Monday, February 11, 2008

Better than "City Desk." Cullerton and Hinz, on Cable and Streaming

Jeff Berkowitz: Is race an issue there—with Clayborne and with Hendon. In other words, is there an idea that perhaps there should be an African-American [Senate President] since...

Senator John Cullerton: You know, I don’t think that [race] would be as big a factor...[Senator Clayborne]might get some of his support from downstate rather than from the just black folks. Ricky Hendon and Clayborne are both black; they’d be running against each other so I don’t think ...
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Tonight’s City of Chicago edition of Public Affairs features State Senator
John Cullerton (D-Chicago).
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 Cullerton.

Among other topics (See here for a list of topics covered and a partial transcript of the show), Senator Cullerton discusses a possible run for Senate President, possible replacements for Senator Obama and state matching funds for federally funded capital projects.

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

This week’s suburban edition of Public Affair’s and next week’s City of Chicago edition of Public Affairs features Greg Hinz, Crain’s Chicago Business political columnist and reporter. To watch the Hinz show on your computer, go here.

Next 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.

Also, tonight’s City of Aurora edition of "Public Affairs," features Senator Cullerton, 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, 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 Cullerton (recorded on January 27, 2008) is included directly, below.
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Does race matter? Once the office goes black, it never goes back?

Jeff Berkowitz: Would you consider next year running against Senate President Emil Jones [for Senate President]?

Senator John Cullerton: I wouldn’t say run against him…some people have indicated that they would like to be a candidate if President Jones didn’t run, I certainly would be one of those candidates.

Jeff Berkowitz: …Ricky [Hollywood] Hendon, would he be another one?

Senator John Cullerton: Ricky’s indicated a desire to do that…

Jeff Berkowitz: Senator Clayborne, would he be another one?

Senator John Cullerton: Senactor Clayborne, as well, from the East St. Louis area.

Jeff Berkowitz: Jim Deleo, from Chicago?

Senator John Cullerton: He’s my good friend and seat mate. He also would be considering—
Jeff Berkowitz: Terry Link, from Waukegan?

Senator John Cullerton: Terry Link, from Waukegan, you got the top candidates there.

Jeff Berkowitz: Is race an issue there—with Clayborne and with Hendon. In other words, is there an idea that perhaps there should be an African-American [Senate President] since there is—I think it is [Sun-Times columnist and DePaul University Professor] Laura Washington who says, “Once the office goes black, it never goes back.”

Senator John Cullerton: You know, I don’t think that would be as big a factor. I think it’s interesting that race would not really be a factor. Clayborne actually is African-American. He is from downstate. He might get some of his support from downstate rather than from the just black folks. Ricky Hendon and Clayborne are both black; they’d be running against each other so I don’t think race would be the discriminating factor there.
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Blagojevich: Would he appoint Lisa Madigan or Patrick Fitzgerald to Obama’s Senate Seat?

Senator Cullerton: First of all, I’m not sure Lisa Madigan wants to run for Governor. Now, normally, most [state] attorney generals all want to run for Governor. Lisa’s having a baby in a few months. She may not be ready to run for Governor.

Jeff Berkowitz: Some people say she may want to be a State Supreme Court Justice. You think?

Senator Cullerton: That, or maybe a U. S. Senator. We have a Barack Obama who’s about to be a President, hopefully. I’m certainly supporting him. And, if that’s the case, there will be an appointment.

Jeff Berkowitz: And, the appointment would be by the Governor.

Senator Cullerton: By the Governor.

Jeff Berkowitz: So, the Governor could get rid of, so to speak, one of his competitors. Maybe he’ll put Lisa there.

Senator Cullerton: Or, he’ll appoint Peter [Patrick?] Fitzgerald to be the U. S. Senator. He’s got a lot of options.

Jeff Berkowitz: He would appoint Peter [Patrick] Fitzgerald to be the U. S. Senator?

Senator Cullerton: You never know. You talk about getting rid of people. The question, though, is whether or not she would run and who the candidate would be. It’s difficult to beat an incumbent governor in a primary, so I’m looking forward in the next three years, though, to working with the Governor.
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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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