Barack Obama, Blagojevich, Rezko, Fitzgerald, Volcker, Summers and Santa; Obama, 2002 to Present, the long, winding road.

When he held three press conferences earlier this week, President-Elect Barack Obama spoke somewhat circumspectly as he answered questions about the economy and his economic team, which includes such notables as former Carter/Reagan Fed Chief Paul Volcker and former Clinton Treasury Secretary Larry Summers. However, there was a time when Obama was less guarded.

For example, in June of 2002, Obama sounded like just another pol as he cheered on then Cong. Rod Blagojevich in his general election campaign for Illinois Governor against then Illinois Attorney General, Republican Jim Ryan. There was not a hint of the “post-partisan,” attribute that was said, in his presidential campaign, to characterize Obama.
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State Senator Barack Obama (D-Chicago): …right now, my main focus is to make sure that we elect Rod Blagojevich as Governor, we—

Jeff Berkowitz: You working hard for Rod?

Barack Obama: You betcha.

Jeff Berkowitz: Hot Rod?

Barack Obama: That’s exactly right. You know, I think that having a Democratic Governor will make a big difference. I think that I am working hard to get a Democratic [state] senate and Emil Jones President, replacing [Republican Senate President] Pate Philip and once all that clears out in November, then I think we’ll be able to make some good decisions about the [U. S.] Senate race.

Jeff Berkowitz: So, you want to see a Democratic State Senate, a Democratic State House, a Democratic Governor—

Barack Obama: I am a Democrat.

Jeff Berkowitz: Is that balanced? And I thought we wanted a fair and balanced approach to things.

Barack Obama: I am a Democrat.

Jeff Berkowitz: Card-carrying Democrat?

Barack Obama: Card-carrying Democrat. I really believe that the core Democratic philosophy is one that is—you know—really helps working people, and hopefully you know, we’ll be able to make sure that we carry out a mandate in this next election in November [2002].

Public Affairs with Jeff Berkowitz, June 27, 2002

© 2008 Public Affairs with Jeff Berkowitz, may not be quoted or used in any manner without the written permission of Jeff Berkowitz
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Many, if not most, Illinois pundits, appear to believe that Blagojevich is on the verge of indictment from U. S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald in connection with a series of on-going federal investigations relating to, inter alia, trading state board seats, jobs and other state benefits and business for campaign contributions, with some of those matters said to involve Tony Rezko, a former Blogojevich fundraiser, confidant and dispenser of government favors. Rezko is now a convicted felon and said to be talking to the Feds.

Tony Rezko was somebody who Obama got to know before the President-Elect graduated in 1991 from Harvard Law School, as Rezko offered him a job. Of course, as the first African-American President of the Harvard Law Review, Obama had many job offers that he rejected (even though the U. S. was just then entering into a recession, not unlike that of the recession that appears to be upon this country now) and Rezko’s was rejected, as well.

However, the Rezko relationship endured, and Obama has conceded, after a lot of investigation by the Chicago Tribune, the Chicago Sun-Times and other media, that Rezko raised or contributed over a quarter of a million dollars to Obama during eight years that Obama was running for or holding his state senate and U. S. Senate positions. Moreover, during his 2004 campaign for the U. S. Senate, Obama spoke with now convicted felon, and then Obama fundraiser and finance guy, Rezko, almost daily.

Further, when U. S. Senator Obama bought his 1.6 million dollar mansion in Kenwood on the South side of Chicago in the Spring of 2005, a time when Rezko was said to be under investigation by the Feds, Obama went to Rezko for advice about the purchase and Rezko’s wife did Obama the favor of purchasing the side lot from the seller, who wanted to sell the side lot and house simultaneously, and the joint purchase would have been a financial stretch at the time for Senator Obama. In 2006, Senator Obama bought a portion of the side lot back from Mrs. Rezko. The decision of Mr. Obama to involve the Rezkos in the house purchase was subsequently described by Senator Obama as a “boneheaded move.”

During Obama’s Presidential campaign, Cong. Rahm Emanuel peculiarly seemed to volunteer that then State Senator Barack Obama was intensively involved in the Blagojevich gubernatorial campaign of 2002. But, Emanuel then backed off of that assertion. Also, this reporter has described Cong. Emanuel as one of the “four amigos,” with the other three including Obama senior strategist and founder of AKP&D Message and Media David Axelrod, Cook County Commissioner Forrest Claypool (involved in the founding of AKP&D Message and Media in the 80s, and someone who worked on Obama’s U. S. Senate and Presidential campaigns) and President-Elect Obama.[Axelrod is selling his interest in AKP&D Message and Media, consistent with his decision to join the Obama Administration as a senior adviser].

And, now we have come almost full circle in that Cong. Emanuel, just re-elected to a 4th term, has said he will resign his 5th Cong. Chicago seat (previously held by Gov. Blagojevich) to become Obama’s Chief of Staff. Emanuel’s seat was also previously held for decades by Cong. Dan Rostenkowski, who lost his seat after he was indicted for public corruption (Rostenkowski was subsequently convicted but pardoned by President Clinton). The 5th Cong. Dist. seat is thought to be the “Chicago,” or “Daley,” seat and Rosty dealt with nine Presidents, two Mayor Daleys and a Mayor Washington. Mayor Richard M. Daley, in turn, helped elect Emanuel to the seat in a tough Democratic Primary in 2002 (It is also said that Daley’s Water Commissioner, Don Tomczak, and an army of city workers, helped elect Emanuel in that Primary).

Finalizing the circle, if U. S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald is to indict and try Gov. Rod Blagojevich, that will require a President Obama to appoint Fitzgerald to what would seem to be an unprecedented third term as U. S. Attorney. Fitzgerald was first brought in to the N.D. of IL in 2001, from New York City, at the urging of President Bush by then maverick Republican U. S. Senator Peter Fitzgerald (no relation to Patrick), over the objections of local Republican and Democratic pols, who preferred prosecutions be handled by a local prosecutor. Outsider Patrick Fitzgerald has piled up significant, numerous public corruption convictions of state and local Republicans and Democrats.

Democrat Senator Dick Durbin, currently the senior and only Senator from Illinois, said recently that U. S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald has done a great job and that he would like to sit down with Patrick Fitzgerald and find out what he wants to do in terms of future career plans, but that if Fitzgerald wants to continue as U. S. Attorney, Durbin would urge his friend and former senate colleague, President-Elect Obama, to re-appoint Patrick Fitzgerald.

On the other hand, Senator Durbin has recently been asked by former Republican Governor George Ryan’s wife to request a pardon of George Ryan by President Bush. Ryan is now serving the remaining five and one-half years on a six and one-half year federal prison sentence for public corruption. Senator Durbin, to the dismay of the federal prosecutors, sounds sympathetic to a pardon or commutation of Gov. Ryan.

What will Obama do about Patrick Fitzgerald? It is said that Mayor Daley, who has seen his patronage chief and others in his administration face indictments and convictions by Fitzgerald, would love to see Fitzgerald find another career, or at least find another locale from which to ply his trade. Chicago Tribune columnist John Kass has argued that Obama is the product of the Daley machine. This reporter has differed with that assessment of Kass. We may be about to see a resolution of that debate.

Moreover, this reporter, having sat down for five one-half hour video interviews with Obama from 2001-04, would like to do so again to discuss the above issues, as well as various other domestic and foreign policy matters with President-Elect Obama. Like the Obama daughters, Malia and Sasha, Berkowitz has sent his letter to Santa, itemizing his Christmas requests, including his request for another Obama video interview. Stay tuned. We’ll let you know if Santa delivers.
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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, Aurora and Rockford 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 include shows taped with former pol and current pundit and PR guy, Chris Robling,; possibe 2010 Republican gubernatorial candidate Senator Rutherford , Cong. Don Manzullo (R-Egan, 16th CD), State Rep. Julie Hamos (D-Evanston), Robert Abboud (D-Barrington Hills, 2008 16th CD Dem. Nominee), two shows featuring clips and interviews, primarily from the Democratic and Republican National Party conventions, go here to watch a 2nd Convention clip show and shows with Cook County Cmsr. and Obama Media Team Member Forrest Claypool and much more.
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Obama’s Economic Team: Clinton Redux? Heartburn for the Democratic Wing of the Democratic Party? Even for some centrists?

The Obama media love-in continued unabated this week as the President-Elect held his second, third and fourth press conferences, all in the Chicago Loop at the Chicago Hilton on Michigan Avenue. Obama’s first presser, almost two weeks ago, attracted an overflow crowd of more than two hundred media members. Perhaps much of the Obama thrill is gone, for all but Chris Matthews, as attendance this week fell to a hard core of about sixty media members, a nice mixture of national/traveling media and locals, with perhaps a smattering of the international press corps still represented.

Although Obama answered a total of a baker’s dozen of questions at the three pressers, and we will come back to that in other posts, that dialogue was not the main focus of the press conferences. Instead, it was to present Obama’s economics team in a controlled environment. And, much of the time, that was under the watchful eye of Cong. Emanuel, Press Secretary Robert Gibbs and senior strategist, message developer and communications expert David Axelrod.

At Monday’s presser, Obama introduced the initial core of his economics team: former Clinton Treasury Secretary and Harvard University President Larry Summers (53, Econ Ph.D., Harvard) as the Director of the National Economic Council; Tim (bailouts) Geithner (47, MA, Johns Hopkins, International Relations) as Obama’s Treasury Secretary. Geithner, although currently President of the New York Federal Reserve Bank and intimately involved in most of the recent government bailouts of failing financial firms, was formerly, inter alia, a senior aide to Summers at the Clinton Treasury; and University of California, Berkeley Economics Professor Christina Romer (49, Econ Ph. D., MIT) as Chairman of Obama’s three-person Council of Economic Advisers.

Melody Barnes (44, UNC-Chapel Hill, History; JD, University of Michigan Law School) although introduced with the above on Monday, is not really a part of the economics team. Barnes will head the Domestic Policy Council and most recently was a senior domestic policy adviser to the Obama campaign. Prior to that, Barnes worked as an EVP at former Clinton Chief of Staff John Podesta’s think tank and prior to that was Chief counsel to Senator Kennedy on the Senate Judiciary Committee.

At Tuesday’s presser, Obama introduced his budget honchos: Peter Orszag (39, Econ Ph. D, London School of Economics), as Director of Office of Management and Budget and Rob Nabors (37, MA, UNC-Chapel Hill) as Orszag’s Deputy. Orszag was previously Special Assistant for economic policy to President Clinton and is currently Congressional Budget Office Director. Nabors is a former Clinton OMB staffer, most recently Staff Director on the House Appropriations Committee.

At yesterday’s presser, Obama introduced some additional members of his economics team: Former Fed Chief and long-time Senior Treasury official Paul Volcker (81, Econ MA, Harvard) as Chairman of the new White House Economic Recovery Advisory Board (“ERAB”) and University of Chicago economics professor Austan Goolsbee (39, Econ Ph.D. MIT) as Staff Director for the new ERAB and member of Obama’s Council of Economic Advisors.

Goolsbee has been a trusted economics adviser to Obama for about the last five years, going back to Obama’s 2004 Democratic Senate Primary, which essentially was Obama’s first win in a contested election [he knocked all his opponents off the ballot when he won his state senate Democratic primary race in 1996]. Volcker became a significant economics adviser to Obama during the Presidential campaign.

So, you ask, is the Obama economics team “Change you can believe in.” Well, the Daily Kos type Democrats are a bit worried. Indeed, even voters more in the center might be wondering what happened to the "Change," they were promised. One, Sommers/Geithner/Orszag/Nabors is a heavy dose of the Clinton Administration, which of course worked with the Republicans to bring NAFTA and other free trade policies and agreements to the Country. While that should make many Republicans and free traders happy, that brings acid reflux to the Democratic Wing of the Democratic Party, as Howard Dean was wont to refer to his following in 2003-04, and maybe even to a number of centrist Democrats who have become disenchanted with free trade.

Two, Volcker, the Democrats might remember, is the man who stepped on the monetary policy brakes too sharply in 1982, having the happy effect of lowering President Carter’s out of control inflation dramatically, but having the unhappy consequence of driving the national unemployment rate to almost eleven percent. Putting that number in perspective, the “Bush economy, much criticized by Democrats, currently has a national unemployment rate of six and one half percent. Having broken the back of inflation, though, the economy turned around in 1982, Democrat Volcker was re-appointed Fed Chairman in 1983 and Volcker presided over most of President Reagan’s robust economic expansion, staying in the position of Fed Chief until he was replaced by Allen Greenspan in 1987.

Three, it was reported earlier this year that Goolsbee had told a Canadian Consul General that Obama's attack on free trade is "more reflective of political maneuvering than [his] policy.” Although Goolsbee argued that those were not his words, he went into an undisclosed location for a while and was not heard from much until the Presidential election was over. So, the left and some centrist Democrats may not see Goolsbee as “change you can believe in.”

Four, Larry Summers' politically incorrect statements of a few years ago as Harvard President, including why he thinks females may constitute disproportionately small numbers of those involved in math and sciences, continue to cast doubt with the left and feminists as to whether Summers should be trusted to make public policy, economics or otherwise.

On the other hand, Obama adopted, yesterday, at his pressers, Hillary Clinton’s argument that you need “experience,’ to produce change. That is, President-Elect Obama argued, if his administration didn’t use Clintonites, he would have “inexperienced,” advisers, and given the significant problems facing this country, people would not like it if he chose somebody to be Treasury Secretary “who had no experience in government whatsoever.”

Further, team Obama might argue that its choices for its economic and budget teams are having a “calming effect,” on the financial markets, with the Dow Jones industrials moving up four successive days this week, a first for the last three months. Of course, there are lots of factors affecting markets, so it remains to be seen whether the names of those on the Obama economics team did that, or not.

Who is right on team Obama’s economic advisers? The left and some queasy centrists or Obama? Do those nominated this week represent the change Obama promised? We discuss, you decide.
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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, Aurora and Rockford 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 include shows taped with former pol and current pundit and PR guy, Chris Robling,; Chairman and CEO of the Illinois Policy Institute, John Tillman, Senator Rutherford , former Republican Primary candidate for Governor Ron Gidwitz, Cong. Don Manzullo (R-Egan, 16th CD), State Rep. Julie Hamos (D-Evanston), Robert Abboud (D-Barrington Hills, 2008 16th CD Dem. Nominee), two shows featuring clips and interviews, primarily from the Democratic and Republican National Party conventions, go here to watch a 2nd Convention clip show and shows with Cook County Cmsr. and Obama Media Team Member Forrest Claypool and much more.
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Better than WTTW's Ponce w/Cong. Kirk: Berkowitz w/Senator Dillard on Caprio, Cullerton, Radogno and Deficits. Cable and Soon Streaming

This week’s suburban edition of "Public Affairs," features State Senator Kirk Dillard (R-Westmont)discussing and debating with Show Host and Executive Legal Recruiter Jeff Berkowitz issues relating to the aftermath of the Senate Republican Leader contest, the impact of the change in leadership of the Senate Dems and Senate Republicans, the prospects for an increase in the state income tax or sales tax, the prospects of a capital plan, the possibility that Gov. Blagojevich will be indicted and/or impeached, should State GOP Chairman Andy McKenna, Jr. be ousted and much, much more. See, below, for a more detailed list of topics discussed with Senator Dillard.

See, below, for the Chicago Metro suburban airing schedule of "Public Affairs,"
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You can soon watch this week's suburban episode of "Public Affairs," with Senator Kirk Dillard here. This show was taped on November 23, 2008.
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A partial transcript of this week's suburban edition of "Public Affairs," will be posted on this blog soon
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State Senator Kirk Dillard (R-Westmont), a veteran of fifteen years in the State Senate, debates and discusses the issues with show host and executive legal recruiter Jeff Berkowitz.

Senator Dillard previously held positions with the administrations of Gov. Thompson and Gov. Edgar-- and as a judge on the Court of Claims. In addition to serving in the State Senate, he is a partner at the law firm of Locke, Lord Bissell & Liddell. Dillard lost, on Nov. 19, 2008, a close election for Senate Republican Leader to Senator Christine Radogno. For more about Senator Dillard, please go here:

Topics discussed on the show include the impact that social issue divisions, as they manifested themselves in the recent state senate Republican leadership election, might have on future efforts to rebuild and unify the Illinois Republican Party, will Paul Caprio "cool down," over the election of Senator Radogno to Senate Republican Leader; taxing and spending issues, including the size of the projected 2008-09 state budget deficit and how to fix it; education issues, including reform, spending, charters, tax credits and school vouchers; a capital budget and financing same; Should State GOP Chairman Andy McKenna, Jr. be removed; Will Gov. Blagojevich be indicted and/or impeached; Will Dillard run for a statewide position in 2010? and much, much more.

This Program was taped on November 23, 2008.
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Public Affairs Chicago Metro suburban airing schedule.

The show featuring State Senator Dillard 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 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 State Senator Dillard will also air throughout the City of Chicago on Monday night, December 1, 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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The "Public Affairs," show featuring State Senator will also air throughout the City of Rockford (and in surrounding areas) next Friday night, Dec. 5th at 8:00 pm on Cable Ch. 17. The surrounding areas reached by Ch. 17 include Byron, Cedarville, Cherry Valley, Loves Park, Machesney Park, Mount Morris, New Milford, Portions of Ogle County, Oregon, Polo, Stillman Valley, Winnebago, Portions of Boone County and Poplar Grove.
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The "Public Affairs," show featuring Senator Kirk Dillard will also air throughout the State of Illinois on the Illinois Channel. Details for that airing schedule are TBA.
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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, Aurora and Rockford on Comcast and also often on the Illinois Channel. You can watch the shows, including archived shows going back to 2005, here.
**************************************************
Recently posted shows on the Public Affairs YouTube page include shows taped with former pol and current pundit and PR guy, Chris Robling,; Chairman and CEO of the Illinois Policy Institute, John Tillman, Senator Rutherford , former Republican Primary candidate for Governor Ron Gidwitz, Cong. Don Manzullo (R-Egan, 16th CD), State Rep. Julie Hamos (D-Evanston), Robert Abboud (D-Barrington Hills, 2008 16th CD Dem. Nominee), two shows featuring clips and interviews, primarily from the Democratic and Republican National Party conventions, go here to watch a 2nd Convention clip show and shows with Cook County Cmsr. and Obama Media Team Member Forrest Claypool and much more.
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Better than Monday night football: State Rep. Lou Lang on Blago, tax increases, Obama's Senate Replacement and much more:On cable and soon streaming

State Rep. Lou Lang (D-Skokie): It wouldn’t surprise me if President Jones becomes the Governor’s nominee to be the next United States Senator [from Illinois]…nor have I agreed with...
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State Rep. Lang: I think it’s possible that people will propose an income tax increase this year [2009].

Jeff Berkowitz: Is that a good idea?
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Tonight's Chicago edition of "Public Affairs," features State Rep. Lou Lang(D-Skokie)discussing and debating current political and state legilsative issues with show host and executive legal recruiter Jeff Berkowitz. Go here for a detailed description of topics discussed on, questions answered on and another partial transcript of tonight's show.

The show airs throughout the City of Chicago tonight at 8:30pm on Cable Ch. 21 (CANTV) and 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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You can soon watch the show with Rep. Lou Lang here.
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Did Barack Obama become President because he appeared on “Public Affairs,” five times during 2001-2004? For more about President-Elect Obama and his TV appearances on “Public Affairs,” go here to watch the fastest five minute video on the web.
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Jeff Berkowitz: Rod Blagojevich’s base…a significant part, the African-American Community; Emil Jones, his close ally for the last six years in legislative matters, An African-American and a mentor for a quarter of a century of Barack Obama; Emil Jones is retiring as Senate President. What could be better [for Blagojevich, it would] please Barack Obama, please Rod Blagojevich, please Emil Jones, all around a win, win, win situation, right?

State Rep. Lou Lang (D-Skokie): It wouldn’t surprise me if President Jones becomes the Governor’s nominee to be the next United States Senator [from Illinois]…nor have I agreed with the fact that he’s been basically attached at the hip with the Governor for the last six years, doing the Governor’s bidding…
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State Rep. Lang: I think [Rod Blagojevich] has been a terrible Governor and I helped elect him twice…
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State Rep. Lang: I think it’s possible that people will propose an income tax increase this year [2009].

Jeff Berkowitz: Is that a good idea?

State Rep. Lang: I don’t know that yet because there are things I think we need to consider before we do that. We need to consider every possible source of revenue including gaming…we need to consider every possible avenue for reducing budgetary expenditures-- which would include a proposal I am going to make this year, something called zero based budgeting…
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The show with Rep. Lou Lang was taped on Nov. 16, 2008.
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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, Aurora and Rockford 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 include shows with pundit and PR expert Chris Robling , Illinois Policy Institute Chairman and CEO John Tillman., Senator Rutherford , former Republican Primary candidate for Governor Ron Gidwitz, a show with Cong. Don Manzullo (R-Egan, 16th CD) about his no vote on the bailout, jobs, trade and other issues, and shows with Cook County Cmsr. and Obama Media Team Member Forrest Claypool and much more.
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Better than the Super Bowl: Berkowitz to join Powers on Roeser's WLS Radio program tonight at 8:00 pm

Jeff Berkowitz will join John Powers, entrepreneur and Publisher of the Chicago Daily Observer, 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), Jindahl reformers (Palin), Trial Lawyer CEO bashers (Roskam)Democrats, Republicans, 700 Billion dollar Bailout promoters (Kirk, Bean and Fred Barnes), Libertarians, Independents, Communists [no collect calls, please], Palin critics, Palin groupies, Biden mistake defenders, gun grabbers, backstabbers, gun clingers, gun slingers, outside agitators and others are, of course, all welcome.

Tonight's show may touch on:

--Are Gov. Pat Quinn's constitutional officer colleagues a "team of rivals," despite this past Friday's unity theme among top Illinois Democrats

--Has Joe Birkett's time for leadership in the Illinois Republican Party come and gone?

--Did the Republicans in Illinois have anyone who can win the race for Governor in 2010? Senator?

-- Is Lisa Madigan a credible candidate for Governor? What Philosophy, if any, does she have about government? tax cuts? education?

--Will there be an income tax or sales tax increase in Illinois in 2009?

--What will it take for the Illinois Republican Party to become the party of ideas?

--Who would be next in line among the Republicans to run for Governor if that's how that decision were made?

--Will Illinois Republicans be able to unite around the new Senate Republican Leader Christine Rodogno, and the continued leadership of House Republican Leader Tom Cross, both of whom are moderates.

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

--Will State GOP Chairman Andy McKenna, Jr. be kicked upstairs soon? After two State general election disasters under the "Leadership of McKenna," are the money guys getting restless?

-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 meet that need?

--Does the field of 14 candidates in the 5th CD special election Democratic primary narrow involve five credible candidates?

--Was putting Palin on the ticket a major mistake by McCain?

--Did Sarah Palin demonstrate she has insuffient knowledge of domestic and foreign policy issues to be the Republican front-runner for 2012

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 Obama transition 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:

--Could Paul Vallas win as an Republican candidate for Cook County Board?

--Does the Chicago Public School system spend more than $16,000 per kid per year to try to educate kids? Does Arne Duncan tell the truth about this? If not, why not?

--Is Obama's cautious nature both his strength and his weakness?
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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, Aurora and Rockford 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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Berkowitz w/Senator Durbin on a Pre-Packaged bankruptcy for the U. S. automakers

Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL): …So, coming through a bankruptcy under ordinary terms may be more difficult now than usual, particularly for large large, corporations.

Jeff Berkowitz: Senator, wouldn’t it be likely that Ford, Chrysler and GM would survive, coming out of bankruptcy in the sense that the issue here is legacy costs: as you know, the retirement costs, the health care costs- those union costs. Toyota and Honda are doing quite well, thank you. 20 billion dollars of profits in the last year, producing cars in the United States, but not under those legacy costs. So, if you went into bankruptcy as Jim [Anderson, IRN] has suggested, and you restructured, under the supervision of a [federal court judge], your concern about Ford [purchasers] being able to get the replacement [parts and warranties], they [the dealers] would still be there, but [Ford] would be producing under a business plan that had much lower costs- and they would be viable and wouldn’t need the U. S. government to bail them out. A pre-packaged bankruptcy, as indeed was rumored this morning [that] the transition team of President-Elect Obama was looking at. So, isn’t that the way to go?

Senator Durbin: I wouldn’t recommend it, but I’d say it is an option. And, I think it really does raise some questions about what happens. What if you are a retiree who has worked his years at the plant—have your health care, have your retirement and now you’re told it’s over. You know, we’re not going to protect you any longer. Well, that of course creates financial uncertainty, for that family, that retiree’s family and a new government obligation. It may mean that we have to step in as country to provide help where before, General Motors for example, was doing it through their retirement plan. It really has to be played out in terms of what the impact would be. If there is a literally restructuring of these companies, as we saw with United Airlines, there is a point where beyond which the pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation had to step in and say, I guess the Government is going to have to pay the pensions in some circumstance and it’s a $40,000 limit, as to how much we pay each year [per person] through the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation. So, it seems like an easy approach, but I am not sure that it is. I think any approach is going to be troubling and challenging and a bankruptcy could be, too.

Senator Dick Durbin’s Press Conference, November 21, 2008, Union League Club of Chicago, Chicago, IL

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, Aurora and Rockford 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 include shows taped with former pol and current pundit and PR guy, Chris Robling,; Chairman and CEO of the Illinois Policy Institute, John Tillman, Senator Rutherford , former Republican Primary candidate for Governor Ron Gidwitz, Cong. Don Manzullo (R-Egan, 16th CD), State Rep. Julie Hamos (D-Evanston), Robert Abboud (D-Barrington Hills, 2008 16th CD Dem. Nominee), two shows featuring clips and interviews, primarily from the Democratic and Republican National Party conventions, go here to watch a 2nd Convention clip show and shows with Cook County Cmsr. and Obama Media Team Member Forrest Claypool and much more.
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Better than Maddow w/Nicole Kidman: Berkowitz w/Chris Robling on the GOP's resurrection. On Rockford Cable and Streaming

Jeff Berkowitz: Carol Marin, you’re not sure[if she is a liberal]?

Chris Robling: Carol Marin has a column, so I am a little more clear on her position.
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Chris Robling: I think we’ll see Barack Obama leave [(ND,IL) U. S. Attorney Patrick] Fitzgerald there for the time being.

Jeff Berkowitz: For how long? Long enough to—

Chris Robling: Through an indictment of [Gov.] Rod Blagojevitch.
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Jeff Berkowitz: You would have trouble finding a half a dozen Republicans in the State House who support vouchers. Tom Cross-I’m only picking on-because he is the [House Republican] leader and I know he won’t.

Chris Robling: Okay.
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Jeff Berkowitz: You think a lot of people in the Republican Party who are in the State House support school vouchers?

Chris Robling: I think there are some.

Jeff Berkowitz: Can you name two?

Chris Robling: I am not saying that there are a lot. I, you know-- but I think that’s illustrative of the disjunction, okay. This is, Jeff, exactly the problem. We’ve got a ferment of Republican, or let’s say right of center, or market oriented ideas.

Jeff Berkowitz: You and Dan Proft, you’ve got two Republicans out there. You’re making it sound like there are 120 legislators who are behind you.
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The "Public Affairs," show featuring Chris Robling, former pol and currently a PR expert and pundit, will air throughout the City of Rockford (and in surrounding areas) tonight, Nov. 20th at 8:00 pm on Comcast Cable Ch. 17. The surrounding areas reached by Ch. 17 include Byron, Cedarville, Cherry Valley, Loves Park, Machesney Park, Mount Morris, New Milford, Portions of Ogle County, Oregon, Polo, Stillman Valley, Winnebago, Portions of Boone County and Poplar Grove.

The show with Chris Robling includes discussions of why McCain lost and Obama won, the death and resurrection of the State and National GOP, what makes Obama run, why Chairman McKenna should step down, why Chairman McKenna is still around-- and much, much more. Go here for a more detailed description of topics discussed on, questions answered on and a partial transcript of tonight's show.

Robling is currently involved in crisis management and litigation support as a principal for a communications firm: Jayne Thompson and Associates, Ltd. Jayne Thompson, of course, is the spouse of former Illinois Governor Jim Thompson (1977-1991), who is now Chairman, Emeritus, at the international law firm of Winston & Strawn-- which had its start in Chicago.
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You can also watch the show with Chris Robling here.
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Did Barack Obama become President because he appeared on “Public Affairs,” five times during 2001-2004? Did State Senator John Cullerton (D-Chicago) become Senate President yesterday because he appeared on "Public Affairs," twice in the last year? Did State Senator Christine Radogno (R-Lemont) become Senate Republican Leader because she appeared on "Public Affairs." twice in the last year?
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For more about President-Elect Obama and his TV appearances
on “Public Affairs,” go here to watch the fastest five minute video on the web.
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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, Aurora and Rockford on Comcast and also often on the Illinois Channel. You can watch the shows, including archived shows going back to 2005, here.
**************************************************
Recently posted shows on the Public Affairs YouTube page include shows with pundit and PR expert Chris Robling , Illinois Policy Institute Chairman and CEO John Tillman., Senator Rutherford , former Republican Primary candidate for Governor Ron Gidwitz, a show with Cong. Don Manzullo (R-Egan, 16th CD) about his no vote on the bailout, jobs, trade and other issues, and shows with Cook County Cmsr. and Obama Media Team Member Forrest Claypool and much more.
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Better than Carol Marin w/ Judy Woodruff: Berkowitz w/State Rep. Lang on the Obama Senate Replacement, Blago & Education.On Cable and soon Streaming

State Rep. Lou Lang (D-Skokie): No, I am not a big fan of charter schools.

Jeff Berkowitz: You don’t like Charter schools? How do you have accountability if you don’t have competition?
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State Rep. Lang: ...[Governor Blagojevich] will appoint [as the next U. S. Senator from Illinois] whoever is good for the Governor. He won't necessarily appoint who is good for Illinois, who is good for the citizens of our State. Although, they might accidentally coincide, the truth is the Governor will choose whoever the Governor thinks will help the Governor.
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Jeff Berkowitz: You know [the caps on the number of Charter Schools] are there from the teachers unions. You know they just put them there—it is an anti-competitive process.

State Rep. Lang: Except I am not here protecting the teachers’ unions.[See, below, for more of the transcript].
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Go here to watch Carol Marin w/ Judy Woodruff on Obama transition,cabinet, etc. Who is better- Berkowitz or Marin?
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This week’s suburban edition of "Public Affairs," features State Rep. Lou Lang (D-Skokie)discussing and debating with Show Host and Executive Legal Recruiter Jeff Berkowitz potential replacements for Senator Obama, e.g., Cong. Jackson, Cong. Schakowsky, Cong. Davis and Cong. Gutierrez, and how Rep. Lang thinks Gov. Blagojevich will make that decision, Blagojevich’s performance as Governor, who is likely to be the new Illinois Senate President, education and accountability, eliminating pork, the Illinois piglet book, more gaming and much, much more. See, below, for a more detailed list of topics discussed with Rep. Lang.

See, below, for the Chicago Metro suburban airing schedule of "Public Affairs,"
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You can soon watch this week's suburban episode of "Public Affairs," with Rep. Lou Lang here. This show was taped on November 16, 2008.
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A partial transcript of this week's suburban edition of "Public Affairs," is included, below;

Public Education: Too much money, too little competition?

Jeff Berkowitz: Education, some people say we’re spending too much, too little reform. What do you say?

State Rep. Lou Lang(D-Skokie): We are not spending too much on education but we should take a look at where we are spending our dollars. We should provide for more accountability.

Jeff Berkowitz: More competition?

State Rep. Lang: I am not for more competition.

More Charter Schools?

Jeff Berkowitz: Charter schools?

State Rep. Lang: No, I am not a big fan of charter schools.

Jeff Berkowitz: You don’t like Charter schools? How do you have accountability if you don’t have competition?

State Rep. Lang: Until charter schools are required to hire teachers who have gone to college and have teaching credentials, I will not be for charter schools.

Substantive courses or “how to teach,” courses for teachers?

Jeff Berkowitz: You don’t think someone can come in with a Master’s degree, a Ph. D., know the discipline [Math, Science or English] and teach, [because] they haven’t taken four years of how to teach?

State Rep. Lang: I think the problem here is that we’ve said if you’re a computer expert, you can automatically, without taking any teaching classes, come in and teach kids how to use computers and the answer-- is no you can’t. You might be an expert but not be able to impart the information to the students.

Jeff Berkowitz: Which would you rather have- a person who knows nothing about computers but has a teaching credential or a person who doesn’t have a teaching credential but knows a lot about computers?

State Rep. Lang: But, that’s the whole point—

Jeff Berkowitz: If you had to choose between those two—

State Rep. Lang: But, that’s a false choice.

Jeff Berkowitz: But, you don’t get both.

State Rep. Lang: But, that’s what we need in terms of a revolution in education. We need to seek both and everything else is a false choice. So, I would submit to you that education isn’t as good as it ought to be and we have to make it better.

Too many teaching credentials required?

Jeff Berkowitz: Yeah, in the olden days, it was pretty good. And, we didn’t have teaching credentials and we had people who knew their disciplines. That’s how you learned. That’s how I learned. Those days are over, right?

State Rep. Lang: I think those days are over but--

Jeff Berkowitz: So, now we’ve got to get people who know their disciplines, know history, know English, know math, but they didn’t go thru four years of how to teach.

State Rep. Lang: Why can’t we do both?

Jeff Berkowitz: Because …there are people out there who’ve already got the four years of training in their discipline. They’d like to come in and teach. They could do that. They don’t want to spend four years of doing something else, of going thru a credentialing process that really doesn’t relate to how they teach.

Special credentialing for those who know their disciplines?

State Rep. Lang: So, for those folks we could have special credentialing programs where at least they have some idea about how to communicate with young people.

Jeff Berkowitz: So, you don’t want to lift the caps that the legislature has set limiting the number of charter schools [in the suburbs, City of Chicago and Downstate].

State Rep. Lang: I do not. I am not for that.

Teachers’ unions: Bad or Good for the public?

Jeff Berkowitz: You know [the caps] are there from the teachers unions. You know they just put them there—it is an anti-competitive process.

State Rep. Lang: Except I am not here protecting the teachers’ unions.

Jeff Berkowitz: You’re not? It sounds like it though. I mean, with all due respect, that’s what it sounds like.

Which came first, the chicken or the egg?

State Rep. Lang: Just because in the end I agree with [the teachers' unions] does not mean that I am for the position that I have because they have asked me to or they have forced me into it.

Jeff Berkowitz: I understand, but you are adamantly opposed to school vouchers and school choice, right?

State Rep. Lang: Absolutely opposed.

Jeff Berkowitz: And, that happens to be the position of the teachers’ unions.

State Rep. Lang: Well, they’re in the right place.

Jeff Berkowitz: You think?

State Rep. Lang: Maybe I forced them into it.
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The program with State Rep. Lou Lang was taped on November 16, 2008
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State Rep. Lou Lang (D-Skokie), going on twenty-two years in the Illinois State House, debates and discusses the issues with show host and executive legal recruiter Jeff Berkowitz. Lang has practiced law for more than thirty years. He is the Democratic Floor Leader in the State House.

Rep. Lang represents a good portion of the southern part of Skokie, all of Lincolnwood, part of Morton Grove, most of the 50th Ward of Chicago and part of the 49th. Lang chairs the House Gaming Committee. You can learn more about Rep. Lang here. Rep. Lang said that Gov. Blagojevich and he do not get along because he “goes around the State, telling the truth about [the Governor].”

Topics discussed in this week's program with Rep. Lang include potential replacements for Senator Obama, e.g., Cong. Jackson, Cong. Schakowsky, Cong. Davis and Cong. Gutierrez, and how Rep. Lang thinks Blago will make that decision, including how Blago’s interest in strengthening his base for his 2010 re-election bid might interact with the interests of those who are a part of Team Obama, officially and unofficially.

Further, Rep. Lang answers whether the appointment of a replacement for Obama should have a racial litmus test. Also, how does the Obama replacement process interact with the decision about a potential third term for U. S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald (N.D. IL), and his pending criminal investigations of the Blagojevich and Daley administrations?

Also discussed is Blagojevich’s performance as a Governor, who is likely to be the new Illinois Senate President and the rules for picking a new Senate President. Is there a five billion dollar backlog in the state’s bills? A potential increase in the State income tax? Will the legislature start using zero based budgeting? Should the State legislature consider eliminating the pork, as set out in the Illinois Piglet book prepared by the Illinois Policy Institute? Was the long ago Senator Everett Dirksen (R-IL) [1896-1969] right when he said, “a billion dollars here, a billion dollars there and before you know it, you’re talking real money.

Should Illinois issue the State's 10th Casino license to the highest bidder? Should the lottery be leased to the private sector for the next thirty years? Can the lottery be leased long term in light of a recent U. S. Department of Justice issued opinion?
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Public Affairs Chicago Metro suburban airing schedule.

The show featuring State Rep. Lou Lang 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 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 State Rep. Lang will also air throughout the City of Chicago on Monday night, Nov. 24, 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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The "Public Affairs," show featuring State Rep. Lou Lang will also air throughout the City of Rockford (and in surrounding areas) next Thursday night [Thanksgiving], Nov. 24th at 8:00 pm on Cable Ch. 17. The surrounding areas reached by Ch. 17 include Byron, Cedarville, Cherry Valley, Loves Park, Machesney Park, Mount Morris, New Milford, Portions of Ogle County, Oregon, Polo, Stillman Valley, Winnebago, Portions of Boone County and Poplar Grove.
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The "Public Affairs," show featuring Rep. Lou Lang is also likely to air throughout the State of Illinois on the Illinois Channel. Details for that airing schedule are TBA.
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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, Aurora and Rockford on Comcast and also often on the Illinois Channel. You can watch the shows, including archived shows going back to 2005, here.
**************************************************
Recently posted shows on the Public Affairs YouTube page include shows taped with former pol and current pundit and PR guy, Chris Robling,; Chairman and CEO of the Illinois Policy Institute, John Tillman, Senator Rutherford , former Republican Primary candidate for Governor Ron Gidwitz, Cong. Don Manzullo (R-Egan, 16th CD), State Rep. Julie Hamos (D-Evanston), Robert Abboud (D-Barrington Hills, 2008 16th CD Dem. Nominee), two shows featuring clips and interviews, primarily from the Democratic and Republican National Party conventions, go here to watch a 2nd Convention clip show and shows with Cook County Cmsr. and Obama Media Team Member Forrest Claypool and much more.
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Crain's Greg Hinz omits the Andy McKenna, Jr.State GOP chairmanship/performance issue from his Report on the Illinois Republican Party

Greg Hinz of Crain’s, not exactly known as Mr. Republican, says Illinois needs a Republican Party that works, and yes, Virginia, Hinz, the MSM journalist, is here to help bring that about. Of course, that is a bit like when the Government shows up at your doorstep and says it is, “here to help.” Of course, your immediate instinct is to grab for your wallet and head out the back door. Republicans may greet the offer from Hinz the same way.

For starters, Hinz talked to some Republicans, leaders and otherwise, and purported to report their thoughts about what is needed to resurrect the state GOP.

State GOP Chairman McKenna’s status: Time to Go?

The problem with Mr. Hinz’s advice column is that he left out the eight hundred pound gorilla, the status of State GOP Chairman Andy McKenna, Jr. And, we know at least one of the Republican leaders he spoke to has spoken out on that issue- to Hinz and others. Moreover, that issue was the lead by Greg Hinz when he initiated his conversation with Chris Robling, telling Chris, “Boy, the staff at the State GOP are not happy with you.” Why is that, asked Robling. “Because you are always calling for Andy McKenna to resign.”

Indeed, Robling sent a letter to McKenna this past summer, asking him to step down as State GOP Chairman. Chicago Tonight moderator Carol Marin noted that letter’s request as a predicate to one of her questions to Robling when he was on Chicago Tonight recently. Then, on November 9, 2008, Robling, taping “Public Affairs,” again called for McKenna to step down, stating McKenna was a wonderful person, on a personal level, but that he “is ineffective,” as State GOP Chairman.

State GOP and Roskam/Kirk wins

Robling told this reporter that he did note to Hinz that Cong. Peter Roskam (R-Wheaton, 6th CD) and Cong. Mark Kirk (R-Highland Park, 10th CD) did receive significant help from the State GOP in their 2008 re-election wins and that credit was due McKenna for that, but that Robling advised Hinz that he "still thought that McKenna had been a bad State GOP Chairman and that Robling still thought McKenna should step down.” Indeed, Robling, trying to be sort of a nice guy, noted that McKenna, if he gave up the State GOP chairmanship now, could leave office on kind of an “upbeat note,” in light of the Mark Kirk win in the 10th CD.

Incomplete reporting by Hinz of Robling’s comments

The Hinz perspective, as told to this reporter by Hinz, was that Robling was “downplaying,” his previous call for McKenna to resign. Perhaps, but it sure didn’t seem that way to this reporter. Objectively, think about it. Robling, in at least three public instances, from June to November, 2008, calls for McKenna to step down. Hinz completely omits any mention of that from his column. Instead, Hinz virtually leads his column with “the big election win,” in the 10th CD “under the leadership of Chairman Andy McKenna, Jr.” That is done because Hinz perceives Robling as “downplaying,” his three prior calls for McKenna to step down as Chairman? This reporter would have thought that Hinz would have at least noted the Robling “shift,” in position.

Presumably, Hinz knows that Kirk and McKenna have had a virtual political love affair for at least the last decade, with McKenna chairing Kirk’s Finance Committee early on in his 10th CD campaign. So, it isn’t surprising that both of those guys are going to whisper sweet things to the media to help each other, and indeed are going to do things to help each other. In short, Hinz has to discount a fair amount what he is hearing from Team Kirk and Team McKenna about each other.

More importantly, to use the Kirk-McKenna relationship and mutual assistance program and Kirk’s win of two weeks ago in the 10th CD as a rationale to omit any discussion of calls by Robling for McKenna to step down is indefensible.

Ibendahl/Rauschenberger and McKenna

Further, Hinz cites to Doug Ibendahl, who has been working with and for Jack Roeser during at least the last few years. Ibendahl has been calling, during that time interval, in a variety of contexts for McKenna to depart his leadership position at the GOP. Still, not a mention of that from Hinz in his column. Did Hinz even ask Ibendahl what he thought of Chairman McKenna. Talking about that, did Hinz even ask Rauschenberger what he thought of McKenna as the State GOP chairman. Rauschenberger did not speak, on “Public Affairs,” in the last few years about McKenna in glowing terms as the State GOP chairman:

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

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

Jeff Berkowitz: Time for Andy McKenna to go?

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

Jeff Berkowitz: Should he [McKenna] go? Should he go?

[Former State Senator] Steve Rauschenberger: I don’t know. I don’t know.
[From the Public Affairs blog report of the Public Affairs TV show, February 25, 2008].

MacDougal and McKenna

Moreover, from Gary MacDougal, all Hinz can find on this matter is that “having a full-time state chair wouldn’t hurt either.” It is hard to imagine that Hinz could spend more than ten seconds with MacDougal and not have him chuckle about the mistake he made as State GOP chairman, i.e., to leave the country and give the so-called Republican leaders a chance to stab him in the back, shortly after Jim Ryan lost to Blagojevich for Governor in 2002. The people who hang with and have bucked up McKenna, Jr. are said to be the same or similar to the ilk who knocked MacDougal out of the State GOP Chairmanship in 2002, after he had held that spot for about nine months. This reporter hasn’t talked to MacDougal lately, but it is hard to believe, if asked, Hinz would have gotten from MacDougal an enthusiastic plea to keep McKenna as State GOP chairman:

Jeff Berkowitz: …Where is the Republican Party in Illinois and elsewhere to present …[issues] in the way that you are?

Gary MacDougal: Missing in action. I like Andy McKenna [State GOP Chairman for more than the last two years] but he has a full time job other than this. He is a very quiet fellow who is very thoughtful but not an attack dog and we need an attack dog out there.

From the Public Affairs blog report of the Public Affairs TV show, March 25, 2007

The State GOP as a troubled Company w/ a non-performing Chairman

In short, McKenna took over a “troubled company,” the State GOP, about four years ago. Since he became the Chairman of the Board and CEO, the Company’s losses have continued to mount and market share has continued to decline. There seems to be no signs of a turn-around. No new products in the pipeline. No new managers. No new executives. No new intellectual property. No plan.

A weekly business magazine sends out one of its best journalists to interview the key shareholders of the troubled company. One significant shareholder has called publicly for the Chairman and CEO to step down, saying the Chairman and CEO, in light of the public record of sharp losses and declines in market share and no new personnel or products, is completely ineffective. The journalist ignores those comments in his article and does not report on comments of any other shareholders about the Chairman’s performance?

The journalist files his report with no mention of whether the Chairman’s job is on the line. Further, the journalist leads with the fact one product, representing about 2% of the Company’s revenue, has stabilized its market share, under the “Chairman’s leadership.”

The magazine’s editors read the report and say, “great job.” This reporter knows one person who would love that report: The Company’s Chairman and CEO.

Lance Trover, the State GOP’s Communications Director (who previously worked as a staffer in the communications area on the losing 2006 campaign of Judy Baar Topinka for Governor), did not respond to an email and phone call requesting his comments on this report.
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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, Aurora and Rockford on Comcast and also often on the Illinois Channel. You can watch the shows, including archived shows going back to 2005, here.
**************************************************
Recently posted shows on the Public Affairs YouTube page include shows with pundit and PR expert Chris Robling , Illinois Policy Institute Chairman and CEO John Tillman., Senator Rutherford , former Republican Primary candidate for Governor Ron Gidwitz, a show with Cong. Don Manzullo (R-Egan, 16th CD) about his no vote on the bailout, jobs, trade and other issues, and shows with Cook County Cmsr. and Obama Media Team Member Forrest Claypool and much more.
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Better than Monday Night Football: Berkowitz w/ Robling on Death and Resurrection of the GOP, Obama, McCain,Cross and McKenna. On Cable and Streaming

Jeff Berkowitz: Media Bias. Were the media in the tank for Barack Obama? Is that one of the reasons why he won?

Chris Robling:
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Jeff Berkowitz: But, my point is you don’t have any Republicans who support these things. So, you can’t ARGUE for school choice because they don’t SUPPORT choice.

Chris Robling: Well, I think there are a lot of Republicans in the rank and file out there who do support a ban on increased taxes, who do support reform of government bureaucracies, who do support things like choice in education and I think that these—
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Jeff Berkowitz: Who does Rod Blagojevich appoint to replace Barack Obama as the junior senator from the State of Illinois?

Chris Robling: It is very tough—

Jeff Berkowitz: Give me two names.
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Tonight's Chicago edition of "Public Affairs," features Chris Robling, former pol and current pundit and PR expert. The show with Chris Robling includes discussions of why McCain lost and Obama won, the death and resurrection of the State and National GOP, what makes Obama run, why Chairman McKenna should step down, why Chairman McKenna is still around-- and much, much more. Go here for a more detailed description of topics discussed on, questions answered on and a partial transcript of tonight's show.

Robling is currently involved in crisis management and litigation support for a communications firm: Jayne Thompson and Associates, Ltd.

The show airs throughout the City of Chicago tonight at 8:30pm on Cable Ch. 21 (CANTV) and 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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You can now watch the show with Chris Robling here.
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Did Barack Obama become President because he appeared on “Public Affairs,” five times during 2001-2004? For more about President-Elect Obama and his TV appearances on “Public Affairs,” go here to watch the fastest five minute video on the web.
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Jeff Berkowitz: Media Bias. Were the media in the tank for Barack Obama? Is that one of the reasons why he won?

Chris Robling: Yes, no question.
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Jeff Berkowitz: Who does Rod Blagojevich appoint to replace Barack Obama as the junior senator from the State of Illinois?

Chris Robling: It is very tough—

Jeff Berkowitz: Give me two names.

Chris Robling: …I think Jesse Jackson Jr. has to be considered a strong possibility…

Jeff Berkowitz: Does Tom Cross support [school] vouchers?

Chris Robling: I don’t know. Why are you…

Jeff Berkowitz: Because he doesn’t support school vouchers.

Chris Robling: I gotta call Tom Cross and get him on your next program [Good Luck].

Jeff Berkowitz: I am picking on Tom [because]--

Chris Robling: I am not here to pick on Tom.

Jeff Berkowitz: You would have trouble finding a half a dozen Republicans in the State House who support vouchers. Tom-I’m only picking on-because he is the [House Republican] leader and I know he won’t.

Chris Robling: Okay.

Jeff Berkowitz: But, my point is you don’t have any Republicans who support these things. So, you can’t ARGUE for school choice because they don’t SUPPORT choice.

Chris Robling: Well, I think there are a lot of Republicans in the rank and file out there who do support a ban on increased taxes, who do support reform of government bureaucracies, who do support things like choice in education and I think that these—

Jeff Berkowitz: You think a lot of people in the Republican Party who are in the State House support school vouchers?

Chris Robling: I think there are some.

Jeff Berkowitz: Can you name two?

Chris Robling: I am not saying that there are a lot. I, you know-- but I think that’s illustrative of the disjunction, okay. This is, Jeff, exactly the problem. We’ve got a ferment of Republican, or let’s say right of center, or market oriented ideas.

Jeff Berkowitz: You and Dan Proft, you’ve got two Republicans out there. You’re making it sound like there are 120 legislators who are behind you.

Chris Robling: I think there are—

Jeff Berkowitz: This is the problem. You have a lot of spineless legislators who have no philosophy, who have no thought and then they can’t understand why they can’t challenge anybody.

Chris Robling: This is your word. It is not my word. My word is involvement and if people don’t get involved in their local Republican party, then…
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Chris Robling: I think we’ll see Barack Obama leave [Patrick] Fitzgerald there for the time being.

Jeff Berkowitz: For how long? Long enough to—

Chris Robling: Through an indictment of Rod Blagojevitch.
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Jeff Berkowitz: In Chicago, a lot of media bias…You know something about Public TV and WTTW. Would you say they are biased to the left?

Chris Robling: Well, PBS, I think that—

Jeff Berkowitz: What about the local station, WTTW?

Chris Robling: No, I think they do a pretty good job. They try to stay—they try to report accurately.

Jeff Berkowitz: Is there anybody …who works for them, WTTW, on TV, who is a conservative?

Chris Robling: I don’t know. I mean I don’t know how many of them are liberals, either. I don’t have a sense of—

Jeff Berkowitz: Really, you don’t know?

Chris Robling: Well, I mean I have a sense of some people.

Jeff Berkowitz: Elizabeth Brackett, you’re not sure?

Chris Robling: I honestly don’t know.

Jeff Berkowitz: Carol Marin, you’re not sure?

Chris Robling: Carol Marin has a column, so I am a little more clear on her position.
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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, Aurora and Rockford 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 include shows with pundit and PR expert Chris Robling , Illinois Policy Institute Chairman and CEO John Tillman., Senator Rutherford , former Republican Primary candidate for Governor Ron Gidwitz, a show with Cong. Don Manzullo (R-Egan, 16th CD) about his no vote on the bailout, jobs, trade and other issues, and shows with Cook County Cmsr. and Obama Media Team Member Forrest Claypool and much more.
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Better than Meet the Press: Terry Martin interviews Jeff Berkowitz on the Blagojevich Senate appointment to replace Obama. Cable and Streaming

Terry Martin, Executive Director of the Illinois Channel, interviews Jeff Berkowitz, Contributing Correspondent of the Illinois Channel, about possible appointments by Gov. Blagojevich to fill President-elect Obama's U. S. Senate seat. President-elect Obama announced today that he will resign his senate seat this weekend. The Martin interview with Berkowitz was taped on November 4, 2008 and contains a discussion of the implicit Obama-Blagojevitch interactions and tensions involved in the Senate nomination by the Governor, as well as an assessment of a number of the potential candidates to fill the spot.

The show is airing this week throughout the State of Illinois and it will continue to do so thru Sunday on the Illinois Channel. You can watch it on the web through Sunday on the Illinois Channel website by clicking the picture of Jeff Berkowitz and also you can watch the show on the Illinois Channel's cable outlets (See, below, for the Illinois Channel airing schedule). A partial transcript of the show is included, below.
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Terry Martin [Executive Director, Illinois Channel]: …As we tape this just after the [Nov. 4] election, let’s run through some of the candidates who are currently being rumored as far as who might be replacing Senator Obama in the U. S. Senate. Give us one of the names that might be named by the Governor.

Jeff Berkowitz [Contributing Correspondent, Illinois Channel]: …Before we go through the list, let’s look at what [Gov. Blagojevich] is trying to do here. Rod Blagojevich wants to narrow the field [of Democratic opponents to his re-nomination]. He’s looking to 2010. There are lots of people who could be running against him, some of them pretty credible. He also has this problem with a likely, some would say likely and some would say potential, indictment from the U. S. Attorney’s office in the Northern District of Illinois, Patrick Fitzgerald. So, [Gov. Blagojevich] would like to do something that might diminish that possibility that he gets indicted by Patrick Fitzgerald. Barack Obama, on the other hand, has a lot to say about whether Patrick Fitzgerald stays on as U. S. Attorney. And, Barack Obama would like to have somebody …to replace him as Senator, of stature. Somebody who would help with the legislative program. Somebody who would make Illinois proud. So, that’s what’s going on here. As we talk about the possible replacements [of Senator Obama], I think you have to look at it in that context. Now, looking at people who just come to mind…
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Terry Martin: …what about the argument that some are making that [this Obama U. S. Senate] seat ought to be held again by an African-American, and if so, who would be considered in that light?

Jeff Berkowitz: Well, let me just mention one other important name…somebody who is not African-American but who is important is Jan Schakowsky, so before we turn to those [African-Americans], let’s turn to Jan. She has been a big time supporter of—

Terry Martin: Congresswoman from the north side of Chicago?

Jeff Berkowitz: Right, and into the suburbs, into Evanston and so forth. And, [Jan] has been [in the Congress] a decade. She is very close to Speaker Nancy Pelosi, was once thought to be quite liberal and on the outs, strongly anti-war…now as the country perhaps has shifted and certainly the leadership in Congress has shifted to the left, Jan Schakowsky is a power and she has always been there with Rod Blagojevich, perhaps going back to…
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Jeff Berkowitz: Emil Jones, of course, is—

Terry Martin: a strong supporter of Rod Blagojevich and a mentor of President-Elect Obama-

Jeff Berkowitz: for a quarter of a century, going way back, a quarter of a century, a close friend, close mentor, certainly this is someone who Barack would feel, if he could, he would put Emil Jones there as a capstone for his career, but then again, he probably is of an age [such that] he is not going to want to stay there, so you lose that incumbency edge…doesn’t look like the way to go, but you have to mention those two possibilities [as caretaker appointments]…Donne Trotter is a state senator who is very close with Emil Jones, so Emil Jones might go to Barack Obama and say, “I’d like to see Donne Trotter [as a U. S. Senator]. Barack Obama would like to repay the favor of a quarter of century of [Jones] being a mentor, but again…people are going to say, “Who is this guy,” [State Senator Trotter] is not somebody who … sounds like he has the qualities of a Barack Obama when he first ran and became a U. S. Senator.

Terry Martin: Although that is a hard standard to duplicate again. But, certainly, Donne Trotter is an articulate individual, knows economic issues and can articulate tax policies and those kinds of things.

Jeff Berkowitz: [Sen. Trotter] is a possibility. Cheryle Jackson, the head of the Chicago Urban League, has been getting a lot of play lately and had been …close with Rod Blagojevitch, before that, in the press area so… she’s got some stature. Again…I don’t think she is going to be the pick. She is an African-American. Another African-American, John Rogers, President of …Ariel Capital Management, a money fund organization, has been a big time contributor and raising money for Barack over time, part of the burgeoning… upper class of African-American professionals in Chicago and in the Illinois area. A possibility, but no. I think we’re getting close, though, as you can sense, to who I think might be the one or two people who—

Terry Martin: So, your favorite, here, huh?

Jeff Berkowitz: Not my—

Terry Martin: Your favorite as far as who you think is going to be selected.

Jeff Berkowitz: …I’d say the odds on favorite, but it’s very close, [to be
appointed by Gov. Blagojevich to the U. S. Senate] is …
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Jeff Berkowitz, interviewed by Terry Martin on November 4, 2008.
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The Illinois Channel cable outlets air a two hour, weekly block of programming on cable. The show with Berkowitz and Martin is the third of six segments airing on the Illinois Channel this week, and will air starting about ten minutes into the block of programming and continue for about twenty additional minutes into that two hour block of programming. Please click on Distribution at the Illinois Channel website or click here to find the cable airing days, time at which the two hour block of programming begins and the channel for your location.
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Some examples of the scheduled times and channels for the show with Berkowitz and Martin on the Illinois Channel this week of November 10, 2008 are given below:

Bloomington, Insight Cable Ch. 20, Saturday, 11:10 am; Sunday, 7:10 pm

Normal, Insight Cable. Ch. 20, 11:10 am; Sunday, 7:10 pm

Rockford, Comcast Cable Ch. 17, Thursday, 6:10 pm

Galesburg, Cable Ch. 22, Thursday-Sunday, 9:10 am, 2:10 pm. 8:40 pm

Bolingbrook Community TV, Cable Ch. 6, Friday, 6:10 pm

Chicago CANTV, Cable Ch. 21, Saturday, 9:10 am

Chicago CANTV, Cable Ch. 19, Sunday, 8:40 am (Better than Fox News Chicago)

DeKalb, Cable Ch. 14, Wed., 9:10 pm, Friday, 7:10 pm and Saturday, 6:10 am

Evanston, Cable Ch. 16, Sat., 12:10 pn,

Lake Forest and Lake Bluff, Cable Ch. 17, Wed. - Fri.,9:40 pm

Naperville, Wide Open West Cable Ch. 6, Saturday, 12:10 pm

Naperville, Comcast Cable Ch. 10, Wed., Th., 5:10 pm: Saturday, 12:10 pm

Palatine, Comcast ch. 6, Wed., 6:10 pm, Sat., 9:10 am, Sun.,6:10 pm (Better than 60 Minutes)

Romeoville, Comcast Cable Ch. 6, Wed., Th., Fri., Sat., Sunday; 5:10 pm (Better than Special Report)

Springfield, Municipal Ch. 18, Sat. and Sun., 10:10 am

Springfield, Insight Cable Ch. 22, Fri., Sat., and Sun., 10:10pm

Springfield, Insight Cable Ch. 18, Sat., Sun., 5:10 am

Westmont, Comcast Cable Ch. 16, Wed., Friday, 6:10 am, 9:10 am, 12:10 pm, 3:10pm, 6:10 pm, 9:10 pm.

Winnetka, Comcast Cable Ch. 18, Tu., Th., 10:10 am and 10:10 pm

To find the days, time and channel for which the two hour block of Illinois Channel programming begins in your village or municipality, please click on Distribution at the Illinois Channel website or click here to find the cable airing days, time at which the two hour block of programming begins and the channel for your location. The show with Berkowitz and Martin starts ten minutes into the two hour block of programming.