Better than Conaty and Placko: Berkowitz w/ Sen. Raoul on Obama's former Church, Cong. Rush and the State Budget Deficit, Cable and Streaming
Jeff Berkowitz: But, if you were running for President, and people were jumping all over you for your [chosen church] in the campaign.
Senator Kwame Raoul: I’m going to be running for office in the future, and I anticipate people may—
Jeff Berkowitz: You’re still going to stay a member of Trinity [Obama's former church]?
Senator Kwame Raoul: Correct. Because I don’t associate my choices with regards to faith with politics. I put my faith above politics.
*************************************
This week’s Chicago metro suburban edition of “Public Affairs,” features State Senator Kwame Raoul (D-Chicago). The show was taped on June 1, 2008.
You can watch the show with Senator Kwame Raoul here.
Topics discussed this week in the show with Senator Kwame Raoul include Obama's Church, the out of balance State Budget, Capital Budget issues, a Constitutional Amendment to permit a graduated or progressive income tax in Illinois, gun issues-- including the potential benefits to society of Chicago citizens being able to possess and use hand guns to protect themselves in their homes; the hateful relationship between Speaker Madigan and Gov. Blagojevich, a possible replacement for Cong. Rush and much, much more.
For a more detailed list of show topics, see below.
**************************************************
The suburban airing schedule for Public Affairs is included, below.
*********************************************************
The show with Senator Kwame Raoul will also air 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 that same Monday night at 7:30 pm on ACTV, Cable Ch. 10. Or, watch the show with Senator Raoul here.
*************************************************************
Next week's "Public Affairs," show in the Chicago Metro Suburbs features State Senator John Cullerton (D-Chicago), who could very well be the next Senate President, should Senate President Jones not seek re-election next year. You can watch the show with Senator Cullerton here.
************************************
State Senator Kwame Raoul (D-Chicago) debates and discusses with show host and executive legal recruiter Jeff Berkowitz the unbalanced State Operating Budget that passed on May 31, 2008; the Capital Budget that didn’t pass on May 31; the unengaged Governor Rod Blagojevich; the hateful relationship between Hot Rod and Speaker Mike; the derivative bad relationship between Senate President Jones and Speaker Madigan; Illinois’ dysfunctional State Democratic Party and almost non-existent State GOP; the fall of the gaming bill; when Sen. Raoul has differed from his party; regional or partisan divides; the potential benefits of allowing Chicago’s citizens to possess handguns in their residences; Senator Raoul’s support for a constitutional amendment permitting Illinois to have a graduated income tax; Senator Raoul’s support for an increase in the income tax; whether Illinois is a high tax state; whether it was good politics for Obama to resign from Trinity United Church of Christ (Senator Raoul and his family also are members of that church); whether Senator Raoul is likely to be appointed to replace Cong. Rush, if Cong. Rush has to resign over health issues.
Senator kwame Raoul's background and experience:
Senator Kwame Raoul was raised in the Hyde Park-Kenword area on the south side of Chicago, an area that is included in the 13th Senate District that he represents. His parents were Haitian-born immigrants and his father was a doctor, with a practice on the south side of Chicago. Senator Raoul holds an undergraduate degree from DePaul University and a law degree from Chicago-Kent law school.
Senator Raoul’s legal career includes work as an Assistant State’s Attorney, private sector practice and in-house counsel with the City College of Chicago law department. He presently consults as President of Relationship Strategies Inc. with the City Colleges of Chicago. Among other senate committee assignments, Senator Raoul chairs the Senate Pensions and Investments Committee.
Senator Raoul was appointed to his state senate seat in November, 2004, replacing then State Senator Barack Obama, when Obama was elected to the United States Senate. Senator Raoul was re-elected to his senate seat in 2006 and is serving a four year term.
**************************************
A partial transcipt of the show with Senator Raoul is included, directly, below:
Was Obama right to leave Trinity Church?
Jeff Berkowitz: You were involved with Barack Obama. You’re succeeding him. You’re saying that when you go down there [Springfield], people want to talk to you and tell you what they know about Barack, because they know you succeeded him.
State Senator Kwame Raoul [D-Chicago]: Correct.
Jeff Berkowitz: For whatever reason, you’ve acquired knowledge about [Obama], you’re a volunteer working on his campaign. You’re also in a special position because you happen to go to the same church- that’s in the news- Trinity United Church of Christ. Right?
Senator Kwame Raoul: Correct.
Jeff Berkowitz: All that stuff about Reverend Wright, we don’t have to go through it. All that stuff [that came out recently] right before the taping of this show about Father Pfleger. Father Pfleger is, obviously, a Catholic priest. Comes out of St. Sabina, but he’s given that guest sermon that rips Hillary Clinton. Sounds racist, on the white side, not on the black side. What do you think? You’re there as a member of Trinity church, you’re not a spokesman for it, but Barack Obama’s chosen, until yesterday, to be a member of that church. He’s now disassociated himself.
Senator Kwame Raoul: Right.
Jeff Berkowitz: Was that the right move? Was it something he had to do so he could get this [out] of the [news] papers and people could start talking about national policy issues, not what he thought about Reverend Wright or Father Pfleger.
Senator Kwame Raoul: What he had to do or didn’t have to do—I think that is a personal choice. I think where you go to church and how you decide to associate yourself—
Jeff Berkowitz: No, but as a politician. You know politics.
State Senator Kwame Raoul: Correct.
Jeff Berkowitz: As a politician, was that the right choice?
State Senator Kwame Raoul [D-Chicago]: As a politician, I continue to be a member of Trinity United Church of Christ.
Jeff Berkowitz: But, if you were running for President, and people were jumping all over you for your running in the campaign.
Senator Kwame Raoul: I’m going to be running for office in the future, and I anticipate people may—
Jeff Berkowitz: You’re still going to stay a member of Trinity.
Senator Kwame Raoul: Correct. Because I don’t associate my choices with regards to faith with politics. I put my faith above politics.
Jeff Berkowitz: Yeah. Okay. We’re going to continue to speak as the credits roll. The time went very fast. I very much hope that Senator Kwame Raoul will come back. Thank you so much for coming.
Senator Kwame Raoul: Thank you.
Jeff Berkowitz: Because we’ve got a lot of issues we didn’t cover. We’ll do another show with you. Thanks so much for coming out. We really applaud this guy for doing it. You have to know that just last night--we’re taping this show on Sunday—Saturday, he was down in Springfield on Saturday night dealing with those issues into the evening. Thanks so much for taking the time to speak with your voters, your constituents, and our viewers.
State Senator Kwame Raoul [D-Chicago]: Thank you for having me.
Senator Raoul to replace Cong. Rush?
Jeff Berkowitz: But you did mention going after higher office, thinking about that. You know your name has come up. Congressman Bobby Rush is sick, cancer, some people say he may resign. And if he does, my reliable sources tell me you are the person that the Committeemen would go to-- they would make a decision if somebody had to be appointed to fill out the term of Congressman Bobby Rush. We don’t wish Bobby Rush any ill will, we hope he recovers, we hope he stays there. But if that happens, are my reliable sources right? Are you a top pick to replace Congressman Bobby Rush by the Democratic Committeemen.
Senator Kwame Raoul: I was appointed [to the 13th district state senate seat vacated by Barack Obama] a year, exactly, after the death of my father from cancer. I think it’s inappropriate to comment.
************************************************
Thanks to "Public Affairs," intern Amy Allen for preparing the above partial transcript of this week's suburban edition of "Public Affairs."
**************************************
This week’s suburban episode of Public Affairs with guest State Senator Kwame Raoul (D-Chicago) 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, McCain, Giuliani and Cox, this week's show in the suburbs with State Sen. Kwame Raoul (D-Chicago); last week's show in the suburbs with Comm. Forrest Claypool (D-Chicago), our prior shows with State Rep. Candidate Joan Solms (R-Aurora), 6th CD Democratic candidate, Colonel Jill Morgenthaler (Ret.), State Rep. Jim Durkin (R-Western Springs) and shows with many other pols at www.PublicAffairsTv.com
*************************************************************
Recently posted shows on the Public Affairs YouTube page include This week's show in the Chicago metro suburbs with Sen. Kwame Raoul(D-Chicago), next week's show in the Chicago Metro suburbs with Senator John Cullerton (D-Chicago)- watch here; our prior shows with State Rep. candidate Joan Solms (R-Aurora), Comm. Forrest Claypool (D-Chicago) on the Obama Presidential campaign and shows with many other pols
Senator Kwame Raoul: I’m going to be running for office in the future, and I anticipate people may—
Jeff Berkowitz: You’re still going to stay a member of Trinity [Obama's former church]?
Senator Kwame Raoul: Correct. Because I don’t associate my choices with regards to faith with politics. I put my faith above politics.
*************************************
This week’s Chicago metro suburban edition of “Public Affairs,” features State Senator Kwame Raoul (D-Chicago). The show was taped on June 1, 2008.
You can watch the show with Senator Kwame Raoul here.
Topics discussed this week in the show with Senator Kwame Raoul include Obama's Church, the out of balance State Budget, Capital Budget issues, a Constitutional Amendment to permit a graduated or progressive income tax in Illinois, gun issues-- including the potential benefits to society of Chicago citizens being able to possess and use hand guns to protect themselves in their homes; the hateful relationship between Speaker Madigan and Gov. Blagojevich, a possible replacement for Cong. Rush and much, much more.
For a more detailed list of show topics, see below.
**************************************************
The suburban airing schedule for Public Affairs is included, below.
*********************************************************
The show with Senator Kwame Raoul will also air 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 that same Monday night at 7:30 pm on ACTV, Cable Ch. 10. Or, watch the show with Senator Raoul here.
*************************************************************
Next week's "Public Affairs," show in the Chicago Metro Suburbs features State Senator John Cullerton (D-Chicago), who could very well be the next Senate President, should Senate President Jones not seek re-election next year. You can watch the show with Senator Cullerton here.
************************************
State Senator Kwame Raoul (D-Chicago) debates and discusses with show host and executive legal recruiter Jeff Berkowitz the unbalanced State Operating Budget that passed on May 31, 2008; the Capital Budget that didn’t pass on May 31; the unengaged Governor Rod Blagojevich; the hateful relationship between Hot Rod and Speaker Mike; the derivative bad relationship between Senate President Jones and Speaker Madigan; Illinois’ dysfunctional State Democratic Party and almost non-existent State GOP; the fall of the gaming bill; when Sen. Raoul has differed from his party; regional or partisan divides; the potential benefits of allowing Chicago’s citizens to possess handguns in their residences; Senator Raoul’s support for a constitutional amendment permitting Illinois to have a graduated income tax; Senator Raoul’s support for an increase in the income tax; whether Illinois is a high tax state; whether it was good politics for Obama to resign from Trinity United Church of Christ (Senator Raoul and his family also are members of that church); whether Senator Raoul is likely to be appointed to replace Cong. Rush, if Cong. Rush has to resign over health issues.
Senator kwame Raoul's background and experience:
Senator Kwame Raoul was raised in the Hyde Park-Kenword area on the south side of Chicago, an area that is included in the 13th Senate District that he represents. His parents were Haitian-born immigrants and his father was a doctor, with a practice on the south side of Chicago. Senator Raoul holds an undergraduate degree from DePaul University and a law degree from Chicago-Kent law school.
Senator Raoul’s legal career includes work as an Assistant State’s Attorney, private sector practice and in-house counsel with the City College of Chicago law department. He presently consults as President of Relationship Strategies Inc. with the City Colleges of Chicago. Among other senate committee assignments, Senator Raoul chairs the Senate Pensions and Investments Committee.
Senator Raoul was appointed to his state senate seat in November, 2004, replacing then State Senator Barack Obama, when Obama was elected to the United States Senate. Senator Raoul was re-elected to his senate seat in 2006 and is serving a four year term.
**************************************
A partial transcipt of the show with Senator Raoul is included, directly, below:
Was Obama right to leave Trinity Church?
Jeff Berkowitz: You were involved with Barack Obama. You’re succeeding him. You’re saying that when you go down there [Springfield], people want to talk to you and tell you what they know about Barack, because they know you succeeded him.
State Senator Kwame Raoul [D-Chicago]: Correct.
Jeff Berkowitz: For whatever reason, you’ve acquired knowledge about [Obama], you’re a volunteer working on his campaign. You’re also in a special position because you happen to go to the same church- that’s in the news- Trinity United Church of Christ. Right?
Senator Kwame Raoul: Correct.
Jeff Berkowitz: All that stuff about Reverend Wright, we don’t have to go through it. All that stuff [that came out recently] right before the taping of this show about Father Pfleger. Father Pfleger is, obviously, a Catholic priest. Comes out of St. Sabina, but he’s given that guest sermon that rips Hillary Clinton. Sounds racist, on the white side, not on the black side. What do you think? You’re there as a member of Trinity church, you’re not a spokesman for it, but Barack Obama’s chosen, until yesterday, to be a member of that church. He’s now disassociated himself.
Senator Kwame Raoul: Right.
Jeff Berkowitz: Was that the right move? Was it something he had to do so he could get this [out] of the [news] papers and people could start talking about national policy issues, not what he thought about Reverend Wright or Father Pfleger.
Senator Kwame Raoul: What he had to do or didn’t have to do—I think that is a personal choice. I think where you go to church and how you decide to associate yourself—
Jeff Berkowitz: No, but as a politician. You know politics.
State Senator Kwame Raoul: Correct.
Jeff Berkowitz: As a politician, was that the right choice?
State Senator Kwame Raoul [D-Chicago]: As a politician, I continue to be a member of Trinity United Church of Christ.
Jeff Berkowitz: But, if you were running for President, and people were jumping all over you for your running in the campaign.
Senator Kwame Raoul: I’m going to be running for office in the future, and I anticipate people may—
Jeff Berkowitz: You’re still going to stay a member of Trinity.
Senator Kwame Raoul: Correct. Because I don’t associate my choices with regards to faith with politics. I put my faith above politics.
Jeff Berkowitz: Yeah. Okay. We’re going to continue to speak as the credits roll. The time went very fast. I very much hope that Senator Kwame Raoul will come back. Thank you so much for coming.
Senator Kwame Raoul: Thank you.
Jeff Berkowitz: Because we’ve got a lot of issues we didn’t cover. We’ll do another show with you. Thanks so much for coming out. We really applaud this guy for doing it. You have to know that just last night--we’re taping this show on Sunday—Saturday, he was down in Springfield on Saturday night dealing with those issues into the evening. Thanks so much for taking the time to speak with your voters, your constituents, and our viewers.
State Senator Kwame Raoul [D-Chicago]: Thank you for having me.
Senator Raoul to replace Cong. Rush?
Jeff Berkowitz: But you did mention going after higher office, thinking about that. You know your name has come up. Congressman Bobby Rush is sick, cancer, some people say he may resign. And if he does, my reliable sources tell me you are the person that the Committeemen would go to-- they would make a decision if somebody had to be appointed to fill out the term of Congressman Bobby Rush. We don’t wish Bobby Rush any ill will, we hope he recovers, we hope he stays there. But if that happens, are my reliable sources right? Are you a top pick to replace Congressman Bobby Rush by the Democratic Committeemen.
Senator Kwame Raoul: I was appointed [to the 13th district state senate seat vacated by Barack Obama] a year, exactly, after the death of my father from cancer. I think it’s inappropriate to comment.
************************************************
Thanks to "Public Affairs," intern Amy Allen for preparing the above partial transcript of this week's suburban edition of "Public Affairs."
**************************************
This week’s suburban episode of Public Affairs with guest State Senator Kwame Raoul (D-Chicago) 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, McCain, Giuliani and Cox, this week's show in the suburbs with State Sen. Kwame Raoul (D-Chicago); last week's show in the suburbs with Comm. Forrest Claypool (D-Chicago), our prior shows with State Rep. Candidate Joan Solms (R-Aurora), 6th CD Democratic candidate, Colonel Jill Morgenthaler (Ret.), State Rep. Jim Durkin (R-Western Springs) and shows with many other pols at www.PublicAffairsTv.com
*************************************************************
Recently posted shows on the Public Affairs YouTube page include This week's show in the Chicago metro suburbs with Sen. Kwame Raoul(D-Chicago), next week's show in the Chicago Metro suburbs with Senator John Cullerton (D-Chicago)- watch here; our prior shows with State Rep. candidate Joan Solms (R-Aurora), Comm. Forrest Claypool (D-Chicago) on the Obama Presidential campaign and shows with many other pols
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