Better than Oprah, Sex in the City & Countdown: Berkowitz w/Hamos on Cable and Streaming

State Rep. Julie Hamos: [Watch Hamos show here] I think everybody will be looking at that Governor’s spot because I don’t think we’re really satisfied with the direction that the state is moving in right now.

Jeff Berkowitz: So, you would give it [running for Governor] serious consideration?

Rep. Julie Hamos: _________

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A special suburban airing tonight (11:00 pm) of "Public Affairs," in 24 Chicago Metro suburbs features the always entertaining, thoughtful and informative ten-year State Rep. Julie Hamos (D-Evanston). Is Rep. Hamos considering a run for Governor in 2010? Turn on, Tune in and find out the answer to that and many other questions about State Taxes, Operating Spending, Capital Budgets, Education, the performance of Barack Obama in the State Legislature and much, much more.
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Tonight's suburban schedule for Public Affairs is included, below.
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The show with Rep. Hamos also will air throughout the City of Chicago on Monday night, March 10 at 8:30 pm on Cable Ch. 21 (CANTV) and in Aurora and surrounding areas on that same Monday night at 7:30 pm on ACTV, Cable Ch. 10.
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For more about tonight's special suburban edition of Public Affairs with Rep. Julie Hamos, including a list of topics discussed and a partial transcript of the show, please go here.
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The show with State Rep. Hamos is now available for viewing on your computer .
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This episode of Public Affairs was taped on February 24, 2008.
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Tonight's special suburban episode of Public Affairs with guest Rep. Hamos (D-Evanston) airs:

at 11:00 pm on Comcast Cable Channel 19 in Buffalo Grove, Elk Grove Village, Hoffman Estates, parts of Inverness, Lincolnwood, Morton Grove, Niles, Northfield, Palatine, Rolling Meadows and Wilmette

And at 11:00 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.
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The show with State Rep. Hamos also airs next week on Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 8:30 pm on Comcast Cable Channel 19 in Bannockburn, Deerfield, Ft. Sheridan, Glencoe, Highland Park, Highwood, Kenilworth, Lincolnshire, Riverwoods and Winnetka.
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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 Obama and McCain-- and many other pols, as well as this week's suburban edition of Public Affairs with U. S. Senate Candidate Dr. Sauerberg, last week's show with Sen. Rauschenberger and the show from the week before with Crain's political columnist Greg Hinz at www.PublicAffairsTv.com
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Recently posted shows on the Public Affairs Youtube page include, among others, last night's show in the City of Chicago and City of Aurora with Sen. Rauschenberger, assessing Barack Obama, this week's show in the suburbs with Republican U.S. Senate nominee Dr. Steve Sauerberg, discussing his opponent--Senator Durbin-- and domestic, cultural and foreign policy issues, next week's show in the suburbs featuring State Rep. Julie Hamos (D-Evanston,IL), discussing Barack Obama, as well as various Illinois Budget issues (spending, mass transit, capital budget, education, gaming and taxes) and possible 2010 Illinois gubernatorial candidates and 2010 U. S. Senate candidates (assuming Obama moves up to President in 2008) , a discussion with State's Attorney for Cook County Republican nominee Tony Peraica; and Anita Alvarez, Chief Deputy to current State's Attorney for Cook County Dick Devine and now the Democratic nominee for State's Attorney of Cook County.
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Public Affairs Takes on Chicago Tonight: Berkowitz w/Hamos on Gov. 2010, Cable and Streaming

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State Rep. Julie Hamos: [Watch Hamos show here] I think everybody will be looking at that Governor’s spot because I don’t think we’re really satisfied in the direction that the state is moving right now.

Jeff Berkowitz: So, you would give it serious consideration?
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Jeff Berkowitz: …In a sentence or two, what should the State of Illinois do to deal with their issues of revenue. If they are going to cut, where do you cut?

State Rep. Julie Hamos: Well, I don’t really know that. I think we have to take a look at this budget and I think we have to look at all the ideas on the table. I think this is going to be a grueling year.
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A special suburban airing tonight (7:00 pm) and tomorrow night (11:00 pm) of "Public Affairs," in 24 Chicago Metro suburbs features the always entertaining, thoughtful and informative ten-year State Rep. Julie Hamos (D-Evanston). Is Rep. Hamos considering a run for Governor in 2010? Turn on, Tune in and find out the answer to that and many other questions about State Taxes, Operating Spending, Capital Budgets, Education, the performance of Barack Obama in the State Legislature and much, much more.
*********************************************************
Tonight's and tomorrow night's suburban schedule for Public Affairs is included, below.
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The show with Rep. Hamos also will air throughout the City of Chicago on Monday night, March 10 at 8:30 pm on Cable Ch. 21 (CANTV) and in Aurora and surrounding areas on that same Monday night at 7:30 pm on ACTV, Cable Ch. 10.
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State Rep. Julie Hamos (D-Evanston) debates and discusses with show host and Executive Legal Recruiter Jeff Berkowitz Barack Obama's performance as a state legislator and predicts the winner of Obama v. McCain; The finance and substantive reforms contained in the RTA legislation Hamos sponsored and passed earlier this year; Gaming expansion and leasing of the Lottery as a revenue source for a State Capital Budget; the impact on education funding that the leasing of the Lottery might have; a 70% tax on casino receipts; whether Blago is seeking "easy, cheap revenue;" how much of a problem Illinois' unpaid medicaid bills present for low income people obtaining health care; Blago's general corporate tax decreases for those who paid taxes last year; whether an increase in the state income or sales tax would be good idea now? next year? Who might run for U. S. Governor in 2010? for U. S. Senator in 2008, assuming Obama wins the Presidency and must step down in Jan. 2008; global warming; a tax increase for companies that do not provide "adequate employee health insurance;" Securitization of the State's tobacco settlement proceeds and much, much more.
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The show with State Rep. Hamos is now available for viewing on your computer .
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This episode of Public Affairs was taped on February 24, 2008.
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A partial transcipt of this week's suburban edition of Public Affairs is included below.
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Is Julie ready to announce a run for Governor in 2010?

Jeff Berkowitz: We were just talking hypothetically about Governor Hamos, would you think of running for Governor of the State of Illinois? In 2010?

State Rep. Julie Hamos (D-Evanston): I think there will be an interesting line-up and we’ll have to see who is really out there.

Jeff Berkowitz: Rod [Blagojevich] possibly would be doing that. [AG] Lisa Madigan possibly would be doing it.

State Rep. Julie Hamos: Great.

Jeff Berkowitz: Alexi Giannoulias, the State Treasurer, might do it.

State Rep. Julie Hamos: You know what, I think we have a strong field at the state level and we have to really see who is ready to step up to the plate.

Jeff Berkowitz: But, you would give it—

State Rep. Julie Hamos: I think everybody will be looking at that Governor’s spot because I don’t think we’re really satisfied in the direction that the state is moving right now.

Jeff Berkowitz: So, you would give it serious consideration?

State Rep. Julie Hamos:________
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State Rep. Julie Hamos: … I think what we are all looking at is how important a Governor is in setting the course for the state. And, right now, we are digging ourselves deeper into a hole. We are dissatisfied. I think we have some problems at the state level and we all have to really work together to get ourselves out of that.
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Jeff Berkowitz: …In a sentence or two, what should the State of Illinois do to deal with their issues of revenue. If they are going to cut, where do you cut?

State Rep. Julie Hamos: Well, I don’t really know that. I think we have to take a look at this budget and I think we have to look at all the ideas on the table. I think this is going to be a grueling year.

Jeff Berkowitz: Education. Should you at least cut the rate of growth of education [spending], if not—

State Rep. Julie Hamos: No, but I think it was scary that last year we just threw all this money at education and can’t really sustain that. I am going from here to an education forum. We will be discussing this at least for the Evanston component of my District. And, I don’t know that we have a long term solution. I think it’s interesting that House Bill 750 is back on the table. But, I don’t know what that’s really going to yield. I think it is a little more tweaking at the Governor. More Gotcha politics. Because, it is the income tax. [HB 750 is an increase in the income tax and a purported decreased in real estate taxes, but with a substantial net increase in taxes, often referred to as the Tax Swap; Gov. Blagojevich has said he will continue to oppose any increase in the income or sales tax, although he didn’t really make an effort to prevent the recent regional increase in the sales tax for the RTA bill].
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Tonight's special suburban episode of Public Affairs with guest Rep. Hamos (D-Evanston) airs:

at 7:00 pm on Comcast Cable Channel 19 in Buffalo Grove, Elk Grove Village, Hoffman Estates, parts of Inverness, Lincolnwood, Morton Grove, Niles, Northfield, Palatine, Rolling Meadows and Wilmette

And at 7:00 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.
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Tomorrow night's special suburban episode of Public Affairs with guest Rep. Hamos (D-Evanston) airs:

at 11:00 pm on Comcast Cable Channel 19 in Buffalo Grove, Elk Grove Village, Hoffman Estates, parts of Inverness, Lincolnwood, Morton Grove, Niles, Northfield, Palatine, Rolling Meadows and Wilmette

And at 11:00 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.
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The show with State Rep. Hamos also airs next week on Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 8:30 pm on Comcast Cable Channel 19 in Bannockburn, Deerfield, Ft. Sheridan, Glencoe, Highland Park, Highwood, Kenilworth, Lincolnshire, Riverwoods and Winnetka.
******************************************************
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 Obama and McCain-- and many other pols, as well as this week's suburban edition of Public Affairs with U. S. Senate Candidate Dr. Sauerberg, last week's show with Sen. Rauschenberger and the show from the week before with Crain's political columnist Greg Hinz at www.PublicAffairsTv.com
*********************************************
Recently posted shows on the Public Affairs Youtube page include, among others, last night's show in the City of Chicago and City of Aurora with Sen. Rauschenberger, assessing Barack Obama, this week's show in the suburbs with Republican U.S. Senate nominee Dr. Steve Sauerberg, discussing his opponent--Senator Durbin-- and domestic, cultural and foreign policy issues, next week's show in the suburbs featuring State Rep. Julie Hamos (D-Evanston,IL), discussing Barack Obama, as well as various Illinois Budget issues (spending, mass transit, capital budget, education, gaming and taxes) and possible 2010 Illinois gubernatorial candidates and 2010 U. S. Senate candidates (assuming Obama moves up to President in 2008) , a discussion with State's Attorney for Cook County Republican nominee Tony Peraica; and Anita Alvarez, Chief Deputy to current State's Attorney for Cook County Dick Devine and now the Democratic nominee for State's Attorney of Cook County.
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Cool Hand Obama wins at Cleveland State University

Links added to videos w/ Chris Matthews and Paul Newman at 1:15 pm on Wednesday.
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Last night's debate was another win for Obama. You can start calling him “Cool Hand Obama.” Everything in the Democratic Presidential Primary is breaking his way. The money rolls in. The establishment endorsements roll in. Previously, a number of significant unions signed up. Then the significant Kennedys (Caroline and Teddy) joined Team Obama.

John Kerry endorsed Obama a while ago. Yesterday, Chris Dodd joined Team Obama. In Wisconsin, low income and less educated voters, a demographic that had eluded him, started coming around. They got on the train with the vast majority of Blacks, college-educated voters and higher income and middle class voters. The only major demographics to stay with Hillary? Hispanics and white women in general, but especially older women.

In last night’s debate in Cleveland, Ohio, Hillary tried to be aggressive and take it to Barack. But, Hillary's efforts were to no avail. It became clear that Obama owns the one-on-one [or was it two-on-two, with Tim Russert and Brian Williams teaming up on the questioning] format. For various reasons, the eight candidate debates were quirky and troublesome to Obama. For one, short, timed one minute answers don’t fit with his style. Once it was down to three candidates, Obama was much improved. With Edwards out of there, the debate is like a simple conversation, either between Hillary and Barack, or Barack and the moderator. They throw out the stopwatch, Barack relaxes and he owns the debate.

The one-on-one allows Barack’s basic sincerity to come out. He seems like a fair, honest guy. You really would like to sit down with Obama and have a cup of coffee or a beer. Hillary, not so much. As Chris Matthews said, the problem with Bill Clinton is basic dishonesty. Matthews said Hillary is equally dishonest but at least she has a philosophy. [Watch Matthews here in what he calls, at the end of the segment, a "very intense interview."

However, Hillary’s philosophy seems entirely about winning. Early on in last night’s debate, Hillary started whining about getting the first question all the time. Prior to that, she whined about Obama’s mailers, asserting they were inaccurate about her health care plan, especially about the notion that the uninsured, under her plan, would pay fines. Barack dismantled Hillary’s argument about inaccurate mailers.

He said Hillary’s plan mandates purchases of health insurance by adults who may not be able to afford it, with fines for those who don’t buy it. Hillary then said “independent experts,” confirmed her plan was affordable by all, so there would be no fines of the uninsured. That would win you over, right? Obama’s plan would subsidize purchases by those with low incomes, so Obama argues essentially his plan is universal health care, like Hillary’s, but without the fines.

And, then Hillary continued to harp on process. All the handlers will tell you that process doesn’t win over anybody. So, what was Hillary doing? Nobody knows.

Hillary tried to argue she has superior foreign policy experience, but Barack brought her back to her 2002 vote authorizing the President to take military action in Iraq. In contrast, Obama was speaking out against the War in the fall of 2002, as he was gearing up for a seven candidate primary for a U. S. Senate seat. Hillary tried to diminish Obama’s statements against the War, arguing he didn’t have the responsibility for a vote. Obama countered that the position taken on the War was a substantial issue in the Democratic U. S. Senate Primary race, and he was the only candidate to oppose the War, except for Nancy Skinner, who was an “also ran.” Moreover, Obama has contended none of the other candidates in his primary spoke out forcefully on the War in 2002-
03.

Again, on NAFTA, Hillary complained that Barack was sending out mailers indicating that Hillary had said nice things about NAFTA when she was co-President with Bill. But, she had said nice things about NAFTA, at least publicly, making the Obama mailers accurate. It really doesn’t matter if she had done so only because she was part of the Clinton Administration, which supported NAFTA, big time. As Obama argued, Hillary can’t make herself a part of the Clinton Administration, for purposes of building up her resume, but then argue her publicly stated positions during the Clinton administration were only to get along—and shouldn’t be referenced in the Democratic Presidential Primary.

A few more issues were covered, but basically this was Obama’s night, again. He is just more likeable than Hillary. He appears more sincere and more honest. He is cool hand Luke. Democratic voters like his style; they like his sound; they like his substance. Advantage, Obama.

Hillary needed a knockout. She lost on points. It is very hard to see how Hillary turns this race around unless she convinces the credentials committee to seat Michigan and Florida and convinces the Super Delegates to come to and stay with her.

Perhaps if she won two out of three in Ohio, Texas and Pennsylvania, she would have a shot. But, she is unlikely to do that. She might win Ohio and that might keep her going. However, Hillary needs a string of successful Hail Marys. And, that’s hard to do when you have a weak arm, i.e., not likeable, not even “likeable enough.”
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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 Obama and McCain-- and many other pols, as well as this week's suburban edition of Public Affairs with U. S. Senate Candidate Dr. Sauerberg, last week's show with Sen. Rauschenberger and the show from the week before with Crain's political columnist Greg Hinz at www.PublicAffairsTv.com
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Recently posted shows on the Public Affairs Youtube page include, among others, this past Monday's night's show in the City of Chicago and City of Aurora with Sen. Rauschenberger, assessing Barack Obama, this week's show in the suburbs with Republican U.S. Senate nominee Dr. Steve Sauerberg, discussing his opponent--Senator Durbin-- and domestic, cultural and foreign policy issues, next week's show in the suburbs featuring State Rep. Julie Hamos (D-Evanston,IL), discussing Barack Obama, as well as various Illinois Budget issues (spending, mass transit, capital budget, education, gaming and taxes) and possible 2010 Illinois gubernatorial candidates and 2010 U. S. Senate candidates (assuming Obama moves up to President in 2008) , a discussion with State's Attorney for Cook County Republican nominee Tony Peraica; and Anita Alvarez, Chief Deputy to current State's Attorney for Cook County Dick Devine and now the Democratic nominee for State's Attorney of Cook County.
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Better than Clinton v. Obama: Berkowitz w/ Dr. Sauerberg on Durbin, Cable and Streaming

Jeff Berkowitz: When you say that [Senator Durbin] doesn’t support the military, what would you cite as an example of that?

Dr. Steve Sauerberg [Republican U. S. Senate Candidate, Illinois, Watch here]: How about the thing with General Petraeus. How about when he stands up in the middle of the U. S. Senate and compares our troops to Nazis, our administration to Pol Pot and Gitmo to a Gulag?

Jeff Berkowitz: Did he say that specifically? Were those his words?
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Jeff Berkowitz: Do you think there are people on the left and some even in the Center and perhaps even on the right who feel the Terrorist Surveillance Program infringes their [constitutional] rights in terms of—in terms of eavesdropping without a warrant.
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Dr. Steve Sauerberg: …is the [NCLB] legislation perfect? No, but some standards are appropriate. People in this country want quality education. We need to find a way to provide that. No Child Left Behind is probably a reasonable first step, but it needs to be reviewed, it may need to be modified and …
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This week's suburban edition of "Public Affairs," features the Republican nominee for the U. S. Senate, Dr. Steve Sauerberg (R-Willowbrook). Dr. Sauerberg, who has had a family medical practice for about a quarter of a century, is fresh off of a win in a contested primary and he had a bit of a campaign team shake-up just a few days before the show's taping on Sunday, February 17. Team Sauerberg brought on a new campaign manager for the race against the Senior Senator from the State of Illinois, Dick Durbin, who is also No. 2 in the Senate Leadership to Democratic Majority Leader Harry Reid.
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The suburban schedule for Public Affairs is included, below.
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The show with Dr. Sauerberg [Watch here] also airs throughout the City of Chicago this coming Monday night at 8:30 pm on Cable Ch. 21 (CANTV) and in Aurora and surrounding areas on Monday night at 7:30 pm on ACTV, Cable Ch. 10.
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Republican nominee for the U. S. Senate, Dr. Steve Sauerberg, debates and discusses with show host and Executive Legal Recruiter Jeff Berkowitz whether we should have more or less; government restrictions on abortion, free trade, Earmarks, legislators "bringing home the bacon," immigration, O'Hare airport expansion, No Child Left Behind, parental choice in education, Iraq War, the Terrorist Surveillance Program, tax cuts and much, much more.
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The show with Republican U. S. Senate candidate Dr. Sauerberg is now available for viewing on your computer.
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This episode of Public Affairs was taped on February 17, 2008.
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A partial transcipt of this week's suburban edition of Public Affairs is included below.
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O’Hare Expansion: Good or bad?

Jeff Berkowitz: Would you favor the O’Hare expansion that currently seems to be underway?

Dr. Steve Sauerberg (Repubican U. S. Senate nominee): It’s underway. I guess we’ll go ahead with it. It’s funny how all events seem to intertwine but I think some of that may depend on—I am very concerned, let me say, with the congestion in metropolitan Chicago and I am not sure the exact best way to handle that. Some of that is going to be based on how we handle the immigration issue. So, all of these things tie together. At the moment, O’Hare expansion seems to be going. I guess we’ll go with what we’ve got at the moment.
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No Child Left Behind: Good or Bad?

Jeff Berkowitz: No Child Left Behind. [Should we have] more legislation like No Child Left Behind, or less?

Dr. Steve Sauerberg: Same to less.

Jeff Berkowitz: What’s wrong with it? Why do you say “Same to less.”

Dr. Steve Sauerberg: Well, I think we have to have some standards and I think there have been some benefits- and I think what’s been most important about No Child Left Behind, that I really like and that’s that it has really brought the discussion to forefront and I think that’s critical. I think education is a critical topic…is the legislation perfect? No, but some standards are appropriate. People in this country want quality education. We need to find a way to provide that. No Child Left Behind is probably a reasonable first step, but it needs to be reviewed, it may need to be modified and we need to keep looking at this topic.

Jeff Berkowitz: And, when you say, more to less, what’s the negative aspects? …Excuse me, you said “same to less,” …

Dr. Steve Sauerberg: …People have complained at a local level that it takes away too much of their flexibility and I appreciate that. Most school things should be local. But, at the same time, there has to be some standards to support that. So, I would be for looking at this and see if we can’t get a little bit more local control. But, at the same time, just because there have been some concerns doesn’t mean you throw the whole thing out.
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Does Senator Durbin support the military?

Dr. Steve Sauerberg: They [The primary Iraqi ethnic groups] are all agreeing on some kind of oil sharing [revenue agreement], as well as other topics, now. I don’t know what Senator Durbin really thinks [Read about Senator Durbin here and Watch Senator Durbin in August, 2007 here on the Surge and Senator Dodd, Rev. Jackson, Cong. Kucinich, Robert Gibbs (Communications Director to Obama) and others ]. Obviously, he—

Jeff Berkowitz: You haven’t talked with him, yet.

Dr. Steve Sauerberg: No, I have not talked with him… Here you have General Petraeus, the most remarkable commander in recent history and Senator Durbin couldn’t help but support calling him names at one point. Remember that horrible paid ad—the General Betray Us thing.

Jeff Berkowitz: But, that wasn’t from Senator Durbin, was it? That was from Moveon.org, wasn’t it?

Dr. Steve Sauerberg: Senator Durbin had the opportunity to decry that ad and chose not to. Senator Durbin has not supported this war in any way, shape or form. He pretends to support the military. He does not. He has been a thorn in the side of the military and, I’m sorry but this is a guy who is not supporting the effort in any way, shape or form and I think he is wrong here [re Iraq, including the Surge] and I don’t think that he can admit that he has been wrong and that’s his business.

Jeff Berkowitz: When you say that he doesn’t support the military, what would you cite as an example of that?

Dr. Steve Sauerberg: How about the thing with General Petraeus. How about when he stands up in the middle of the U. S. Senate and compares our troops to Nazis, our administration to Pol Pot and Gitmo to a Gulag?

Jeff Berkowitz: Did he say that specifically? Were those his words?

Dr. Steve Sauerberg: Yes sir, he did. And, all you have to do is go to Moveondickdurbin.org and you’ll have it right there for you. It’s a wonderful little web page.

Jeff Berkowitz: Did he say the soldiers or did he say that the military or the U. S. forces, or the U. S. in some way was engaged in improper handling of the detainees [in Iraq or at Gitmo]?

Dr. Steve Sauerberg: I can’t remember his words but again everybody is more than welcome to go to MoveOnDickDurbin.org and take a look at the clip. It’s right there for you. Pops right up. You can make your own decision about what it says.

Jeff Berkowitz: But, in your mind, he’s compared U. S. military to Nazis?

Dr. Steve Sauerberg: As far as I am concerned, he [Senator Durbin] has compared [U.S.] military to the Nazis, the [U. S.] administration to Pol Pot and Gitmo to a Gulag, you know just recently he’s voting against the monitoring efforts we are making to secure this country in tapping telephones, etc. etc.

Terrorist Surveillance Program: Good or Bad?

Jeff Berkowitz: Terrorist Surveillance Program.

Dr. Steve Sauerberg: Terrorist Surveillance Program. Very good. That’s what it’s called. Very nice. He is not supporting that. So, once again, he [Durbin] is choosing a side. I choose security. He chooses civil liberties, I guess, if you will, if you want to be good about it. His preference is to fall on the side of the civil liberties. But, so far, there are no complaints about this program. If nobody complains about the program, why would you disassemble an apparently successful program.

Jeff Berkowitz: Do you think there are people on the left and some even in the Center and perhaps even on the right who feel the Program infringes their [constitutional] rights in terms of—in terms of eavesdropping without a warrant. If a foreign person (a suspected terrorist) calls into the U.S. and that foreign person, say, made a mistake, dialed a U. S. Citizen by mistake. In the past people would argue that would usually require a warrant for [the U. S. government] to engage in that wiretap. Under the Terrorist Surveillance Program, you don’t need to [get a judicial warrant].

Dr. Steve Sauerberg: Right.

Jeff Berkowitz: And, so, you can start investigating an innocent citizen, the government can, without a warrant. I think this would be their argument and therefore violating the 4th Amendment of the United States Constitution. What’s your response to that?
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This week’s suburban episode of Public Affairs with guest Dr. Steve Sauerberg 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. ******************************************************
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 Obama and McCain-- and many other pols, as well as this week's suburban edition of Public Affairs with U. S. Senate Candidate Dr. Sauerberg, last week's show with Sen. Rauschenberger and the show from the week before with Crain's political columnist Greg Hinz at www.PublicAffairsTv.com
*********************************************
Recently posted shows on the Public Affairs Youtube page include, among others, last night's show in the City of Chicago and City of Aurora with Sen. Rauschenberger, assessing Barack Obama, this week's show in the suburbs with Republican U.S. Senate nominee Dr. Steve Sauerberg, discussing his opponent--Senator Durbin-- and domestic, cultural and foreign policy issues, next week's show in the suburbs featuring State Rep. Julie Hamos (D-Evanston,IL), discussing Barack Obama, as well as various Illinois Budget issues (spending, mass transit, capital budget, education, gaming and taxes) and possible 2010 Illinois gubernatorial candidates and 2010 U. S. Senate candidates (assuming Obama moves up to President in 2008) , a discussion with State's Attorney for Cook County Republican nominee Tony Peraica; and Anita Alvarez, Chief Deputy to current State's Attorney for Cook County Dick Devine and now the Democratic nominee for State's Attorney of Cook County.
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Better than Abrams or Hannity: Berkowitz w/ Rauschenberger on Obama, Cable and Streaming

Steve Rauschenberger: If you look at [Barack Obama’s] roll call votes in Springfield, it was eight years of [Dem. Senate President] Emil Jones in a better looking suit, okay?
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Jeff Berkowitz: Cong. Mark Kirk [R-Highland Park, 10th CD] probably votes 87% of the time with Republicans and he is viewed as an Independent—give me a break, every Republican votes with Republicans and every Democrat votes with Democrats…
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Jeff Berkowitz: ... So, what do you do with a CEO when he presides over a decrease in the capitalization of a company?

Steve Rauschenberger: Well, just keep in mind that this [State GOP] CEO wasn’t around when they made all the bad mortgage loans but he [Andy McKenna] also has not instilled new confidence. You know, I think that—

Jeff Berkowitz: Time for [State GOP Chairman] Andy McKenna to go?
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Tonight’s City of Chicago edition of Public Affairs features former State Senator Steve Rauschenberger (R-Elgin). The show airs through-out the City tonight at 8:30 pm on Cable Ch. 21 (CANTV). See, below, for a partial transcript of tonight’s show with Senator Rauschenberger.

Among other topics discussed tonight (See here for a list of topics covered in tonight's show and a partial transcript of the show), Senator Rauschenberger compares some of the relative strengths of Senators Obama and Clinton and he assesses some of the State GOP’s major problems and discusses some solutions.

Can’t watch the show on Cable tonight? Not to worry. Go here to watch the show with Senator Rauschenberger on your computer.

This week’s suburban edition of Public Affair’s and next week’s City of Chicago edition of Public Affairs features Republican nominee for the U. S. Senate, Steve Sauerberg. To watch the Sauerberg show on your computer, go here.

Next Week’s suburban edition of Public Affairs features State Rep. Julie Hamos (D-Evanston), who chairs the House Mass Transit Committee and passed major RTA legislation last month. To watch the show with Rep. Hamos on your computer, go here. Rep. Hamos thinks she got a pretty good look at Presidential candidate Barack Obama when they were both serving in the Illinois General Assembly from 1998 to 2004 and when she was supporting and working hard to help him get elected to the U. S. Senate in 2003-04. Among other show topics, including state budget spending and tax issues, Hamos reflects on Obama’s performance in the State Senate and on what that tells us, or doesn’t, about a President Obama.

Also, tonight’s City of Aurora edition of "Public Affairs," features Senator Rauschenberger, airing at 7:30 pm tonight 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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Remember, if you're not on "Public Affairs," you are not doing politics and public policy. Just ask Hamos, Rauschenberger, Sauerberg, Chris Matthews, Hinz, Peraica, Obama, Cullerton, Oberweis, Richardson, McCain, Lauzen, Laesch, Blagojevich, Stein, Giuliani, Jesse Jackson, Jr. and 500 other political figures appearing on "Public Affairs," in the last decade, Go here and click on the Archives.
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A partial transcript of tonight’s show with Senator Rauschenberger (recorded on February 10, 2008) is included directly, below.
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Obama: A new kind of politician? Or Same old, same old?

Former Illinois State Senator Steve Rauschenberger (R-Elgin): If you are going to be the candidate of change, tell us what you are going to change. If you look at his [Obama's] roll call votes—

Jeff Berkowitz: His tone. He is not going to play games—

Steve Rauschenberger: If you look at his roll call votes in Springfield, it was eight years of Emil Jones in a better looking suit, okay? [Emil Jones is the Democratic Senate President in Illinois and also a Chicago machine pol and long time mentor of Barack Obama].

Jeff Berkowitz: That’s an unfair statement. That’s an unfair statement.

Steve Rauschenberger: He voted essentially the same—he voted the same as his legislative leader. He was not—

Jeff Berkowitz: Republicans vote like Republicans and Democrats vote like [Democrats]—

Steve Rauschenberger: You’ve got Kirk Dillard (State Senator and former DuPage County Republican Chairman) doing commercials for him—

Jeff Berkowitz: Cong. Mark Kirk [R-Highland Park, 10th CD] probably votes 87% of the time with Republicans and he is viewed as an Independent—give me a break, every Republican votes with Republicans and every Democrat votes with Democrats, Steve, how many times did you vote with the Democrats? What percentage of the time when you were there? 10%?

Steve Rauschenberger: Probably close to zero. I don’t think it was anywhere near that.

Jeff Berkowitz: Yes, so you’re [saying you’re] better than—

Steve Rauschenberger: But, I am not out there saying I am a new kind of a Republican or that I am all about change or that I am the change agent that’s going to change the status quo when I spent the last ten years playing the game.

Jeff Berkowitz: For gosh sakes, every Republican running for office this year is talking about change. Are you going to criticize them, too?

Steve Rauschenberger: Sure.

Jeff Berkowitz: Are you going to criticize Jim Oberweis in the 14th Cong. Dist. for saying that government is broken and he is going to fix it (Oberweis won two Republican primaries on Super Tuesday, making him the nominee of his Party in a special March 8, 2008 general election to replace the retired former Speaker, Cong. Hastert, as well as the nominee of his Party in the November, 2008 general election.

Steve Rauschenberger: Yes.

Jeff Berkowitz: Go ahead, tell us what is wrong with Jim Oberweis.

Steve Rauschenberger: Well, I think that that’s a bad message.

Jeff Berkowitz: All right, did you tell him that when he was running. [Ed. Note, he is still running]. Did you stand up publicly and say that?

Steve Rauschenberger: He didn’t ask me. I am out of politics.

Jeff Berkowitz: Okay.

Steve Rauschenberger: I mean, do I think mindless messages that mislead the public are good politics? No. I don’t know whether you really do or not, either. I mean I think it is time if we are going to really change things we start honestly talking about public policy that matters.
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Steve Rauschenberger: But, I mean you asked me whether his record in Springfield reflects what he says today and I said no. And, I’ll say no tomorrow and I’ll say no the next day.
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Time to fire State GOP Chairman Andy McKenna, Jr.?

Jeff Berkowitz: The State GOP has as its chairman, Andy McKenna, Jr. He has been there [as Chairman] for three years, after they booted out Gary MacDougal, for reasons unknown. Has shareholder value for the Republican Party in the State of Illinois increased under Andy McKenna, Jr.?

Steve Rauschenberger: I think the Republican Party, if you want to compare it to the stock market, is a little bit like a bank stock today. So, people don’t know whether it has been completely devalued yet.

Jeff Berkowitz: It’s gone down.

Steve Rauschenberger: It’s gone way down.

Jeff Berkowitz: Way down. So, what do you do with a CEO when he presides over a decrease in the capitalization of a company?

Steve Rauschenberger: Well, just keep in mind that this [State GOP] CEO wasn’t around when they made all the bad mortgage loans but he also has not instilled new confidence. You know, I think that—

Jeff Berkowitz: Time for Andy McKenna to go?

Steve Rauschenberger: I think it is time for a lot of the leaders of the Republican Party to decide to lead or get out of the way.

Jeff Berkowitz: Should he go? Should he go?

Steve Rauschenberger: I don’t know. I 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 Obama and McCain-- and many other pols, as well as Tonight's City of Chicago edition of Public Affairs with Sen. Rauschenberger and last week's City of Chicago edition with Crain's political columnist Greg Hinz at www.PublicAffairsTv.com
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Recently posted shows on the Public Affairs Youtube page include, among others, tonight's show in the City of Chicago and City of Aurora with Sen. Rauschenberger, assessing Barack Obama, this week's show in the suburbs with Republican U.S. Senate nominee Dr. Steve Sauerberg, discussing his opponent--Senator Durbin-- and domestic, cultural and foreign policy issues, next week's show in the suburbs featuring State Rep. Julie Hamos (D-Evanston,IL), discussing Barack Obama, as well as various Illinois Budget issues (spending, mass transit, capital budget, education, gaming and taxes) and possible 2010 Illinois gubernatorial candidates and 2010 U. S. Senate candidates (assuming Obama moves up to President in 2008) , a discussion with State's Attorney for Cook County Republican nominee Tony Peraica; and Anita Alvarez, Chief Deputy to current State's Attorney for Cook County Dick Devine and now the Democratic nominee for State's Attorney of Cook County.
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Senator McCain: Off his game in Sugar Grove, IL; New York Times, yet another bad day?

Revised at 2:55 pm to add links about Senator McCain's Press Conference, about the New York Times story on McCain and to a video assessment of Obama by a former state senate colleague.
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Jeff Berkowitz: Senator McCain…Senator Obama seems to be packaging you for the fall election. ...Altogether, Obama says a vote for McCain is going to be a vote for a third term for George W. Bush. Given that the approval ratings of the President are now in the low 30s, how do you respond to that effort to package you that way?
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McCain: Courting the Republican Wing of the Republican Party?

You knew something wasn’t quite right. Senator McCain seemed lethargic, halting and not particularly happy to be standing next to Jim Oberweis. And, there was little in the way of straight talk. In short, McCain might have done better to have “mailed it in.”

Senator McCain interrupted his campaigning in Ohio, last night, to do a good deed for conservatives—appear at a funder that raised more than a quarter of a million dollars for conservative Republican Jim Oberweis, running in a special election in Illinois’ 14th Cong. District and said to have a net worth of about fifty million dollars.

Prior to the funder (at a Country Club less than two miles away), McCain stopped at Hanger 7, west bay, at the Aurora Municipal Airport (actually located in Sugar Grove, IL—Jim Oberweis’ base), to meet with a half dozen or so local print media (and the Chicago Tribune) and some of the political reporters of the electronic media, including Mike Flannery of CBS-2 news, Mary Ann Ahern of NBC-5 news and Dane Placko of the local Fox affiliate, WFLD, for ten minutes of questioning.

The March 8, 2008 (Saturday) Special Election in the 14th CD: another test for the Republican Party

We are two weeks and two days from a special election to fill the seat of Ex-Speaker Denny Hastert in Illinois’ 14th Cong. Dist. The 14th has an eastern border about 30 miles west of Chicago and stretches through eight counties, including quite a bit of farmland, and also includes Aurora, Illinois’ third largest city and two of the fastest growing counties in the State: Kane and Kendall.

The District has long been thought to be a very Republican district. Bush won it with 54% of the vote in 2004. Although held to 60% of the vote by a "no name" (John Laesch), no resources, anti-war candidate in the Democratic Tsunami of 2006, Hastert’s prior victories were mostly in the 70% range in his twenty-one year tenure. Nevertheless, the race between well-to-do Republican businessman Jim Oberweis (watch here on Public Affairs) and Democrat-well-to-do inventor/physicist Bill Foster (who declined to appear on Public Affairs) is pegged by some knowledgeable sources as a four to eight point race. Further, although most assess Oberweis to be the favorite—a few go the other way.

A tight race for Republicans in Speaker Hastert’s old District? Obama’s coattails? McCain’s coattails?

It is understandable that, given the current mood of the country, a tight race would be forecast in the 14th CD, even one favoring Foster, for the fall election, if Obama is heading the ticket. But, it is surprising that even some Republican players think Foster could pull off a win in the special election on March 8, 2008--to replace Hastert, who has resigned his seat. Their point: this is a very unusual election cycle and Obama, even without being on the ballot, may drag Foster across the finish line [On the other hand, for a less than flattering critique of Obama by one of his state senate colleagues [albeit from the opposite Party], watch here].

Barack has endorsed Foster and is said to have done a nice TV ad for the physicist. But, where is the ad, you ask? Why would Foster save it? Why, indeed, inquiring minds want to know. The Obama trademark in such endorsements is positive ads. Foster will want to save his negative ads for the close. So, where is Foster’s Obama ad?

Pressing McCain at the Presser: Straight talking Express?

Back to the presser, this reporter had plenty of timely questions, at the ready, on which to probe Senator McCain: his efforts to hold Obama to his pledge to stick with public financing (and the spending limits thereto) in the general election; Obama’s efforts to give Bush a makeover as a Bush clone; a possible VP pick, e.g., Gov. Bobby Jindal, to placate the Republican wing of the Republican party, i.e., conservatives; the fairness of his characterization of Obama talk as “eloquent but an empty call for change”; Does the Huckabee continued attraction to conservative primary voters spell trouble for McCain in the General Election; Now that Fidel is gone, would McCain agree with the long held position of the Wall St. Journal that the U. S. embargo on Cuba should be lifted; Is the race between Foster and Oberweis a precursor to the national presidential election, and if so, will it be a referendum on the War and the Economy, i.e., on Bush.

As luck would have it, this reporter led off the presser with one of the above-- his best shot, so to speak, knowing he was unlikely to get another.

Jeff Berkowitz: Senator McCain…Senator Obama seems to be packaging you for the fall election. He is referring to your current support for the Bush Tax Cuts as tying you to what he calls the Bush failed economic policy; he refers to your support for the Surge in Iraq, notwithstanding your misgivings about the way the war was managed, as tying you again to what he would say [are the] failed efforts in Iraq of this country and of George W. Bush. Altogether, Obama says a vote for McCain is going to be a vote for a third term for George W. Bush. Given that the approval ratings of the President are now in the low 30s, how do you respond to that effort to package you that way?

Senator McCain: First of all, I am still focusing on winning the nomination of my Party. Governor Huckabee remains in this race and I respect that. There are stark differences between myself and both Senator Obama and Senator Clinton. Whether we want lower taxes or higher taxes. Whether we want less regulation or more regulation. Whether we will let the Surge succeed as it is or whether we will set a date for withdrawal and thereby allow Al-Qaeda to announce to the world they’ve defeated the United States of America. There will be ample time to outline the stark difference between the most liberal Democrat in the United States Senate according to the National Journal and myself—who is a proud Republican conservative with a proud twenty year record of conservative voting and activity, so I look forward to that case.

Can Obama package McCain as a clone of W?

Not a lot of straight talk from McCain last night. The question, when stripped of the niceties, essentially was can Obama market McCain as a clone of W? McCain’s answer that he hasn’t won the Republican nomination yet was a bit disingenuous since McCain has, himself, been taking shots at Obama during the last two week, labeling the Presidential Phenom as, “an eloquent, but empty, call for change.”

Moreover, we know that McCain has stark differences with Senators Clinton and Obama. However, the question was essentially—Does McCain have historical stark differences with Bush on the War and the Economy, not to mention Campaign finance-- and will those differences prevent Obama from packaging McCain, as indicated above . For another take on McCain finessing the question about Obama's efforts to tie him to Bush, as well as an incomplete answer on gun control and NIU, [See here], and for more about the press conference, generally, See here.

This reporter, like most, understands why pols answer the question they want to answer, not the one that was asked. But, again, McCain’s trademark is supposed to be the straight-talking express, not the double talking “I’ll answer that one next time.” And that description worked for a number of the remaining questions in the short presser. Admittedly, McCain sets high and exceptional standards for a presidential candidate at a presser. But, he didn’t meet them last night.

Why McCain was distracted in Aurora

As it turns out, McCain had good reason to be distracted (the buzz used by some to describe how he seemed at the funder that followed the presser) last night. About an hour after McCain left the presser, word broke of a New York Times story that suggested:

A female lobbyist had been turning up with him[McCain] at fund-raisers, visiting his offices and accompanying him on a client’s corporate jet. Convinced the relationship had become romantic, some of his top advisers intervened to protect the candidate from himself — instructing staff members to block the woman’s access, privately warning her away and repeatedly confronting him, several people involved in the campaign said on the condition of anonymity. [See here].

More shoddy journalism from the New York Times?

The story, first posted on the NYT web site last night, followed by publication this morning, above the fold, seems to have drawn two potential reactions from sophisticated politcal journalists : (1) The New York Times has got to have more and is holding back (2) This story is another black mark for the New York Times: The story appears to insinuate, but not quite say, McCain had an affair with a lobbyist, or that he was simply too close to the lobbyist. The story essentially identifies no sources and seems to be about events going back, at first, eight years and then about two decades to the Keating Five. Basically, the Times used rumors of old sex to market old facts and innuendo[See generally, here]. And, it may have finally decided to publish the story to counter the allegations of "foot-dragging," about to made by the New Republic. Some Profile in Courage that would be.
[See here and here].

Is McCain Fired up? Ready to Go?

It seems fairly likely that Senator McCain knew, at the time of yesterday’s early evening presser, the New York Times was about to break this story. Notwithstanding the apparent deficiencies of the reporting, perhaps lack of credibility of the sources and lack of relevance of many of the issues raised, one could understand why Senator McCain may have been distracted last night. That actually would be a relatively benign explanation for the good Senator’s poor performance last night. At least, it might be a transitory factor in the campaign. The other potential explanations are more troublesome to Republicans concerned about the Presidential race.
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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 Obama and McCain-- and many other pols, as well as this week's suburban edition of Public Affairs with Sen. Rauschenberger and last week's suburban edition with Crain's political columnist Greg Hinz at www.PublicAffairsTv.com
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Recently posted shows on the Public Affairs Youtube page include, among others, this week's show in the suburbs with Sen. Rauschenberger, assessing Barack Obama, a discussion with State's Attorney for Cook County Republican nominee Tony Peraica; and Anita Alvarez, Chief Deputy to current State's Attorney for Cook County Dick Devine and now the Democratic nominee for State's Attorney of Cook County.
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Better than Berkowitz w/Obama: Berkowitz w/ Sen. Rauschenberger on Obama, Cable and Streaming

Former State Sen. Steve Rauschenberger[Watch here]: [Barack Obama] didn’t work on building that bill—any more than he worked to write the ethics legislation. He was a show pony. He was [Democratic Senate President, Chicago machine pol and Obama mentor]Emil Jones' —

Jeff Berkowitz: Well, then, who did it? Because Emil Jones didn’t do it.

Senator Steve Rauschenberger (R-Elgin): He was Emil Jones’ show pony.
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This week's suburban edition of Public Affairs features former Illinois State Senator Steve Rauschenberger (R-Elgin) reflecting, among other things, on Barack Obama's performance as a state legislator. Rauschenberger entered the state senate in 1992 as a charter member of the "Fab 5" and gave up his seat to run unsuccessfully for Lt. Gov. in the 2006 Republican Primary. Thus, his tenure in the state senate gave him an eight year overlap with now Presidential candidate Obama. One might call it a Bird's eye view of the Presidential Phenom by someone who was generally acknowledged to be one of the smarter, more reasonable and better informed Illinois legislators.
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Next week's suburban edition of "Public Affairs," features the Republican nominee for the U. S. Senate, Dr. Steve Sauerberg (R-Willowbrook). Dr. Sauerberg, who has had a family medical practice for about a quarter of a century, is fresh off of a win in a contested primary and he had a bit of a campaign team shake-up just a few days before the show's taping on Sunday, February 17. Team Sauerberg brought on a new campaign manager for the race against the Senior Senator from the State of Illinois, Dick Durbin, who is also No. 2 in the Senate Leadership to Democratic Majority Leader Harry Reid.
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The suburban schedule for Public Affairs is included, below.
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The show with Senator Rauschenberger also airs throughout the City of Chicago this coming Monday night at 8:30 pm on Cable Ch. 21 (CANTV) and in Aurora and surrounding areas on Monday night at 7:30 pm on ACTV, Cable Ch. 10.
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Former Illinois State Senator Steve Rauschenberger (R-Elgin) debates and discusses with show host and Executive Legal Recruiter Jeff Berkowitz Barack Obama's performance as a state legislator; compares the presidential capabilities of Hillary and Barack; assesses Obama as a “reformer;” assesses Obama’s judgment on the War; asks what is Obama’s “vision of change;” suggests “Obama was eight years of Senate President [and Chicago Machine Democrat] Emil Jones in a better looking suit;” assesses whether Speaker Mike beat Hot Rod on the Mass Transit bill; assesses whether the Republicans who supported the regional sales tax increase made a mistake; assesses whether the State GOP has a vision or a brand; discusses whether State GOP Chairman McKenna has increased shareholder value for the Republican Party in his three year tenure; discusses the lack of ideological balance at WTTW-- one of Chicago’s public TV stations, 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 Rauschenberger show here. (See, below) for more information about the Public Affairs computer airings.
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This episode of Public Affairs was taped on February 10, 2008.
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A partial transcipt of this week's suburban edition of Public Affairs is included below.
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Former State Senator Steve Rauschenberger (R-Elgin): People need to know that [state senator] Barack [Obama] was not particularly bi-partisan. His voting record and [Democratic Senate President] Emil Jones’ were about 96% exactly the same. Barack did not vote for Republican bills. Barack was not a builder. He worked together with Kirk Dillard (Republican State Senator and then DuPage County Republican Chairman; Dillard appeared in an ad that was used by Barack in the Iowa Caucus and recently in an ad that aired nationally) on a couple of major issues that were handed to him by Emil Jones…Barack talks a lot about reform, but remember when he had his chance to help change Cook County, he was there in support of Todd Stroger as a replacement for Todd Stroger’s father[Ed. note: more accurately, he did nothing to prevent the ward bosses from installing Todd as a replacement nominee for his father]; he did not argue for [reformer] Claypool or argue for the reformers on the [Cook] County Board… This was a guy who was then U. S. Senator with all the prestige in the world and he did what the Chicago machine politicians do, bunker down and stick with what works, so he wasn’t a reformer. I don’t think he was a particularly bi-partisan legislator, not to say he is not smart and charming and you know people talk about him being a visionary but you have to ask what his vision is. Besides change—I didn’t see a vision in the Illinois Senate. I certainly haven’t seen one in his term in the U. S. Senate and now for President. It’s great to be for change, but I mean changing what. I mean I think it’s time for Barack—

Jeff Berkowitz: Changing the tone, just to play a little bit of a devil’s advocate—

Steve Rauschenberger Sure.

Jeff Berkowitz: He wants to change the way business is done. He says Washington is broken. So, he wants people to work together to bring about legislation—

Steve Rauschenberger: The same way he effectively did not work together in the Illinois Senate. The same way his and Kirk Dillard’s much heralded ethics reform—there hasn’t been a single person in the State of Illinois convicted or charged under that ethics legislation. It was obviously pretty effective ethics legislation.

Jeff Berkowitz: Well, what do you mean. Maybe this shows it worked. Has it stopped improper activity?

Steve Rauschenberger Well, no, there have been eighty federal indictments in the same period that Barack and Kirk Dillard’s bill has gone nowhere.

Jeff Berkowitz: What about racial profiling? Did he champion that bill? It’s a bill that he and I spent a half hour talking about [on this set] in 2001. So, you’re not going to take that away from him.

Steve Rauschenberger No, he stuck his neck out on that and I think some people think—

Jeff Berkowitz: And, it passed and now people don’t talk about [racial profiling] so much. Racial profiling. So, apparently it has worked. At least in the driving area, which was the main area [dealt with by the bill]. Are people getting pulled over for, as they used to say for, DWB, driving while black?
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Jeff Berkowitz: Answer that one question. In 2001, he was working on that legislation. I think it passed in 2002. Would you say that since then there have been fewer instances of African-Americans and other minorities being pulled over simply because of their race or ethnicity.

Former State Senator Steve Rauschenberger (R-Elgin): I wouldn’t have any idea. But, if that was his signal—

Jeff Berkowitz: If that is the case, then it was successful.

Steve Rauschenberger: If that is his signal accomplishment in eight years in the Illinois—

Jeff Berkowitz: Not signal. But, that’s one. What about capital punishment [reform]? You just pushed [that legislation] away and said it was nothing because you said it was handed to him [Obama].

Steve Rauschenberger: Well, that was a Chicago Tribune campaign. He and Kirk Dillard carried it on the floor.

Jeff Berkowitz: Somebody had to get it done. [do the legislative job].

Steve Rauschenberger: You can give me just as much credit for capital punishment reform as you give Barack Obama.

Jeff Berkowitz: Really, were you sponsoring that legislation?

Steve Rauschenberger: No, but my point was—all he did was carry it on the floor of the Senate.

Jeff Berkowitz: He was sponsoring it.

Steve Rauschenberger: He didn’t work on building that bill—any more than he worked to write the ethics legislation. He was a show pony. He was Emil Jones—

Jeff Berkowitz: Well, then, who did it? Because Emil Jones didn’t do it.

Former State Senator Steve Rauschenberger (R-Elgin): He was Emil Jones’ show pony.

Jeff Berkowitz: Who did it?

Steve Rauschenberger: Which bill?

Jeff Berkowitz: Capital punishment.

Former State Senator Steve Rauschenberger (R-Elgin): That was written by the staff of the judiciary committee in the Illinois Senate—to the Tribune’s specifications because that was the Tribune’s big march to get their Pulitzer…
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This week’s suburban episode of Public Affairs with guest former State Senator Steve Rauschenberger (R-Elgin) 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. ******************************************************
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 Obama and McCain-- and many other pols, as well as this week's suburban edition of Public Affairs with Sen. Rauschenberger and last week's suburban edition with Crain's political columnist Greg Hinz at www.PublicAffairsTv.com
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Recently posted shows on the Public Affairs Youtube page include, among others, this week's show in the suburbs with Sen. Rauschenberger, a discussion with State's Attorney for Cook County Republican nominee Tony Peraica; and Anita Alvarez, Chief Deputy to current State's Attorney for Cook County Dick Devine and now the Democratic nominee for State's Attorney of Cook County.
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Better than Russert w/ McCain: Berkowitz w/Greg Hinz and Rauschenberger, Cable and Streaming

Greg Hinz:...I think I am more left of center than right of center.

Jeff Berkowitz: So, you are typical for the mainstream media, would you say?
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Jeff Berkowitz: We all hold hands and sing Kumbyyah with Barack Obama?

Greg Hinz: To a degree, which is what—she[Hillary] has tried to come back and suggest, “Hey, you can’t really believe all this, it’s a nice dream, but it’s not quite real.”
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Tonight’s City of Chicago edition of Public Affairs features Crain's Chicago Business political columnist and reporter Greg Hinz. The show airs through-out the City tonight at 8:30 pm on Cable Ch. 21 (CANTV). See, below, for a partial transcript of tonight’s show with Greg Hinz. See here for a list of topics covered in tonight's show and for another partial transcipt of tonight's show.

Can’t watch the show on Cable tonight? Not to worry. Go here to watch the show with Greg Hinz on your computer.

This Week’s suburban edition of Public Affairs features former State Senator Steve Rauschenberger, who came into the State Senate in 1992 as a member of the “Fab 5.” Rauschenberger thinks he got a pretty good look at Presidential candidate Barack Obama when they were both serving in the Illinois Senate from 1996 to 2004.

Among other show topics, Rauschenberger reflects on Obama’s performance in the State Senate and on what that tells us, or doesn’t, about a President Obama. Rauschenberger asks what is Obama’s “vision of change,” and he agues, "Obama was eight years of Senate President Emil Jones in a better looking suit.” To watch the Rauschenberger show on your computer, go here.

Also, tonight’s City of Aurora edition of "Public Affairs," features Greg Hinz, Crain's Chicago Business political columnist, airing at 7:30 pm tonight 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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Remember, if you're not on "Public Affairs," you are not doing politics and public policy. Just ask Chris Matthews, Hinz, Peraica, Obama, Cullerton, Rauschenberger, Oberweis, Richardson, McCain, Lauzen, Laesch, Blagojevich, Stein, Giuliani, Jesse Jackson, Jr. and 500 other political figures appearing on "Public Affairs," in the last decade, Go here and click on the Archives.
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A partial transcript of tonight’s show with Greg Hinz (recorded on February 3, 2008) is included directly, below.
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Jeff Berkowitz: Paul Green [Roosevelt University Professor and WGN AM Radio] political commentator] talks about being the white line down the middle of the road; would that be Greg Hinz?

Greg Hinz; No, I think I am more left of center than right of center.

Jeff Berkowitz: So, you are typical for the mainstream media, would you say?

Greg Hinz; I’ll let you say that.

Jeff Berkowitz: You don’t think the mainstream media would at least lean left, if not far left?

Greg Hinz; Fox News [Channel] does a pretty good job of balancing it the other way.

Jeff Berkowitz: Well, they are the only one, right? Then you have CNN, MSNBC, CBS, ABC …NBC…Have I left out anybody? Those that I just mentioned are on the left and then you have on the other side—Fox on the right, so it hardly seems fair or balanced.
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Jeff Berkowitz: …what is the magic about Obama…

Greg Hinz: I think all the polls and I think the sense of the political establishment right now is that Americans aren’t very happy about the state of the Nation by and large.

Jeff Berkowitz: Change, that would be the big word.

Greg Hinz: Yeah, we’ve got stuck in this war that doesn’t seem to end; the economy’s falling apart—

Jeff Berkowitz: Well, falling apart would be a litte—we don’t even know if we are in a recession yet, let along falling apart—

Greg Hinz: Not in great shape; not in great shape.

Jeff Berkowitz: Well, the first month we’ve had a decline in jobs and you say “falling apart.” You’re at a business magazine Is that what Crain’s thinks?

Greg Hinz: I think Crain’s thinks the economy is not in very good shape now. My IRA would say that, so would yours.

Jeff Berkowitz: But, “falling apart,” you know, all right, Okay-

Greg Hinz: On the verge of falling apart.

Jeff Berkowitz: I interrupted, sorry, so, the war goes on—

Greg Hinz: So, people aren’t happy and they want change and here Barack Obama comes and he presents himself as an agent of change and he does it by not coming across as a hyper partisan like Hillary Clinton sometime does, “I’m going to smash them; I ‘m going to bait them,” but I ‘m going to take us to the Promised Land where we’re all gong to get together and rally about. These kinds of changes we can agree on actually accomplish something.

Jeff Berkowitz: We all hold hands and sing Kumbyyah with Barack Obama?

Greg Hinz: To a degree, which is what—she[Hillary] has tried to come back and suggest, “Hey, you can’t really believe all this, it’s a nice dream, but it’s not quite real.”

Jeff Berkowitz: Right.

Greg Hinz: But, right now, it has sunk in quite successfully, particularly with certainly parts of the electorate, younger people for instance.
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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 Obama, McCain, and many other pols, as well as recent Public Affairs' shows with Republican State's Attorney of Cook County candidate and Cook County Commissioner Tony Peraica and Democrat State's Attorney of Cook County candidate and currently Chief Deputy to State's Attorney Devine Anita Alvarez at www.PublicAffairsTv.com
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Key Cong. Races, the Presidential Race and Obama's magic: Crain's Hinz on Cable and Streaming

Video Links added and text slightly revised at 1:20 pm on Wednesday
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Jeff Berkowitz: … is it that the country is almost looking for and ready to embrace an African-American family that is intact as their First Family…. It’s an advantage [to be African-American].

Greg Hinz: That is a good question and we’re going to have to wait and see all the election totals before we find out whether that is indeed the case or not. There is an argument to be made that some of his opponents tried to play a racial card…
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Greg Hinz: …in many ways, to be honest, [Obama] is very reminiscent of Ronald Reagan—a change in direction wrapped around a nice, sunny persona.

Jeff Berkowitz: Although Reagan…when he was running [for President] had been Governor of a very large state, California, for two terms.
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This week's suburban edition of Public Affairs features Greg Hinz, Crain's Chicago Business political columnist and reporter. Hinz, a Medill School of Journalism alum, describes himself as "more left of center than right of center."
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Next week's suburban edition of "Public Affairs," features former Illinois State Senator Steve Rauschenberger (R-Elgin) reflecting, among other things, on Barack Obama's performance as a state legislator. Rauschenberger entered the state senate in 1992 as a charter member of the "Fab 5" and gave up his seat to run unsuccessfully for Lt. Gov. in the 2006 Republican Primary. Thus, his tenure in the state senate gave him an eight year overlap with now Presidential candidate Obama. One might call it a Bird's eye view of the Presidential Phenom by someone who was generally acknowledged to be one of the smarter and better informed Illinois legislators.
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The suburban schedule for Public Affairs is included, below.
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The show with Hinz also airs throughout the City of Chicago this coming Monday night at 8:30 pm on Cable Ch. 21 (CANTV) and in Aurora and surrounding areas on Monday night at 7:30 pm on ACTV, Cable Ch. 10.
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Greg Hinz, Crain’s Chicago Business political columnist/reporter, debates and discusses with TV show host and Executive Legal Recuiter Jeff Berkowitz what it is that has propelled Barack Obama to a one on one with Hillary Clinton for the Democrat Presidential nomination; the Fall, 2008 general and Super Tuesday primary election match-ups, including the State’s Attorney of Cook County Democratic primary and general election; Congressional match-ups between Foster (D) and Oberweis (R) in the 14th CD, Seals (D) and Kirk (R) in the 10th CD, Halvorson (D) and Baldermann(R) in the 11th CD; Presidential candidate match-ups include Obama v. Hillary and Obama v. McCain. Also discussed are the possibilities of a U. S. Senator Schakowsky and of Mainstream Media bias 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 Greg Hinz show here. (See, below) for more information about the Public Affairs computer airings.
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This episode of Public Affairs was taped on February 3, 2008.
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A partial transcipt of this week's suburban edition of Public Affairs is included below.
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Greg Hinz:…it will be difficult, I think, for Seals to beat that kind of responsiveness in him [Cong. Mark Kirk (R- 10th CD, Highland Park)] unless again, Barack Obama is at the head of the ticket; if Barack is on the ticket, all bets are off.
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Jeff Berkowitz: So, you are predicting Foster (D) v. Oberweis (R) in the March [8, 2008 special] election [in the 14th CD].

Greg Hinz: That would appear to be most likely at this point.

Jeff Berkowitz: And, the winner is?

Greg Hinz: The winner is probably going to be Oberweis, but I think the real race isn’t so much in the special election, it’s in the fall…If Obama is heading the ticket, you’re going to have a huge turnout of Democrats in that District…
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Jeff Berkowitz: Charles Krauthammer [Nationally syndicated columnist and Fox News contributor]…did hit on something when he said the Democratic Party had three choices in the Primary: you had Hillary Clinton the candidate of experienced change; you had John Edwards the candidate of angry change; and you had Barack Obama the candidate of hopeful change. Is that it, sort of? I mean hope- that’s hope, change—all those nice, little words. Is David Axelrod (Obama’s chief media and theme guru) basically engineering this Presidency?

Greg Hinz: Oh no, I think—

Jeff Berkowitz: Barack can do this all on his own. I mean all this stuff about hope and—

Greg Hinz: Nobody can be President on their own but what Mr. Obama is saying now is very consistent with what he has been saying ever since he started running for the Senate. I think a lot of people will remember his keynote speech at the Democratic Convention four years ago and in many ways, to be honest, he is very reminiscent of Ronald Reagan—a change in direction wrapped around a nice, sunny persona.

Jeff Berkowitz: Although Reagan…when he was running [for President] had been Governor of a very large state, California, for two terms.

Greg Hinz: Fair point. Fair point. Fair point.

Jeff Berkowitz: So, there is that.

Greg Hinz: But, the way the message resonates is similar.

Jeff Berkowitz: And, Reagan for decades had been putting out the Republican message of a strong [national] defense and of free enterprise, when he was doing it—what was it—the GE [General Electric] theater, something like that. So, Reagan wasn’t a politician [then]-- but Obama, you’ve got to admit-- has been doing this a pretty short time.

Greg Hinz: He has but he seems to have this little bit of magic that some politicians come up with once in a while.

Jeff Berkowitz: Yeah, and is it that the country is almost looking for and ready to embrace an African-American family that is intact as their First Family. This is …perhaps the first time in American history in which it is probably a major advantage for a thoughtful, well spoken, intelligent candidate, like Barack Obama, to be African-American. It’s an advantage.

Greg Hinz: That is a good question and we’re going to have to wait and see all the election totals before we find out whether that is indeed the case or not. There is an argument to be made that some of his opponents tried to play a racial card earlier in the primary process. It didn’t work in South Carolina but then in Nevada, the next state up—

Jeff Berkowitz: It may have worked.

Greg Hinz: It may have worked by pushing away Hispanics.
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Jeff Berkowitz: …that picture. You saw that. You were probably in Springfield when he announced he was running for President, February 10th ,the first time you really saw the Obama family—two young kids, wife—picture perfect family, these days, African-American. And, it is his only wife, his only family. Somewhat unusual these days when you had Rudy Giuliani on his third [wife, Fred Thompson on his second wife, John McCain on his second wife]…you could also say Hillary only has had one husband, too.

Greg Hinz: [With laughter], you could say that.

Jeff Berkowitz: …but that image was important, don’t you think—African-American intact family? I mean, am I making too much of that?

Greg Hinz: I think that the family image resonates, clearly. To what extent, people are going to vote for him or against him because he is black, I just don’t know.

Jeff Berkowitz: It’s a plus. Look, I don’t know how to say this but I’ll say it
anyway…
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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 Greg Hinz, Crain’s Chicago Business political columnist/reporter, 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. ******************************************************
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 Obama and McCain-- and many other pols, as well as this week's suburban edition of Public Affairs with Greg Hinz and last week's suburban edition with Sen. Cullerton 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 Greg Hinz,last week's show with John Cullerton, and the week before's show with Peraica-- and the prior 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 discussions with Cook County Board Member and State's Attorney for Cook County Republican nominee 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 [ ]; and Anita Alvarez, Chief Deputy to current State's Attorney for Cook County Dick Devine and now the Democratic nominee for State's Attorney of Cook County.
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