Better than Charlie Rose or Dan Abrams: Deputy Republican Senate Leader Radogno w/Berkowitz on Obama-Ayers and the Budget; Cable and Streaming
John Kass link added at 10:25 am on Tuesday
******************
Senator Christine Radogno [R-Lemont]: So, there is definitely a theme there. I mean this is not an isolated incident. And, then, as I pointed out, it is not just about the Pastor [Wright], but it is about the judgment of an individual who associates not only with a Pastor like that, but with Tony Rezko [and see John Kass on Obama-Rezko], withWilliam Ayers [ See here for a discussion of the Obama linkage to radical bomber Bill Ayers of the late 60s and early 70s; See here for a more benign Elizabeth Brackett-PBS view of Weathermen Days of Rage bombers Ayers and his spouse, Dohrn][Go here for more about the Weather Underground Organization]; [an individual] who endorses Todd Stroger for Cook County Board President[See here for Democratic reformer Forrest Claypool's views of Todd Stroger, a Democrat who Claypool, unlike Obama, could not support]. You know there is a disconnect between the wonderful rhetoric that we hear in a prepared speech and the actual execution of these different relationships.
****************************
Tonight's City of Chicago and City of Aurora edition of "Public Affairs," features Senator, Budgeteer and Deputy Republican State Senate Leader Christine Radogno (R-Lemont). The show with Senator Radogno airs throughout the City of Chicago tonight at 8:30 pm on Cable Ch. 21 (CANTV) and also tonight in Aurora and surrounding areas at 7:30 pm on ACTV, Cable Ch. 10. The Aurora station, Aurora Community Television, Comcast Cable Ch. 10, reaches all of Aurora, Bristol, Big Rock and parts of Oswego, Sandwich, Sugar Grove and Montgomery.
Turn on, Tune in and watch discussions about Senator Obama and Pastor Wright, Tony Rezko,; Obama’s judgment in picking associations and leadership capabilities; and the Presidential race; State Budget issues , Gov. Blagojevich, Jim Thompson and the Combine and much, much more. See here for a more detailed list of topics discussed on the show
*************************
You may also watch the Senator Radogno show, 24/7, here.
**********************************************************
A partial transcript of Tonight's City of Chicago and City of Aurora edition of Public Affairs [featuring Senator Radogno] is included, below:
*******************************************
Do the association choices of Barack Obama reflect bad judgment and leadership qualities?
Senator Christine Radogno (R-Lemont): I am sure [Pastor Jeremiah Wright] has some good qualities, but that doesn’t excuse that kind of rhetoric. I mean it was inciting hate and that is just wrong. And, it is wrong for someone to associate with people like that.
Jeff Berkowitz: Inciting hate? What is the rhetoric that is inciting hate? That sticks out—anything in particular?
Senator Christine Radogno: Well, “God damn the United States of America.” I mean—
Jeff Berkowitz: Not God Bless America, but God Damn America?
Senator Christine Radogno: Right, I mean there is just no excuse for that.
Jeff Berkowitz: KKK of America.
Senator Christine Radogno: And, in addition, to the particular sermons that we’ve heard played a number of times—now who knows what was in some that we hadn’t heard—the [Pastor Wright] church publication also has a pattern of that kind of anti-European, anti-Semitic—
Jeff Berkowitz: Anti- middle class?
Senator Christine Radogno: Yeah, right.
Jeff Berkowitz: They don’t want blacks to be part of the middle class because there is something that is different [about the middle class]
Senator Christine Radogno: So, there is definitely a theme there. I mean this is not an isolated incident. And, then, as I pointed out, it is not just about the Pastor, but it is about the judgment of an individual who associates not only with a Pastor like that, but with Tony Rezko, with William Ayers See here for a discussion of the Obama linkage to radical bomber Bill Ayers of the late 60s and early 70s; See here for a more benign Elizabeth Brackett-PBS view of Weathermen Days of Rage bombers Ayers and his spouse, Dohrn; [an individual] who endorses Todd Stroger for Cook County Board President. You know there is a disconnect between the wonderful rhetoric that we hear in a prepared speech and the actual execution of these different relationships.
**************************************************
Focus of the state legislature
Jeff Berkowitz: As you return to the General Assembly this week (Week of April 1), what’s the problem? What are you trying to work out and what can’t be worked out? What does the state legislature need to do and how does it affect the folks watching this program?
Senator Christine Radogno: From my view, everything in the state government comes down to the budget. That’s how you fund your priorities. You can say something is a priority but if you don’t fund it, it really isn’t. So, it’s really all about the budget. The main job the legislature has to do is pass the budget for the next year which will fund education, health care, transportation, public safety—then we can also talk about the capital bill in a moment, which is money for road, bridges and--
************************************************
Fixing the Pensions:
Jeff Berkowitz: What do you do to fix the pensions?
Senator Christine Radogno: Pension bonding would be one issue. Now, long term, I think we are going to have to go to a two tiered system.
Jeff Berkowitz: Which would be?
Senator Christine Radogno: Which would be newer employees coming in will not necessarily have the same benefits as those who are there today.
Jeff Berkowitz: So, you would reduce your future obligations as a way of lessening the burden…long term?
*********************************
Getting a handle on the State Budget:
Jeff Berkowitz: So, Governor Radogno, does your proposal include reductions in spending, as well? Are there cuts in spending or cuts in the rates of growth?
Senator Christine Radogno: We don’t need to cut spending; what we need to do is not expand beyond the revenue that comes in. The state generally, and this year is a little different because the economy is a little slow. Generally, we get about a billion dollars a year, brand new money. Just because of inflation and so on.
Jeff Berkowitz: This year maybe half a billion—
Senator Christine Radogno: This year it will be more challenging
Jeff Berkowitz: Maybe at best 500 million [new dollars], maybe less that, right?
Senator Christine Radogno: I think we are talking 650 [million new dollars]—is the last I heard. So, you know, it is a challenge.
Jeff Berkowitz: So, you may have to cut the rate of growth of spending—
Senator Christine Radogno: Exactly, and there are ways to do that. I mean you can look at the Medicaid program—which takes up about 31% of our budget. That is a huge chunk.
Jeff Berkowitz: Growing at about 8% per year—is that right?
Senator Christine Radogno: Exactly.
Jeff Berkowitz: And what do you do to cut Medicaid?
*************************************************
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, former Presidential candidate Richardson-- and many other pols, including Tonight's Chicago and Aurora edition of Public Affairs with Deputy Republican Senate leader and State Senator Christine Radogno (R-Lemont), this week's suburban show with State Rep. John Fritchey (D-Chicago), our prior show in the City of Chicago, Aurora and 35 suburbs with WGN Political Pundit and Professor Paul Green at www.PublicAffairsTv.com
*********************************************
Recently posted shows on the Public Affairs Youtube page include this week's show in the suburbs with State Rep. John Fritchey (D-Chicago), tonight's show in the Cities of Chicago and Aurora with Senator and Deputy Republican Senate Leader Christine Radogno (R-Lemont), last week's show in the Cities of Chicago and Aurora with Rep. Lang (Part 2), Last week's show in the Cities of Chicago and Aurora with Rep. Lang (Part 1) , our prior show in Chicago, Aurora and 35 Chicago metro villages with WGN Radio political pundit Paul Green, a prior show with Senator and likely 2010 Illinois Gubernatorial candidate Bill Brady,our show with former Sen. Rauschenberger, assessing Barack Obama, our prior show with Republican U.S. Senate Republican nominee Dr. Steve Sauerberg, discussing his Democratic opponent--Senator Durbin-- and domestic, cultural and foreign policy issues, our prior show 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
******************
Senator Christine Radogno [R-Lemont]: So, there is definitely a theme there. I mean this is not an isolated incident. And, then, as I pointed out, it is not just about the Pastor [Wright], but it is about the judgment of an individual who associates not only with a Pastor like that, but with Tony Rezko [and see John Kass on Obama-Rezko], withWilliam Ayers [ See here for a discussion of the Obama linkage to radical bomber Bill Ayers of the late 60s and early 70s; See here for a more benign Elizabeth Brackett-PBS view of Weathermen Days of Rage bombers Ayers and his spouse, Dohrn][Go here for more about the Weather Underground Organization]; [an individual] who endorses Todd Stroger for Cook County Board President[See here for Democratic reformer Forrest Claypool's views of Todd Stroger, a Democrat who Claypool, unlike Obama, could not support]. You know there is a disconnect between the wonderful rhetoric that we hear in a prepared speech and the actual execution of these different relationships.
****************************
Tonight's City of Chicago and City of Aurora edition of "Public Affairs," features Senator, Budgeteer and Deputy Republican State Senate Leader Christine Radogno (R-Lemont). The show with Senator Radogno airs throughout the City of Chicago tonight at 8:30 pm on Cable Ch. 21 (CANTV) and also tonight in Aurora and surrounding areas at 7:30 pm on ACTV, Cable Ch. 10. The Aurora station, Aurora Community Television, Comcast Cable Ch. 10, reaches all of Aurora, Bristol, Big Rock and parts of Oswego, Sandwich, Sugar Grove and Montgomery.
Turn on, Tune in and watch discussions about Senator Obama and Pastor Wright, Tony Rezko,; Obama’s judgment in picking associations and leadership capabilities; and the Presidential race; State Budget issues , Gov. Blagojevich, Jim Thompson and the Combine and much, much more. See here for a more detailed list of topics discussed on the show
*************************
You may also watch the Senator Radogno show, 24/7, here.
**********************************************************
A partial transcript of Tonight's City of Chicago and City of Aurora edition of Public Affairs [featuring Senator Radogno] is included, below:
*******************************************
Do the association choices of Barack Obama reflect bad judgment and leadership qualities?
Senator Christine Radogno (R-Lemont): I am sure [Pastor Jeremiah Wright] has some good qualities, but that doesn’t excuse that kind of rhetoric. I mean it was inciting hate and that is just wrong. And, it is wrong for someone to associate with people like that.
Jeff Berkowitz: Inciting hate? What is the rhetoric that is inciting hate? That sticks out—anything in particular?
Senator Christine Radogno: Well, “God damn the United States of America.” I mean—
Jeff Berkowitz: Not God Bless America, but God Damn America?
Senator Christine Radogno: Right, I mean there is just no excuse for that.
Jeff Berkowitz: KKK of America.
Senator Christine Radogno: And, in addition, to the particular sermons that we’ve heard played a number of times—now who knows what was in some that we hadn’t heard—the [Pastor Wright] church publication also has a pattern of that kind of anti-European, anti-Semitic—
Jeff Berkowitz: Anti- middle class?
Senator Christine Radogno: Yeah, right.
Jeff Berkowitz: They don’t want blacks to be part of the middle class because there is something that is different [about the middle class]
Senator Christine Radogno: So, there is definitely a theme there. I mean this is not an isolated incident. And, then, as I pointed out, it is not just about the Pastor, but it is about the judgment of an individual who associates not only with a Pastor like that, but with Tony Rezko, with William Ayers See here for a discussion of the Obama linkage to radical bomber Bill Ayers of the late 60s and early 70s; See here for a more benign Elizabeth Brackett-PBS view of Weathermen Days of Rage bombers Ayers and his spouse, Dohrn; [an individual] who endorses Todd Stroger for Cook County Board President. You know there is a disconnect between the wonderful rhetoric that we hear in a prepared speech and the actual execution of these different relationships.
**************************************************
Focus of the state legislature
Jeff Berkowitz: As you return to the General Assembly this week (Week of April 1), what’s the problem? What are you trying to work out and what can’t be worked out? What does the state legislature need to do and how does it affect the folks watching this program?
Senator Christine Radogno: From my view, everything in the state government comes down to the budget. That’s how you fund your priorities. You can say something is a priority but if you don’t fund it, it really isn’t. So, it’s really all about the budget. The main job the legislature has to do is pass the budget for the next year which will fund education, health care, transportation, public safety—then we can also talk about the capital bill in a moment, which is money for road, bridges and--
************************************************
Fixing the Pensions:
Jeff Berkowitz: What do you do to fix the pensions?
Senator Christine Radogno: Pension bonding would be one issue. Now, long term, I think we are going to have to go to a two tiered system.
Jeff Berkowitz: Which would be?
Senator Christine Radogno: Which would be newer employees coming in will not necessarily have the same benefits as those who are there today.
Jeff Berkowitz: So, you would reduce your future obligations as a way of lessening the burden…long term?
*********************************
Getting a handle on the State Budget:
Jeff Berkowitz: So, Governor Radogno, does your proposal include reductions in spending, as well? Are there cuts in spending or cuts in the rates of growth?
Senator Christine Radogno: We don’t need to cut spending; what we need to do is not expand beyond the revenue that comes in. The state generally, and this year is a little different because the economy is a little slow. Generally, we get about a billion dollars a year, brand new money. Just because of inflation and so on.
Jeff Berkowitz: This year maybe half a billion—
Senator Christine Radogno: This year it will be more challenging
Jeff Berkowitz: Maybe at best 500 million [new dollars], maybe less that, right?
Senator Christine Radogno: I think we are talking 650 [million new dollars]—is the last I heard. So, you know, it is a challenge.
Jeff Berkowitz: So, you may have to cut the rate of growth of spending—
Senator Christine Radogno: Exactly, and there are ways to do that. I mean you can look at the Medicaid program—which takes up about 31% of our budget. That is a huge chunk.
Jeff Berkowitz: Growing at about 8% per year—is that right?
Senator Christine Radogno: Exactly.
Jeff Berkowitz: And what do you do to cut Medicaid?
*************************************************
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, former Presidential candidate Richardson-- and many other pols, including Tonight's Chicago and Aurora edition of Public Affairs with Deputy Republican Senate leader and State Senator Christine Radogno (R-Lemont), this week's suburban show with State Rep. John Fritchey (D-Chicago), our prior show in the City of Chicago, Aurora and 35 suburbs with WGN Political Pundit and Professor Paul Green at www.PublicAffairsTv.com
*********************************************
Recently posted shows on the Public Affairs Youtube page include this week's show in the suburbs with State Rep. John Fritchey (D-Chicago), tonight's show in the Cities of Chicago and Aurora with Senator and Deputy Republican Senate Leader Christine Radogno (R-Lemont), last week's show in the Cities of Chicago and Aurora with Rep. Lang (Part 2), Last week's show in the Cities of Chicago and Aurora with Rep. Lang (Part 1) , our prior show in Chicago, Aurora and 35 Chicago metro villages with WGN Radio political pundit Paul Green, a prior show with Senator and likely 2010 Illinois Gubernatorial candidate Bill Brady,our show with former Sen. Rauschenberger, assessing Barack Obama, our prior show with Republican U.S. Senate Republican nominee Dr. Steve Sauerberg, discussing his Democratic opponent--Senator Durbin-- and domestic, cultural and foreign policy issues, our prior show 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
<< Home