Way Better than Maddow or O'Reilly; Berkowitz w/16th CD Dem. Abboud, debating Bailouts, taxes, trade, energy and much, much more, Cable and Streaming

Jeff Berkowitz: No restraints on abortion. Whatever a woman wants to do, she can do?

Robert Abboud [D-Barrington Hills, 16th Cong. Dist.]: I support the current law.

Jeff Berkowitz: Okay, Roe v. Wade
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Jeff Berkowitz: Why does somebody need an assault weapon in the 16th Cong. Dist. Do they?

Robert Abboud: It’s not an issue of Assault Weapons bans… What I am concerned about is what police chiefs around the country are concerned about and that is the power of ammunition that’s available. The problem with the assault weapons ban is its based on this kind of archaic definition of what an assault weapon is.
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This week’s suburban edition of "Public Affairs," features 16th Cong. Dist. Democratic Nominee Robert Abboud (D-Barrington Hills) discussing and debating U. S. financial sector issues, including massive government bailouts, mergers and other structural changes in and shocks to that portion of the economy and their impact on the rest of the economy; taxes, trade and jobs; nuclear power, oil, alternative energy sources and off-shore drilling; War and peace; abortion and guns; and much, much more (See, below, for a more detailed list of topics discussed).
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You can also watch this week's suburban episode of "Public Affairs," with 16th CD Democratic Nominee Robert Abboud on your computer. This show was taped on Sep. 21, 2008.

You can go here to watch our previous show with candidate Abboud. This show was taped on July 27, 2008 and covers different topics from the September 21, 2008 show.
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The 16th Cong. Dist. encompasses much of Northwest Illinois, with almost two-thirds of the District's voting population being located in McHenry and Winnebago (Rockford) Counties, and another quarter of the District's voting population coming from Boone (Belvidere), Stevenson and Olgivie counties.
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Jeff Berkowitz: Social issues, real quickly, is that an issue here? You’re pretty much pro-choice, right?

Robert Abboud [16th CD Dem. Candidate]. Yes, I am. I support—

Jeff Berkowitz: No restraints on abortion. Whatever a woman wants to do, she can do?

Robert Abboud: I support the current law.

Jeff Berkowitz: Okay, Roe v. Wade.

Robert Abboud: Yes.

Jeff Berkowitz: Would you like to see a stronger parental notice law?

Robert Abboud: I do not support a change in the law right now. I appreciate the pros and cons of that, but I want to make sure that a woman who’s in this position gets the medical help they need and—

Jeff Berkowitz: The law apparently now restricts partial birth abortion with an exception for the life of the mother but not the health of the mother.

Robert Abboud: That’s correct.

Jeff Berkowitz: As I understand it.

Robert Abboud: That’s correct.

Jeff Berkowitz: Do you support that? That’s the law.

Robert Abboud: That is the current law.

Jeff Berkowitz: Would you like to see it changed to allow a health exception?

Robert Abboud: That's right, I’m concerned about the health of the mother.

Jeff Berkowitz: Guns, would you describe yourself as a gun rights guy,

Robert Abboud: I used to be a competition trap shooter. I qualify on the…I qualify on the Colt 45.

Jeff Berkowitz: Should the ban on Assault Weapons be brought back. The federal ban that lapsed.

Robert Abboud: No, its not a----------

Jeff Berkowitz: Why does somebody need an assault weapon in the 16Cong. Dist. Do they?

Robert Abboud: It’s not an issue of Assault Weapons bans… What I am concerned about is what police chiefs around the country are concerned about and that is the power of ammunition that’s available. The problem with the assault weapons ban is its based on this kind of archaic definition of what an assault weapon is.
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From Public Affairs, taped on Sep. 21, 2008
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On this week’s suburban edition of "Public Affairs," Jeff Berkowitz, show host and executive legal recruiter, debates and discusses with Robert Abboud, 16th Cong. Dist. Democratic Nominee and Barrington Hills Village President, domestic, cultural and foreign public policy issues including how the Bush Administration has been handling recent financial sector issues, such as the bailout of Bear Stearns, the decision not to bailout Lehman Brothers, the merger of Merrill Lynch with Bank of America, the bailouts of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, the government's acquisition of 80% of AIG and the proposed 700 billion dollar purchase of assets from various entities; whether Abboud would have supported the Bush tax cuts and/or other tax cuts; Abboud's views on trade agreements, jobs and manufacturing are contrasted with those of Cong. Manzullo, as understood by Abboud and Berkowitz.

Watch for Cong. Manzullo to give his own views, on next week’s suburban edition of Public Affairs, about various of the above and below subjects, and they will be contrasted with those of Abboud, as understood by Manzullo and Berkowitz.

Additional topics discussed include what went wrong with the U. S. economy; was it de-regulation or was it the wrong kind of regulation that was the problem; should we be relying more on corporate bankruptcies to handle the financial problems discussed above; how would Abboud and Manzullo differ in their approaches to solving the above discussed financial sector and U. S. Economy problems; are both Abboud and Manzullo somewhat protectionist on trade; do Abboud and Manzullo differ on the desirability of NAFTA type agreements; the future potential of nuclear as a source of energy; and should off-shore drilling be allowed within 50 miles of the U. S. coast.

Additional topics discussed include whether or not taxes should be increased on capital gains and dividends, as Senator Obama apparently wants to do; should the U. S. exit Iraq in a way that allows the potential for success of the Iraq government; should there be more restrictions on abortions than is currently the case; should the previous federal ban on assault weapons be brought back; more border control to restrain illegal immigration? a path to citizenship for illegal immigrants currently in the country?
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Public Affairs Chicago Metro suburban airing schedule.

The show featuring Robert Abboud, 16th Cong. Dist. Democratic Nominee and Barrington Hills Village President, is airing this week in the North and Northwest Chicago Metro suburbs in its regular slot:

Tonight (Tuesday) 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 (Tuesday) 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 on Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 8:30 pm airing on Comcast Cable Channel 19 in Bannockburn, Deerfield, Ft. Sheridan, Glencoe, Highland Park, Highwood, Kenilworth, Lincolnshire, Riverwoods and Winnetka.
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The "Public Affairs," show featuring Robert Abboud, 16th Cong. Dist. Democratic Nominee and Barrington Hills Village President, will also air throughout the City of Chicago this coming Monday night, Oct. 6, 2008, at 8:30 pm on Cable Ch. 21 (CANTV) and that same night on cable in Aurora and surrounding areas at 7:30 pm on ACTV-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.
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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. *************************************************************
"Public Affairs," is a weekly political interview show airing in Chicago on CANTV, in the Chicago metro area and in Aurora on Comcast and also often on the Illinois Channel. You can watch the shows, including archived shows going back to 2005, here.
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Recently posted shows on the Public Affairs YouTube page now include a show taped Sunday, Sep. 28, 2008 with State Rep. Julie Hamos (D-Evanston) and a show taped on Sunday, Sep. 21,2008 with 16th Cong. Dist. Democatic Nominee Robert Abboud (D-Barrington Hills), two shows featuring clips and interviews, primarily from the Democratic and Republican National Party conventions, go here to watch 2nd Convention clip show and shows with Cook County Cmsr. and Obama Media Team Member Forrest Claypool and much more.
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Way better than Monday night football: Obama and McCain, a virtual 2006 debate, and much much more on Tonight's Chicago edition of "Public Affairs."

Tonight's City of Chicago edition of "Public Affairs," includes primarily clips and interviews from the Democratic and Republican Party National Conventions, but also a few clips from prior “Public Affairs,” shows, featuring Barack Obama and Senator John McCain being interviewed by show host Jeff Berkowitz, in the summer of 2006, within a week of each other.. This episode is the second part of a two part series on the Democratic and Republican Party national conventions.
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Tonight's Chicago edition of "Public Affairs," airs throughout the City of Chicago at 8:30 pm on Cable Ch. 21 (CANTV) and tonight's Aurora edition of "Public Affairs," airs on cable in Aurora and surrounding areas at 7:30pm on ACTV-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.
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You can also watch this show on your computer.

Additionally, you can watch the first part of our two part series on the National Party Conventions on your computer.
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For more about the pols and pundits interviewed on tonight's Chicago and Aurora editions of "Public Affairs," please go here.
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A partial transcript of tonight's show is included, below;

Jeff Berkowitz: …as of July 22, 2006, is it still the case that you think it’s important that we succeed in Iraq?

Senator Barack Obama (D-IL): …it is important for us to stabilize Iraq. I think the measure of success should be that there is not an all out civil war, that there is not terrorist bases inside Iraq, that there has not been a melt down of Iraq that…draws it neighbors into escalating conflict. That should be our criteria and I think that can still be accomplished although…

Senator Obama, Interviewed after an Austin, IL town hall meeting, July 22, 2006
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Jeff Berkowitz…[Bill Kristol] also quoted Don Rumsfeld as saying, “weakness is provocative,” suggesting the United States has been too weak with respect to Iran. Do you agree?

Senator McCain: I think that this administration has handled a very difficult situation regards to Iran as well as we could. …but I am not sure what else we could have done. Now, we have reason to get tougher with Iran. I have said on several occasions, it would be a terrible thing for us to have to intervene militarily because of Iranians acquiring nuclear weapons. There would be only one thing worse and that would be Iran acquiring nuclear weapons.

Jeff Berkowitz: …should the United States consider that in the next year? Taking military action to avoid facing a nuclear-armed Iran?

Senator McCain: I think I can only repeat my previous statement but I think the President has made it very clear our position on this issue including his statement that we cannot stand by and watch Israel be destroyed by Iran and obviously if they develop…

Senator McCain’s press conference, held prior to a fundraiser for David McSweeney, 2006 8th CD Republican Nominee, July 15, 2006, Schaumburg, IL
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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. *************************************************************
"Public Affairs," is a weekly political interview show airing in Chicago on CANTV, in the Chicago metro area and in Aurora on Comcast and also often on the Illinois Channel. You can watch the shows, including archived shows going back to 2005, here.
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Recently posted shows on the Public Affairs YouTube page now include a show taped yesterday with State Rep. Julie Hamos (D-Evanston) and a show taped last Sunday with 16th Cong. Dist. Democatic Nominee Robert Abboud (D-Barrington Hills), two shows featuring clips and interviews, primarily from the Democratic and Republican National Party conventions, and shows with Cook County Cmsr. and Obama Media Team Member Forrest Claypool and much more.
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Berkowitz to join Johnston on Roeser's radio show tonight: the show that dares to raise the issues others won't touch?

Jeff Berkowitz will join, once again, Republican political consultant and analyst Charlie Johnston as a guest tonight on Tom Roeser’s weekly, Sunday, call-in radio show, Political Shoot-out, WLS 890 AM Radio, from 8:00 pm to 9:00 pm.
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You say you don't live within the WLS broadcast area? Not to worry. You can go here to listen to the program, live, on the web.[You may encounter some technical problems in signing on-- allow five minutes, or so, for following the prompts for technical difficulties, and you should be able to hear WLS live on the web] See here for Tom’s Blog which has Tom's thoughts on a great many matters, political and otherwise.

Upset with something Berkowitz said on his show [www.PublicAffairsTv.com] or the [Public Affairs YouTube.com page], something he wrote on this blog or just the way he looks? Tom Roeser’s show on Sunday night is your chance to fire back. A free fire zone, so to speak. Also, you can help shape the show and its topics by calling in with your questions and comments—312-591-8900. Obama mamas (Bean), Democrats, Republicans, Suburban Agenda promoters (Kirk), Libertarians, Independents, Communists [no collect calls, please], Palin critics, Palin defenders, Biden groupies, gun grabbers, backstabbers, gun clingers, gun slingers, outside agitators and others are, of course, all welcome.

Tonight's show may touch on

-- does the Economy need a bailout?

--who won the Presidential Debate,

--the very weak performance by Palin with Couric,

--the continuing erratic and peculiar statements of John McCain on everything, e.g., attending the Debate,firing Chris Cox at SEC

--the differences of Obama and McCain on economic policy

-- the different economic advisers of McCain and Obama

--whether the "change you can believe in," slogan is still being shared by McCain and Obama,

--whether Sarah Palin can demonstrate she has the knowledge of domestic and foreign policy issues to go the distance,

--whether the newly passed State ethics legislation will have a significant impact on ending Pay to Play.

--whether Speaker Mike Madigan has settled on a capital plan he can live with,

--whether there is credible evidence of an impeachable offense by Blago [Watch here the Public Affairs show with Rep. Durkin [dealing in part with this topic], [watch here the Public Affairs show with Rep. Dunkin dealing in part with this topic],

--whether a capital budget will be passed before the election,

--whether Sarah Palin strengthens the Presidential ticket enough to help Repubicans pick up State Senate and StateHouse seats.

-- whether Sarah Palin should and will withdraw from the ticket?

----whether Robert Abboud (D-Barrington Hills) can catch Cong. Manzullo (R-Egan) in the 16th CD.

Who knows, we may even discuss so-called education funding reform of Senator/Rev. Meeks and the latest proposal of Meeks-Gidwitz [Watch here the show w/ Rep. Dunkin dealing in part w/ this topic], school vouchers-school choice, would Governor Bobby Jindahl have made a better McCain VP, charter schools, jobs and free lunches .

This reporter doesn't know the topics for tonight—they are determined by Mr. Roeser, with some incisive suggestions, no doubt, by his lovely, energetic and intelligent wife Lillian. However, an educated guess is that the questions will consist of various Illinois, national and Presidential political issues, possibly selected from the above, or below, questions, some of which are holdovers from prior episodes of "Political Shootout," or "Public Affairs."

Of course, you can call and ask any of the below questions or whatever you like. As with University of Chicago Ph. D. prelim questions in economics over the years, many of the questions on Political Shoot-out stay the same each week, only the answers change [or do they?]. And you are Free to Choose, so to speak, as this is the land of Milton Friedman, the late, great Nobel Prize Laureate in Economics from the University of Chicago [WWMFS, i.e., what would Milton Friedman say? is the question we classically ask, followed with:


--Is there something fishy about the compensation political campaign comsultant, media analyst and Cicero flak catcher Dan Proft is receiving from the Town of Cicero and related entities, as suggested by Carol Marin

--Is there something fishy about the compensation of WTTW's, NBC-5's and the Sun-Times Carol Marin?

--Did WTTW's Joel Weisman get it way wrong when he stated on a recent Chicago Week in Review that "the only difference on economic issues [between Obama and McCain] is that Obama wants to lower taxes on the 'middle,' class."

--Did none of the panelists challenge Weisman because (a)they all share his liberal bias, (b) they are all wusses, (c) some are conflicted because they are clients of Weisman, (d) all of the above, (e) none of the above

--Does Weisman have a major league conflict of interest that nobody in the MSM wants to raise? Why?

--Why did only one member of the MSM go after State's Attorney candidate Anita Alvarez (D) for her bizarre defense of taking contributions from those "under investigation."

--Are the MSM generally in the tank for Alvarez?

--Do the MSM think Alvarez ought to be able to gerrymander the questions she gets in a presser?

-- Could Paul Vallas win a Republican Primary for Governor? Is he thinking of making the run in the Republican Primary? in the Democratic Primary?

-- Who is the favorite to win the Republican Primary for Governor?

--Who is the favorite to win the Democratic Primary for Governor?

--Has Keith Oblermann completely lost his mind?

--Who is most liberal: Olbermann, Maddow or Matthews?

--Which network is most biased: Fox News Channel, MSNBC, PBS, CNN, ABC, NBC or CBS.

--Is Tim Russert turning over in his grave when he sees the growing dominance of Olbermann, Maddow and Matthews over what is left of the NBC news division.

--Will Cong. Jackson be the next Junior Senator from the State of Illinois? Or will it be Tammy Duckworth? Cong. Jan Schakowsky? Cong. Rahm Emanuel? Lisa Madigan.

--Does the Chicago Public School system spend more than $14,000 per kid per year to try to educate kids? Does Arne Duncan tell the truth about this? If not, why not?

--Was Barack Obama Emil Jones' show pony, as Senator Rauschenberger contends? [watch here]

--Was Obama way too cautious in his handling of the Pastor Disaster? in his selection of a VP? Will Pastor Wright be an issue in the Presidential race in the next 44 days?

--Is Obama's cautious nature both his strength and his weakness?

--IsMcCain suffering from buyer's remorse?

--Are voters concerned that they do not share Obama's values? Will that concern be offset by citizen concern over the "bailout economy."

--Will voters become increasingly concerned about Gov. Palin's lack of national experience lack of knowledge of national security or foreign policy issues? Will the debate with Biden do in Palin?

--In light of what has transpired about Rev. Wright, Rezko and Ayers, does Sen. Dillard reqret the TV ad he cut for Obama last year. [Watch Sen. Dillard discuss this topic].

-Will the state GOP cave in the next few months on its hostility to increased taxes? Will House Republican leader Cross lead the capitulation?

-Is it now unlikely that 2006 10th CD Democratic nominee Dan Seals [D-Wilmette] can come back to beat Cong. Kirk [R-Highland Park] this year?

--Does Obama's presence at the top of the ballot give Seals an increasingly small chance to beat suburban agenda Kirk? Are both Seals and Kirk playing a prevent defense? Isn't that a dumb strategy for Seals?

--What do Seals and Oberweis have in common?

-Is WTTW's Chicago Tonight in need of an aggressive political interviewer to boost its sagging ratings and its lack of balance? Which cable TV personality in the Chicago Metro area could provide it?

--Did WTTW gets it's money's worth of convention coverage from Marin, Brackett and Samuels?

--Should Chicago Week in Review be renamed "The Week reviewed by liberals."

--Is Carol Marin just a "Working gal."

--Is it past time for a change in leadership in the State GOP?

--Will Andy McKenna, Jr. be kicked upstairs after the November 4, 2008 election? Are the money guys getting restless?

- Could Colonel Jill Morgenthaler (D-Des Plaines) upset first term Republican incumbent Cong. Peter Roskam in the Illinois 6th CD? Watch Morgenthaler go after Roskam here. Why is Roskam hiding from Public Affairs? Why does Roskam hide from probing questions?

--Could Scott Harper upset ten year Republican incumbent Cong. Judy Biggert in the Illinois 13th CD. Watch Harper go after Biggert here. Is Biggert hiding from Public Affairs? Biggert hiding from probing questions?

-- Is Ozinga a likely winner over Halvorsen in the 11th? Halvorsen just wrong for the District?

--Could Greenberg upset Bean in the 8th CD? Watch a virtual conversation w/Bean-Greenberg here. Where will Greenberg get the money to finance such an upset?

--Does the City Club of Chicago exhibit bad judgment or bias in it's decisions as to whom to invite or not to invite to speak to the Club.

--When the City Club of Chicago invited Republican Cong. Kirk to speak, it followed up on that with an invitation to his opponent, Democrat Dan Seals, to speak. Why were Democrat Seals and 8th CD Republican Nominee Steve Greenberg treated differently by the City Club of Chicago? Liberal Democratic Bias?
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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. *************************************************************
"Public Affairs," is a weekly political interview show airing in Chicago on CANTV, in the Chicago metro area and in Aurora on Comcast and also often on the Illinois Channel. You can watch the shows, including archived shows going back to 2005, here.
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Recently posted shows on the Public Affairs YouTube page now include two shows featuring clips and interviews, primarily from the Democratic and Republican National Party conventions, and shows with Cook County Cmsr. and Obama Media Team Member Forrest Claypool and much more.
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McCain beats Obama in their first debate, in a close contest.

The Bush/Paulson/Frank/Dodd Bailout

If you define winning the debate in terms of winning over independent or undecided voters, it appears McCain won this general election’s first Presidential debate, but only slightly. The first portion of the debate, about the first forty minutes of what turned out to be a nine-six minute debate, was devoted to the bailout and related economic policy issues. The remainder was foreign policy.

On the bailout, it appeared neither candidate really wanted to talk about that in a thoughtful way. Both repeated, robotically, the principles, or portions there of, that are supposedly embodied in the bailout. If McCain really sought to infuse a new approach to the bailout, say, insuring the shabby financial assets instead of buying them, he should have said so. He didn’t.

Obama, if he really believed in the Bush/Paulson/Frank/Dodd approach of buying troubled assets at above market prices, should have said so more forcefully. He didn’t.

Earmarks and runaway spending

Instead, this portion of the debate, for McCain, was about repeatedly decrying the harmfulness of earmarks and runaway spending—and throwing in a jab or two at Obama’s efforts, as McCain sees it, to turn over healthcare decisions to the Federal government.

Tax cuts for the wealthy

For Obama, this segment of the debate was about arguing McCain supported 300 billion dollars of tax cuts for the wealthy and about tying McCain to Bush’s big spending policies.

The Bush-McCain differences

McCain scored points by reminding Obama of what he said everybody knows: McCain differs from Bush and his party on a number of key items, including big spending, torture, management of the war, etc. That is, McCain argued that Palin and he are mavericks. If you are an undecided or independent voter, you probably do agree with McCain that it is lame of Obama to try to tie him to Bush. Those two simply have disagreed, historically, on a number of major issues. For Palin-Bush, the jury is still out.

McCain and tax cuts

McCain never dealt effectively with Obama’s argument that McCain supported 300 billion dollars in tax cuts for the wealthy, even when debate moderator Lehrer reminded McCain of his non-answer. McCain should have argued that he supports keeping tax cuts for all income groups: low, middle and high—as a way of promoting work, savings and investment. McCain could have argued that those high income tax cuts promote small business and jobs for people of all income groups. In this area, it is as if McCain does not understand the arguments his team makes daily on his behalf.

Obama and tax cuts

But, Obama, too, does not seem to know how to score points in the economics area. He should have highlighted McCain’s failure to answer about tax cuts for the wealthy and then gone on to argue that spreading the tax cuts more evenly would result in more consumer spending, more investment and more job growth.

Tax cuts and working class jobs

Strategy Group Obama team member Pete Giangreco needs to do a better job of teaching Obama that you can’t like employees without also liking employers. It is not trickle down economics to argue that tax cuts for some high-income groups result in business growth, which results in more jobs. That’s what the supply side revolution was all about. That revolution apparently by-passed Obama and the Harvard Law School.

In short, the bail-out/ economics portion of the debate was a plus for McCain on earmarks-spending and a plus for Obama on taxes (but not as much as it could have been for Barack). The portion dealing with oil companies, alternative energy, off shore driving and nuclear power was either a slight plus for McCain or a tie. When you net it all out for this portion of the debate, it’s a tie for independent-undecided voters.

Both McCain and Obama could benefit from some tutoring in economics. This reporter is available. He could instruct them simultaneously, doubling his salary.

Foreign Policy:

The Surge and Obama

McCain got a lot of mileage from the fact that Obama now sort of concedes that that the surge worked militarily, and to a lesser extent, politically, but still it was a bad policy, says Obama-- because the U. S. has to focus its resources on the War in Afghanistan and get out of Iraq. It is not a very convincing argument.

Obama’s stronger argument, both substantively and in terms of what the people in the U. S. seem to have concluded, is that the effort in Iraq was a mistake and simply wasn’t worth, ex post, the cost in terms of money, lives lost and severe injuries incurred by U.S. military personnel.

Obama’s thin resume

The above arguments notwithstanding, a long debate discussion of foreign policy highlights the lack of military or even national congressional experience by Obama and the depth of experience by McCain, as in a quarter of a century by McCain in the military and a quarter of a century in Congress. Obama’s infrequent and tardy visit to Iraq and his lack of diligence in holding subcommittee meetings to deal with Afghanistan were also hammered by McCain.

To the mainstream liberal media such as MSNBC’s Matthews, all of that experience paints McCain as an old man of the past-- implying an advantage for the forward looking Obama. To this reporter, it simply reinforces the argument that McCain, even if the country disagrees with him on Iraq, wins over the independents on his sturdiness as a Commander-in- Chief.

In short, the foreign policy edge for McCain last night gave McCain a slight win in the debate, in terms of winning over independents and undecideds. Also, McCain had a slight edge in style. Although much improved over his early primary debates, Obama continues to be stiff and tentative when debating Obama could use a new debate coach. Of course, the real test of who won will be when we see if either candidate gets a bounce up in the polls in the next few days.
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"Public Affairs," is a weekly political interview show airing in Chicago on CANTV, in the Chicago metro area and in Aurora on Comcast and also often on the Illinois Channel. You can watch the shows, including archived shows going back to 2005, here.

You can contact Berkowitz by sending an email to JBCG@aol.com
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Recently posted shows on the Public Affairs YouTube page now include two shows featuring clips and interviews, primarily from the Democratic and Republican National Party conventions, and shows with Cook County Cmsr. and Obama Media Team Member Forrest Claypool and much more.
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McCain beats Obama with a new Economy Fix.

Even if the "new deal," is not finalized by this afternoon, look for McCain to jet to Oxford, Mississippi for tonight’s debate...
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There is a new “assistance plan,” emerging from the House Republicans, led by the young Turks, such as Rep. Paul Ryan of Wisconsin. It is much more grounded in solid, free market economics than the plan backed by the President and his Treasury Secretary (both of whom have MBAs from Harvard, not known for its affection for free markets).

The new plan would not buy financial assets at above market prices, thus bailing out shareholders at those institutions who would sell their assets to the government. Instead, the plan entails the government selling insurance for financial institutions’ shaky assets, perhaps at slightly subsidized rates, not unlike the insurance that the FDIC currently provides to banks for their deposits.

Look for McCain to support the House Republican plan and win over the President, the Treasury Secretary, the Federal Reserve Chairman and the majority of House Republicans and Senate Republicans. McCain may also persuade his Republican colleagues to compromise by giving the Democrats their beloved mortgage assistance for those borrowers who knowingly bought more house than they could afford. Notwithstanding the compromise, the Republican base, as with the Palin selection, will be very happy with the “new,” conservative John McCain. Further, the new plan fits with the McCain-Palin maverick, reformer and populist image.

Even if the "new deal," is not finalized by this afternoon, look for McCain to jet to Oxford, Mississippi for tonight’s debate where he will pitch the deal to the country. The McCain plan avoids rewarding wrongdoers and apparently saves the taxpayers about 700 billion dollars. You can’t get more populist than that.

That leaves Senator Obama, facing perhaps one hundred million viewers tonight, with three choices: (a) agree with Senator McCain and thereby give him credit for achieving a bipartisan solution that “saves,” the economy, (b) disagree with McCain and make it look like Obama is putting the economy at risk for political reasons or (c) don’t decide which way to go and look like a waffler. Of course, whatever Obama chooses, the Democrats will have to follow that choice.

Advantage McCain. Won’t Matthews, Maddow, Olbermann and PBS debate moderator Jim Lehrer be sad.

Of course, the above may go astray for McCain, but this reporter puts the odds of McCain pulling this off at about 75%. As we keep seeing, McCain is an old fighter pilot who likes rolling the dice and 75% is well within his tolerance for risk.

If the above happens, please remember where you read it first. If it doesn’t, following in the footsteps of the late Cong. Henry Hyde, please chalk it up to yet another youthful indiscretion of this risk-taking reporter who, on occasion, wanders into opinion journalism.
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"Public Affairs," is a weekly political interview show airing in Chicago on CANTV, in the Chicago metro area and in Aurora on Comcast and also often on the Illinois Channel. You can watch the shows, including archived shows going back to 2005, here. You can often read Berkowitz's political interviews, analysis and commentary at the Chicago Daily Observer ].

You can contact Berkowitz by sending an email to JBCG@aol.com
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Recently posted shows on the Public Affairs YouTube page now include two shows featuring clips and interviews, primarily from the Democratic and Republican National Party conventions, and shows with Cook County Cmsr. and Obama Media Team Member Forrest Claypool, State Senator Bill Brady (R-Bloomington) and State Rep. Ken Dunkin (D-Chicago), 8th CD Republican Nominee Steve Greenberg, our show with Senator Obama (D-IL), Gov. Sebelius (D-KS), DLC Chairman Harold Ford, Cong. Rahm Emanuel (D-Chicago), Attorney General Madigan, WTTW's Carol Marin, Real Clear Politics' Tom Bevan, Sun-Times Abdon Pallasch and much more.
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Eye on Carol Marin, who is giving a good look at Dan Proft

Carol Marin always gets excited about Cicero. There is something about small town corruption that seems to titillate her in a way that State of Illinois, Cook County or City of Chicago Democratic Party public corruption does not. Last night, Dan Proft, Republican political campaign consultant, media analyst and general PR flak catcher caught Carol’s attention on the local NBC-5 News 10:00 pm broadcast. Or, more precisely, it was Proft’s, or his company, Urquhart Media’s, 318K per year contract with Cicero (and it’s Town Hall builders) that caught Marin’s eye. [For some criticism of Dan Proft in a very different context, go here].

Carol never quite said what she was so upset about. But, this reporter guesses it was the idea that a thirty something PR guy could collect 318K per year for what appears to be 30 hours/week of work. And, because it is from a government entity, i.e., the Town of Cicero, the usual free market checks do not apply. Moreover, Cicero, with its long-time reputation for corruption, makes the contracts with Proft even more suspect.

Apparently, Proft did not give Marin too much, if any, information and he did not return this reporter’s late night call, so we don’t know how Dan might respond to the indictment issued by Carol Marin. But, we suspect Proft might put forth a few defenses: (1) the 30 hours/week could be a minimum hourly requirement and may not be the actual hours worked, (2) lots of highly skilled professionals get above normal hourly rates of compensation; See. e.g., doctors, lawyers, TV analysts, etc. and (3) enhancing the image of Cicero is worth a lot to its taxpayers, meaning Dan might be cheap at twice the price.

The last two factors, above, set this reporter to thinking about Carol Marin. You know, how does that saying go? Journalists who film in glass studios shouldn’t throw rocks? Yeah, that’s the ticket. The best defense is a good offense. Dan might inquire from Carol how much WTTW pays her. After all, she appears on WTTW, a “Public TV,” Station for 15 minutes, two times a week. What is Marin’s salary for that half hour’s worth of work? And, it doesn’t appear that she writes her own copy or questions. If that is true, how much do those “researchers,’ cost. There must be “make up,” people for Carol, maybe a few stylists, a few gophers, right? Those are Marin costs. Any other ancillary costs for Carol’s half hour a week contribution to Chicago Tonight?

So, what is that total cost, including salary and ancillary show and Carol Marin prep costs borne by WTTW for one half hour of air time? 50K, 100K, 200K, dare I guess 318K? Unlikely 318 K, but the point is we don’t know. Well, then shouldn’t Carol tell us. It was too late to call Carol this evening when we were going to press, but perhaps tomorrow we can get a response.

Carol might say—what business is it of yours? Well, WTTW receives some taxpayer support-- isn’t that enough of a rationale? After all, isn’t that why Carol could get Proft compensation information from Cicero—the fact that taxpayers paid for Proft’s salary is a major rationale for FOIAs or Freedom of Information Act requests.

And, what does Chicago Tonight get for Carol’s salary? A tough, but balanced set of questions from Carol to her guests? Balanced? Not so much. This reporter doesn’t know Marin personally, other than to say a friendly hello, but he doubts she would brag she is balanced. His professional assessment is that she is a liberal, in all things, and proud of it.

Tough questions from Carol? No, not so much. Girl next store is her trademark, except when conservatives like Proft present a juicy target. One guesses Carol got a special kick out of tonight’s expose on Proft—perhaps seeing some hypocrisy in Proft’s rants about government waste. Sharp hits on conservatives and crooks? This reporter will stipulate that she does that well.

Most suggest that Chicago Tonight’s budget is stretched a bit by Carol. Can Carol or management, thru ratings or otherwise, demonstrate that Carol’s value added to Chicago Tonight justifies her expense?

Oh boy, now this reporter has three things to look forward to learning on Thursday. Will those Masters of the Universe and towers of economic thought, McCain and Obama, figure out how to spend 700 billion dollars of taxpayer money wisely? Will Dan Proft return this reporter’s call? Will Carol Marin speak with this reporter. Go ahead, everybody, make my day.
********************************************************
"Public Affairs," is a weekly political interview show airing in Chicago on CANTV, in the Chicago metro area and in Aurora on Comcast and also often on the Illinois Channel. You can watch the shows, including archived shows going back to 2005, here. You can often read Berkowitz's political interviews, analysis and commentary at the Chicago Daily Observer ].

You can contact Berkowitz by sending an email to JBCG@aol.com
*************************************************************
Recently posted shows on the Public Affairs YouTube page now include two shows featuring clips and interviews, primarily from the Democratic and Republican National Party conventions, and shows with Cook County Cmsr. and Obama Media Team Member Forrest Claypool, State Senator Bill Brady (R-Bloomington) and State Rep. Ken Dunkin (D-Chicago), 8th CD Republican Nominee Steve Greenberg, our show with Senator Obama (D-IL), Gov. Sebelius (D-KS), DLC Chairman Harold Ford, Cong. Rahm Emanuel (D-Chicago), Attorney General Madigan, WTTW's Carol Marin, Real Clear Politics' Tom Bevan, Sun-Times Abdon Pallasch and much more.
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Seals and Oberweis "wuss out," but Obama, McCain, Jones, Jackson, Edgar, Scully, Alexi, Kucinich, Julie and Pat Brady, et al show up

This week’s suburban edition of "Public Affairs," includes primarily clips and interviews from the Democratic and Republican Party National Conventions, but also a few clips from prior “Public Affairs,” show, featuring Barack Obama and Senator John McCain being interviewed by show host Jeff Berkowitz. This episode is the second part of a two part series on the Democratic and Republican Party national conventions.
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You can also watch this show on your computer.

Additionally, you can watch the first part of our two part series on your computer.
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This week’s suburban edition of "Public Affairs," consists of the following segments: a clip of a prior show with Obama,; a clip of a prior show with McCain, a clip from an Illinois Delegation meeting at the Democratic Convention featuring Cong. Jackson hugging Mayor Daley and Gov. Blagojevich hugging Speaker Madigan, with Jackson discussing the importance of the hugs, an interview of Senate President and Obama mentor Emil Jones by Jeff Berkowitz, an interview with Cong. Kucinich (D-Cleveland, OH) by Jeff Berkowitz, an interview with State Treasurer and Obama surrogate Alexi Giannoulias by Jeff Berkowitz, a cameo by Fox's Megyn Kelly, interviews from the Convention floor in St. Paul by Berkowitz with Illinois' Deputy Co-Chair of McCain for President Julie Brady and with Illinois Republican National Committeeman Pat Brady, an interview w/ former Gov. Edgar and an interview w/ C-Span’s Steve Scully.
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A partial transcript of this week's suburban edition of Public Affairs is included directly, below.

Jeff Berkowitz: So…what do [Seals and Oberweis] have in common? They both seem to be “wussing out.”
*************************************
Jeff Berkowitz: … that’s congressional cowardice in action…in the 8th Cong. District; you have the Republican challenger, Steve Greenberg, showing up. Where’s the 8th CD Democrat incumbent Melissa Bean, she used to be critical, when she was the challenger, of Phil Crane, for not showing up…in the 6th Cong. Dist., we’ve had Jill Morgenthaler show up, she’s got the courage to do so, face tough questioning, she’s the Democratic challenger; Peter Roskam [the 6th CD Republican incumbent] won’t even talk to us for a minute or two when we saw him at the Republican Convention in St. Paul, what is Peter afraid of?
*************************************************
Jeff Berkowitz: …as of July 22, 2006, is it still the case that you think it’s important that we succeed in Iraq?

Senator Barack Obama (D-IL): …it is important for us to stabilize Iraq. I think the measure of success should be that there is not an all out civil war, that there is not terrorist bases inside Iraq, that there has not been a melt down of Iraq that…draws it neighbors into escalating conflict. That should be our criteria and I think that can still be accomplished although…

Senator Obama, Interviewed after an Austin, IL town hall meeting, July 22, 2006
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Cong. Jesse Jackson, Jr. (D-Chicago, IL): …Who else been mad at me-- I ain’t figured out yet [at which point Mayor Daley leaps to his feet and embraces Jackson in the famous hug…. followed by the famous Madigan-Blagojevich hug]…The Democratic Party, nationally, is too small. We can’t win a national election. This is the truth of the Democratic Party, so we have to …

Cong. Jesse Jackson, Jr., speaking at an Illinois Delegation breakfast meeting, Denver, CO., August 27, 2008.
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Alexi Giannoulias, State Treasurer and Obama surrogate: …I just think that people need to understand if they start drilling tomorrow, the cost of gas will not go down anytime soon.

Jeff Berkowitz: …McCain says you’ve got to do all these things: you’ve got to do nuclear power, you’ve got to do wind, solar, but also [expanded] off shore drilling because they all take a while, so it’s not an answer, is it, to say [off shore drilling] takes a while because the other things I mentioned take a while, too.

Giannoulias: …Listen, this thing’s not going to be fixed in one day. But, if you start looking at alternative fuel sources, and if you let people know that this is not going to happen in a day—my concern is that people aren’t misled into thinking—we’ve got to drill tomorrow because our gas [prices] are too high and in the wintertime I want to make sure it doesn’t cost as much to fill up my tank-- and that’s just inaccurate.
*****************************************
Jeff Berkowitz: But, [running for governor] is something you’d take a look at?

State Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias: Yeah, …and especially now more than ever—seeing a total lack of leadership with Governor Blagojevich. I think the state is ready for some fresh leadership…

Alexi, speaking after an Alexi Giannoulias sponsored party in Denver, Colorado, August 27, 2008
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Jeff Berkowitz: Does Rod Blagojevich…survive this?

Senate President Emil Jones: I don’t know!

Jeff Berkowitz: He could be indicted. You don’t know? He might be?

Senate President Emil Jones: I don’t know.

Jeff Berkowitz: Would you agree he might be indicted?

Senate President Emil Jones: No, I don’t agree.

Jeff Berkowitz: You don’t think he will be indicted.

Senate President Emil Jones: Because I don’t know all the facts. And, neither do you.

Jeff Berkowitz: …If in 2010, he runs for re-election and he runs against Lisa Madigan [in the Democratic gubernatorial primary], who wins?

Senate President Emil Jones: Rod Blagojevich.

Senate President Emil Jones (D-Chicago); Marriott Hotel, Denver, Colorado; August 23, 2008.
*****************************************
Jeff Berkowitz…[Bill Kristol] also quoted Don Rumsfeld as saying, “weakness is provocative,” suggesting the United States has been too weak with respect to Iran. Do you agree?

Senator McCain: I think that this administration has handled a very difficult situation regards to Iran as well as we could. …but I am not sure what else we could have done. Now, we have reason to get tougher with Iran. I have said on several occasions, it would be a terrible thing for us to have to intervene militarily because of Iranians acquiring nuclear weapons. There would be only one thing worse and that would be Iran acquiring nuclear weapons.

Jeff Berkowitz: …should the United States consider that in the next year? Taking military action to avoid facing a nuclear-armed Iran?

Senator McCain: I think I can only repeat my previous statement but I think the President has made it very clear our position on this issue including his statement that we cannot stand by and watch Israel be destroyed by Iran and obviously if they develop…

Senator McCain’s press conference, held prior to a fundraiser for David McSweeney, 2006 8th CD Republican Nominee, July 15, 2006, Schaumburg, IL
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Jeff Berkowitz:...Pat, everybody is asking about Sarah Palin, she's got a lot of executive experience-- not a lot, but two years as Governor of Alaska, some say more than McCain, more than Obama, more than Joe Biden...the problem is-- is she ready to step in on day 1, should something happen to John McCain, because people say she doesn't have any national foreign policy experience. What do you say to that?

Pat Brady [Illinois' National Republican Committeeman]: that our candidate, the No. 2on our ticket, has more experience than the No. 1 on their ticket. She's been an executive, she's been the Commander of the National Guard in Alaska; She's been to Kuwait, she understands these issues; she is certainly more qualified than the Democrat candidate.

Pat Brady, Illinois NRC, interviewed on the Convention Floor, Denver, Colorado, September 2, 2008.
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Public Affairs Chicago Metro suburban airing schedule.

The second show of a two part series with footage from the Democratic and Republican Party conventions is airing this week in the North and Northwest Chicago Metro suburbs in its regular slot:

Tonight (Tuesday) 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 (Tuesday) 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 on Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 8:30 pm airing on Comcast Cable Channel 19 in Bannockburn, Deerfield, Ft. Sheridan, Glencoe, Highland Park, Highwood, Kenilworth, Lincolnshire, Riverwoods and Winnetka.
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The second "Public Affairs," show featuring clips and interviews from the Democratic and Republican Party conventions will also air throughout the City of Chicago this coming Monday night, Sep. 29, at 8:30 pm on Cable Ch. 21 (CANTV) and that same night on cable in Aurora and surrounding areas at 7:30 pm on ACTV-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.
*******************************************
"Public Affairs," is a weekly political interview show airing in Chicago on CANTV, in the Chicago metro area and in Aurora on Comcast and also often on the Illinois Channel. You can watch the shows, including archived shows going back to 2005, here. You can often read Berkowitz's political interviews, analysis and commentary at the Chicago Daily Observer ].

You can contact Berkowitz by sending an email to JBCG@aol.com
*************************************************************
Recently posted shows on the Public Affairs YouTube page now include two shows featuring clips and interviews, primarily from the Democratic and Republican National Party conventions, and shows with Cook County Cmsr. and Obama Media Team Member Forrest Claypool, State Senator Bill Brady (R-Bloomington) and State Rep. Ken Dunkin (D-Chicago), 8th CD Republican Nominee Steve Greenberg, our show with Senator Obama (D-IL), Gov. Sebelius (D-KS), DLC Chairman Harold Ford, Cong. Rahm Emanuel (D-Chicago), Attorney General Madigan, WTTW's Carol Marin, Real Clear Politics' Tom Bevan, Sun-Times Abdon Pallasch and much more.
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Better than Brokaw w/ Paulson: Berkowitz w/ Obama, Speaker Mike, Emil Jones, McCain, Gingrich, Edgar, Watson, Durkin, Scully, King,Williams and Cantor

Tonight's City of Chicago edition of Public Affairs airs at 8:30 pm on Cable Ch. 21 tonight throughout the City of Chicago and also tonight on cable in Aurora and surrounding areas at 7:30 pm on ACTV-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.

You can also watch the show on your computer. For more about tonight's show, go here.
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A partial transcript of tonight's show is included, below.

Jeff Berkowitz: What’s your assessment of Louis Farrakhan? Is he still, in your view, a leader?

State Senator Barack Obama: Well, you know, I think that he has a following…
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State Senator Barack Obama: …and if we are doing that, then we shouldn’t be didactic or ideological about how to best deliver that [educational services].

Jeff Berkowitz: So, I take that to mean, under the right circumstances, you, Barack Obama, possible U. S. Senate candidate from the state of Illinois, could support school vouchers and could even do so in your role as a state senator in the Illinois legislature.

Barack Obama: No, what you can take to mean is that I am willing to listen to these arguments and see if…

From “Public Affairs,” June 27, 2002
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Barack Obama: Finally…on the drive back, I offered to buy her [Michelle] ice cream, that is what put her over the top. That’s when she said, ‘This guy knows how to treat a woman.”

From a film shown at the Democratic Convention in Denver, Colorado on August 25, 2008
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Jeff Berkowitz…We hear some rumblings coming out of the Illinois delegation indicating some disunity between the Clinton supporters and the Obama supporters, what do you think?

Speaker Mike Madigan: Oh, I think that’s to be expected today. I think before we close the convention that will be resolved because we all want to leave Denver united prepared for the November election. We simply cannot tolerate four more years of…
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Jeff Berkowitz…That ticket, Obama-Biden, Biden has been in Washington as a U. S. Senator for thirty-six years. How can that ticket be about change?

Speaker Madigan: Well, because the President is Obama, the President is not Biden…Biden will bring…

Jeff Berkowitz: This rivalry going on back in Illinois between you and Rod Blagojevich. It seems to have been going on for—

Speaker Madigan: Between who? The Governor?

Jeff Berkowitz: Yes. The last six years—

Speaker Madigan: Again, it is more differences among Democrats and relative to myself and the Governor, it only relates to issues. I was not in favor of the Gross Receipts tax on Illinoisans, I was not in favor of… those are issue differences, they are not personality differences…
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Jeff Berkowitz: Do you trust the Governor?

Speaker Madigan: I like to trust everyone, including you (and the Speaker starts to move away, suggesting our time was up).

Jeff Berkowitz: All right, thank you so much Speaker Madigan.

Speaker Madigan: Take care, right.

From outside the Pepsi Center, Denver, August 25, 2008 [the interview was interrupted briefly as former Commerce Secretary and
Chicago Mayoral brother, Billy Daley, walked by, exchanging pleasantries with Speaker Madigan, and making a cameo appearance on tonight’s show].
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Senate President Emil Jones (D-Chicago); Well, I have known Barack Obama for about twenty-five years and he’s a very smart, intelligent young man…

Jeff Berkowitz: He said you made him the U. S. Senator, is that right?

Well, he said I did, but—

Jeff Berkowitz: McCain says that [the Surge] was the right decision. He says we’re going to win in Iraq.

Emil Jones: it was not the right decision for us to invade Iraq.

Jeff Berkowitz: But, is the surge working?

Emil Jones; it was not the right decision for us to invade Iraq. Two wrongs do not make a right.

From the Marriott Hotel, Denver, Colorado, August 23, 2008
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Jeff Berkowitz: …Apparently, she [Sarah Palin] has no foreign policy experience. There is no evidence she is conversant with foreign policy issues. Does that concern you?

Cong. Eric Cantor (R-Va): Well, I think that’s the case for any governor that is hoisted onto a national ticket. I think Bill Clinton certainly had that issue, as well, when—

Jeff Berkowitz: Coming out of Yale Law School, don’t you think people thought…

From the floor at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, MN Sep. 2, 2008
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Jeff Berkowitz: …people say that Sarah Palin energizes the base of the Republican Party. Do you agree and …what is it about her that energizes the base, if it does.

Former Illinois Gov. Jim Edgar (R-Charleston, 1990-1998): …Energy just kind of comes out of her…I don’t think it is an ideology thing, although… some from the far right might say, “Gee, this is good.” Republicans I have talked to, particularly women Republicans, who were for McCain, who are not ideologues-- they maybe weren’t enthusiastic [before], they’re enthusiastic, now…. I’ve learned a long time ago that in Illinois politics if you can get the Republican women motivated, you’re going to win.

From the floor at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, MN Sep. 4, 2008
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Jeff Berkowitz: Speaker Gingrich, just give me a quick thought about Sarah Palin:

Speaker Gingrich; I thought it was an extraordinary speech and I think she will be a national figure for many years.

Berkowitz: Do you think she has the foreign policy experience she needs?

Speaker Gingrich:

From the floor at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, MN Sep. 4, 2008
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Jeff Berkowitz; Do you think this means that conservatives who were concerned about Supreme Court appointments can [now] trust John McCain to appoint somebody like Justice Alito or Justice Roberts? They weren’t so sure before [Palin was selected], can they trust him now?

Senate Republican Leader Watson: Well, I’m not so sure it’s all about the Supreme Court appointments that energize everyone about Sarah Palin, but I do believe that Sarah Palin would be someone who will be a conservative voice in this administration.

From the floor at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, Sep. 4, 2008
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Jeff Berkowitz: How does it feel, Jim?

State Rep. Jim Durkin (R-Western Springs): A little nervous, but… it was great.

Berkowitz: So, you ready for the gubernatorial run now…you gonna announce right here? you running in 2010 for Governor?

State Rep. Jim Durkin: I’m looking forward to going to the swearing in--in January, then I’ll talk to you, Jeff.

State Rep. Jim Durkin, interviewed just after he cast Illinois’ votes for John McCain. From the floor at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, MN Sep. 4, 2008
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When you’ve lived in a box, your life is about keeping others from having to endure that box, you shout, you push, you lead; you left long ago the shallow of self and put your people first, your country first, John McCain.

The narrator introducing John McCain to the crowd at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, MN on Sep. 4, 2008
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Jeff Berkowitz: What about the Commander-in-Chief issue? Commander-in Chief issue, everybody heard that tonight [Sep. 4]. McCain could be the Commander-in-Chief. Could Barack Obama?

John King [CNN]: That’s up to the American people. That’s not up to me. That’s why we have elections.

Jeff Berkowitz: What’s your opinion?

John King [CNN]: I don’t have an opinion. I cover politics. I don’t have an opinion.

From the floor at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, MN on Sep. 4, 2008

[To read more of this transcript, go here].
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Juan Williams [Fox and NPR]: …this is a time when 80 per cent of Americans say the country is on the wrong track. We need strong leadership and I think there are going to be judgments made about Sarah Palin as a leader.

Jeff Berkowitz: It looks like the Republicans are trying to steal Obama’s saying…this is change you can believe in…they’re saying… she [Palin] is the reformer, McCain’s the reformer—not Obama, you know in Chicago, John Kass, the Chicago Tribune columnist, says Barack Obama is a product of the Daley machine.

Williams: He is a product of [Daley machine]—no question.

Berkowitz: Well, if he is, how can he stand for reform, what has he ever done to reform [things]? Sarah Palin took on the bad guys in Alaska and basically beat up on them; she beat up on an incumbent governor [Murkowski] running in the Republican Primary, doesn’t she have a lead over these folks in terms of reform and two, she’s got two years of executive experience—how much does Obama have, how much does Biden have, indeed, how much does McCain have? They don’t have any executive experience.

Juan Williams; Well, you know, this is apples and oranges. What you got is a situation where you have a young man in Barack Obama who has run a campaign that has taken on the juggernaut of the Clintons and taken on all the money…

From the floor at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, MN on
Sep. 4, 2008.
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Jeff Berkowitz: Does it come down to Ohio, Michigan, Pennsylvania and Florida or are there going to be other states in the mix.

Steve Scully [C-Span Political Editor]: …I really think the winner of this election will be based on who wins Virginia, who wins Pennsylvania, maybe who wins Colorado and maybe throw in New Hampshire as kind of a swing state that will determine [things]…

From the floor at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul on MN on Sep. 3, 2008
********************************************************
"Public Affairs," is a weekly political interview show airing in Chicago on CANTV, in the Chicago metro area and in Aurora on Comcast and also often on the Illinois Channel. You can watch the shows, including archived shows going back to 2005, here. You can often read Berkowitz's political interviews, analysis and commentary at the Chicago Daily Observer ].
*************************************************************
Recently posted shows on the Public Affairs YouTube page now include two shows featuring clips and interviews, primarily from the Democratic and Republican National Party conventions, and shows with Cook County Cmsr. and Obama Media Team Member Forrest Claypool, State Senator Bill Brady (R-Bloomington) and State Rep. Ken Dunkin (D-Chicago), 8th CD Republican Nominee Steve Greenberg, our show with Senator Obama (D-IL), Gov. Sebelius (D-KS), DLC Chairman Harold Ford, Cong. Rahm Emanuel (D-Chicago), Attorney General Madigan, WTTW's Carol Marin, Real Clear Politics' Tom Bevan, Sun-Times Abdon Pallasch and much more.
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Way Better than Monday Night Football: Berkowitz one on one w/ Speaker Mike, Governor Edgar, Karl Rove, Steve Scully and so much more.

Tonight's City of Chicago edition of Public Affairs features a clip of an interview by Berkowitz with Obama in 2002 and interviews in 2008 from the floor and the perimeter of the Democratic and Republican Party conventions with such notables as Speaker Mike Madigan, Senate President Emil Jones, Governor Edgar, Fox's Karl Rove, C-Span's Steve Scully and much, much more. The show airs at 8:30 pm on Cable Ch. 21 tonight throughout the City of Chicago and also tonight on cable in Aurora and surrounding areas at 7:30 pm on ACTV-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.

You can also watch the show on your computer. For more about tonight's show, go here.

"Public Affairs," is a weekly political interview show airing in Chicago on CANTV, in the Chicago metro area and in Aurora on Comcast and also often on the Illinois Channel. You can watch the shows, including archived shows going back to 2005, here. You can read Berkowitz's daily reports from the presidential conventions for and at the Chicago Daily Observer [where you can read these reports first here]. *************************************************************
Recently posted shows on the Public Affairs YouTube page now include recent shows featuring clips and interviews from the Democratic and Republican National Party conventions, with Cook County Cmsr. and Obama Media Team Member Forrest Claypool, State Senator Bill Brady (R-Bloomington) and State Rep. Ken Dunkin (D-Chicago), 8th CD Republican Nominee Steve Greenberg, our show with Senator Obama (D-IL), Gov. Sebelius (D-KS), DLC Chairman Harold Ford, Cong. Rahm Emanuel (D-Chicago), Attorney General Madigan, WTTW's Carol Marin, Real Clear Politics' Tom Bevan, Sun-Times Abdon Pallasch and much more.
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Berkowitz and Johnston join Roeser on WLS Radio tonight: a fresh, balanced look at national and state issues that others won't touch?

Jeff Berkowitz will join, once again, Republican political consultant and analyst Charlie Johnston as a guest tonight on Tom Roeser’s weekly, Sunday, call-in radio show, Political Shoot-out, WLS 890 AM Radio, from 8:00 pm to 9:00 pm.
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You say you don't live within the WLS broadcast area? Not to worry. You can go here to listen to the program, live, on the web.[You may encounter some technical problems in signing on-- allow five minutes, or so, for following the prompts for technical difficulties, and you should be able to hear WLS live on the web] See here for Tom’s Blog which has Tom's thoughts on a great many matters, political and otherwise.

Upset with something Berkowitz said on his show [www.PublicAffairsTv.com] or the [Public Affairs YouTube.com page], something he wrote on this blog or just the way he looks? Tom Roeser’s show on Sunday night is your chance to fire back. A free fire zone, so to speak. Also, you can help shape the show and its topics by calling in with your questions and comments—312-591-8900. Obama mamas (Bean), Democrats, Republicans, Suburban Agenda promoters (Kirk), Libertarians, Independents, Communists [no collect calls, please], Palin boosters, Biden Boosters, gun grabbers, gun clingers, gun slingers, outside agitators and others are, of course, all welcome.

Tonight's show may touch on

--the softening poll numbers of McCain,

--the embarrassingly weak interview of Sarah Palin by Shawn Hannity,

--the erratic and peculiar statements of John McCain on the Economy, e.g., firing Chairman Chris Cox at SEC

--the cautious approach to the economy of Obama,

--whether the "change you can believe in," slogan is still being shared by McCain and Obama,

--whether Sarah Palin can demonstrate she has the knowledge of domestic and foreign policy issues to go the distance,

--whether the Illinois State Senate will join the House and override Blago's veto of the ethics legislation,

--whether Speaker Mike Madigan has settled on a capital plan he can live with,

--whether there is credible evidence of an impeachable offense by Blago [Watch here the Public Affairs show with Rep. Durkin [dealing in part with this topic], [watch here the Public Affairs show with Rep. Dunkin dealing in part with this topic],

--whether a capital budget will be passed before the election,

--whether Sarah Palin strengthens the Presidential ticket enough to help Repubicans pick up State Senate and StateHouse seats.

----whether Robert Abboud (D-Barrington Hills) can catch Cong. Manzullo (R-Egan) in the 16th CD.

Who knows, we may even discuss so-called education funding reform of Senator/Rev. Meeks and the latest proposal of Meeks-Gidwitz [Watch here the show w/ Rep. Dunkin dealing in part w/ this topic], school vouchers-school choice, would Governor Bobby Jindahl have made a better McCain VP, charter schools, jobs and free lunches .

This reporter doesn't know the topics for tonight—they are determined by Mr. Roeser, with some incisive suggestions, no doubt, by his lovely, energetic and intelligent wife Lillian. However, an educated guess is that the questions will consist of various Illinois, national and Presidential political issues, possibly selected from the above, or below, questions, some of which are holdovers from prior episodes of "Political Shootout," or "Public Affairs."

Of course, you can call and ask any of the below questions or whatever you like. As with University of Chicago Ph. D. prelim questions in economics over the years, many of the questions on Political Shoot-out stay the same each week, only the answers change [or do they?]. And you are Free to Choose, so to speak, as this is the land of Milton Friedman, the late, great Nobel Prize Laureate in Economics from the University of Chicago [WWMFS, i.e., what would Milton Friedman say? is the question we classically ask, followed with:

--Did WTTW's Joel Weisman get it way wrong when he stated on the last Chicago Week in Review that "the only difference on economic issues [between Obama and McCain] is that Obama wants to lower taxes on the 'middle,' class."

--Did none of the panelists challenge Weisman because (a)they all share his liberal bias, (b) they are all wusses, (c) some are conflicted because they are clients of Weisman, (d) all of the above, (e) none of the above

--Does Weisman have a major league conflict of interest that nobody in the MSM wants to raise? Why?

--Why did only one member of the MSM go after State's Attorney candidate Anita Alvarez (D) for her bizarre defense of taking contributions from those "under investigation."

--Are the MSM generally in the tank for Alvarez?

--Do the MSM think Alvarez ought to be able to gerrymander the questions she gets in a presser?

-- Could Paul Vallas win a Republican Primary for Governor? Is he thinking of making the run in the Republican Primary? in the Democratic Primary?

-- Who is the favorite to win the Republican Primary for Governor?

--Who is the favorite to win the Democratic Primary for Governor?

--Has Keith Oblermann completely lost his mind?

--Who is most liberal: Olbermann, Maddow or Matthews?

--Which network is most biased: Fox News Channel, MSNBC, PBS, CNN, ABC, NBC or CBS.

--Is Tim Russert turning over in his grave when he sees the growing dominance of Olbermann, Maddow and Matthews over what is left of the NBC news division.

--Will Cong. Jackson be the next Junior Senator from the State of Illinois? Or will it be Tammy Duckworth? Cong. Jan Schakowsky? Cong. Rahm Emanuel? Lisa Madigan.

--Does the Chicago Public School system spend more than $14,000 per kid per year to try to educate kids? Does Arne Duncan tell the truth about this? If not, why not?

--Was Barack Obama Emil Jones' show pony, as Senator Rauschenberger contends? [watch here]

--Was Obama way too cautious in his handling of the Pastor Disaster? in his selection of a VP? Will Pastor Wright be an issue in the Presidential race in the next 44 days?

--Is Obama's cautious nature both his strength and his weakness?

--IsObama suffering from buyer's remorse?

--Are voters concerned that they do not share Obama's values? Will that concern be offset by citizen concern over the "bailout economy."

--Will voters become increasingly concerned about Gov. Palin's lack of national experience lack of knowledge of national security or foreign policy issues? Will the debate with Biden do in Palin?

--In light of what has transpired about Rev. Wright, Rezko and Ayers, does Sen. Dillard reqret the TV ad he cut for Obama last year. [Watch Sen. Dillard discuss this topic].

-Will the state GOP cave in the next few months on its hostility to increased taxes? Will House Republican leader Cross lead the capitulation?

-Is it now unlikely that 2006 10th CD Democratic nominee Dan Seals [D-Wilmette] can come back to beat Cong. Kirk [R-Highland Park] this year?

--Does Obama's presence at the top of the ballot give Seals an increasingly small chance to beat suburban agenda Kirk? Are both Seals and Kirk playing a prevent defense? Isn't that a dumb strategy for Seals?

--What do Seals and Oberweis have in common?

-Is WTTW's Chicago Tonight in need of an aggressive political interviewer to boost its sagging ratings and its lack of balance? Which cable TV personality in the Chicago Metro area could provide it?

--Did WTTW gets it's money's worth of convention coverage from Marin, Brackett and Samuels?

--Should Chicago Week in Review be renamed "The Week reviewed by liberals."

--Is Carol Marin just a "Working gal."

--Is it past time for a change in leadership in the State GOP?

--Will Andy McKenna, Jr. be kicked upstairs after the November 4, 2008 election? Are the money guys getting restless?

- Could Colonel Jill Morgenthaler (D-Des Plaines) upset first term Republican incumbent Cong. Peter Roskam in the Illinois 6th CD? Watch Morgenthaler go after Roskam here. Why is Roskam hiding from Public Affairs? Why does Roskam hide from probing questions?

--Could Scott Harper upset ten year Republican incumbent Cong. Judy Biggert in the Illinois 13th CD. Watch Harper go after Biggert here. Is Biggert hiding from Public Affairs? Biggert hiding from probing questions?

-- Is Ozinga a likely winner over Halvorsen in the 11th? Halvorsen just wrong for the District?

--Could Greenberg upset Bean in the 8th CD? Watch a virtual conversation w/Bean-Greenberg here. Where will Greenberg get the money to finance such an upset?

--Did the City Club of Chicago exhibit bad judgment or bias in it's decision to invite Cong. Bean (D-Barrington Hills) to speak this past week w/o giving her Republican opponent, Steve Greenberg, the opportunity to speak to the City Club.

--Was the Bean decision made by Roosevelt University Professor Paul Green? How does he justify it? Can he justify it?

--When the City Club of Chicago invited Republican Cong. Kirk to speak, it followed up on that with an invitation to his opponent, Democrat Dan Seals, to speak. Why were Democrat Seals and Republican Greenberg treated differently by the City Club of Chicago. Liberal Democratic Bias?
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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. *************************************************************
"Public Affairs," is a weekly political interview show airing in Chicago on CANTV, in the Chicago metro area and in Aurora on Comcast and also often on the Illinois Channel. You can watch the shows, including archived shows going back to 2005, here. You can read Berkowitz's daily reports from the presidential conventions for and at the Chicago Daily Observer [where you can read these reports first here]. *************************************************************
Recently posted shows on the Public Affairs YouTube page now include recent shows featuring clips and interviews from the Democratic and Republican National Party conventions, with Cook County Cmsr. and Obama Media Team Member Forrest Claypool, State Senator Bill Brady (R-Bloomington) and State Rep. Ken Dunkin (D-Chicago), 8th CD Republican Nominee Steve Greenberg, our show with Senator Obama (D-IL), Gov. Sebelius (D-KS), DLC Chairman Harold Ford, Cong. Rahm Emanuel (D-Chicago), Attorney General Madigan, WTTW's Carol Marin, Real Clear Politics' Tom Bevan, Sun-Times Abdon Pallasch and much more.
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Who is Anita Alvarez? A wannabee friend of targets of criminal, federal investigations? A friend of Daley, Madigan and Burke? She’s their girl?

Revised significantly on Thursday at 2:50 pm
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Yet, Alvarez is saying, no matter what the U. S. Attorney is saying about you, you can contribute to Alvarez and have a willing new friend, personal or not, in the Cook County State’s Attorney’s office. On hearing that, Daley, Madigan and Burke must have breathed a collective sigh of relief and said, “That’s our girl.”
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Did taking the Singer money create a conflict of interest for Alvarez?

Another Reporter: Why did you accept a political donation, albeit small, from Bill Singer, who has been publicly identified in a federal trial as a target of a criminal, federal investigations? [See here].

Cook County State’s Attorney Candidate Anita Alvarez (D): Okay, I don’t know Mr. Singer, personally, and I’ve accepted a small donation. I don’t believe he’s convicted of anything. As far as I know, he’s not. And, I haven’t violated any ethics ordinance, by doing so.

Jeff Berkowitz: So, if somebody is subject to an investigation by the U. S. attorney, but not convicted of anything, it’s appropriate for you to accept a donation from him? is that right?

Cook County State’s Attorney Candidate Anita Alvarez (D); I am abiding by the County ordinances and I’m abiding, you know, by those rules and I don’t believe I’ve violated any of those.
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Press Conference, September 16, 2008, following a debate sponsored by the Public Affairs office of the Union League Club of Chicago between Cook County State’s Attorney Democratic Nominee Anita Alvarez and Republican Nominee Tony Peraica. See here for an overview of the debate and pressers. Watch Alvarez interviewed here and Watch Peraica interviewed here.
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Conflicts of interest 101

This reporter used to practice law at a large, loop, law firm, where one of the partners spent considerable time making sure the firm took no new matters where, to do so, would present a conflict of interest for the firm with one of its prior clients. Making such a determination started with a mechanical computerized comparison of the potential new client, and that new client’s adverse and third parties—to existing clients, and adverse and third parties in their matters, and so on and so forth. Once a possible conflict of interest for the firm was spotted, then the partner assigned to deal with conflicts spent considerable time applying complex case law, ethical canons and his judgment and wisdom to the situation at hand.

That conflicts partner would often state that he never met a partner, who stood to benefit directly from the new business, who could see a conflict with a potential new client. Of course, that was a bit of an exaggeration. But, the point was, new clients meant money in the pocket of the partner who brought in the client—and that meant that partner might not be the best person to make the decision about potential conflicts. Indeed, that’s why the firm had a conflict’s partner, who would be at least one step removed, so to speak, from the situation at hand, and therefore could make an objective judgment about whether the firm should accept the new client. Maybe Alvarez needs a conflicts adviser.

Alvarez and targets of criminal investigations

Anita Alvarez, who has never been in a law firm, is kind of like that partner with a new client. Only, for her, the new client is a new contributor, Bill Singer, who was said, for purposes of the question put to Alvarez, to be the target of a federal, criminal investigation. Alvarez raised no objection to the premise of the question put to her.

Alvarez and the Food Chain

Alvarez apparently does not want to turn away new contibutors. Partly, that is because the money enhances her chances of moving up the food chain in her, sort of, law firm, i.e., the Cook County State’s Attorney office. Alvarez has spent twently-two years climbing the ladder in the State’s Attorney office of nine hundred attorneys to No. 3, just behind First Assistant Bob Milan. She is on leave, now, for her run for State’s Attorney, but this is just a technicality. Alvarez’s climb to the top involves getting more votes on Nov. 4 than her opponent, Republican Cook County Commissioner Tony Peraica.

The State’s Attorney office and Torture

Milan is the First Assistant to the twelve year-incumbent State’s Attorney, Dick Devine, who himself was First Assistant, in the early 80s, to then State’s Attorney Richard M. Daley, when certain members of the Chicago Police Department (“CPD”) found torture, a convenient, albeit illegal, tool, to help build their cases. For some reason, Daley and Devine never found the roots, breadth and depth of the torture in the CPD a very compelling topic—not then, not in the middle years and not recently—the topic was investigated to death, so to speak, by others—and finally the statute of limitations for prosecutions had run.

Alvarez—quiet on torture.

When asked about it now, Alvarez says she was just a junior attorney in the mid 80s and kind of the equivalent of a junior partner in the 90s, so never really in a position to ask or do much about the torture near her, or so she says or implies. In short, on torture, Alvarez must have appeared very, very good to Daley. When other Democratic candidates for State’s Attorney were raising concerns about Daley and torture, not a word from Alvarez.

Daley, Madigan and Burke for Alvarez

Putting aside the leave, Alvarez is still No. 3 in the State’s Attorney office. And, in a sense, she is No. 1. That is, the Mayor may not have officially supported Alvarez in the February, 2008, Democratic Primary. But, she won the 11th Ward, (Daley’s home ward), the 13th Ward (Speaker Mike Madigan’s home ward) and the 14th Ward (Ald. and Chicago City Council Finance Committee Chairman Ed Burke’s home ward).

So, it might appear that in the hearts of Daley, Madigan and Burke, Alvarez is the object of their affection. Alvarez claims not to be “one of the boys." But the “boys,” seem to like her, notwithstanding Devine’s official endorsement of Milan, who finished a distant fifth of six candidates.

Alvarez: not a lot of intellectual curiosity

The important thing for Daley, Madigan and Burke is to have a State’s Attorney who is not too intellectually curious when it comes to history, whether it be torture, patronage or public corruption. All of that public corruption stuff, like the activities of Sorich, Tomczak, Hired Truck, etc., that has kept U. S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald busy, has never had much appeal for Devine, or any of his underlings, like Alvarez.

The amount of the contribution discussed above from Bill Singer is apparently small stuff ($500). Much more important is that Alvarez stated publicly that she sees nothing wrong with taking money from someone who is the target of a federal criminal investigation. Daley not doubt saw that and said, “That’s my girl.”

Obama-Rezko, a conflict of interest?

Think about it. Barack Obama said it was a “boneheaded move,” for him to involve himself in a housing transaction with a person, Tony Rezko, rumored at the time to be under investigation by the feds, when arguably Obama was receiving a favor from Rezko. As a U. S. Senator (not to mention as a President) Obama could have a substantial say in whether the U. S. Attorney was kept, or not—and who would replace him—something that might be of great interest to a person being investigated by that U. S. Attorney. A boneheaded move? I’ll say. At least, Obama regretted it.

Alvarez-Singer, a conflict of Interest?

Think about it. Anita Alvarez says there is no conflict of interest for her to knowingly accept money from a person “publicly identified in a federal trial as a target of a criminal, federal investigation.” Yes, what she said was
she had not “violated any ethics ordinance, by doing so.” But, then this reporter asked if, “it’s appropriate for you to accept [such] a donation.”
Yes, Alvarez answered in a narrow way: “I am abiding by the County ordinances and I’m abiding, you know, by those rules and I don’t believe I’ve violated any of those.” But, clearly, Alvarez implied that there was no conflict of interest.

However, there is one. Yes, it is doubtful Anita Alvarez would engage in such a conflict for a small sum of money. Even the most money hungry law firm partner wouldn’t take a case with a conflict to increase his income by, say, five hundred dollars. So, why did Alvarez accept the money from Singer? Maybe, she is “one of the boys.” That is, she won’t abandon her friends until they are convicted. You know, everyone is innocent until proven guilty.

Why does it become an issue for people potentially involved as government investigatory authorities to associate with people "under investigation." Because the odds that they may be called upon to exercise judgment about that investigation go up significantly when that person, such as Bill Singer, is identified in a trial as under investigation. If Anita Alvarez returns to the State's Attorney office as the State's Attorney, she might be called upon to decide how to pursue or follow-up on evidence pointing toward Singer in the matter the U. S. Attorney is pursuing. The U. S. Attorney might ask her office for help in the matter. How she responds could present a conflict of interest, if she has an association with Singer.

Yet, Alvarez is saying, no matter what the U. S. Attorney is saying about you, you can contribute to Alvarez and have a willing new friend, personal or not, in the Cook County State’s Attorney’s office. On hearing that, Daley, Madigan and Burke must have breathed a collective sigh of relief and said, “that’s our girl.”
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Jeff Berkowitz is host and producer of “Public Affairs,” a weekly political interview show airing in the Chicago metro area and in Aurora on Comcast and on CANTV [Comcast or RCN] in Chicago-- and also often on the Illinois Channel . You can also watch the shows here and read Berkowitz’s commentary, analysis, reporting, partial transcripts and airing schedules of his Public Affairs show on this blog. Berkowitz, who reported from the Democratic Party Convention in Denver, Colorado and from the Republican Party Convention in St. Paul, Minnesota for the Chicago Daily Observer, is now filing supplemental Convention related columns with the CDO. You can contact Berkowitz at JBCG@aol.com.
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Recently posted shows on the Public Affairs YouTube page now include recent shows featuring clips and interviews from the Democratic and Republican National Party conventions, with Cook County Cmsr. and Obama Media Team Member Forrest Claypool, State Senator Bill Brady (R-Bloomington) and State Rep. Ken Dunkin (D-Chicago), 8th CD Republican Nominee Steve Greenberg, our show with Senator Obama (D-IL), Gov. Sebelius (D-KS), DLC Chairman Harold Ford, Cong. Rahm Emanuel (D-Chicago), Attorney General Madigan, WTTW's Carol Marin, Real Clear Politics' Tom Bevan, Sun-Times Abdon Pallasch and much more.
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