Speaker Hastert: Endorsing Governor Romney’s Washington Fix?

In what was an interesting telephone press conference today run by the Romney campaign, Speaker Hastert fielded some prickly questions and, as usual, demonstrated he is a good spokesman for his point of view and in this case, for his support of Governor Romney for President. Moreover, the Speaker, a former high school wrestling coach and history teacher, is a good sport, which has benefited him greatly over his political career and is now benefiting Governor Romney in his run for President.

Kudos to the Romney campaign for allowing the press to jump in with questions as opposed to the usual campaign controlled telephone pressers with the campaign deciding who will ask questions based on title and relationship with the campaign. Today was, “Step right up and ask your question,”—a pleasant surprise.
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Berkowitz: Mr. Speaker, Jeff Berkowitz, Illinois Channel [Contributing Correspondent] and ”Public Affairs” host: As you know, Governor Romney is running on the position that he is an outsider coming into Washington to fix it and he talks about Washington insiders. You would be, as Speaker for eight years…the longest—

Former U. S. House Speaker J. Dennis Hastert: You trying to say I am an insider (big laugh)?

Jeff Berkowitz: Don’t you view yourself as the ultimate insider. I mean if Washington is broken—

Speaker Hastert: Not anymore. I am on the outside now, but quite frankly you know how the place works…being in Congress for twenty-one years and being Speaker of the House for eight years gives you real insight to people and how they operate and what their motives are and that’s one of the reasons I went with Romney. I just thought his motives are right. He is the right thing for the country. I think he has the ability to bring people to the table and find solutions and make this a better place to live. Not necessarily posturing for personal aggrandizement.

Jeff Berkowitz: But, would you say that Washington was broken in the eight years when you were Speaker?

Speaker Hastert: Well, you know, I have to look at this-- you look at the facts. We had 9/11 and the economy was going downhill. We turned that economy around through our tax policy. We had two of the largest tax cuts in American history. We got people to invest in small businesses and put capital back in the business. We created jobs. For fifty-two months, that’s a record, we had real growth. We moved legislation through to cut down egregious lawsuits and we’ve had real change in welfare policies that gave people the ability to go to work instead of standing in a welfare line. We had a lot of things- real changes. And, you know, senior citizens, who couldn’t afford to have drugs, now they can wake up in the morning and their pharmaceuticals are on their kitchen table and they don’t have to worry about it anymore. And, it has kept them out of the hospital, so in the long run, it has saved money. So you know, we did some things both in keeping this country safe after 9/11-- that we didn’t have another terrorist attack, that we didn’t have another three thousand people killed in forty-five minutes because of some type of security lapses and we changed that. We built the Department of Homeland Security, so we had a pretty busy time. And, I think to say that Washington was broken is just kind of being—I don’t see the reality to that.

Jeff Berkowitz: So, you disagree with Romney on that? [Washington was broken]

Sarah Pompei, Deputy Press Secretary to Governor Romney: We have time for one more question.

Bernie Schoenberg [State Journal-Register]: Mr. Speaker, it’s Bernie. On that insider thing, I think Bob Kjellander and Bill Cellini have both donated to Mr. Romney, if I am correct, and does that speak to anything about Illinois politicians and where they are on this, given that—

Speaker Hastert: You know I think there are thousands of people contributing to both parties and you could find people that you agree with and people that you don’t agree with, but that’s part of the political process…I don’t think that’s a real issue at all.
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Partial transcript of a telephone press conference with former Speaker J. Dennis Hastert held at noon on January 31, 2008.
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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 currently watch "Public Affairs," shows with Presidential Candidates Richardson, Obama, McCain, Giuliani and Cox and many other pols, as well as this week's suburban edition of Public Affairs with Republican State's Attorney of Cook County candidate Tony Peraica at www.PublicAffairsTv.com
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Go here to watch recent Public Affairs shows on our YouTube page, including this week's suburban edition of Public Affairs with Tony Peraica, last week's show with the 10th CD players: Seals, Footlik and Kirk (this show is the one with the picture of the person (Seals) clasping his hands in front of him), as well as prior "Public Affairs," shows including those featuring Democratic Primary State's Attorney candidates Cook County Commissioner Larry Suffredin, Ald. Howard Brookins, Jr.; Ald. Tom Allen; Bob Milan, First Ass't. to State's Attorney Devine; and Anita Alvarez, Chief Deputy to State's Attorney Devine--and many other shows .

Recently posted shows on the Public Affairs Youtube page include a discussion with Cook County State's Attorney Democratic Primary Candidates Ald. Howard Brookins, Jr. and First Ass't Bob Milan and on p. 2, discussions with Cook County Board Member and State's Attorney Republican candidate Tony Peraica; Illinois 8th CD Republican Primary candidate Kirk Morris; and a combo show with (a) Chicago Tribune columnist Eric Zorn and WLS 890 AM Radio political commentator Dan Proft and (b)Hardball's Chris Matthews on the Clintons and much more [The Matthews-Zorn-Proft show is identified by a picture of show host Jeff Berkowitz].

Proft to Illinois College Republicans: Tom Cross is Speaker Madigan’s Whip; Illinois GOP needs leaders with backbone. Know any?

Dan Proft participated last Saturday in a panel discussion of the “Future of the Republican Party,” at the annual convention of the Illinois College Republican Federation at the Hilton in Chicago. The number of college Republicans attending the morning panel discussion was about thirty.

Proft is currently with Urquhart Media, with the Town of Cicero and a political commentator at WLS-AM Radio in Chicago. He has worked on a number of political campaigns for a diverse set of candidates, including moderate Illinois Republican State Rep. Beth Coulson (Glenview); Senator Patrick O'Malley (mainstream conservative), candidate for Governor in the 2002 Republican Primary; the Tag Team, 2004, Republican U. S. Senate candidacies of Jack Ryan (mainstream conservative) and Alan Keyes (mainstream Pentecostal Revival) and Cook County Commissioner Tony Peraica’s (Reformer) efforts to become the first Republican President of the Cook County Board in about four decades. Go here to watch Proft spar with his former journalistic mentor, Chicago Tribune columnist and blogger Eric Zorn, and to make an assessment of the Proft-Zorn 2006 political predictions.

Part of last Saturday’s panel discussion dealt with the peculiar collection of Republican worker bees, interested partisans, candidates, office holders and leaders that calls itself the Illinois Republican Party. In Proft’s discussion of same, Dan identified what many, if not all, would call the heart or core of the problem with the State GOP. That is, during the last decade, the Illinois GOP, just when it thinks it has hit rock bottom, finds a new bottom. Notwithstanding that decade long tailspin, many of the Illinois GOP leaders (an oxymoron?) still seem to be in denial as to the Party’s problems, e.g. lack of a Party brand, i.e., a coherent philosophy that guides its party's office holders, candidates and leaders in key votes and actions, let alone come up with thoughtful, intelligent solutions to those problems, i.e., a brand that is distinctively Republican and attractive to a large majority of voters.

Dan Proft, folks, take a listen:

Dan Proft: I gotta tell you. I went back to my alma mater last week. There was a legislative forum for the four tops that was moderated by Henry Bienen, the President of Northwestern [University]: [Speaker Mike] Madigan, [Senate President Emil] Jones, [Republican Senate Leader Frank] Watson and [Republican House Leader Tom] Cross were there and I now know if I am subject to eternal damnation what it’s going to look like. It’s going to be me chained to a seat having to listen to those four for the rest of eternity.

Dan Proft (cont): Because it was—outside of Frank Watson’s attempts…I think Frank Watson would be the first to admit he is not necessarily the greatest, most philosophical spokesman for the Party, but at least he ….attempted to make the point about the need for contrasts—like here is what the Republican Party is supposed to be about. Here is what the Democrats are doing. He made a conscientious effort. I think he has made a conscientious effort as [Republican] Leader of the Senate. The other three guys—the debate was essentially about—was ninety minutes about which taxes should be raised and how much—including [Leader] Tom Cross, who essentially, in my opinion, has acted and acted on stage as Mike Madigan’s whip.

Dan Proft (cont.): And, it gets a little frustrating, it gets a little annoying—I mean it gets really quite unnerving actually to listen to the same pablum, the same bilge over and over again as our minority status continues to decline into smaller minority status in this state with people giving us nothing but happy talk: “Oh boy, renewal, reform is right around the corner. We just gotta keep doing what we are doing, taking scraps, selling our souls a little bit at a time.” How is that working out for us? It’s not working well.

Dan Proft (cont.): So, I think we need a shift in strategy, a shift in the level of phosphates in the backbones of people with leadership titles in this State, in this party… we need to get serious about saying if this is the castle, then we are going to go build our own castle and we’ll reestablish the Republican brand around, over and above people with leadership titles who have shown no propensity to lead except as it is to advance the interests of the opposite party.

For a tamer view of the situation from Proft- perhaps because it was put out for the masses- go here. For an effort, and it is quite a stretch, to take something positive from the College Republican event, read 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 currently watch "Public Affairs," shows with Presidential Candidates Richardson, Obama, McCain, Giuliani and Cox and many other pols, as well as this week's suburban edition of Public Affairs with Republican State's Attorney of Cook County candidate Tony Peraica at www.PublicAffairsTv.com
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Go here to watch recent Public Affairs shows on our YouTube page, including this week's suburban edition of Public Affairs with Tony Peraica, last week's show with the 10th CD players: Seals, Footlik and Kirk (this show is the one with the picture of the person (Seals) clasping his hands in front of him), as well as prior "Public Affairs," shows including those featuring Democratic Primary State's Attorney candidates Cook County Commissioner Larry Suffredin, Ald. Howard Brookins, Jr.; Ald. Tom Allen; Bob Milan, First Ass't. to State's Attorney Devine; and Anita Alvarez, Chief Deputy to State's Attorney Devine-- and many other shows .

Recently posted shows on the Public Affairs Youtube page include a discussion with Cook County State's Attorney Democratic Primary Candidates Ald. Howard Brookins, Jr. and First Ass't Bob Milan and on p. 2, discussions with Cook County Board Member and State's Attorney Republican candidate Tony Peraica; Illinois 8th CD Republican Primary candidate Kirk Morris; and a combo show with (a) Chicago Tribune columnist Eric Zorn and WLS 890 AM Radio political commentator Dan Proft and (b)Hardball's Chris Matthews on the Clintons and much more [The Matthews-Zorn-Proft show is identified by a picture of show host Jeff Berkowitz].

John Edwards “Suspends,” his campaign. “Fired up and ready to join,” team Obama?

Having received assurances from Senators and Democratic Presidential Candidates Obama and Clinton that they would make “ending poverty,” a priority, former one term North Carolina Senator John Edwards announced at noon (CST) today that he would “suspend his campaign,” for President. Nobody made clear if we are talking above ending poverty in the relative sense (which would be a nice trick) or absolute sense (which would seem to require a list of milestones and a time line, so to speak).

As Brit Hume commented immediately after the announcement, Edwards usage of the word “suspend,” as opposed to, say, “terminate,” might relate to the formalities of the Edwards campaign receiving or continuing to receive government matching funds. But, it is clear that the Edwards Presidential campaign is over. The fat lady has sung.

One imagines Edwards will endorse either Hillary or Barack relatively soon and that could have an impact on the outcome, but not say, as much, as that of Senator Ted Kennedy's recent endorsement of Obama. Edwards does not have anything like the stature of Ted Kennedy with Democratic voters and the mainstream media. Further, Edwards has accumulated relatively few delegates and he is unlikely to pick up many more, even though his name may stay on the ballots next Tuesday.

Obama has acknowledged recent discussions with Edwards that no doubt involved a possible Edwards endorsement with a role in the Obama campaign for John. Most likely similar Edwards discussions have also occurred with Hillary.

Indeed, it is a little hard to see Edwards getting out of the Presidential race without a plan for him to continue stumping nationally for his populist message. That message fits more neatly into the Obama persona than that of Hillary, notwithstanding that all three are quite close on the articulation of substantive issues. Nationally syndicated columnist and Fox News Channel contributor Charles Krauthammer has said Edwards, Clinton and Obama all are virtually the same regarding their current articulation on substantive issues, with the only differences being on personality quirks and backgrounds. Krauthammer than characterized Clinton as being the candidate of “Experienced change,” Obama as being the candidate of “Hopeful change,” and Edwards as being the candidate of “Angry change.”

Edwards’ announcement repeated many of his campaign’s populist messages and themes, but sans the angry “corporate greed,” theme. That might be a tip-off he is about ready to endorse and is trying out a more moderate tone, one that might fit nicely with the tone of Barack Obama. And, as a bonus, Edwards, the trial lawyer, could play the role of attack dog in the remainder of the primary for Obama, if and when Bill Clinton is unleashed again on Barack. To steal a phrase from the Clintons: a "two for," so to speak.
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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 currently watch "Public Affairs," shows with Presidential Candidates Richardson, Obama, McCain, Giuliani and Cox and many other pols, as well as this week's suburban edition of Public Affairs with Republican State's Attorney of Cook County candidate Tony Peraica at www.PublicAffairsTv.com
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Go here to watch recent Public Affairs shows on our YouTube page, including this week's suburban edition of Public Affairs with Tony Peraica, last week's show with the 10th CD players: Seals, Footlik and Kirk (this show is the one with the picture of the person (Seals) clasping his hands in front of him), as well as prior "Public Affairs," shows including those featuring Democratic Primary State's Attorney candidates Cook County Commissioner Larry Suffredin, Ald. Howard Brookins, Jr.; Ald. Tom Allen; Bob Milan, First Ass't. to State's Attorney Devine; and Anita Alvarez, Chief Deputy to State's Attorney Devine-- and many other shows .

Recently posted shows on the Public Affairs Youtube page include a discussion with Cook County State's Attorney Democratic Primary Candidates Ald. Howard Brookins, Jr. and First Ass't Bob Milan and on p. 2, discussions with Cook County Board Member and State's Attorney Republican candidate Tony Peraica; Illinois 8th CD Republican Primary candidate Kirk Morris; and a combo show with (a) Chicago Tribune columnist Eric Zorn and WLS 890 AM Radio political commentator Dan Proft and (b)Hardball's Chris Matthews on the Clintons and much more [The Matthews-Zorn-Proft show is identified by a picture of show host Jeff Berkowitz].

Better than Charlie Rose: Peraica with Berkowitz on Cable and Streaming

This week's suburban edition of Public Affairs features Tony Peraica, Cook County Board Member and Republican Primary candidate for State's Attorney of Cook County. Peraica is unopposed in his primary.
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Show Host and Executive Legal Recruiter Jeff Berkowitz debates and discusses with State's Attorney candidate Tony Peraica the following topics: the ghosts of Mayor Daley and State’s Attorney Devine on the Ballot, torture of accused criminal defendants and the investigation of same, gun control, concealed carry, lifting the capital punishment moratorium, diversity in the State’s attorney’s office, Chicago police gone wild, investigations of policemen with multiple allegations of police brutality or other improper behavior and much, much more.
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This show is now available for viewing on your computer at our Youtube page, 24/7. You can also watch the same Peraica show here. (See, below) for more information about the Public Affairs computer airings.
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A partial transcript of this week's suburban show is included, below.
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The “investigation,” of Torture by Chicago police

Comm. Tony Peraica: In my opinion, the entire [torture] investigation is marred by incestuous relationships. This is a small club. You have essentially four families running the entire City of Chicago, County of Cook.

Jeff Berkowitz: Who are those four families?

Comm. Tony Peraica: Well, the Daleys, the Madigans, the Hyneses and the Strogers. They have been kind of running the whole political operation here. They have appointed judges, elected judges, including the Chief Judge, Mr. Biebel. ..I think the State’s Attorney of Cook County should be somebody who is independent, who will not look the other way because of political affiliation, racial affiliation or ethnic affiliation…you should apply the law equally across the board.
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Need more gun control?

Jeff Berkowitz: …do we need more gun control. Do we need more laws than we currently have in Cook County [on guns].

Comm. Tony Peraica: No, I think that we have—

Jeff Berkowitz: ……you don’t have any problems with the current laws [on guns], but they are enough? You don’t need more laws?

Comm. Tony Peraica: Correct.

Need an Assault Weapons Ban?

Jeff Berkowitz: …You don’t need a statewide ban on assault weapons? You wouldn’t advocate for that?

Comm. Tony Peraica: No, I don’t. I don’t think we do.

Jeff Berkowitz: …You wouldn’t advocate for limiting gun purchases to one per month?

Comm. Tony Peraica: No, I think there are collectors who buy guns for, you know, collection purposes. Again, I think the problem with additional laws that every legislative session produces is because every legislative session, which is every two years, the members of the state legislature have to run for re-election and they all want to be tough on crime and you have more laws and the old laws are not even being enforced. It’s not people who are causing these harms, it’s the weapons themselves in the wrong hands.

Guns don’t kill people?

Jeff Berkowitz: …So, you believe in what the NRA says that guns don’t kill people, people kill people? Would you subscribe to that?

Comm. Tony Peraica: People kill people, that’s correct.

Jeff Berkowitz: …Would you say, more guns-less crime? Actually, more guns might help [bring about] less crime? You subscribe to that?

Comm. Tony Peraica: In some areas, that may be in fact true. Yes.

Repeal the Chicago ban on handguns?

Jeff Berkowitz: …In the City of Chicago, a person can’t possess a [hand]gun now, you know it’s illegal unless you are a law enforcement officer. Would you like to see that changed so that people would be allowed, say, to own [hand] guns. Keep them in their homes so they could protect themselves if bad guys came.

Comm. Tony Peraica: Yes, I believe that. I think that the law passed by the City of Chicago and other cities, e.g., Washington, DC, is probably unconstitutional and the U. S. Supreme Court will opine on that point very soon.

Concealed Carry in Illinois?

Jeff Berkowitz: …Somebody is walking…she may be undersized, she may be at a disadvantage to a bad guy. She may want to own a gun so if she is in a bad area in Chicago, she can keep [the handgun] in her purse and the perp would be guessing does she have a gun, or not. It’s called concealed carry. Would you favor that?

Comm. Tony Peraica: I think in a large metropolitan area, I would not support concealed carry…if one has it in your house, that is one thing. If you have it locked up in your car, that’s another thing. But, to have it on the person—you walk around with a weapon, and you are not a member of the law enforcement community, I would not support that.

Jeff Berkowitz: …But, in your home, in your car, [a handgun] is Ok.

Comm. Tony Peraica: Yes, Yes.

Jeff Berkowitz: …If you have a permit.

Comm. Tony Peraica: Obviously, you [need to ] pass all the other requirements. Yes.
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This episode of Public Affairs was taped on January 27, 2008.
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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 currently watch "Public Affairs," shows with Presidential Candidates Richardson, Obama, McCain, Giuliani and Cox and many other pols, as well as this week's suburban edition of Public Affairs with Peraica at www.PublicAffairsTv.com
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Go here to watch recent Public Affairs shows on our YouTube page, including this week's suburban edition of Public Affairs with Tony Peraica, last week's show with the 10th CD players: Seals, Footlik and Kirk (this show is the one with the picture of the person (Seals) clasping his hands in front of him), as well as prior "Public Affairs," shows including those featuring Democratic Primary State's Attorney candidates Cook County Commissioner Larry Suffredin, Ald. Howard Brookins, Jr.; Ald. Tom Allen; Bob Milan, First Ass't. to State's Attorney Devine; and Anita Alvarez, Chief Deputy to State's Attorney Devine-- and many other shows .

Recently posted shows on the Public Affairs Youtube page include a discussion with Cook County State's Attorney Democratic Primary Candidates Ald. Howard Brookins, Jr. and First Ass't Bob Milan and on p. 2, discussions with Cook County Board Member and State's Attorney Republican candidate Tony Peraica; Illinois 8th CD Republican Primary candidate Kirk Morris; and a combo show with (a) Chicago Tribune columnist Eric Zorn and WLS 890 AM Radio political commentator Dan Proft and (b)Hardball's Chris Matthews [This show is identified by a picture of show host Jeff Berkowitz].
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The suburban schedule for Public Affairs is included, 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.
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This week’s suburban episode of Public Affairs with guest Comm. Tony Peraica 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 at 8:30 pm airing on Comcast Cable Channel 19 in Bannockburn, Deerfield, Ft. Sheridan, Glencoe, Highland Park, Highwood, Kenilworth, Lincolnshire, Riverwoods and Winnetka. [A special airing of our show with 10th CD players Seals, Footlik and Cong. Kirk airs at 9:00 pm on Thursday this week in these same ten suburbs]
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Better than the State of the Union Speech: Seals, Footlik and Cong. Kirk, Cable and Streaming

The Public Affairs episode with "the 10th Cong. District Players," airs tonight (Jan. 28) at 8:30 pm on Cable Ch. 21 (CANTV) throughout the City of Chicago
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Tonight's City of Chicago edition of "Public Affairs," features interviews with and clips [from a Kenilworth-Winnetka-NorthfieldLeague of Women Voters forum] of 10th CD Democratic Primary candidates Jay Footlik and Dan Seals and clips of 8th year 10th CD incumbent Cong. Mark Kirk (R-Highland Park) responding to questions from citizens attending a town hall meeting last fall at the Winnetka Community House.
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There is a special airing of the Public Affairs show with Seals, Footlik and Kirk this Thursday night at 9:00 pm on Comcast Cable Channel 19 in Bannockburn, Deerfield, Ft. Sheridan, Glencoe, Highland Park, Highwood, Kenilworth, Lincolnshire, Riverwoods and Winnetka. In these same villages, you can watch the entire League of Women Voters (Kenilworth-Winnetka-Northfield) 10th CD forum this Thursday afternoon from 4:30 pm to 6:00 pm on Comcast Cable Ch. 19.
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This show is now available for viewing on your computer, 24/7. You can also watch the same Seals-Footlik-Kirk show here. (See, below) for more information about the Public Affairs computer airings.
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Take a look in the City of Chicago at the Seals-Footlik-Kirk 10th CD players show on Public Affairs tonight, or later this week in the suburbs or on your computer and see what you think. Seals, Footlik and Kirk, it doesn't get much better than that. For more about the show and the 10th CD race, 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 currently watch "Public Affairs," shows with Presidential Candidates Richardson, Obama, McCain, Giuliani and Cox and many other pols, as well as tonight's City of Chicago edition of Public Affairs with Footlik, Seals and Cong. Kirk at www.PublicAffairsTv.com
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Go here to watch recent Public Affairs shows on our YouTube page, including tonight's City of Chicago edition of Public Affairs with 10th CD Democratic Primary candidates Seals and Footlik and Cong. Mark Kirk (The Seals-Footlit Kirk show is the one with the picture of the person (Seals) clasping his hands in front of him), as well as prior "Public Affairs," shows including those featuring Democratic Primary State's Attorney candidates Cook County Commissioner Larry Suffredin, Ald. Howard Brookins, Jr.; Ald. Tom Allen; Bob Milan, First Ass't. to State's Attorney Devine; and Anita Alvarez, Chief Deputy to State's Attorney Devine-- and many other shows .

Recently posted shows on the Public Affairs Youtube page include a discussion with Cook County State's Attorney Democratic Primary Candidates Ald. Howard Brookins, Jr. and First Ass't Bob Milan and on p. 2, discussions with Cook County Board Member and State's Attorney Republican candidate Tony Peraica; Illinois 8th CD Republican Primary candidate Kirk Morris; and a combo show with (a) Chicago Tribune columnist Eric Zorn and WLS 890 AM Radio political commentator Dan Proft and (b)Hardball's Chris Matthews [This show is identified by a picture of show host Jeff Berkowitz].

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Better than Carol Marin w/Lauzen; Jeff Berkowitz w/14th CD Lauzen, cable and streaming

Tonight’s City of Aurora editon of Public Affairs features Chris Lauzen, State Senator (R-Aurora) and 14th Cong. Dist. Republican Primary Candidate, in an encore performance 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. Senator Lauzen debates and discusses domestic policy, foreign policy and cultural issues with show host and legal recruiter Jeff Berkowitz.
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Recently, Carol Marin, WTTW's primary political moderator or host, interviewed Senator and 14th CD Republican Primary candidate Chris Lauzen (R-Aurora) on Chicago Tonight. After Marin started the interview, almost as an afterthought, Marin announced that Lauzen's opponent, Jim Oberweis, declined the invitation to appear with Lauzen-- and she repeated that brief statement toward the end of the segment.

Team Oberweis informed this reporter that it had a scheduling conflict with doing the show that night. It would have been good of Marin to give the audience a little more detailed explanation as to Oberweis' absence. A few more words could have shed a little light as to whether Oberweis' absence was, or was not, appropriate.

But, more importantly, it would have been good if Marin had done some follow-ups in the interview with Sen. Lauzen. True, she only had about ten minutes, not the thirty that this reporter has. But, even with that time constraint, the interviewer ought to be able to engage the guest, pin the guest down, make the show interesting and informative and yes, do some follow-ups. Indeed, follow-ups are a good way to engage the guest.

Ironically, John Callaway, who used to be synonymous with the "Chicago Tonight," show, told this reporter that the secret to a good interview is to start with a script, but when the guest gets engaged, throw away the script. This is a technique Marin might want to try some time. Either that, or WTTW could stop calling itself a Public TV station.
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For more about tonight’s Aurora edition of "Public Affairs," (including a list of topics) and for a partial transcript of the show, please go here.
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See below for links to watch tonight’s show and our shows with the other 14th CD primary candidates on your computer.
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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. Recently posted shows on the Public Affairs Youtube page include a discussion with Cook County State's Attorney Democratic Primary Candidates Ald. Howard Brookins, Jr. and First Ass't Bob Milan (This is the show identified by the picture of Brookins raising his hand) and on p. 2, discussions with Cook County Board Member and State's Attorney Republican candidate Tony Peraica; Illinois 8th CD Republican Primary candidate Kirk Morris; and a combo show with (a) Chicago Tribune columnist Eric Zorn and WLS 890 AM Radio political commentator Dan Proft and (b)Hardball's Chris Matthews
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Go here to watch recent Public Affairs shows on our YouTube page, including tonight's show with 14th Cong. Dist. Republican Primary candidate and State Senator Chris Lauzen, as well as 14th CD Republican Primary candidate Jim Oberweis and 14th CD Democratic Primary candidates John Laesch and Jotham Stein. Recently posted shows on the Public Affairs Youtube page include a discussion with Cook County State's Attorney Democratic Primary Candidates Ald. Howard Brookins, Jr. and First Ass't Bob Milan and on p. 2, discussions with Cook County Board Member and State's Attorney Republican candidate Tony Peraica; Illinois 8th CD Republican Primary candidate Kirk Morris; and a combo show with (a) Chicago Tribune columnist Eric Zorn and WLS 890 AM Radio political commentator Dan Proft and (b)Hardball's Chris Matthews [This show is identified by a picture of show host Jeff Berkowitz].
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10th CD Seals, Footlik and Kirk on Cable Tonight and Tomorrow and Streaming 24-7

Special showing of Public Affairs tonight at 9:00 pm on Comcast Cable Channel 19 in Bannockburn, Deerfield, Ft. Sheridan, Glencoe, Highland Park, Highwood, Kenilworth, Lincolnshire, Riverwoods and Winnetka. The shows also airs in the same villages at it's regular 8:30 pm slot tomorrow night on Comcast Cable Channel 19.
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This week's suburban edition of "Public Affairs," features interviews with and clips [from a Winnetka, Northfield, Kenilworth League of Women Voters forum] of 10th CD Democratic Primary candidates Jay Footlik and Dan Seals and clips of 8th year 10th CD incumbent Cong. Mark Kirk (R-Highland Park) responding to questions from citizens attending a town hall meeting last fall at the Winnetka Community House.
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This show is now available for viewing on your computer, 24/7. (See, below) for more information about the Public Affairs computer airings.
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The same Public Affairs episode with "the 10th CD Players," airs this coming Monday night (Jan. 28) at 8:30 pm on Cable Ch. 21 (CANTV) throughout the City of Chicago and in Aurora(and surrounding areas) that same evening at 7:30 pm on Aurora Community Television, Ch.10
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Take a look at the suburban edition of Public Affairs this week and see what you think. Seals, Footlik and Kirk, it doesn't get much better than that. For more about the show and the 10th CD race, 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 currently watch "Public Affairs," shows with Presidential Candidates Richardson, Obama, McCain, Giuliani and Cox and many other pols, as well as this week's suburban edition of Public Affairs with Footlik, Seals and Cong. Kirk at www.PublicAffairsTv.com
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Go here to watch recent Public Affairs shows on our YouTube page, including this week's show with 10th CD Democratic Primary candidates Seals and Footlik and Cong. Mark Kirk (The Seals-Footlit Kirk show is the one with the picture of the person (Seals) clasping his hands in front of him), as well as prior "Public Affairs," shows including those featuring Democratic Primary State's Attorney candidates Cook County Commissioner Larry Suffredin, Ald. Howard Brookins, Jr.; Ald. Tom Allen; Bob Milan, First Ass't. to State's Attorney Devine; and Anita Alvarez, Chief Deputy to State's Attorney Devine-- and many other shows .

Seals, Footlik and Kirk in 10th CD, on Cable and Streaming. It doesn't get much better than that.

Jeff Berkowitz: [Jay] Do you see a difference between your opponent, Dan Seals, and you on that issue of...
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Jeff Berkowitz: …Dan, what is it mostly that differentiates you from your opponent, Jay Footlik, in this 10th Cong. Dist. Democratic Primary?
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A Deerfield, young voter named Michael: …[Cong. Kirk] When are you going to pledge firm deadlines to bring the troops [in Iraq] home?
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This week's suburban edition of "Public Affairs," features interviews with and clips [from a Winnetka, Northfield, Kenilworth League of Women Voters forum] of 10th CD Democratic Primary candidates Jay Footlik and Dan Seals and clips of 8th year 10th CD incumbent Cong. Mark Kirk (R-Highland Park) responding to questions from citizens attending a town hall meeting last fall at the Winnetka Community House.
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This show is now available for viewing on your computer (See, below).
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The airing schedule for the Chicago Metro suburban edition of "Public Affairs," is included, below.
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The same Public Affairs episode with "the 10th CD Players," airs this coming Monday night (Jan. 28) at 8:30 pm on Cable Ch. 21 (CANTV) throughout the City of Chicago and in Aurora(and surrounding areas) that same evening at 7:30 pm on Aurora Community Television, Ch.10
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Jeff Berkowitz: Do you see a difference between your opponent, Dan Seals, and you on that issue of whether the U. S. should continue to be an ally as opposed to be “more even-handed with respect to Israel?

Jay Footlik (D-Buffalo Grove, 10th CD candidate): Well, certainly his previous statements during the last [election] cycle when he [Seals] was asked in a conflict between Israel and Iran, where would he stand, he said he would fall on the side of peace or come down on the side of peace. We stand firmly with our ally, Israel. We always have, we always should. So, I do believe there is a difference and again there is one of experience. Dan Seals talks about …
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Jeff Berkowitz: …Dan, what is it mostly that differentiates you from your opponent, Jay Footlik, in this 10th Cong. Dist. Democratic Primary?

Dan Seals (D-Wilmette, 10th CD candidate): The difference is experience. I have been in Washington, DC long enough to know how it actually works but I have been outside Washington, DC long enough to know how it should work. I think this election is about change and that’s why I am running.
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A Deerfield, young voter named Michael: …When are you going to pledge firm deadlines to bring the troops [in Iraq] home?

Cong. Mark Kirk (R-Highland Park, 10th Cong. Dist.): I’m not…

A Deerfield, young voter named Michael: Why not?

Cong. Mark Kirk: I believe you need to wrap up this mission but in a way that never causes us to go back…The one thing that [military families] will not forgive is a botched exit job that triggers a third war in the Middle East…
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Cong. Mark Kirk: Well, in my view, we need to wind up, we need to wind up the War…so, for example, right now we are bringing the surge troops out, but in my view, we need to just keep going…
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All of the above are excerpts from this week’s suburban edition of Public Affairs
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Dan Seals and Jay Footlik are running in the 10th CD Democratic Primary for the right to take on 8th year Republican incumbent Cong. Mark Steven Kirk. Kirk barely won the open seat in 2000, beating then State Rep. Lauren Beth Gash by two points or about 5500 votes.

In 2002, Kirk won easily over Hank Perritt with 71% of the vote and in 2004, almost as easily with 64% of the vote over Lee Goodman. In 2006, the Democrats smelled blood and Dan Seals duked it out with Zane Smith in a primary for the right to take on Kirk, with Seals winning by more than a two to one margin.

In 2006, Seals came close to beating Cong. Mark Kirk, but no cigar. In the national Democratic Tsunami that swept more than 30 Republicans out of the U. S. House and gave the U. S. Senate to the Dems, Seals lost 53 to 47 to Kirk. Seals’ supporters claim that Dan should get a lot of credit for coming so close. They might concede that yes, Kerry carried the District over Bush in 2004 53-47, making it a Democrat District. Yes, it was a big time Democratic year across the country. Yes, Cong. Kirk had been a big time supporter of the Iraq War and the Bush tax cuts until just a few months before the Fall, 2006 election—when Kirk became somewhat quiet on those issues. And, supporting the War and the Tax Cuts were not necessarily the most popular positions to hold in the 10th CD by fall, 2006, or so the conventional wisdom goes, making Kirk vulnerable if not a sure loser that year.

But, Seals’ supporters might argue that Kirk had, for more that six years, carefully cultivated traditional Democratic constituencies: Environmentalists, Pro-Choicers, Pro Gun-Controllers, Supporters of Gay Rights, and those who are Pro-Israel. Cong. Kirk worked hard to be known as a social liberal and a fiscal conservative, not unlike his predecessor and mentor, Cong. John Porter, who held the seat for 21 years and essentially handed it off to Kirk, notwithstanding the ten candidate Republican Primary in 2000. Although Democrats would argue otherwise, Kirk became known in the District as a moderate, independent Republican, which has been the winning image in the 10th CD for the last three decades, if not more.

In light of the above, Team Seals came back for Round 2, thinking they should be welcomed by the Dems to take on Kirk once again. And, much of the Dem establishment has embraced and endorsed Seals, once again, with Senator Durbin capping a long list of Seals’ endorsements with his announcement shortly before Senator Durbin’s keynote speech at Sunday’s TenthDem convention that he would stand with Seals.

Jay Footlik, a former Clinton aide, had other ideas about who could best take on Kirk and he has waged a spirited, aggressive effort in the five forums, to date, to which Seals has agreed to public combat. Footlik and Seals differ somewhat on the War and Health Care and to some, they differ most on Israel, an issue which could be important for the Primary and the General. But on most issues, there is not much daylight between the two. However, in terms of experience, background, style, tone there could be quite a choice for Dems as to which of the two provides the strongest shot at Kirk.

Take a look at the suburban edition of Public Affairs this week and see what you think. Seals, Footlik and Kirk, it doesn't get much better than that.
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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.
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This week’s suburban episode of Public Affairs with guests Seals, Footlik and Cong. Kirk 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 Wednesday and Friday at 8:30 pm [and at 9:00 pm on Thursday this week] 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 currently watch "Public Affairs," shows with Presidential Candidates Richardson, Obama, McCain, Giuliani and Cox and many other pols, as well as this week's suburban edition of Public Affairs with Footlik, Seals and Cong. Kirk at www.PublicAffairsTv.com
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Go here to watch recent Public Affairs shows on our YouTube page, including this week's show with 10th CD Democratic Primary candidates Seals and Footlik and Cong. Mark Kirk, as well as prior "Public Affairs," shows with Democratic Primary State's Attorney candidates Cook County Commissioner Larry Suffredin, Ald. Howard Brookins, Jr.; Ald. Tom Allen; Bob Milan, First Ass't. to State's Attorney Devine; and Anita Alvarez, Chief Deputy to State's Attorney Devine .

Better than tonight's Democratic Presidential Candidate Debate: Brookins and Milan, Cable and soon streaming

Tonight’s City of Chicago edition of Public Affairs features Ald. Howard Brookins, Jr. and State's Attorney First Ass't. Bob Milan, two of the six candidates in the Democratic Primary for State’s Attorney of Cook County. The show airs through-out the City of Chicago on Cable Ch. 21 (CANTV) at 8:30 pm tonight. You can also soon watch the show on your computer. See, below.
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For more about the State’s attorney race , go here. See below to link to TV shows with three of the other candidates in the race.
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A partial transcript of tonight's show, recorded on January 6, 2008, is included,below.
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Jeff Berkowitz: You certainly are focusing on the torture issue (torture in Chicago of accused criminal defendants) more than some…

Ald. Howard Brookins, Jr.: We focus on a lot of issues

Jeff Berkowitz: …You said on your last episode [of Public Affairs]—exclusively, the victims of torture were African-American. You said that on the show.

Ald. Howard Brookins, Jr.: That’s a fact…

Jeff Berkowitz: So, is that more of an issue in the African-American community than it is on the North Shore, do you think?

Ald. Howard Brookins, Jr.: No, I don’t have a different stomp speech and I think Bob will tell you that he has heard me say that with respect to white audiences; he has heard me say that with respect to black audiences.

First Ass’t. Bob Milan: Yeah, but the reason why—the reason why Howard stresses it is because when it comes down to experience and leadership, he doesn’t have it and that’s why he harps on this stuff.

Jeff Berkowitz: Administratively, you are arguing—

First Ass’t. Bob Milan: That’s right, that’s right.

Jeff Berkowitz: Because, you are saying he is hoping to run an office of 1500 people; Howard, this is a legitimate point because last time you were on this show you said—maybe, you have supervised 12 people, previously. Maybe 20 people.

First Ass’t. Bob Milan: But, Jeff, it is even more than that.

Ald. Brookins: But, Jeff, even with—

Jeff Berkowitz: Is that an issue?

First Ass’t. Bob Milan: But, Jeff, it’s even more than just numbers.

Ald. Brookins: Even with—

Berkowitz: Let the First Assistant speak.

First Ass’t. Bob Milan: It’s more than just numbers. The job that we do is extremely serious and the power of the office is extremely serious. The power to subpoena, wiretap, indict-- and that power must be used judiciously and it must be learned. Howard doesn’t have that experience. He doesn’t have the experience to look into a very complicated investigation like the SOS officers or the Brown’s Chicken massacre like I have. He doesn’t have it. And, I have. And, I have earned it over twenty-one years. And, so, the reason he is always talking about stuff that happened back in 1982 and 1983 as opposed to experience and leadership is because he can’t talk about experience and leadership.

Ald. Howard Brookins, Jr.: Well, let’s talk about that. Dick Devine had it [that experience]. Bob [Milan] had it under his leadership. They did nothing about these things that clearly have cost the public tens of millions of dollars. It has to be someone in that office—Mayor Daley didn’t have it [that experience] when he came to office [in 1980] and I don’t dare you say that he did a bad job. None of you guys have said he [Mayor Daley] did a bad job with respect to this. It is not about experience. It is about being able to stand up and do the right thing under tremendous pressure. A lot of them have not been tested and may play to their constituencies. And, that is why, I believe, that we haven’t had any indictments or investigations of the public corruption that has been so well noted by the United States Attorney’s office, out of the State’s Attorney’s office here in Cook County.

Jeff Berkowitz: One thing, so [Bob] you would make this argument about this administrative lack of experience about Ald. Tom Allen, I suppose, because he wasn’t in the State’s Attorney’s office. He had about ten years as [an Assistant] Public Defender, right?

First Ass’t. Bob Milan: That’s right.

Jeff Berkowitz: But, you are still saying that he [Ald. Allen] is going to be deficient on the issues you raised?

First Ass’t. Bob Milan: Absolutely.

Jeff Berkowitz: And, you are going to say Cook County Commissioner Larry Suffredin, who also spent some time, I believe, in the Public Defender’s office—you are going to make the same argument about him.

First Ass’t. Bob Milan: That’s right.

Jeff Berkowitz: Tommy Brewer, You’d make the same argument?

First Ass’t. Bob Milan: Absolutely.

Jeff Berkowitz: But, Anita Alvarez, you wouldn’t because she is the Chief Deputy [to Devine] and she has been in the State’s Attorney’s office as long as you have been.

First Ass’t. Bob Milan: Yeah, but there is a big difference in leadership. I mean, none of the candidates (and I want to talk about all of them) were around dealing with wrongful convictions and false confessions like I was. None of them, none of them dealt with the pay raise issue that I dealt with. None of them had to implement mandatory video-taping of interrogations like I had to…
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Jeff Berkowitz: Does the State’s Attorney’s office have a good record on diversity?

First Ass’t. Bob Milan: Yes, it does, we could do better—
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First Ass’t. Bob Milan: …Only six percent of the graduation rate out of law school is African- American. Eight percent of our lawyers are African-American-- so we are above the graduation rate--we are doing fine…one last point, a starting salary for an Assistant State’s Attorney, after all that law school, is $48,000. When they are being offered far more at law firms, it is very hard for us to recruit them.
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Ald. Howard Brookins, Jr.: Fifty percent of the lawyers in the Public Defender’s office are African-American. Fourteen percent of the lawyers in the City of Chicago Corporation Counsel’s office are African-American. [Illinois Attorney General] Lisa Madigan through-out the state of [Illinois AG office] lawyers has a better percentage of African-Americans. It is abysmal that the State’s Attorney has—

Jeff Berkowitz: What number would you be targeting?

Ald. Howard Brookins, Jr.: We will be trying to get numbers that reflect the diversity within the County.

Jeff Berkowitz: Give me a number.

Ald. Howard Brookins, Jr.: Twenty six, twenty-six [percent], the numbers that reflect the County…Twenty six percent African American…Twenty percent or so Hispanic.

Jeff Berkowitz: So, you want the office in terms of attorneys to be about half—

Ald. Howard Brookins, Jr.: To reflect the County—

Jeff Berkowitz: Half of that office, in terms of attorneys, should be Hispanic or African-American?

Ald. Howard Brookins, Jr.: We would like, over the time, to work it out so that that office would reflect the County [of Cook].

Jeff Berkowitz: Let me just go quickly over to guns…
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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 and candidates, including this week's suburban edition of "Public Affairs," consisting of clips and interviews with 10th Cong. Dist. Democratic Primary candidates Jay Footlik and Dan Seals, as well as clips with Cong. Mark Kirk (R-Highland Park, 10th CD) at www.PublicAffairsTv.com
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Go here to watch recent Public Affairs shows on our YouTube page, including soon tonight's show with State's Attorney candidates Ald. Howard Brookins, Jr. and First Ass't. Bob Milan; and separate interviews with Ald. Tom Allen; Ald. Howard Brookins, Jr.; Bob Milan, First Ass't. to State's Attorney Devine; and Anita Alvarez, Chief Deputy to State's Attorney Devine; and clips and interviews with 10th Cong. Dist. Democratic Primary candidates Jay Footlik and Dan Seals, as well as clips with Cong. Mark Kirk (R-Highland Park, 10th CD) .
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Better than Charlie Rose with Nicole Kidman: Berkowitz with Brookins and Milan on Cable and Soon Streaming

This week’s suburban edition of “Public Affairs,” is a very “hot,” show featuring Cook County State’s Attorney Democratic Primary candidates Chicago Ald. Howard Brookins, Jr. and State’s Attorney First Assistant Bob Milan discussing and debating torture of the accused, race, gun control, capital punishment, diversity, public corruption prosecutions and many other issues relating to the race for State’s Attorney of Cook County. The show will be available for viewing on your computer soon (See, below).
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The airing schedule for the Chicago Metro suburban edition of "Public Affairs," is included, below.
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The same show with Ald. Brookins and First Ass’t. Milan airs this coming Monday night (Jan. 21) at 8:30 pm on Cable Ch. 21 (CANTV) throughout the City of Chicago.
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Next week's suburban edition of "Public Affairs," features interviews with and clips [from a Winnetka, Northfield, Kenilworth League of Women Voters forum] of 10th CD Democratic Primary candidates Jay Footlik and Dan Seals and clips of 8th year 10th CD incumbent Cong. Mark Kirk (R-Highland Park) responding to questions from citizens attending a town hall meeting last fall at the Winnetka Community House.
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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.
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This week’s suburban episode of Public Affairs with guests Ald. Brookins and State’s Attorney First Ass’t. Bob Milan 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 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 currently watch "Public Affairs," shows with Presidential Candidates Richardson, Obama, McCain, Giuliani and Cox and many other pols, as well as soon be able to watch this week's suburban edition of Public Affairs with Ald. Brookins and First Ass't. Milan at www.PublicAffairsTv.com
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Go here to watch recent Public Affairs shows on our YouTube page, including soon this week's show with Democratic Primary State's Attorney candidates Brookins and Milan and currently prior "Public Affairs," shows with Democratic Primary State's Attorney candidates Cook County Commissioner Larry Suffredin, Ald. Howard Brookins, Jr.; Ald. Tom Allen; Bob Milan, First Ass't. to State's Attorney Devine; and Anita Alvarez, Chief Deputy to State's Attorney Devine .
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Better than Russert with Obama: Berkowitz w/ Lauzen on Cable and Streaming

Jeff Berkowitz: …Is Waterboarding something we should be doing more of, or less?

Sen. Lauzen: I don’t think so.

Jeff Berkowitz: We should do less of it?

Sen. Lauzen: Yes, that’s my first reaction.

Jeff Berkowitz: Should we ever do it?

Sen. Lauzen: In a case where you are going to save millions of people, yes…
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Tonight’s City of Aurora editon of Public Affairs features Chris Lauzen, State Senator (R-Aurora) and 14th Cong. Dist. Republican Primary Candidate, in an encore performance 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. Senator Lauzen debates and discusses domestic policy, foreign policy and cultural issues with show host and legal recruiter Jeff Berkowitz.
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For more about tonight’s show (including a list of topics) and for a partial transcript of the show, please go here.
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See below for links to watch tonight’s show and our shows with the other 14th CD primary candidates on your computer.
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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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Go here to watch recent Public Affairs shows on our YouTube page, including tonight's show with 14th Cong. Dist. Republican Primary candidate and State Senator Chris Lauzen, as well as 14th CD Republican Primary candidate Jim Oberweis and 14th CD Democratic Primary candidates John Laesch and Jotham Stein.
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Better than Russert with Clinton: Berkowitz with Suffredin on Cable and Streaming

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 [as a State's Attorney] 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.
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Tonight’s City of Chicago edition of Public Affairs features Larry Suffredin, Cook County Commissioner and Democratic Primary State’s Attorney candidate. The show airs through-out the City of Chicago on Cable Ch. 21 (CANTV) at 8:30 pm tonight. You can also watch the show on your computer. See, below.
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For more about the State’s attorney race and show, go here; and for a partial transcipt of tonight's show, go here. See below to link to TV shows with four of the other candidates in the race.

See here to read about Devine’s endorsement of his First Ass’t., Bob Milan, to replace Devine as State’s Attorney of Cook County.

See here to read about the Sun-Times endorsement of Comm. Larry Suffredin for State’s Attorney of Cook County.

If the Chicago Sun-Times endorses Comm. Larry Suffredin for State's Attorney and Comm. Suffredin endorses Cook County State's Attorney Dick Devine and Dick Devine endorses Bob Milan, does that mean the Sun-Times endorses Milan. Of course not-- because endorsements are not "transitive,"as we used to say back in algebra.
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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, as well as the complete December 27, 2006 show with Proft and Zorn, and to soon be able to watch tonight's show with Eric Zorn and Dan Proft and the complete Nov. 8, 2001 show with Chris Matthews at www.PublicAffairsTv.com
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Go here to watch recent Public Affairs shows on our YouTube page, including tonight's show with Cook County Commissioner and Democratic Primary State's Attorney Candidate Larry Suffredin, as well as shows with Democratic Primary State's Attonrey candidates Ald. Howard Brookins, Jr.; Ald. Tom Allen; Bob Milan, First Ass't. to State's Attorney Devine; and Anita Alvarez, Chief Deputy to State's Attorney Devine .
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Why Barack Obama lost in New Hampshire

The exit pollsters will give reasons why Obama lost last night. For example, single women went much more for Hillary than Obama. More broadly, for those more dependent on government for assistance with housing, childcare, healthcare, etc., they were more likely to go for Hillary, someone who they view as having a longer track record of producing, in some sense, politically for them. As to Obama, they don’t know him as well, so why try a new government provider, when the “old one,” seems pretty reliable.

Other exit pollsters will argue women, in general, gave this election to Hillary, with women breaking for Hillary 47 % to 34 % over Obama. And, for women older than 65, the breakdown was 57 % to 27 %, Hillary over Obama. So, there was a woman thing at work here, and especially for senior women, who perhaps appreciate more the gender discrimination the 61-year-old Hillary may have faced along the way.

But, much of the exit poll analysis that we hear so much about seems to be more ad hoc theories invented to explain voting patterns than true reasons to understand why Obama lost and why Clinton won.

Thus, it might be more illuminating to look at the mega-reasons why Obama lost, which should tell him what he has to start doing differently if he is going to win in the primaries before, on and perhaps post Super Tuesday (February 5, 2008).

Five big Reasons why Obama lost in New Hampshire:

1. Obama played a prevent defense. Expecting a big bounce coming out of Iowa, Team Obama followed the conventional wisdom: “The New Hampshire Primary is now yours to lose, so don’t do anything to lose it.” While Hillary was holding town hall meetings, answering as many questions as were asked and making herself available to the media, Obama gave speeches at large events, but answered few if any questions. Media access was limited. In short, he was placed in a bubble. The smart, talented, well-spoken, witty, charming, candid, knowledgeable Obama was shielded from public and media interaction, giving up a major advantage he has. Is it any wonder that winnable, undecided or “on the bubble,” voters chose a vibrant candidate (Hillary) over “bubble boy.”
2. Obama, as Howard Fineman of Newsweek said last night, “mailed,” in the debate on Saturday night. Again, he was told the debate was his to lose, and he did. The best debate prep would have been to make Obama read press clippings of candidates who had been favored and then lost the race. Then, Obama’s counselors should have made sure he had an agenda of ideas he was trying to communicate and grilled him in the same format as the debate-- to see if he could opportunistically communicate his agenda of ideas. Hillary, on the other hand, having lost Iowa, came into the debate as if she had to win, and looked for opportunities to do so. Is it any wonder that marginal or undecided voters chose a vibrant candidate (Hillary) over “bubble boy.”
3. In general, Obama and Team Obama appeared cocky. Team Obama was telling everybody if it could win in New Hampshire after winning Iowa, it would proceed to win the nomination. Maybe Team Obama wanted to raise the stakes of New Hampshire to motivate everyone to come out. Instead, it may have given the impression to Obama supporters that this train was so full; it didn’t really need anyone else to come on. Yes, voter turnout for Obama was up, but clearly not in a way that was proportionate to the much larger crowds Obama was attracting to his events than Hillary to hers. The energy and chemistry that worked so well for Team Obama in Iowa was apparently left in Iowa.
4. Team Obama didn’t tamp down expectations. Yes, all of the polls- privately commissioned and those for Obama and Clinton-- had Obama winning New Hampshire, with the range being from a few points (Somewhat ironically, that one came from Fox) to more than a dozen points. Under those circumstances, it might have been hard to “put a lid on expectations.” But, it didn’t seem like Team Obama even tried. That might have meant a lot of Obama volunteers didn’t go all out—why should they if they knew Obama would win by a dozen, if not more, points. Also, all of this made Hillary’s three or four point margin of victory the equivalent of a landslide.
5. Hillary wanted it more. She did something she never did before. She cried in public. [See here]. When all else fails, try to humanize yourself—especially if you are viewed as the dragon lady (And, to this reporter's surprise, the cry apparently worked). But, more to the point, Hillary kept pushing, being aggressive—even if it meant playing the victim—to give another reason for New Hampshire to vote for her. Obama, on the other hand, said, “If your name is Barack Obama, you are always the underdog,” but truth be told, he just didn’t seem to be contesting votes in the same way Hillary was. In short, Obama didn’t want to win as badly as Hillary. That, and the other reasons articulated, above, for Obama’s loss last night, are bad habits that Obama and his team will have to change quickly if he is to win the nomination.
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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 http://www.publicaffairstv.com/PublicAffairs/Podcasts/Podcasts.html
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Go here to watch recent Public Affairs shows on our YouTube page .
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Hillary: A cry for help? Hillary takes on Martin Luther King

As voting begins in New Hampshire, we look back at the last day of campaigning as a day when, by all accounts, Hillary Clinton must have faked a cry in response to a friendly question at an event that asked “as a woman I know how hard it is to get out of the house and to get ready and my question is very personal, how do you do it.” Hillary had been told a few days ago at the Saturday Facebook ABC WMUR-TV debate that polls showed people in New Hampshire did not think she was likeable.

So, Hillary thought a cry, accompanied by a few words from her telling the audience how “personal,” her effort to become President was, might do the trick for her. Hillary argued, as she cried, she “just doesn’t want to see us fall backwards,” as a nation. Apparently, Hillary thinks only she can win the Presidency for the Democrats, or only she can correct what needs to be corrected, as President. That’s right, she implies Obama couldn’t do it; nor, could Edwards. That’s what she means about it being personal. Get it, now?

Also, on the last day of the New Hampshire campaign, in an effort to knock Obama and all of his talk about dreams and hopes, Hillary argued Dr. Martin Luther King may have had dreams, but “it took a President [LBJ], to get it done,” i.e., to transform the dreams into civil rights. On hearing that, Team Obama was busy readying that little gem of Hillary’s for use in their upcoming South Carolina campaign. The South Carolina Democratic voters are about 50% black. It would seem the last person Hillary would want to take on would be Dr. King. What was she thinking?

Somebody should tell Hillary she needs a rest. If she does much more to “help,” her campaign, she won’t have a campaign left to help.
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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 http://www.publicaffairstv.com/PublicAffairs/Podcasts/Podcasts.html
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Go here to watch recent Public Affairs shows on our YouTube page .
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Better than Sunday's Russert w/McCain: Berkowitz w/Chris Matthews, Eric Zorn and Dan Proft on Cable and soon Streaming

Jeff Berkowitz: What’s your main problem with the Clintons? It’s not just with Bill Clinton, is it?

Chris Matthews[MSNBC’s Hardball]: I think the problem that [Bill] Clinton has, intrinsically, is basic dishonesty.
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Jeff Berkowitz: You’d say the same thing about Hillary…

Chris Matthews: I think she’s more—well, she’s equally dishonest, I think, but …
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Dan Proft: The most significant event, if it happened-

Jeff Berkowitz: Your prediction.

Dan Proft: If it happened, would be Barack Obama by the end of 2007 being the putative nominee for the Democratic party.
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Eric Zorn: …I am going to predict again that Barack Obama is going to be way out in front, in the polls and so on, at this time next year…
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Tonight’s City of Chicago edition of Public Affairs, airing throughout the City at 8:30 pm on Cable Ch. 21 (CANTV), features Chris Matthews, Host of Hardball; Chicago Tribune columnist and blogger Eric Zorn and WLS- 890 AM Radio political pundit (and Cicero Town Spokesperson) Dan Proft. The show is also airing this week as the suburban edition of Public Affairs in the Chicago Metro north and northwest suburbs. See below for a detailed suburban airing schedule.
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This week’s City of Chicago and suburban editions of Public Affairs feature a clip of Chris Matthews, Host of Hardball, admiring, on Nov. 8, 2001, George W. Bush's Leadership Skills in the immediate post- 9/11 time period. Matthews also is interviewed by show host and legal recruiter Jeff Berkowitz about the Clintons, Al Gore, Abortion and School Vouchers; The show also takes a look back at Chicago Tribune columnist and blogger Eric Zorn's and WLS-890 AM Radio political pundit and political consultant Dan Proft's December 27, 2006 analysis of political and world events in 2006 and predictions for 2007 (all of which were discussed on "Public Affairs," in 2006).
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Next week’s suburban edition of “Public Affairs,” features Cook County State’s Attorney Democratic Primary candidates Chicago Ald. Howard Brookins, Jr. and State’s Attorney First Assistant Bob Milan discussing and debating torture of the accused, race, gun control, capital punishment, diversity, public corruption prosecutions and many other issues relating to the race for State’s Attorney of Cook County.
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Jeff Berkowitz: What’s your main problem with the Clintons? It’s not just with Bill Clinton, is it?

Chris Matthews[MSNBC’s Hardball]: I think the problem that [Bill] Clinton has, intrinsically, is basic dishonesty. I think that’s it. He is …

Jeff Berkowitz: Wasn’t it Bob Kerrey who said [Bill Clinton] is an unusually good liar…

Chris Matthews: And, he is unusually good at it, that’s the scary part. I think sometimes when Clinton would say things like, “I did not have sexual relations with that woman,” he was …

Jeff Berkowitz: You’d say the same thing about Hillary…

Chris Matthews: I think she’s more—well, she’s equally dishonest, I think, but, she’s—she at least has…
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MSNBC Hardball's Chris Matthews, interviewed on “Public Affairs with Jeff Berkowitz,” on November 8, 2001, and as is airing tonight and this week on “Public Affairs,” For an additional partial transcript of the above interview, go here.
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Jeff Berkowitz: Predictions. Let’s go into 2007. The most significant event, looking forward: The US-Iraq government stabilizes; The US-Iraq government fails; Hillary drops out…

Dan Proft, political campaign consultant: It’s a rough show—I mean predicting the death of [Senator Tim Johnson]---
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Eric Zorn: I don’t think there’s going to be either stability or failure in Iraq. I think Iraq is just going to continue to slide down. I hadn’t thought of Cheney resigning, but I think that may well happen-- to put somebody—to give somebody a leg up [in the 2008 Presidential race].
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Jeff Berkowitz: So what is your most significant event in 2007, Dan Proft, take a shot.

Dan Proft: The most significant event, if it happened-

Jeff Berkowitz: Your prediction.

Dan Proft: If it happened, would be Barack Obama by the end of 2007 being the putative nominee for the Democratic party.
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Eric Zorn: …I am going to predict again that Barack Obama is going to be way out in front, in the polls and so on, at this time next year…

Jeff Berkowitz: He is going to be way out ahead of Hillary, and way out ahead of Edwards? He is going to be the candidate--

Eric Zorn: I think he’s going to have significant momentum. No one will have cast a vote a year from now-

Dan Proft: Right.
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Jeff Berkowitz: …And, most importantly, [Edwards] has, or at least did have, Pete Giangreco behind him [in 2004]. I don’t know if Pete’s decided if he’s working for Edwards or Obama.

Dan Proft: [Laughter] Yes. That’s the most critical thing.

Jeff Berkowitz: It’s clear that where Pete goes, so goes the Presidency. Our good friend, Pete Giangreco, Democratic campaign strategist [The Strategy Group]…
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Dan Proft: … Not only is Hastert the most stagnant thinker on this list, but he was probably one of the most stagnant thinkers in the last several years.

Jeff Berkowitz: So you guys are in agreement. Most stagnant thinker is Speaker Denny Hastert…
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Dan Proft: But, Speaker Hastert proved, in 2006, why he was the accidental Speaker.
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Guests Chris Matthews, Eric Zorn and Dan Proft, as they are airing tonight [8:30 pm on Cable Ch. 21, CANTV] on the City of Chicago edition of Public Affairs and this week on the suburban edition of Public Affairs in the Chicago metro north and northwest suburbs. The portions of tonight’s show with Zorn and Proft were recorded on Dec. 27, 2006. You may also [watch the complete Proft/Zorn program here]. For more complete transcripts of the above Proft-Zorn interview, go here and here. The portion of tonight’s show with Chris Matthews was recorded on November 8, 2001. ******************************************
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 guests Chris Matthews, Eric Zorn and Dan Proft 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 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, as well as the complete December 27, 2006 show with Proft and Zorn, and to soon be able to watch tonight's show with Eric Zorn and Dan Proft and the complete Nov. 8, 2001 show with Chris Matthews at www.PublicAffairsTv.com
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Go here to watch recent Public Affairs shows on our YouTube page and to soon be able to watch tonight's show with Matthews, Zorn and Proft, as well as the complete November 8, 2001 show with Chris Matthews and the complete December 27, 2006 show with Eric Zorn and Dan Proft .
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Romney wins last night’s Fox Republican Presidential debate

Fox knows what Republican Primary voters want to know:

If the Dem presidential candidates would give them a chance, the Fox News Channel would do well as a host of the Democratic Presidential debates. But, Fox really excels with the Republicans. Chris Wallace, the host last night [and the regular host of FNC’s Fox News Sunday], and the people who helped prepare him, have a very good understanding of what Republican Primary voters want to know.

Last night’s debate focused on taxes, illegal immigration, leadership and what it takes to be President of the United States. These questions also elicited some fairly good statements from some, but not all, of the candidates on the War, the surge, change, social security reform, foreign policy, what needs to be fixed in the U. S., and the impact of changing technology.

The McCain-Romney match-up

Moreover, the chosen topics provided a good opportunity to judge McCain, Romney and, to a lesser extent, Huckabee relative to each other. Of course, if the New Hampshire polls are right in predicting McCain is leading Romney by two to six points, with Huckabee a distant third, and Thompson and Giuliani essentially out of the New Hampshire race, this was the emphasis voters and viewers wanted.

Mirror, Mirror on the Wall, who is the fairest on tax cuts?

Wallace started the debate with a key point for Republicans: How do McCain, Romney and Huckabee stack up as tax cutters. Romney hit a home run, explaining away his fee increases in Massachusetts as reflecting a long term needed adjustment for specific services rendered that was not a hidden tax increase. Romney then hit McCain hard on his opposition to the Bush tax cuts and Huckabee for his net increase in taxes as Governor. McCain tried to argue implicitly that Bush did not have sufficient spending cuts to justify his tax cuts. Huckabee first tried to evade the question and then tried to argue that Arkansas’ preference for enhanced services and court orders were responsible for his tax increase. Neither McCain nor Huckabee was persuasive, giving Romney an early advantage, which is very important for viewers and Romney kept his debate lead throughout the evening.

Thompson and Giuliani:

Thompson made some good arguments, especially on Social Security reform (suggesting a switch to a goods and services inflation adjustment, as opposed to a labor rate escalator). However, Thompson’s poor communication skills, as we have discussed previously, are a major barrier to attracting voters.

Giuliani also scored some points on tax cuts in New York City, his role in dealing with bi-lateral and multi-country agreements while at DOJ and his experience in focusing on security issues for NYC.

However, since both Giuliani and Thompson have taken themselves out of the New Hampshire race, it seemed like Wallace had little interest in them, as would the New Hampshire voters. So, essentially they were non-entities in the debate.

McCain and Romney on change:

McCain scored some points with his argument that what he did to help bring about the change in strategy in Iraq, i.e., the surge which represents a focus on counter-terrorism and has been so successful, is a pretty damn good example of how he can and has produced change.

On the other hand, McCain argued his efforts on behalf of campaign finance reform are another illustration of how he has produced “change.’ Although that might work with New Hampshire independents, it will not attract New Hampshire Republicans.

Romney’s argument on change is to point to his business turn arounds in the private sector, his fix of the 2002 Olympics and revitalization of the economy in Massachusetts when he was Governor through lower taxes and less regulation, etc.

Huckabee and Romney on jobs:

Huckabee seemed defensive about his ads in Iowa that seemed to go after corporations and Mitt defended corporations, arguing we need a President who knows how jobs come and go.

Illegal Immigration:

On illegal immigration, although they all want border control, there seemed to be more of a general tone among the candidates last night to look for a “softer and gentler,” solution than has seemed to be the case in other debates. On the other hand, Romney was not backing off from saying “amnesty just would not work,” and McCain was still trying to argue his plan is not amnesty, but an “earned path to citizenship.’

What makes a good President?

On the issue of what it takes to be a good President, Romney emphasized judgment, wisdom and experience in bringing about change. McCain emphasized his diverse life experiences in the military and in Congress, including leading one of the largest squadron’s in the Navy and being involved in major national security issues. McCain argued for foreign policy-- you need to know the players and the issues—you can’t just be a good executive who can surround yourself with knowledgeable advisors.

For the reasons stated above, Thompson and Giuliani had no chance to be a major player in this debate, unless they came out swinging and neither did. Huckabee was more involved, in part because of his Iowa win, but he did not seem on the same level as McCain and Romney. Huck could no longer pitch his faith every other minute and his argument that “I feel your pain,” just was not playing as well as it did in Iowa. There were a number of questions from Wallace, e.g., Huck’s foreign policy misstatements or from Romney, e.g. the net increase in taxes during Huck’s Governor tenure for which he had no responsive answer.

Who won? Will it matter?

Between Romney and McCain, Romney did more to help himself with New Hampshire viewers and voters and thus he was the winner. McCain, with the poll lead, seemed to be in more of a prevent defense. Romney, in contrast, was more aggressive and confident. He seemed to feel he had the advantage on taxes, immigration and change and took the argument to McCain early and often, and mostly with success. Romney looked more Presidential. Even McCain conceded, at 70, he is “older than dirt.” Was the Romney success last night enough to overcome McCain’s apparent lead? That’s the $64,000 question.
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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 http://www.publicaffairstv.com/PublicAffairs/Podcasts/Podcasts.html
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Go here to watch recent Public Affairs shows on our YouTube page .
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