Todd Stroger and I will tell you again Peraica’s judgment is flawed. We’re better off today with Todd Stroger than Peraica.

Jeff Berkowitz: You’d do the same thing?

Comm. Larry Suffredin: I’d do the same thing.

Jeff Berkowitz: In a heartbeat?

Comm. Larry Suffredin: In a heartbeat.

Jeff Berkowitz: Even with an 800 million dollar tax increase?

Comm. Larry Suffredin: He [Todd Stroger] is not going to get the 800 million dollar tax increase because there is nobody gonna give it to him.
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Cook County Board Member Larry Suffredin (D-Evanston) as he is airing this week on Public Affairs in 35 Chicago Metro suburbs. [See below for the suburban airing schedule] and as will be airing on this coming Monday, Oct. 29, 2007, at 8:30 pm on Cable Ch. 21, CANTV on the City of Chicago edition of Public Affairs and on Monday, Oct. 29, 2007 at 7:30 pm on Aurora Community Television, on Comcast Cable Ch. 10 in Aurora and some surrounding areas. The show was recorded on October 21, 2007.[You may also go here soon to watch the Suffredin show and also recent shows with Senator Cullerton (D-Chicago) and 8th CD Republican Primary candidate Kirk Morris (Gurnee) along with other currently posted shows with Presidential Candidates Richardson, Obama, Giuliani and many other politicians on PublicAffairsTV.com].
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The airing schedule for the Chicago Metro suburban edition of "Public Affairs," is included directly, below.
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In twenty-five North Shore, North and Northwest suburbs, the "Public Affairs," show airs every Tuesday night in the regular weekly Public Affairs slot, 8:30 pm on Comcast Cable Ch. 19 or 35, as indicated, below.

In ten North Shore suburbs, the Public Affairs show airs three times each week in its regular slots at 8:30 pm on Comcast Cable Ch. 19, Monday, Wednesday and Friday, as indicated, below. ********************************************************
The suburban episode of Public Affairs with guest Comm. Larry Suffredin(D-Evanston)airs:

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

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

and this week on Monday, Wednesday and Friday night at 8:30 pm, airing on Comcast Cable Channel 19 in Bannockburn, Deerfield, Ft. Sheridan, Glencoe, Highland Park, Highwood, Kenilworth, Lincolnshire, Riverwoods and Winnetka.
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Jeff Berkowitz, Show Host/Producer of "Public Affairs," and Executive Legal Recruiter doing legal search can be reached at JBCG@aol.com. You may watch "Public Affairs," shows with Presidential Candidates Richardson, Obama, McCain, Giuliani and Cox and many other pols at www.PublicAffairsTv.com
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Better than Monday Night Football: 8th CD Kirk Morris (R) on Abortion, Bean, Immigration, Ginsburg, Cable and Streaming

Tonight's City of Chicago and City of Aurora editions of Public Affairs feature Kirk Morris (R-Gurnee), 8th Cong. Dist. Republican Primary Candidate, looking to take on Cong. Bean (D-Barrington) in the 2008 fall general election.

8th CD candidate Kirk Morris debates and discusses with show host and Executive Legal Recruiter Jeff Berkowitz a broad range of domestic, foreign and cultural public policy issues from a woman's right to choose and a parent's right to choose to Cong. Bean's abuse of taxpayer funds to civil liberties to national security to "torture," to the War to warrantless wiretaps to tax cuts to Cong. Bean's flip flopping on access of the public to her issue positions and much, much more.
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The show with Kirk Morris (R-Gurnee, 8th CD) airs through-out the City of Chicago tonight [Oct. 22] at 8:30 pm on Cable Ch. 21 [CANTV] and tonight at 7:30 pm on Aurora Community Television, on Comcast Cable Ch. 10 in Aurora and some surrounding areas. The Aurora station reaches all of Aurora, Bristol, Big Rock and parts of Oswego, Sandwich, Sugar Grove and Montgomery.
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You may also watch the show with 8th CD Republican candidate Kirk Morris, along with other recently posted shows, including Senator Cullerton, Rep. Lang (D-Chicago), Rep. Hamos (D-Evanston) and Senator Garrett (D-Lake Forest), 14th CD Republican Primary candidate Mayor Kevin Burns and former Senator Rauschenberger on your computer at PublicAffairsTV.com.

In addition to those shows, prior shows on the "Public Affairs," podcast page feature Presidential candidates Obama, Giuliani, Richardson, McCain and Cox, and many other pols, including Obama-Bean in April, 2006 and Bean in January, 2006 and opinion makers. You may also watch these "Public Affairs," shows and others at www.itunes.com
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A partial transcript of tonight's "Public Affairs," show with guest 8th CD Republican Candidate Kirk Morris (Gurnee) is included, directly, below.
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Illegal Immigration:

Jeff Berkowitz: McCain, Kennedy, Gutierrez, comprehensive immigration reform, border control…, you would have voted no on that.

Kirk Morris (R-Gurnee, 8th CD): We cannot do the full tancredo but we do have areas that we can agree on: one is securing the border—yesterday.

Jeff Berkowitz: You support that, but not comprehensive—not an earned path to citizenship, not yet?

Kirk Morris (R-Gurnee, 8th CD): Absolutely- we cannot give immigration…we cannot give amnesty to anybody. Citizenship in this country is conferred. It is not to be demanded on me and you cannot buy it at any price.

Bush Tax Cuts:

Jeff Berkowitz: Tax cuts? You support making the Bush tax cuts permanent?

Kirk Morris: Permanent.

Jeff Berkowitz: Unequivocally, you say that.

Kirk Morris: Unequivocally permanent.

Education:

Jeff Berkowitz: Education, you would support school vouchers, school choice?

Kirk Morris: I think school choice is important. I think—

Jeff Berkowitz: School vouchers you support?

Kirk Morris: That would be school choice.

Jeff Berkowitz: Charter schools you support. Civil unions you support?

Civil Unions and Same Sex Marriage:

Kirk Morris: Civil unions—I would support those.

Jeff Berkowitz: Same sex marriage?

Kirk Morris: I would not vote for legislation giving that. No.

Abortion, Federalism and Justice Ginsburg:

Jeff Berkowitz: You’re Pro-Choice?

Kirk Morris: I am---I am, uh, that’s a very divisive issue—

Jeff Berkowitz: You want to return abortion [the issue] to the states?

Kirk Morris: I believe that is where it belongs.

Jeff Berkowitz: But, you would not like to make abortion illegal, even with the exceptions for the life of the mother, rape and incest?

Kirk Morris: I would vote for and continue to support the Hyde Amendment [Bans federal spending on abortion]. I would work very hard at getting parental notification. I would continue the ban on partial birth abortions, but I would not want to take away a woman’s right to make choices over her body. I don’t think—I cannot make that. But, that is a state issue. That is where that belongs.

Jeff Berkowitz: So, in that sense you would like to see Roe v. Wade overturned and send that issue back to the states.

Kirk Morris: Even [Justice] Ruth [Bader] Ginsburg would like to see it overturned and sent back to the states.

Jeff Berkowitz: She told you that personally?

Kirk Morris (R-Gurnee, 8th CD): No, she hasn’t. I read it.
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8th CD Republican Primary candidate Kirk Morris, as he is airing tonight at 8:30 pm on Cable Ch. 21, CANTV on the City of Chicago edition of Public Affairs and tonight at 7:30 pm on Aurora Community Television, on Comcast Cable Ch. 10 in Aurora and some surrounding areas. The show was recorded on October 7, 2007.[You may also go here to watch Kirk Morris, Cong. Bean [January, 2006], Presidential Candidates Obama and Giuliani and many other politicians on PublicAffairsTV.com].
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Jeff Berkowitz, Show Host/Producer of "Public Affairs," and Executive Legal Recruiter doing legal search can be reached at JBCG@aol.com. You may watch "Public Affairs," shows with Presidential Candidates Richardson, Obama, McCain, Giuliani and Cox and many other pols at www.PublicAffairsTv.com
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Tonight at DePaul University in Chicago: A Clash of Ideas, if not Civilizations

It is anticipated that protestors, from a variety of perspectives, will be present tonight. With the original, if not current, spirit of universities in America prevailing, they are welcome... so long as they are...

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As we used to say in East L. A., “Be there or Be Square, No Levis or Capris, please.” Well, Okay, you can wear Levis or Capris (if you can find some). However, the important item is not your attire, but that you choose to come to tonight’s clash of ideas, if not civilizations.

The topic, I am told, is “War with Iran,” as a part of this week’s “Terrorism Awareness Week,” events [See here], sponsored by DePaul’s Conservative Alliance.

The program features speakers Amir Abbas Fakhravar (an Iranian dissident student leader) and Robert Spencer, a prolific author who I am told will touch on, among other matters, the religious conflict within Iran. Other topics to be discussed, I imagine, will be the burgeoning nuclear capability of Iran, and what type of a national security threat, if any, that poses for the United States and what, if anything, should be done to deal with that.

The event begins at 7:00 pm tonight at Cortelyou Commons, 2342 N. Fremont St., DePaul University with Nicholas G. Hahn III, President, DePaul Conservative Alliance, presiding.

Jeff Berkowitz, Host and Producer of “Public Affairs,"(Watch here) a contributing correspondent at the Illinois Channel and the publisher of this blog, will be moderating the event. As regular viewers of Public Affairs would know, Berkowitz is the white line down the middle of the road in terms of presenting balanced shows, discussions and university programs, and he will try to moderate in accord with that guiding principle.

Berkowitz has been told that Amir Abbas Fakhravar and Robert Spencer have each been allocated about twenty minutes, or so, to speak, followed by Scott Hibbard, a DePaul University Assistant Professor of Political Science, who perhaps has a more liberal perspective than the other panelists. Hibbard will be given five minutes to speak or ask questions and then the program will be thrown open to questions of the panelists from the audience and moderator.

Berkowitz suggested a somewhat more balanced conservative/liberal allocation of time, but the powers that be have decided to go with the above described format, arguing that “all involved understand that the audience is coming primarily to see and hear Amir Abbas Fakhravar and Robert Spencer, and that Hibbard is okay with that allocation."

It is anticipated that protestors, from a variety of perspectives, will be present. With the original, if not current, spirit of universities in America prevailing, they are welcome and will be given an opportunity to ask questions (not make speeches), along with all others, so long as they are civil at all times and respect the right of others to speak and the right of the program’s sponsor to run the program in a fair, orderly and thoughtful manner.

Of course, again, this being America, the media are invited to attend, report, record and film the event, or parts thereof, at their choice. Indeed, the media won’t want to miss tonight’s program: a vigorous exchange of ideas on important questions of the Day on a university campus —this should be an intellectual event of note and an illuminating and entertaining discussion.
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Jeff Berkowitz, Show Host/Producer of "Public Affairs," and Executive Legal Recruiter doing legal search can be reached at JBCG@aol.com. You may watch "Public Affairs," shows with Presidential Candidates Richardson, Obama, McCain, Giuliani and Cox and many other pols at www.PublicAffairsTv.com
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Cong. Bean (D-Barrington), Speaker Pelosi, 8th CD R Challengers Greenberg and Morris: Who Has the Right Stuff?

There ought to be more to getting re-elected to or running for Congress than demonstrating you can get Speaker Pelosi to raise money for you or you can get “insider” Bob Kjellander to give you money. You ought to be confident you can...
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The State GOP and the campaign of one of Congresswoman Bean’s wannabe opponents, Steve Greenberg, were quite indignant about Speaker Pelosi raising money for Cong. Melissa Bean (D-Barrington) on Friday evening. Dan Curry, Communications Director for Greenberg, said, “Pelosi is the leading liberal in Congress and the cause of Congress’ historically low approval ratings.”

Team Greenberg argued further in a press release that:

Melissa Bean needs to explain how she constantly says one thing in the district and another thing out of the district. She can’t say she is ‘mainstream’ and ‘moderate’ if she collects her campaign cash from Nancy Pelosi and follows her marching orders in Congress. …

Additionally, just two weeks ago, Cong. Bean refused to return $82,000 in campaign contributions from the radical, defeatist, liberal group MoveOn.Org

Every dollar helps, but the 82K from MoveOn.org, which was not raked in recently, is not all that crucial to Congresswoman Bean's economic health. Bean pulled in 376K during the last quarter and has almost one million dollars in "cash on hand."

As to “following Pelosi’s marching orders,” the second term Congresswoman Bean certainly doesn’t do that all the time. Cong. Bean has generally voted in support of the Iraq War and she voted for CAFTA, not exactly votes that would endear Bean to Pelosi. Further, those votes helped to earn Bean opposition from Bill Scheurer as an independent (Moderate Party candidate) in the 2006 election cycle; from Scheurer's wife, Randi Scheurer, in the February 5, 2008 Primary and from the most likely Moderate Party candidate, Lain Abernathy, in the Fall, 2008 general election.

The Bean event featuring Speaker Pelosi was held in the Chicago Loop at the Westin Hotel and it was closed to all media. Indeed, the hotel asked at least one enterprising reporter, who made his way up to the 3rd Floor, where the event was held, to leave the premises.

The Speaker spent about ninety minutes at the event and it was over soon after she left.

Speaker Pelosi did perhaps encounter a bit of unpleasantness when about forty, or so, protestors assembled across from the Westin Hotel entrance to voice their displeasure with the Speaker. The protestors are upset with the Speaker’s and the Democratic Party’s willingness to “throw transgenders under the bus,” by omitting transgenders from the protections of a federal bill that bans discrimination in employment based on sexual orientation, but does not ban discrimination based on gender identity.

Thus, the bill would protect gays, lesbians and bi-sexuals, but not transgenders, from inappropriate discrimination in employment, as viewed by the protestors. Speaker Pelosi walked past one protestor on the way into the hotel and on the way out, but declined to engage him in a discussion. And, there was a reporter there who would have liked to discuss S-Chip with the Speaker, but she declined that, as well.

One source reported attendance of the funder was rather thin, suggesting perhaps fewer than fifty Bean supporters showed up. One important liberal benefactor who did make it to the funder was Christy Hefner, Playboy CEO and also an alum of New Trier High School and Brandeis University, not to mention married to former Democratic State Senator Billy Marovitz

The Bean campaign solicitation suggested ticket prices of $500, $1000 and $2300. Thus, if the crowd estimate is close, the evening probably pulled in considerably less than 100K.

As to Bean’s potential opponents, they are not quite in a league with her, when it comes to raising dollars. Ken Arnold, who received only a few percent of the Republican Primary vote in 2006, doesn’t register as a fund raiser. Kirk Morris (Gurnee) only recently entered the race and his team promises to put up some significant fund raising numbers in the next quarter, but they did not make a showing this time around.

Greenberg, a former minor league hockey player, raised about 180K (including about 11K of his own money and almost another 10K from people whose last name is Greenberg).

Greenberg states, “I’ll be an independent voice for the 8th Congressional [District] who won’t be changed by the siren call of Washington power brokers and insiders.” Yet, Greenberg took one thousand dollars from Bob Kjellander, the beleagured Illinois Republican National Committeeman, said to be your prototypical pay to play lobbyist/insider who is probably close to, if not the actual subject of, a federal investigation of an Illinois governmental entity and a kickback scheme.

Indeed, Greenberg's own Communiations Director, Dan Curry, characterized Bob Kjellander, as an insider:
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Jeff Berkowitz: How corrupt are the Republicans? George Ryan, Bill Cellini, Bob Kjellander—are they corrupt?

Dan Curry: There are some corrupt Republicans. George Ryan—

Jeff Berkowitz: Was Kjellander corrupt? [For more on Kjellander, see here.]

Dan Curry: Kjellander is an insider. He is not the main problem.

Jeff Berkowitz: He is not?

Dan Curry: The main problem is that the people running government allow insiders like that to— (See here)
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Another thing Greenberg and Bean have in common is that both have ducked an intense probing of their positions on domestic and foreign policy issues by avoiding an appearance on “Public Affairs,” this election cycle. Bean came on the show as a challenger to Cong. Crane in 2004 and said she would come on regularly, if elected. She came on in January, 2006 [See here] and has ducked the show ever since.

Greenberg said in early spring he would come on the show when he decided whether he was running for Congress or the Senate. He decided to run for Congress about four months ago and has been ducking ever since.

On the other hand, 8th CD Republican Primary candidate Kirk Morris decided recently to become a candidate and he appeared last week and will appear this week on “Public Affairs” [See here].

Public Affairs doesn’t endorse candidates but it does endorse the notion that candidates should do what Kirk Morris did, i.e., subject himself to tough questioning on the issues. There ought to be more to getting re-elected to or running for Congress than demonstrating you can get Speaker Pelosi to raise money for you or you can get “insider” Bob Kjellander to give you money. You ought to be confident you can discuss and debate domestic and foreign policy issues.
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Jeff Berkowitz, Show Host/Producer of "Public Affairs," and Executive Legal Recruiter doing legal search can be reached at JBCG@aol.com. You may watch "Public Affairs," shows with Presidential Candidates Richardson, Obama, McCain, Giuliani and Cox and many other pols at www.PublicAffairsTv.com
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Way Better than Larry King, Shawn Hannity or NFL's Greatest Game: 8th CD Kirk Morris (R-Gurnee), Cable and soon streaming

This week’s Chicago metro suburban edition of Public Affairs features Kirk Morris (R-Gurnee), 8th Cong. Dist. Republican Primary Candidate, looking to take on Cong. Bean (D-Barrington) in the 2008 fall general election. See below for the Public Affairs suburban airing schedule.

8th CD candidate Kirk Morris debates and discusses with show host and Executive Legal Recruiter Jeff Berkowitz a broad range of domestic, foreign and cultural public policy issues from a woman's right to choose and a parent's right to choose to Cong. Bean's abuse of taxpayer funds to civil liberties to national security to "torture," to the War to warrantless wiretaps to tax cuts to Cong. Bean's flip flopping on access of the public to her issue positions and much, much more.
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The show with Kirk Morris (R-Gurnee, 8th CD) also airs through-out the City of Chicago this coming Monday night [Oct. 22] at 8:30 pm on Cable Ch. 21 [CANTV] and on Monday night [Oct. 22] at 7:30 pm on Aurora Community Television, on Comcast Cable Ch. 10 in Aurora and some surrounding areas. The Aurora station reaches all of Aurora, Bristol, Big Rock and parts of Oswego, Sandwich, Sugar Grove and Montgomery.
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You may also soon watch the very recently aired shows with 8th CD Republican candidate Kirk Morris and Senator Cullerton, along with other recently posted shows, including Rep. Lang (D-Chicago), Rep. Hamos (D-Evanston) and Senator Garrett (D-Lake Forest), 14th CD Republican Primary candidate Mayor Kevin Burns and former Senator Rauschenberger on your computer at PublicAffairsTV.com.

In addition to those shows, prior shows on the "Public Affairs," podcast page feature Presidential candidates Obama, Giuliani, Richardson, McCain and Cox, and many other pols, including Obama-Bean in April, 2006 and Bean in January, 2006 and opinion makers. You may also watch these "Public Affairs," shows and others at www.itunes.com
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A partial transcript of this week's suburban "Public Affairs," show with guest 8th CD Republican Candidate Kirk Morris (Gurnee) will be posted on this site later this evening.
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The airing schedule for the Chicago Metro suburban edition of "Public Affairs," is included directly, below.
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In twenty-five North Shore, North and Northwest suburbs, the "Public Affairs," show airs every Tuesday night in the regular weekly Public Affairs slot, 8:30 pm on Comcast Cable Ch. 19 or 35, as indicated, below.

In ten North Shore suburbs, the Public Affairs show airs three times each week in its regular slots at 8:30 pm on Comcast Cable Ch. 19, Monday, Wednesday and Friday, as indicated, below. ********************************************************
The suburban episode of Public Affairs with guest Kirk Morris (R-Gurnee), 8th Cong. District candidate airs:

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

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

and this week on Monday, Wednesday and Friday night at 8:30 pm, airing on Comcast Cable Channel 19 in Bannockburn, Deerfield, Ft. Sheridan, Glencoe, Highland Park, Highwood, Kenilworth, Lincolnshire, Riverwoods and Winnetka.
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Jeff Berkowitz, Show Host/Producer of "Public Affairs," and Executive Legal Recruiter doing legal search can be reached at JBCG@aol.com. You may watch "Public Affairs," shows with Presidential Candidates Richardson, Obama, McCain, Giuliani and Cox and many other pols at www.PublicAffairsTv.com
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Better than Monday Night Football: Sen. Cullerton, Cable and soon streaming

Public Affairs, featuring Senator Cullerton (D-Chicago) as our guest, airs through-out the City of Chicago tonight [Oct. 15] at 8:30 pm on Cable Ch. 21 [CANTV] and also tonight at 7:30 pm on Aurora Community Television [Comcast Cable Ch. 10] in Aurora and some surrounding areas. The Aurora station reaches all of Aurora, Bristol, Big Rock and parts of Oswego, Sandwich, Sugar Grove and Montgomery. The show will be posted soon on our podcast page www.publicaffairstv.com. For more about tonight's show, including a partial transcript, go 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. You may watch "Public Affairs," shows with Presidential Candidates Richardson, Obama, McCain, Giuliani and Cox and many other pols at www.PublicAffairsTv.com
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Republican Presidential Primary voters Looking for Mr. Right: Ronald Reagan Redux

Ronald Reagan and the 1980s

Oh, how the Republicans remember and cherish Ronald Reagan. In 1980, he was just what the doctor ordered, promising a strong national defense; low government spending, taxes, inflation and unemployment and a de-regulated economy. Reagan conservatism, the perfect contrast to the Carter mish-mash. And, what a charmer Reagan was.

Reagan’s views and actions on abortion—while not perfect for the base, were good enough to satisfy the Pro-Life, Family Values segment of the Party.

Charmer-In-Chief, Bill Clinton

Since Reagan left the Presidency, national Republican politics have been about finding another Reagan. George Herbert Walker Bush was elected to a third Reagan term. However, the patrician Bush was no Reagan; he increased taxes after promising not to-- and was surely no match for the Charmer-in-Chief, Bill Clinton. Bob Dole was no Reagan, but he was next in line.

W and taking back the White House

Those who promoted the second coming of Bush, W, liked to say he was Reaganesque. But, few believed that. Instead, W was sold as the antidote to the immoral Clinton years. More importantly, the name Bush would make the campaign donations roll in; the Republicans could then take back the White House and this Bush would cut taxes for all, which is why (as Robert Novak said) God put Republicans on this earth.

Tommy Thompson and Jim Gilmore give up

The Republicans current search for Mr. Right, i.e., Reagan Redux, started with ten candidates, with two jettisoned fairly quickly: former Governors Tommy Thompson (WI) and Jim Gilmore (VA). No Reagan in that pair.

The Republicans were left with eight candidates and that list expanded last month to nine, with the entry of former Senator, Law and Order prosecutor and Watergate counsel, Fred Thompson.

With less than 90 days until the first vote is cast, it is time to winnow the field again. First to go should be the three congressmen: Ron Paul is an interesting libertarian; Duncan Hunter a possible Deputy Secretary of Defense; Tom Tancredo argues what is wrong with illegal immigration (and sometimes he is right). However, none in that trio is Reagan Redux. Not in a million years.

Senator Brownback has a few interesting anecdotes and family adoptions. But, no Reagan there.

We could narrow it to the final four, but what the Hell, let former Governor, well-spoken Mike Huckabee stay in. In some ways, he is kind of like a pace car at the Debates—useful to see how the top tier does with some Democrat, populist type arguments about helping the little guy. But, probably best to have him exit by Thanksgiving so we can see some sharp exchanges among the Final Four.

Goodbye John McCain

Least likely to win among the Final Four is Senator McCain. He oozes integrity and character. About half a century of combined Congressional and military experience. A genuine American War Hero and POW. However, the base views him as wrong on tax cuts, campaign finance and immigration. Not very Reaganesque. Goodbye John.

When you get to the final three, picking a winner becomes difficult.

Mitt Romney is leading in the early primaries and he has enough wealth to see this thing through on his own. His primary problem, of course, is “Gays, Guns, God and Abortion.” On all but God, he has flipped and the base is not sure if he can be trusted not to flip back. And, on God, he is a Mormon, which makes him inherently suspect to many Christians and perhaps others.

Other than those cultural issues, the former Massachusetts Governor looks like a President and sounds like a conservative, unless you ask him what his constitutional powers are as Commander-in-Chief to take the country to War. For that, Romney said at this week’s debate, oddly, “Your attorneys will tell you what you have to do.” Perhaps he thinks this because he got his law degree from Harvard Law School. Sorry, no Reagan there.

Senator Thompson:

Former Tennessee Senator Fred Thompson appears to have almost all the right views for the Republican base on cultural, economic, domestic and foreign policy issues. Further, he should have most of the Southern vote locked up, save perhaps Florida—which has a very large component of ex-New Yorkers. Thompson's supporters like to characterize him as “Southern fried Reagan.”

On the other hand, Thompson has been described by many as lazy, lacking in accomplishment when in the Senate and not all that interested in being President. After this week’s debate, Charles Krauthammer said Thompson is “sort of Reagan after his bedtime,” and he said Thompson is “soporific, lugubrious, slow and measured.” Sorry, not even a southern fried Reagan there.

Mayor Rudy Giuliani

Last, but not least, is former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani. Still viewed by most as a heroic leader on 9/11, he never misses a chance to extol the wonders of free market capitalism, less government spending, lower taxes and less regulation. Shut your eyes and you can hear and see Reagan.

We have to play offense, not just defense, when prosecuting the war on terrorism

Nobody rallies the base more than Rudy with his line, “We have to play offense, not just defense, when prosecuting the war on terrorism.” On the negative side for the base, however, are his historical and current views on gays, guns and abortion. And his three marriages don’t help either. Rudy’s candidacy could precipitate a third party challenge from the “family values,” crowd. Still, if this reporter had to bet, he would put his money on Rudy. Not a Reagan, but a charming showman and a charismatic conservative on domestic (other than cultural) and foreign policy issues-- and that’s as close as the Republicans get to Ronnie this year.
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Jeff Berkowitz, Show Host/Producer of "Public Affairs," and Executive Legal Recruiter doing legal search can be reached at JBCG@aol.com. You may watch "Public Affairs," shows with Presidential Candidates Richardson, Obama, McCain, Giuliani and Cox and many other pols at www.PublicAffairsTv.com
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Ready for Prime Time: Cullerton on Gaming, Capital Budget, Mass Transit and a possible Income Tax Increase, Cable and Streaming

Senator John Cullerton: Well, we all would like more [for education]. But, if we are going to do that, that will be next year when we consider an income tax increase...
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Jeff Berkowitz: That’s not enough to handle this stuff. Talk to Mayor Daley. He’s not going to allow that.

Senator John Cullerton: It all depends on what your definition of enough is.
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This week’s Chicago metro suburban edition of Public Affairs features State Sen. John Cullerton(D-Chicago, 6th Senate District). See below for the Public Affairs suburban airing schedule.
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The show with Sen. Cullerton also airs through-out the City of Chicago this coming Monday night [Oct. 15] at 8:30 pm on Cable Ch. 21 [CANTV] and on Monday night [Oct. 15] at 7:30 pm on Aurora Community Television, on Comcast Cable Ch. 10 in Aurora and some surrounding areas. The Aurora station reaches all of Aurora, Bristol, Big Rock and parts of Oswego, Sandwich, Sugar Grove and Montgomery.
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Next week's suburban edition of "Public Affairs," features Kirk Morris (R-Gurnee), 8th Cong. District Republican Primary candidate, discussing and debating domestic and foreign policy issues with show host and executive legal recruiter Jeff Berkowitz.
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You may also soon watch the show with Senator Cullerton, along with other recently posted shows with Rep. Hamos (D-Evanston) and Senator Garrett (D-Lake Forest), 14th CD Republican Primary candidate Mayor Kevin Burns and former Senator Rauschenberger on your computer at PublicAffairsTV.com. In addition to those shows, prior shows on the "Public Affairs," podcast page feature a show with Senators Durbin and Dodd, Cong. Kucinich and others; Democratic Presidential Candidates Senator Barack Obama and Governor Richardson; possible Republican opponent to Senator Durbin next fall: Dr. Steve Sauerberg; and 14 TH Cong. Dist. Democratic Primary Candidates Jotham Stein and John Laesch and 14th Cong. Dist. Republican Primary candidate Senator Chris Lauzen (R-Aurora). Additional previously posted shows feature Presidential candidates Giuliani, McCain and Cox, and many other pols and opinion makers. You may also watch these "Public Affairs," shows, and others, at www.itunes.com
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A partial transcript of the "Public Affairs," show with guest Sen. John Cullertonis included, below:
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Cullerton Predicts:

Jeff Berkowitz: All right, so make a prediction here. By the time people see this in the City in the middle of October [in the suburbs, week of Oct. 8], will there be an agreement on gaming, mass transit and the capital budget?

State Senator John Cullerton (D-Chicago): I think not yet because unfortunately we act when things are in a panic mode and a panic mode is not until November 4, 2007 when the CTA runs out of money [the so-called CTA doomsday].

Jeff Berkowitz: Will that agreement occur before November 4th?

State Senator John Cullerton: I think right around that time we’ll have to have an agreement. The RTA thing is too big.

Jeff Berkowitz: So, the agreement will be gaming, casinos and it will be on the Capital Budget plan and it will be on Mass Transit. All that will get resolved before November 4th?

Senator John Cullerton: Some capital bill—I don’t know if gaming will be the funding source and an RTA bill will pass.

Alternative revenue sources to gaming for the Capital Budget?

Jeff Berkowitz: Well, what’s the alternative to gaming? A cigarette tax [increase]. That’s not enough.

Senator John Cullerton: Well, you could have an expansion of the existing riverboats.

Jeff Berkowitz: That’s not enough to handle this stuff. Talk to Mayor Daley. He’s not going to allow that.

Senator John Cullerton: It all depends on what your definition of enough is.

Jeff Berkowitz: Not my definition. Mayor Daley’s definition. He’s going to say that’s not enough.

Senator John Cullerton: Well, on capital?

Jeff Berkowitz: Yeah, you can’t—He wants money for education and you can’t get enough for Chicago and education unless you get a casino—

Senator John Cullerton: No, no, no. That’s not really true. Our budget increased education by 600 million dollars.

Jeff Berkowitz: He wants more. He wants more.

An Income Tax Increase next year?

Senator John Cullerton: Well, we all would like more. But, if we are going to do that, that will be next year when we consider an income tax increase. But, you are talking about the next few months, or few weeks, I would suggest that would probably be—maybe a cigarette tax that could be substituted for—

Jeff Berkowitz: Doesn’t Daley want a casino here to help attract the Olympics?

Senator John Cullerton: I think a casino is something the Mayor wants—

The Olympics and a Casino?

Jeff Berkowitz: It [A Chicago casino] might help get the International Olympic Committee to pick Chicago over other cities outside the U. S. [Madrid, Tokyo, Rio]

Senator John Cullerton: Yeah, but I think he also wants to make sure it is a fair bill so that he can pay off the bonds that he needs to float to pay for a casino in the first place.

Jeff Berkowitz: Yeah, so you need that gaming revenue. You need a casino to do all that.

Senator John Cullerton: Well, a Chicago casino is very possible. It’s very possible.
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State Sen. John Cullerton, as he is airing this week on Public Affairs in 35 Chicago Metro suburbs. [See below for the suburban airing schedule] and as will be airing on this coming Monday, Oct. 15, 2007, at 8:30 pm on Cable Ch. 21, CANTV on the City of Chicago edition of Public Affairs and on Monday, Oct. 15, 2007 at 7:30 pm on Aurora Community Television, on Comcast Cable Ch. 10 in Aurora and some surrounding areas. The show was recorded on Sep. 23, 2007.[You may also go here to watch, soon, Senator Cullerton along with currently posted shows with Presidential Candidates Richardson, Obama, Giuliani and many other politicians on PublicAffairsTV.com].
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The airing schedule for the Chicago Metro suburban edition of "Public Affairs," is included directly, below.
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In twenty-five North Shore, North and Northwest suburbs, the "Public Affairs," show airs every Tuesday night in the regular weekly Public Affairs slot, 8:30 pm on Comcast Cable Ch. 19 or 35, as indicated, below.

In ten North Shore suburbs, the Public Affairs show airs three times each week in its regular slots at 8:30 pm on Comcast Cable Ch. 19, Monday, Wednesday and Friday, as indicated, below. ********************************************************
The suburban episode of Public Affairs with guest State Sen. John Cullerton airs:

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

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

and this week on Monday, Wednesday and Friday night at 8:30 pm, airing on Comcast Cable Channel 19 in Bannockburn, Deerfield, Ft. Sheridan, Glencoe, Highland Park, Highwood, Kenilworth, Lincolnshire, Riverwoods and Winnetka.
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Jeff Berkowitz, Show Host/Producer of "Public Affairs," and Executive Legal Recruiter doing legal search can be reached at JBCG@aol.com. You may watch "Public Affairs," shows with Presidential Candidates Richardson, Obama, McCain, Giuliani and Cox and many other pols at www.PublicAffairsTv.com
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Chris Matthews' bias and today's Republican Presidential Candidate debate

Updated at 10:00 pm on Wednesday night: The Medium is the Message

For more about the Left leaning bias of the CNBC's John Harwood (then also of the Wall St. Journal) and that of MSNBC, go here for a discussion of their not so fairandbalanced discussion of the 2006 Roskam-Duckworth race in the Illinois 6th CD.
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On Saturday, a few of the panelists at Fox News Watch (See below) suggested that the Republican Presidential candidates should refuse to show up at this afternoon’s debate (broadcast live as this post is being written, CNBC, 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm [CST] and rebroadcast on MSNBC tonight, 8:00 pm to 10:00 pm [CST]) as long as Chris Matthews is the host.

The Fox News Watch panelists may have a point. Matthews, who was tough on Bill Clinton and perhaps Hillary, primarily during the impeachment era, has become a non-stop basher of the Iraq War, Bush and all things Republican, See, e.g., here, and a kiss-up to lefties. For example, during the recent General Petraeus flap, Matthews, while interviewing one of the Moveon.org leaders, sympathized with him for the attacks Move on received from Republicans on the issue, with Matthews noting, “At least you haven’t killed anybody.” [Matthews no doubt making a reference to those who have died in the Iraq War, with Matthews apparently thinking those were all unnecessary deaths].

Partly, the Hardball left bias seems to reflect a business decision by MSNBC (Matthews’ flagship home) to become branded as far liberal in the same way many perceive the Fox News Channel as far conservative. That is, MSNBC has sought to cure its long time sagging profitability by cornering the market on liberal viewers.

However, one major difference between MSNBC and the FNC is that FNC has a serious news program, Special Report, with a serious host (Brit Hume) and serious correspondents who can staff a debate and panelists, e.g., Mort Kandracke, Bill Kristol, Fred Barnes, Mara Liasson (NPR) and Juan Williams (NPR). While Special Report leans right, it contains plenty of ideological diversity in its panelists and fairly straight reporting from its correspondents and host.

MSNBC has nothing like Special Report. Instead, it has Keith Olbermann’s Countdown (which is non-stop bashing of Bush, other Republicans and anything not left of center) and Matthews’ Hardball, which is also pretty much a bashing of anything and anyone right of center. It’s idea of balance is to bring on guests like Pat Buchanan, who is a questionable Republican and surely not a conservative (See Pat’s protectionist views on trade).

MSNBC has used Olbermann as a host of one of the Democratic Presidential candidate debates it co-sponsored with the AFL-CIO, and Olbermann couldn’t have been more biased to the left in his questioning of the candidates.

Yes, MSNBC does have Tucker Carlson and Joe Scarborough in its stable. Carlson was once thought to be a conservative, but now he seems to focus on fluff and keeping his hair as well groomed as that of John Edwards. Scarborough, even as a congressman, wasn’t much of a conservative, and it hasn’t gotten better since he has been surrounded by liberals at MSNBC. And, nobody at MSNBC seems to think of staffing a debate with the likes of Scarborough and Carlson, although both would be an improvement over Olbermann, which is damning with feint praise.

For today’s effort, which was billed as focusing on “The Republicans, the economy and you,” CNBC and MSNBC billed it as co-hosted by Matthews and Maria Bartiromo, with both asking questions and joined by MSNBC’s John Harwood (who was one of the many Wall St. Journal left leaning correspondents) and the WSJ’s Jerry Seib. This reporter doesn’t know enough about Bartiromo and Seib to comment on their bias, if any. Perhaps he will after he has watched the entire debate.
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During the portion of the debate watched by this reporter: the first half hour, or so, and a part of the second half hour, Matthews had wandered away from the Economy to ask about whether a military action against Iran would require, constitutionally, a congressional approval. Matthews also seemed to give Ron Paul a lot of room to rant, especially when the ranting seemed to be of a nature that would please Matthews. Harwood was his usual left of center guy, asking whether the billions of dollars of profits made by oil companies is appropriate and whether the companies should be required to spend the profit in a way that Harwood would like.

But, we’ll go back and watch the entire debate and report on it, as well as the bias in the questioning, or lack thereof, later in the evening.

One short note, from the little we saw of the debate, it looked like Rudy got off to a fast start, with Mitt not far behind. As has been his early trademark, Fred was lacking in energy, and so was McCain, but not quite by as much. Huckabee was speaking well. Ron Paul is starting to appear, even more so than he has, as the town crank, with a long rant this afternoon about the sinister interests and activities of banks. Tancredo continues to be a one issue candidate (immigration), as does Hunter (defense). Brownback, as usual, was like a drink that is too sweet. Candidates Alan Keyes and John Cox were apparently excluded. No one reported whether Keyes had chained himself to the debate hall, as a way of protesting his failure to get an invitation. *****************************************************
Eric Burns (Fox News Watch host): The MSNBC show, Hardball, starring Chris Matthews, is ten years old this week. At a party after one of this week’s shows, Matthews blasted the Bush administration, telling his fellow partygoers that the White House was constantly calling MSNBC to complain about Hardball and then Matthews said, I’m paraphrasing, “God help us- if we had Cheney during the Cuban missile crisis, we’d all be under a parking lot.” Matthews is scheduled to host a Republican debate next week with CNBC’s Maria Bartiromo—and he would seem not to be the ideal choice on the basis of that comment.

Cal Thomas (Syndicated columnist and FNW panelist): If I were a Republican Presidential Candidate, I would refuse to show up as long as he is the host. The Democrats are boycotting Fox [hosted Democrat Presidential candidate debates]. Let the Republicans boycott any so-called debate with Chris Matthews as the host, it’s an outrage.

Neal Gabler (media writer and FNW panelist): He has said equally outrageous things about Democrats. And, let me say to Cal, if I were a Democrat, I wouldn’t show up to a Democrat debate because Chris Matthews should not be given the privilege of asking these questions. He’s not serious enough for that.

Cal Thomas: Amen.

Jim Pinkerton (Newsday and FNW panelist): Anyone who wants to know the real soul of Chris Matthews can go to YouTube and watch Jon Stewart interview him on his dopey book about, “Life as a Campaign.” It’s about--Be a fake and make money on it. And, Jon Stewart said, “How is that good, how is that virtuous?” And, Matthews, of course, had no answer.

Jane Hall (American University professor and FNW panelist): You know, I think we are sort of back to where we started, which is Keith Olbermann as a journalist or a commentator—the whole thing is a mish mash. We should boycott everybody. I’m back to objective journalism. There are three of us left who feel this way.

Neal Gabler: There aren’t any objective journalists left. That’s the problem.

Eric Burns: You understand that part of everybody is these five somebodies. So, boycott everybody else.
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Fox News Watch, Fox News Channel, October 6, 2007
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Jeff Berkowitz, Show Host/Producer of "Public Affairs," and Executive Legal Recruiter doing legal search can be reached at JBCG@aol.com. You may watch "Public Affairs," shows with Presidential Candidates Richardson, Obama, McCain, Giuliani and Cox and many other pols at www.PublicAffairsTv.com
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Better than Monday Night Football: Lang pounds Gov. Blagojevich, Cable and Streaming

State Rep. Lou Lang (D-Skokie): ...There is no trust at all in Rod Blagojevich by any member that I can think of of the Illinois General Assembly...
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State Rep. Lou Lang : It is my view that there will be a transit bill that we pass, whether we pass it in the calendar year of...
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Rep. Lang: …in short this [gaming bill] is a bill that would create almost two billion dollars annually and create lots of up front licensing fees.
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Berkowitz: You would not be averse to ... maybe even proposing some legislation that proposes some of these reforms-- to see if you could introduce competition into the mass transit business?
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Tonight's City of Chicago and City of Aurora editions of "Public Affairs," features State Rep. Lou Lang, Chair of the Gaming Committee in the House. Lang has been quite critical of Governor Blagojevich, for what Lang views as a tremendous lack of leadership. Senator John Cullerton (D-Chicago) is featured in this week's suburban edition of "Public Affairs."

The show with Rep. Lang airs through-out the City of Chicago tonight [Oct. 8] at 8:30 pm on Cable Ch. 21 [CANTV] and also tonight at 7:30 pm on Aurora Community Television, on Comcast Cable Ch. 10 in Aurora and some surrounding areas. The Aurora station reaches all of Aurora, Bristol, Big Rock and parts of Oswego, Sandwich, Sugar Grove and Montgomery. Next Monday night's Public Affairs shows in Chicago and Aurora features State Sen. Cullerton.
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For more about tonight's show and Rep. Lang, including a list of topics and a partial transcript of the show, go here.
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The recent "Public Affairs," shows with State Reps. Julie Hamos(D-Evanston) and Lou Lang (D-Skokie), Senator Susan Garrett (D-Lake Forest) as well as former Senator, budget guru and policy wonk-- Steve Rauschenberger (R-Elgin)-- are now posted on our podcast page and can be watched on your computer at www.PublicAffairsTv.com or at I-Tunes.com and perhaps at youtube.com

Taking together, this week's suburban show with Senator Cullerton on resolving the Springfield impasse and the prior shows with Garrett, Hamos, Lang and Rauschenberger shows provide a good perspective on the intersection of Mass Transit, Capital Budget and Gaming legislation in Illinois, which some would call a difficult, but perhaps improving, intersection, these days.
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You may also watch on your computer the shows with 14th CD Republican Primary candidates Mayor Kevin Burns and Senator Lauzen and 14th CD Democrat Primary candidates Jotham Stein and John Laesch at PublicAffairsTV.com. In addition to those shows, prior shows on the "Public Affairs," podcast page feature a show with Senators Durbin and Dodd, Cong. Kucinich and others; Democratic Presidential Candidates Senator Barack Obama and Governor Richardson; possible Republican opponent to Senator Durbin next fall: Dr. Steve Sauerberg . Additional previously posted shows feature Presidential candidates Giuliani, McCain and Cox, and many other pols and opinion makers. You may also watch these "Public Affairs," shows, and others, at www.itunes.com
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Passing a Transit Bill:

State Rep. Lou Lang (D-Skokie): It is my view that there will be a transit bill that we pass, whether we pass it in the calendar year of ’07 or the very first part of ’08, I cannot promise. What I believe though strongly, talking to my colleagues, even my colleagues on the other side of the aisle, is that there will be a very strong effort to make sure a transit bill happens because it is necessary for the economy of our state. It is not a Republican or Democratic issue. It is an economic issue for our state.
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Two billion new dollars to spend?

Rep. Lou Lang: …in short this [gaming bill] is a bill that would create almost two billion dollars annually and create lots of up front licensing fees.

Jeff Berkowitz: Two billion dollars in what? Annual revenue for the State?

Rep. Lou Lang: Yes, that’s correct. I think it’s 1.6 or 1.7 billion dollars

Jeff Berkowitz: From the three [additional] casinos…

Rep. Lou Lang: This would be the annual recurring revenue from the new riverboats and the additional positions that licensees, the current licensees would put into play, additionally new dollars that would come out of the horse racing community.
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A mass transit sales tax: The best of the regressive taxes, says Lang?

Rep. Lou Lang: I have heard some say—this is a regressive tax. The sales tax is regressive.

Jeff Berkowitz: Some would include Senate President Emil Jones.

Rep. Lou Lang: It would.

Jeff Berkowitz: Speaking on that “At Issue,” radio show on Sep. 23, he [Jones] had concerns about the mass transit bill because he says the sales tax [which would be increased to cover mass transit spending] is very regressive.

Rep. Lou Lang: And, I would agree that it is regressive. However, nothing is more regressive than not being able to get to work…
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Lang on Blagojevich: Verify, don't trust.

Rep. Lou Lang: … This capital bill is maybe a good start but it doesn’t get us there and the reason it doesn’t is that it creates a very large pot of billions of dollars without any specificity as to how we are going to spend those dollars. And, because of this session and the four previous sessions I might add, there is no trust at all in Rod Blagojevich by any member that I can think of of the Illinois General Assembly and that being the case, they are not going to vote for a bill that simply gives him fifteen, twenty or twenty-five billion dollars to spend any way he wants to spend it without regard to what regions of the state are helped, what roads and bridges are repaired, what schools are re-built, etc.
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Hamos and Lang: Open to Market Reforms?

Jeff Berkowitz: You would not be averse to trying it? To maybe even proposing some legislation that proposes some of these reforms-- to see if you could introduce competition into the mass transit business? Am I putting words in your mouth or would you—

Rep. Lou Lang: Jeff, one of the things I have always said as a legislator is that rarely do we leave all options on the table. Politics always makes us take this item off the table or that item off the table. That’s what the governor has done. The Governor has insisted that the only items ever on the table be his. I will never do that and so, this is an interesting concept—it is something we ought to look at--

Jeff Berkowitz: Rep. Hamos said a few weeks ago [on this show] she would look at it. I mean there are some obvious things that aren’t being done [that] people operating in free markets would do. We charge the same price—you have I-Pass now, you have an easy mechanism for charging different prices at different times…shouldn’t more be done to try to get the people who operate the toll roads in Illinois to have…congestion pricing: higher prices in peak times, lower prices at off-peak [usage] times…

Rep. Lou Lang: It is definitely something we ought to look at, but other things as well…
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State Rep. Lou Lang , as he is airing tonight at 8:30 pm on Cable Ch. 21, CANTV on the City of Chicago edition of Public Affairs and tonight at 7:30 pm on Aurora Community Television, on Comcast Cable Ch. 10 in Aurora and some surrounding areas. The show was recorded on Sep. 23, 2007.[You may also go here to watch Reps. Lang and Hamos, Senator Garrett, and soon, Senator Cullerton and 8th CD Republican Primary candidate Presidential candidates and many other politicians on PublicAffairsTV.com].
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Jeff Berkowitz, Show Host/Producer of "Public Affairs," and Executive Legal Recruiter doing legal search can be reached at JBCG@aol.com. You may watch "Public Affairs," shows with Presidential Candidates Richardson, Obama, McCain, Giuliani and Cox and many other pols at www.PublicAffairsTv.com
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