Did Roland Burris pay Gov. Blagojevich to play?

Governor Rod Blagojevich Feel free to castigate the appointor [me], but don’t lynch the appointor [me]. I am not guilty of any criminal wrongdoing.
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Mike Parker [CBS-2 News]: Mr. Burris, your law firm, your lobbying firm, you yourself personally have contributed well over, I believe, it’s $14,000 to Governor Blagojevich.

Roland Burris: Is it that much?
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Roland Burris: [Our] consulting firm had a small contract with IDOT, where we certified minority businesses and we did a good job. And, I think the law firm of which I am of counsel—it’s my son’s law firm—and we received some bond business and we were co- bond counsel as a minority firm.

Jeff Berkowitz:... How much? Give me an estimate…How much business have you gotten? Give us a number.
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Whenever a politician has to keep repeating, “I am not a crook,” he’s in trouble. That's what Richard Nixon said before he resigned. See, also, Blagojevich’s denial, above, that he's a crook.

Did Roland Burris engage in Pay to Play for the last six years with the State of Illinois government? Did Burris pay to get business from the State in the last six years?
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Most of the news accounts of Governor Blagojevich’s appointment of Burris to the U. S. Senate to replace Senator Obama focused on whether the likely impeachment of Blagojevich and the criminal complaint filed against Blagojevich alleging public corruption taint his Senate appointment and justify the Democratic Senate Leadership’s statement that it would not accept any person appointed by Blagojevich to the Senate.

The discussion also focused on African-American Cong. Rush’s “spontaneous,” emergence from the audience at yesterday’s presser to play the racial deck, not card, as Rush argued that the U. S. Senate couldn’t possibly block the only African-American Senator from taking his seat in the Senate. Rush spoke, in his post-cancer voice, as if such an act would take the country back to Jim Crow legislation.

And, Secretary of State Jesse White, himself an American-American, popped up after Cong. Rush to state he would not certify the nomination of Burris to the Senate. However, White said to this reporter that he wouldn’t criticize Rush for supporting the nomination of Burris.

Senate Republican Leader Radogno [R-Lemont] and Senator Matt Murphy [R-Palatine] held a presser in the same Blue Room in the Thompson Center where Blago, Burris, Rush and White had all appeared. Radogno and Murphy urged the General Assembly to proceed to enact legislation to hold a special election for a Senator to replace Obama. Blagojevich said previously that he would sign such legislation, if passed.

If Republicans speak and the MSM ignore them, did they speak? This reporter watched Public TV’s Chicago Tonight and the 5:00 pm CBS-2 news last night and they omitted any mention of the Radogno-Murphy presser. The Chicago MSM’s understanding of fair and balanced coverage? ignore the Republicans.

Mike Parker of CBS-2 News focused, in yesterday’s Burris presser, on the campaign contributions given by Burris to Blagojevich, asserting they totalled to $14,000. This reporter asked Burris about the aggregate business he and his associates received from the State of Illinois over the last six years. Burris said he didn’t have a number to tell us.

The CBS-2 News Report at 5:00 pm yesterday included a segment by CBS-2 News’ Jim Williams reporting Roosevelt University Professor Paul Green as saying Burris had trouble raising much money when he ran for Governor, so Burris isn’t somebody who has done Pay to Play. Williams didn’t pick up on the Parker/Berkowitz exchange with Burris, below. It appears it is an open question as to whether Burris has been doing pay to play, but apparently that question is closed to Jim Williams, working on the 5:00 pm CBS-2 News.

A rule of thumb in Pay to Play is that those who get business from the State pay about 5% back to the Governor in the form of campaign contributions. Thus, if Burris in fact made campaign contributions to Blagojevich in the last six years in the amount of $14,000, that would correspond to business from the State of Illinois in the amount of $280,000. Did Burris and his associates get business in that ballpark range from the State? We don’t know. But, we imagine Burris and Blagojevich know. We wonder if Mr. Williams will ask. Or, perhaps, Mike Parker will ask. Or, maybe Mike Flannery when he returns to the action.
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Governor Rod Blagojevich [Concluding the press conference held by Gov. Blagojevich, in which he nominated Roland Burris to take the place of Senator Barack Obama in the U. S. Senate]: Feel Free to castigate the appointor [me], but don’t lynch the appointor [me]. I am not guilty of any criminal wrongdoing.

Mike Parker [CBS-2 News]: Mr. Burris, your law firm, your lobbying firm, you yourself personally have contributed well over, I believe, it’s $14,000 to Governor Blagojevich.

Roland Burris: Is it that much?

Mike Parker: Yes.

Roland Burris: Wow, that’s a lot of money for us.

Mike Parker: Did that play a role in your appointment and should we suspect that it might. Perhaps the Governor could weigh in.

Roland Burris: How much did you say? $14,000?

Mike Parker: We believe that’s the amount. Yes.

Roland Burris: We didn’t have that much money to give to the Governor.

Jeff Berkowitz [Illinois Channel and Public Affairs]: Roland, how much have you received in business from the state of Illinois—your law firm, your businesses, your colleagues, your affiliates in the last six years—whether it’s from the state of Illinois or any of its entities, how much business have you received in aggregate?

Roland Burris: The consulting firm had a small contract with IDOT, where we certified minority businesses and we did a good job. And, I think the law firm of which I am of counsel—it’s my son’s law firm—and we received some bond business and we were co- bond counsel as a minority firm.

Jeff Berkowitz How much, how much? Give me an estimate…How much business have you gotten? Give us a number.

Roland Burris: I don’t have the number.
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Roland Burris, Gov. Blagojevich, Cong. Rush presser, December 30, 2008, Thompson Center, Chicago, 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, 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 a recent Bill O'Reilly segment w/Berkowitz on Obama, shows with newly minted State Rep. Mark Walker (D-Arlington Heights), essentially the first Dem to represent his district since the Civil War, on the connection between the mess in Springfield and in Cook County government, Chicago Alderman Manuel (Manny) Flores (D-1st Ward, Wicker Park) on impeachment of Rod, Chicago issues and a possible run to replace 5th CD Cong. Emanuel, Cook County Cmsr. Tony Peraica (R-Riverside) on the mess we call Illinois politics, Chicago Sun-Times columnist Mary Mitchell, State Senator Bill Brady (R-Bloomington), State Senator Kirk Dillard (R-Westmont), Cook County Commissioner and possible 5th CD Dem. Primary candidate Mike Quigley (D-Lakeview), State Rep. Lou Lang (D-Skokie) and Cook County Cmsr. and Obama Media Team Member Forrest Claypool and much more.
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Better than Carol Marin w/Radogno,Trotter, et al: Berkowitz w/Rep. Walker on Impeachment/Blagojevich/Stroger/Taxes and much more; Cable and Streaming

This week's suburban edition of "Public Affairs," features State Rep. Mark Walker(D-Arlington Heights), essentially the first Dem to represent the 66th District since the Civil War, discussing and debating the likely impeachment of Democrat Gov. Blagojevich, the extreme unpopularity in his District of Democrats Blago and Cook County Board President Todd Stroger, Walker's proposed cut in taxes, school vouchers and much, much more. See, below, for more about the show's topics, a partial transcript of the show and the Chicago Metro suburban airing schedule.
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You can also watch the show w/State Rep. Mark Walker here.
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Recently elected State Rep. Mark Walker (D-66th Dist., Arlington Heights) debates and discusses the issues with show host and executive legal recruiter Jeff Berkowitz.

Topics discussed on the show include whether or not Walker favors impeachment and/or resignation of Illinois' Gov. Rod Blagojevich, thinks there should be a special election to replace President-Elect Obama in the U. S. Senate, thinks the Illinois Democratic Party is an aristocracy, favors removal of the "Death tax," favors school vouchers-school choice, would increase or decrease the state income tax, how Walker would deal with the State budget deficit, whether he supported Cook County Board President Todd Stroger in the Primary and/or general election in 2006, what he and his constituents thinks of him now and much, much more.
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66th District tells Rep. Mark Walker to get rid of Blagojevich and Stroger

Jeff Berkowitz: Certainly, in your neck of the woods, in the suburbs of Cook County, [Todd Stroger’s] got to be one of the least popular politicians around? Right? Is that right? One of the least popular? Yeah?

State Rep. Mark Walker [D-Arlington Heights]: I talked, over their doorsteps, with eleven thousand people, in order to run this race. I knocked on forty thousand doors. When I asked people, “what is the number one thing you want me to do in Springfield,” you know what they said? “Get rid of Todd Stroger.” And I said, “he’s not in Springfield.”

Jeff Berkowitz: But still, that’s what they want?

State Rep. Walker: Yeah. They said then, for the most part, get rid of Rod Blagojevich.

Jeff Berkowitz: Okay.

State Rep. Walker: That blew away every other issue [away]-- top of mine: education, financials, economic development, child care. It was Stroger and Blagojevich.
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Rep. Walker wants Blago out of there as soon as possible

Jeff Berkowitz:… The simple question is—you’re going to be down there, you may be voting on articles of impeachment, is it your view that Rod Blagojevich should be impeached, that articles of impeachment should be issued from the House of Representatives? He’s your Governor--he is a Democrat; you’re a Democrat. So, does that add a complication to that, or would you like to see this guy out of here as soon as possible?

State Rep. Mark Walker [D-Arlington Heights]: You’re answering my question for me. I would like to see the guy out of here as soon as possible. I would prefer that he would resign.

Jeff Berkowitz: Why? Why not just impeach him?

State Rep. Walker: Because resignation’s quicker.

Jeff Berkowitz: Okay.

State Rep. Walker: I believe that he should have been gone a year ago.

Jeff Berkowitz: You mean he should have been impeached a year ago?

State Rep. Walker argues Blago is a bad CEO

State Rep. Walker: I think he should have been out of that office. The reason I say that—I’m a business consultant by background, and I view the state of Illinois as a corporation that is not functioning properly. And after watching it for a couple years, I decided that one of the key problems of the state is a bad CEO. As the chief executive, if this were a corporation, he’d have been gone.

Jeff Berkowitz: What’s bad about Rod Blagojevich?

State Rep. Walker: He is erratic in his decision-making. He will, for instance, allow a budgeting process to go on for months and then change the rules at the last day. He will do things that cause people not to trust his word, within the management process of the state. And I think as a CEO, he’s bad and shouldn’t be there.

Jeff Berkowitz: Is he incompetent, or is he corrupt? Or both?

State Rep. Walker: I don’t know that he’s corrupt, but we’ll see what Fitzgerald and the whole legal process comes up with about that. I know that he’s incompetent.

Jeff Berkowitz: What do you think the grounds are for impeachment?

State Rep. Walker: The difficulty is, the state constitution doesn’t have clear grounds for impeachment.

Jeff Berkowitz: So what do you think the grounds should be for impeachment?

State Rep. Walker: I think both disregarding the expected processes of government could be grounds for impeachment, as well as corruption.

Jeff Berkowitz: So abuse of power in terms of what the constitution sets out as to what the governor’s power is--

State Rep. Walker: Right.

Jeff Berkowitz: Say, relative to the state legislature.

Blago’s defense? He helped the people?

State Rep. Mark Walker [D-Arlington Heights]: Right. There has to be a lot of judgment there, how serious is that, and what is the impact. I think, in following this as a citizen, more than as a future rep, I think his argument that’s coming up maybe this coming Monday—“I’m going to outline for you, or my lawyer is, all of the things I’ve done for the people”—as an argument against the claim that he’s been abusing the power and abusing the processes, is an interesting argument. What I think he might be saying, and it’s a reasonable argument, is that-- it doesn’t matter that I didn’t follow the rules of government. I still helped the people.

Jeff Berkowitz: So that’s a reasonable argument in your mind?

State Rep. Walker: It is an argument. I don’t believe that it’s a good argument.

Jeff Berkowitz: It’s not a defense.

State Rep. Walker: Right.

Jeff Berkowitz: He should still be impeached, even if he did some things that were good?

Rep. Walker calls Blagojevich "Blagoabush." Is he correct to do so?

State Rep. Walker: Yes. Now, I call him, to make it even more interesting, in this arena, I’ve been calling him for years now Blagoabush. The things he does in changing the intent of the Legislature, in terms of “sweeping,” funds, paying for thinks he wants to, and not for things he doesn’t want to, regardless of what the Legislature says, are similar to George Bush’s “signing statements,” on bills where he will say, “I will pass this bill because I don’t feel like I should veto it, but I’m not going to follow it. I find that-

Jeff Berkowitz: Have other presidents done that, other than Bush?

State Rep. Walker: Apparently, some presidents have done it occasionally.

Jeff Berkowitz: Bill Clinton did that occasionally?

State Rep. Mark Walker [D-Arlington Heights]: Yes. But we’re talking twelve, fifteen times, versus a hundred sixty times. We’re talking orders of magnitude in that sense. And this isn’t about Bush. But the question is, how serious is that? I think that Governor Blagojevich also has abused the power that he’s been given as Governor, and circumvented the natural process of the separation of powers between the Legislature and the Governor, and that’s serious enough to be looked at as a potentially impeachable offense.
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Public Affairs Chicago Metro suburban airing schedule.

The show featuring State Rep. Mark Walker(D-Arlington Heights) 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. Mark Walker(D-Arlington Heights) will also air throughout the City of Chicago this coming Monday night, January 12, 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. Mark Walker(D-Arlington Heights) will also air throughout the City of Rockford (and in surrounding areas) next Thursday night, Jan. 15 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 State Rep. Mark Walker(D-Arlington Heights) may also air throughout the State of Illinois on the Illinois Channel.

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 a recent Bill O'Reilly segment w/Berkowitz on Obama, shows with newly minted State Rep. Mark Walker (D-Arlington Heights), essentially the first Dem to represent his district since the Civil War, on the connection between the mess in Springfield and in Cook County government, Chicago Alderman Manuel (Manny) Flores (D-1st Ward, Wicker Park) on impeachment of Rod, Chicago issues and a possible run to replace 5th CD Cong. Emanuel, Cook County Cmsr. Tony Peraica (R-Riverside) on the mess we call Illinois politics, Chicago Sun-Times columnist Mary Mitchell, State Senator Bill Brady (R-Bloomington), State Senator Kirk Dillard (R-Westmont), Cook County Commissioner and possible 5th CD Dem. Primary candidate Mike Quigley (D-Lakeview), State Rep. Lou Lang (D-Skokie) and Cook County Cmsr. and Obama Media Team Member Forrest Claypool and much more.
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Berkowitz w/Cmsr. Tony Peraica on the State GOP's ineffective leadership and the Illinois Democratic Party's royal families: Cable and Streaming

Tonight's Chicago edition of "Public Affairs," features Cook County Cmsr. Tony Peraica [R-Riverside]. The show includes a discussion of some of the problems caused by the ineffective State GOP leadership , the Illinois Democratic Party royal families and the adventures of the DuPage County Republican Chairman and State Senator Dan Cronin.

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. The show also will air in Rockford and surrounding areas this Thursday night at 8:00 pm on Cable Ch. 17.
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You can watch the show with County Cmsr. Tony Peraica here.

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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On the other hand, as we discussed recently with Bill O’Reilly [Go here to watch], about six and one half years ago, then State Senator Barack Obama told Berkowitz he was focused on electing Rod Blagojevich as Governor of the state of Illinois. As it turns out, not the best Dem to try to elect.
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The show with Cmsr. Peraica was taped on December 14, 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.
**************************************************
Recently posted shows on the Public Affairs YouTube page include a recent Bill O'Reilly segment w/Berkowitz on Obama, shows with Chicago Alderman Manuel (Manny) Flores (D-1st Ward, Wicker Park) on impeachment of Rod, Chicago issues and a possible run to replace 5th CD Cong. Emanuel, Cook County Cmsr. Tony Peraica (R-Riverside) on the mess we call Illinois politics, Chicago Sun-Times columnist Mary Mitchell, State Senator Bill Brady (R-Bloomington), State Senator Kirk Dillard (R-Westmont), Cook County Commissioner and possible 5th CD Dem. Primary candidate Mike Quigley (D-Lakeview), State Rep. Lou Lang (D-Skokie) and Cook County Cmsr. and Obama Media Team Member Forrest Claypool and much more.
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Better than Callaway w/ Christie Hefner:Ald. Flores w/Berkowitz on a run for IL 5th CD, Jarrett for Senate, Green Economy & Obama, Cable and Streaming

Chicago Ald. Manny Flores (1st Ward, D-Wicker Park): ...What I am going to say here today is that at this time I am not running for the seat [to replace Cong. Rahm Emanuel] [Watch Ald. Flores here] ...

Jeff Berkowitz: You are not running as of this time, but would you consider it?

Ald. Flores: I don't know what the future is going to be even for this particular--

Berkowitz: Why not run? Who do you think is better? We've got a list of eight names...
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Jeff Berkowitz: If it turns out there is a special election… [to replace Obama in the Senate], who would you like to see running?

Ald. Flores: I like Valerie Jarrett.

Jeff Berkowitz: You like Valerie Jarrett.

Ald. Flores: I like Valerie Jarrett.

Jeff Berkowitz: Over Luis Gutierrez, if he runs?

Ald. Flores: I like Valerie Jarrett.

Jeff Berkowitz: Over Jan Schakowsky, if she runs.

Ald. Flores: I think that Valerie Jarrett is the best candidate. I think that given again her background, her experience, she would be a consensus builder…
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Jeff Berkowitz: If you had to choose between working on comprehensive immigration reform in the Congress and green initiatives in the city council, where would you go?

Ald. Flores: I haven’t thought of it in those terms.

Jeff Berkowitz: Well, that’s the question for you.

Ald. Flores: I’ve thought of it in terms of continuing the type of leadership that I’ve shown in the area of green economy and getting the Green Exchange up and running..

Jeff Berkowitz: We are going to continue to speak as the credits roll…tell us about the Green Exchange.

Ald. Flores: Green collar jobs. 270,000 sq. ft. facility. It will be LEEDs platinum certified…that is located on Maplewood and Diversy in the 1st Ward, in the northern part—

Jeff Berkowitz: That’s going to advance the cause of green initiatives—

Ald. Flores: Green collar jobs—

Jeff Berkowitz: What are we talking green—

Ald. Flores: We are talking about professional services, we are talking about manufacturing, we are talking about the full panoply, the very broad spectrum that this new green economy presents for our country and I am very passionate about it. We have some very unique projects, ones that I believe will be projects that our new President [Obama] will be able to point to as clear examples of what we can do to transform our economy.

Jeff Berkowitz: ...Let’s go back …to Barack Obama, an accommodator or is he a reformer?

Ald. Flores: He is a heckuva leader and I’m not going to--

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

Ald. Flores: I am not going to label him because I don’t believe in labels. I believe in getting the job done for people. And, I believe in getting it done in a way that you include people, in a way that you—

Jeff Berkowitz: Will he have the troops out of Iraq in sixteen months? Will he do that?

Ald. Flores: I don’t have that crystal ball, Jeff. I will tell you this

Jeff Berkowitz: ...Didn’t he make that promise?

Ald. Flores: I think that if makes a promise…
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From this coming week's suburban edition of Public Affairs, watch (Ald. Flores, D-1st Ward, Wicker Park) on impeachment of Rod, a Senate Election to replace Obama, the 2010 Gubernatorial race, City of Chicago issues, Flores' Green initiatives, a possible run to replace 5th CD Cong. Emanuel and much, much more
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Jeff Berkowitz, Show Host/Producer of "Public Affairs;" Contributing correspondent, Illinois Channel 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 a recent Bill O'Reilly segment w/Berkowitz on Obama, shows with Chicago Alderman Manuel (Manny) Flores (D-1st Ward, Wicker Park) on impeachment of Rod, Chicago issues and a possible run to replace 5th CD Cong. Emanuel, Cook County Cmsr. Tony Peraica (R-Riverside) on the mess we call Illinois politics, Chicago Sun-Times columnist Mary Mitchell, State Senator Bill Brady (R-Bloomington), State Senator Kirk Dillard (R-Westmont), Cook County Commissioner and possible 5th CD Dem. Primary candidate Mike Quigley (D-Lakeview), State Rep. Lou Lang (D-Skokie) and Cook County Cmsr. and Obama Media Team Member Forrest Claypool and much more.
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Cong. Ryan and Senator Sessions blow an opportunity to blow the whistle on PBS’ liberal bias, Obamas' hypocrisy and to advance the Republican Agenda

The PBS left-wing bias is alive and well

PBS’ Kwame Holman, a correspondent for Jim Lehrer’s News Hour, told us last night during his report on both major party’s efforts to woo the middle class,“Republicans want to attract middle class support, too, even though their party’s free market principles traditionally have been perceived as being more favorable to wealthy Americans.”

But, who exactly has perceived the Republican Party’s free market principles as being more favorable to wealthy Americans? Kwame Holman doesn’t say, but this reporter would guess that Kwame might subscribe to that view, as would everybody working at PBS and its numerous local public TV cells, I mean television stations, around the country.

Minimum wages hurt those they are designed to help

Let’s try one such free market principle: “Minimum wages hurt the people they are designed to help the most.” Why? Because minimum wages raise the wage above the free market wage, causing employers to hire fewer employees than would otherwise be the case. The people most likely to lose their jobs would be those with the least skills and least education. Moreover, on average, minorities would fall disproportionately in that category. QED. Thus, opposition to an increase in the minimum wage would be a free market principle that would be most helpful to low and middle income people, contrary to Kwame Holman's generalized statement about free market principles of Republicans being perceived as helping the wealthy.

This is the theory that 98% of the economics professors would teach in Econ 101. Students in higher-level economics courses would come across the empirical evidence to back up the above analysis. It would be nice if PBS had someone on their staff who had mastered the basics in economics. Maybe Northwestern’s Medill School of journalism could hire an economist to teach their students some real journalism. But, who that person who knows television, politics, law, economics and public policy could be, I just don’t know.

Senator Sessions: wide of the mark

Of course, Senator Sessions [R-AL], interviewed on the segment, didn’t help his party much. Sessions argued that Republicans “need to quit worrying about big business on Wall St.” Instead, Sessions said he was “worried about the average American’s problems.” Holman reports that Sessions contends “Republicans have ignored the wishes of mainstream Americans on a number of issues, such as immigration reform, the 700 billion dollar financial bailout and congress’ attempted rescue of the U. S. auto industry.”

Unfortunately, for Sessions and the Republican Party, Holman never tells us what Sessions contends the Republican Party position should have been on those issues, other than Republicans should stand by their principles.

For example, would Sessions have said that the Republicans should stand not only for border control, but also for expanded slots for legal immigrants and respect, of course, for immigrants who are in this country legally? Would he have said that the 700 billion dollar bailout was a mistake by Bush that was supported more by Democrats than by Republicans in Congress. Senator Sessions could have argued that the economy has been made worse by the bailout, not better. Finally, Sessions could have argued that w/o requirements (not just goals) for the UAW contracts to be re-structured to be competitive with those negotiated with the foreign transplants, as they would be restructured in bankruptcy, the Bush auto bailout is a mistake.

But, Senator Sessions didn’t argue any of the above. Unless Sessions can demonstrate Holman edited his comments, Alabama Republicans should find themselves another senator.

U. S. Rep. Paul Ryan, also wide of the mark

Holman then introduced us to Republican U. S. Rep. Paul Ryan (WI), who emphasized he cared about ideas, asking “are we practicing the ideal policy for education, for the economy, for healthcare, for all of those things…” Holman reported further that Ryan believes “the GOP must hold true to its free market principles, even in the throes of a financial crisis…” Cong. Ryan also emphasized that he doesn’t like dividing people into classes [low, middle and high income] because he wants everybody moving up. Ryan said we should talk about “how to make America an opportunity society where every single person…can scale that ladder and can reach their potential and their destiny.”

It’s school vouchers-school choice, stupid.

All of those thoughts of Cong. Ryan are well and good, but he falls short of the mark. The problem with Cong, Ryan’s little discourse, unless Holman edited it out, is that he never gave one specific example of a key, Republican idea, other than scaling the ladder. Why didn’t Cong. Ryan argue for school choice-school vouchers. Put the money kids get “in kind,” now at their public school in a backpack, strap it on the kids and if the kids want to stay, it’s the status quo, but if they want to try a private school, out goes the kid, out goes the backpack, out goes the cash.

The Obamas: Free to Choose

Middle income/low income kids would have an opportunity to scale the ladder by improving their skills, their education. The kids benefit from competition and innovation, as a result of being, “Free to choose,” even as the Obamas were free to choose private schools over public schools for their kids: first, the University of Chicago Lab School on the south side of Chicago and more recently, Sidwell Friends in DC, for Malia and Sasha. [the Obamas, like most Democrats, now oppose school vouchers, school choice for low income/middle income kids, although Barack Obama said differently on June 27, 2002 on “Public Affairs.”]

Waters and McCaskill: Unchallenged by PBS

Cong. Maxine Waters (D-CA) was interviewed by correspondent Holman, as well. Cong. Ryan could have challenged Holman to ask Waters what she has done to improve the education level of the kids in her district for the 18 years she has represented her Congressional District, and why she opposes expanding students’ opportunities with school choice-school vouchers. Same question for Senator McCaskill (D-MO) who was also on the program babbling on about helping the middle class, without of course mentioning why she opposes expanding school choice for kids in the middle class, or even lower class, in her state of Missouri.

And, of course, Kwame Holman, couldn’t think to challenge Waters or McCaskill. Better to repeat the liberal verbiage that “Republican free market principles traditionally have been perceived as being more favorable to wealthy Americans.” Republican free market principles like School choice-School vouchers? They would certainly favor wealthy Americans like the Obamas, according to Holman. Really?

To the contrary, the Obamas are the last people to need vouchers. They are high income and they have therefore already escaped the low quality public schools in their neighborhoods. No, the people who need the vouchers are the low income/middle income people. That’s who Republicans most want to help. Oops. Kwame Holman had better re-write his script. Too bad Sessions and Ryan couldn’t tell him so.

Republicans: Wandering in the Wilderness

If PBS is going to keep up its leftwing bias, followed of course by most broadcast and cablecast networks, and Republicans like Sessions and Ryan are going to keep missing opportunities to argue specific ideas, Republicans are going to be wandering in the wilderness for a long, long time.
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Jeff Berkowitz, Show Host/Producer of "Public Affairs;" Contributing correspondent, Illinois Channel 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 a recent Bill O'Reilly segment w/Berkowitz on Obama, shows with Chicago Alderman Manuel (Manny) Flores (D-1st Ward, Wicker Park) on impeachment of Rod, Chicago issues and a possible run to replace 5th CD Cong. Emanuel, Cook County Cmsr. Tony Peraica (R-Riverside) on the mess we call Illinois politics, Chicago Sun-Times columnist Mary Mitchell, State Senator Bill Brady (R-Bloomington), State Senator Kirk Dillard (R-Westmont), Cook County Commissioner and possible 5th CD Dem. Primary candidate Mike Quigley (D-Lakeview), State Rep. Lou Lang (D-Skokie) and Cook County Cmsr. and Obama Media Team Member Forrest Claypool and much more.
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Watch Obama, O’Reilly and Berkowitz on Blagojevich-Obama 2002 relationship & the essence of Obama: Your holiday present streamed from Public Affairs.

Watch here to see Berkowitz and Obama on the O’Reilly Factor [The fastest six minutes on the web]. Between Obama, O’Reilly and Berkowitz, there should be something for everybody.

A Happy Holidays present to the viewers and readers of Public Affairs.
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A partial transcript of the O’Reilly Factor segment is included, below.

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
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Bill O’Reilly [FNC]: In your opinion, sir, does his accommodation, I think you nailed it, it’s an accommodation and I’ve said this from the jump that Barack Obama made an accommodation to get power by dealing with people that he knew were “dubious,” that’s the best word, dubious, okay, and to not get involved with them closely but not to challenge them, not to challenge the Machine, not to get away from Rev. Wright, but to just be there, to use these people for what he could use them for and then go away. Now, it’s a character issue. In this society, some people admire that kind of style, other people are appalled by it. Where do you come down?

Jeff Berkowitz: Well, look, I am not appalled by it because I think Barack Obama is the best combination of a fluency with public policy and a fluency in politics. He combines that. As you know, Bill, there are a lot of people in politics who know politics well, but can’t speak worth a damn, you know they are not well spoken at all. Barack Obama knows the issues, he is well spoken, he has a vision. That’s what he has told me, that’s what he has talked about, from 2001 to--

Bill O’Reilly: So, the ends justifies the means-- for Barack Obama.

Jeff Berkowitz: No, it means that if you want to get to be President of the United States, you have to be somewhat of an accommodator, but I don’t think for a minute, Bill, he would have accommodated, or let it go if he knew…

Jeff Berkowitz on the O’Reilly Factor, December 11, 2008; Watch the segment here.
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Jeff Berkowitz, Show Host/Producer of "Public Affairs;" Contributing correspondent, Illinois Channel 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 a recent Bill O'Reilly segment w/Berkowitz on Obama, shows with Chicago Alderman Manuel (Manny) Flores (D-1st Ward, Wicker Park) on impeachment of Rod, Chicago issues and a possible run to replace 5th CD Cong. Emanuel, Cook County Cmsr. Tony Peraica (R-Riverside) on the mess we call Illinois politics, Chicago Sun-Times columnist Mary Mitchell, State Senator Bill Brady (R-Bloomington), State Senator Kirk Dillard (R-Westmont), Cook County Commissioner and possible 5th CD Dem. Primary candidate Mike Quigley (D-Lakeview), State Rep. Lou Lang (D-Skokie) and Cook County Cmsr. and Obama Media Team Member Forrest Claypool and much more.
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Unanswered questions for President-Elect Obama in Hawaii, Rahm Emanuel in Africa and Greg Craig and Robert Gibbs in their undisclosed locations.

Although this reporter was on the telephone call press conference call yesterday afternoon with Robert Gibbs and Greg Craig, he was not “called on,” to ask his questions, so he will ask them here. Seven other reporters were called on during the presser, including Weisman from the WSJ, Vogel from Politico, Mitchell of NBC, Allen of CQ, a reporter from AOL News, Goldman from Bloomberg and Youngman from the Hill.

The big unasked question at yesterday’s Team Obama presser

The affidavit filed with the criminal complaint against Governor Blagojevich on December 9, 2008 makes clear that Team Blagojevich got the strong “impression,” if not actually told by Team Obama, that Team Obama would only give “appreciation,” for Valeria Jarrett’s selection by Team Blago as Obama’s replacement in the U. S. Senate. Indeed, Blagojevich made quite clear, according to the affidavit, that he wanted much more than Obama’s “Bleeping,” “appreciation,” for Jarrett’s or anyone else’s selection to replace Obama in the Senate seat.

Yet, through-out Greg Craig’s four page report, and one page cover memo, White House Counsel designate Craig makes clear that he discovered, from his interviews and investigation, no perception by Team Obama of an expectation or a request by Team Blago of a quid pro quo or personal benefit for Governor Blagojevich in return for making an appointment to the Senate.

In light of that, does White House Counsel designate Craig have any understanding of why or how team Blago got the impression that Team Obama was even offering its “Bleeping,” “appreciation,” and no more, for the appointment of Jarrett to the U. S. Senate.

Team Obama’s Pre-Presser Selected list of desirable media

That seems to be the Big Question that leaps out at any reader of the Greg Craig report. It was on this reporter’s list of questions to ask, if called upon, by Craig and Gibbs. None of the other reporters who were called upon chose to ask it. The questions asked tended to be less big theme focused, as have been the questions asked at the President Elect’s pressers by the “Pre-Presser Selected list of questioners,” at each President-Elect Obama press conference.

The big question, referenced above, was also raised by Karl Rove with John Kasich, who was subbing for O’Reilly on the FNC's O"Reilly Factor last night. But, it was not raised by WTTW’s Elizabeth Brackett, who was interviewed by PBS’s docile News Hour. According to Brackett, the Greg Craig report could be pretty much the end of the issue.

MSNBC and PBS, still in the tank for Team Obama?

The quite Left of Center Cable pundits, like MSNBC’s Maddow and PBS’s News Hour, seemed to think, last night, the issue is over. The right of center analysts, like those on Fox, seemed to understand that the report was generated by Team Obama, not the U. S. Attorney’s office, and therefore might be a bit biased.

On the other hand, to be fair, The Team Obama Craig report, and its contributors: Emanuel, Axelrod, President-Elect Obama, Jarrett and Whitaker all have a stronger incentive than usual to be reasonably accurate, as they know some, or all, of their conversations that occurred with Team Blago in late October, November and December, may have been bugged by the U. S. Attorney’s office.

U. S. Attorney questions Obama, Jarrett and Emanuel?

Further, Obama, Jarrett and Emanuel were interviewed by the U. S. Attorney’s office, presumably under oath and with counsel present, about these matters on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, respectively, of this past week. Again, hard to be too self-serving when the investigator with whom you are speaking may have a tape recording of the conversation you are discussing.

Questions for the SEIU’s Balanoff? The labor nexus.

There are more questions. On November 7, 2008, Tom Balanoff, head of the Illinois chapter of SEIU, tells Jarrett that he had spoken to the Governor about the possibility of selecting Jarrett to replace Obama. Balanoff told Jarrett that Lisa Madigan’s name also came up. But, why had Balanoff had that conversation? Who initiated it? Had Balanoff spoken to Jarrett about that issue prior to Nov. 7? Prior to November 4? Did Balanoff tell Team Blago that Obama or Jarrett would very much “appreciate Jarrett’s selection.” Did Balanoff say that prior to Nov. 4 to Blago. Did Jarrett authorize Balanoff to say that to Blago? Craig indicated in the presser that his investigation covered communications prior to or after the election between those in the transition or Obama's immediate circle about the senate replacement issue with the Governor, his staff or his representatives. But, does Balanoff fall outside that universe? It would seem so, but we don't know. We didn't get to ask that at the presser. Also, it is unclear if Balanoff has been interviewed by the U. S. Attorney's office, although we imagine he would be.

Questions for Emanuel in Africa

For Rahm Emanuel, in Africa, why did he suggest Jarrett as a replacement for Obama to Blago during the Nov. 6 to Nov. 8 time period. Simply because he knew Jarrett wanted it? Who else did Emanuel discuss as an Obama replacement with Blago at that time? Did Blago or Emanuel suggest the name or names?

Yet more questions for Rahm Emanuel. Apparently, the President-Elect had decided not to actively seek to have Jarrett appointed to the vacancy. So, on what authority was Emanuel doing so? Did Emanuel indicate to Blago that he would “appreciate” Blago making the selection of Jarrett? When Emanuel learned he was acting contrary to Obama’s wishes, did he communicate that to Blagojevich or Harris?

That hard-hitting DC press corps? Still in the tank for Obama?

The above are the questions that this reporter had for Gibbs and Craig. But, they went unanswered, as he was not called on. Best to call on the DC press corps, who tend to have fewer questions, and they tend to be more docile-- like Happy Holidays—my favorite from the DC press corps. The Obama-MSM honeymoon continues. Can you imagine the media coverage for January 20? Might be X-rated.
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Jeff Berkowitz, Show Host/Producer of "Public Affairs;" Contributing correspondent, Illinois Channel 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 a recent Bill O'Reilly segment w/Berkowitz on Obama, shows with Cook County Cmsr. Tony Peraica (R-Riverside) on the mess we call Illinois politics, Chicago Sun-Times columnist Mary Mitchell, State Senator Bill Brady (R-Bloomington), State Senator Kirk Dillard (R-Westmont), Cook County Commissioner and possible 5th CD Dem. Primary candidate Mike Quigley (D-Lakeview), State Rep. Lou Lang (D-Skokie) and Cook County Cmsr. and Obama Media Team Member Forrest Claypool and much more.
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Better than WTTW's panel on Obama-Blago: Berkowitz w/Peraica on Obama, Jarrett & Daley; the McKennas and the Illinois Combine. Cable & Streaming

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Daley to Daley, Madigan to Madigan and McKenna to McKenna: the Chicago Way?


Jeff Berkowitz: …Where did Andy McKenna, Jr. get the money to give to people? Did he get it from his paper route?
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Jeff Berkowitz: A loving husband to be [Barack Obama] being concerned about his spouse… [To be, then known as Michelle Robinson, taking a job with the City of Chicago, interviewed by Valerie Jarrett, Barack] wants to interview with Jarrett, he wants to give an opinion [about the job to Michelle]; there is nothing wrong with that, right?

Cook County Cmsr. Tony Peraica [R-Riverside]: There is one degree of separation among all of the political players in the City and the County, let alone within the subset on the south side political scene
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This week’s suburban edition of "Public Affairs," features Cook County Cmsr.
Tony Peraica (R-Riverside) debating and discussing with show host Jeff Berkowitz a number of state issues, including the public corruption within the Illinois Democratic Party, the Illinois Democratic Party's Blagojevich problem, the continuing Daley-Ryan Combine, the on-going problems within the Illinois Republican Party, the replacement of Senator Barack Obama, the replacement of Governor Blagojevich and much, much more.

See, below, for the Chicago Metro suburban airing schedule of "Public Affairs,"
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You can now watch this week's suburban edition of Public Affairs, featuring Cook County Cmsr. Peraica, here. This program was taped on December 14, 2008.
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A partial transcript of this week's suburban edition of "Public Affairs," is included below
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The Obama, Jarrett & Daley 350K Triangle

Jeff Berkowitz: A loving husband to be [Barack Obama] being concerned about his spouse… [To be, then known as Michelle Robinson, taking a job with the City of Chicago, interviewed by Valerie Jarrett, Barack] wants to interview with Jarrett, he wants to give an opinion [about the job to Michelle]; there is nothing wrong with that, right?

Cook County Cmsr. Tony Peraica [R-Riverside]: There is one degree of separation among all of the political players in the City and the County, let alone within the subset on the south side political scene

Berkowitz: So, Michelle Robinson goes to work with Valerie Jarrett, implicitly in the Daley Administration

Tony Peraica: Well, you know, Valerie Jarrett is now head of the University of Chicago hospitals and …President-Elect Obama’s wife Michelle is, as you know, an employee of the University of Chicago hospital system.

Jeff Berkowitz: Which she was, yeah.

Cmsr. Tony Peraica: I believe she still is, unless she resigned

Jeff Berkowitz: ….She was for quite some time. She was once an employee making $130,000/year and then it went up.

Cmsr. Tony Peraica: It went to $350,000

Jeff Berkowitz: Well, she [Michelle Obama] became more valuable. Her contacts became more important [Barack Obama was elected to the U. S. Senate].

Cmsr. Tony Peraica: I’m sure that’s the case.

Jeff Berkowitz: There’s nothing wrong with that.

It’s the political office as a family heirloom, stupid.

Cmsr. Tony Peraica: There’s nothing wrong with any of it on its face, but if you look below the surface, there are all these troubling relationships where certain individuals are picking others and bringing them along and giving them cushy positions, whether it is in the hospital, non-profit sector or for profit sector, whether it is at the Habitat, whether it is at the City [of Chicago], whether it is at any of the city’s agencies and there is this cross pollination that in a culture of corruption brings about these kind of unhealthy relationships in a one sided, one party [Democratic] system that we have here in Cook County in the State of Illinois. So, all of that contributes to the culture of corruption that we find ourselves in now which is going to receive national and international attention for the next months and years ahead of us.

Jeff Berkowitz: So, now we get into the Illinois Democratic Party, right? Where offices are family heirlooms, right?

Cmsr. Tony Peraica: That’s right.

Jeff Berkowitz: That’s what we are talking about, really.

Cmsr. Tony Peraica: It’s aristocracy, at it best, yes.
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Daley to Daley, Madigan to Madigan and McKenna to McKenna: the Chicago Way?


Jeff Berkowitz: …Where did Andy McKenna, Jr. get the money to give to people? Did he get it from his paper route?

Tony Peraica: No, I assume he got it from his McKenna family business, Schwartz Paper Company

Jeff Berkowitz: Which his father started [with two other businessmen].

Cmsr. Tony Peraica: Correct.

Jeff Berkowitz: Which Andy is now President of and his father is Chairman.

Cmsr. Tony Peraica: That’s right.

Jeff Berkowitz: Would Andy have that position if his name were Smith, Wychowski or whatever?

Cmsr. Tony Peraica: Perhaps, but probably unlikely.

Jeff Berkowitz: Probably unlikely. All I’m saying here, and we’re not going after Andy McKenna, Jr.; we’re just saying families help people in their families. Daley to Daley. Madigan to Madigan and McKenna to McKenna.

Cmsr. Tony Peraica: Hm. Hm.

McKenna: State GOP Chairman for Life?

Jeff Berkowitz: Mckenna, Jr. has been there [IL State GOP Chairman] for four years. Has he performed well in ’04 [as a U. S. Senate Primary Candidate, 14% of the vote, 4.5 million dollars spent], ’06 or ’08 [as a State GOP Chairman]?

Cmsr. Tony Peraica: The party performance, judging by the outcome in these election cycles, has been dismal.

Jeff Berkowitz: All right. So, should McKenna, Jr. stay there?

Cmsr. Tony Peraica: I think we need a change in the leadership of the Republican Party at the State level, without a doubt.

Jeff Berkowitz: So your answer is no, he shouldn’t stay there. Is that right?

Cmsr. Tony Peraica: Correct.

Jeff Berkowitz: I am just trying to be a little bit fair here, and as I say it is not against Andy McKenna, Jr., it is just--

Cmsr. Tony Peraica: No, Andy is a wonderful gentleman…I know his wife Mary, that has nothing to do—

Jeff Berkowitz: But, he didn’t give you a—he didn’t lift a finger…when you were running for State’s Attorney of Cook County to help you, right?

Cmsr. Tony Peraica: I did not receive the kind of help—

Jeff Berkowitz: No, come on, the word was he didn’t lift a finger to help you…

Cmsr. Tony Peraica: I did not get the help from Chairman McKenna or-

Not a dollar for Peraica from McKenna?

Jeff Berkowitz: Did you get a dollar from McKenna, Jr. to help you in your State’s Attorney campaign?

Cmsr. Tony Peraica: No, I did not.

Jeff Berkowitz: Not one dollar.

Cmsr. Tony Peraica: Correct.

Jeff Berkowitz: You can’t feel too fondly of the guy, right?

Cmsr. Tony Peraica: Look, it’s politics. I don’t take any of it personally. If you are asking me if I think we need a change, I do.

DuPage County Chairman Cronin taking out Peraica?

Jeff Berkowitz: When Dan Cronin came after you a week before the election [Nov. 4, 2008], State Senator Dan Cronin [DuPage County Chairman] and said he is going to reform the GOP—he is going to do things in Cook County

Cmsr. Tony Peraica: Fascinating, isn’t it?

Jeff Berkowitz: And, he was asked if Tony Peraica would be a part of it, and he said no, right?

Cmsr. Tony Peraica: That’s correct.

Jeff Berkowitz: So, you want to thank, publicly, Dan Cronin for helping you out in that last week?

Cronin and Schillerstrom: Reviving the Daley Ryan Combine?

Cmsr. Tony Peraica: Dan Cronin did not help me out and I don’t foresee him helping me out and I find it amazing that he would be concerned about the Cook County Republican Party when the DuPage Republican Party that he is the Chairman of is devastated. Look at the performance in the last couple of cycles by the DuPage Republican Party. I have some troubling concerns by Chairman Cronin and Mr. Schillerstrom out there and others who are, I think, too cozy with the mayor of this City, Mayor Daley, in trying to have regional control in a bi-partisan Combine.

Jeff Berkowitz: They call that the Illinois Combine?

Cmsr. Tony Peraica: Yes.

Jeff Berkowitz: It used to be the Daley-Ryan Combine. Daley as in Mayor Richard M. Daley.

Cmsr. Tony Peraica: That’s right.

Jeff Berkowitz: Ryan as in Governor George Ryan, who now resides in prison.

Cmsr. Tony Peraica: That’s right.

Durbin and Thompson working hand in hand?

Jeff Berkowitz: [Former Governor] Jim Thompson, from Winston and Strawn, which represented George Ryan [in the public corruption and fraud case that Ryan lost and resulted in his going to prison].

Cmsr. Tony Peraica: [Winston and Strawn] represented Blagojevich [who once was thought to be a Dem. VP possibility] until he ran out of money.

Jeff Berkowitz: Jim Thompson [who long ago was thought to be Republican VP material, and who served on the 9/11 Commission] is trying to help George Ryan get a commutation from President Bush, right?

Cmsr. Tony Peraica: Right.

Jeff Berkowitz: Senator Dick Durbin [No. 2 Democrat in the U. S. Senate] is trying to help [with the George Ryan commutation].

Cmsr. Tony Peraica: That’s right.

Jeff Berkowitz: Isn’t it wonderful how Democrats and Republicans can always work so collegially in this state?

Cleansing the IL Republican Party?

Cmsr. Tony Peraica: Well, these are perfect examples of the Illinois Combine working across partisan lines to help themselves and those who are—

Jeff Berkowitz: So, Republicans are part of it still.

Cmsr. Tony Peraica: No question.

Jeff Berkowitz: George Ryan’s gone [for the time being], but they are still part of it. How do you cleanse the Republican Party of this?

Cmsr. Tony Peraica: It is up to the people of Illinois in local elections and county elections to stand up for those who represent reform, openness, transparency, honest government and not to vote instinctively for people who have acted contrary to those principles, time after time.
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Creative legal theories of Illinois AG Lisa Madigan

Jeff Berkowitz: …Rod Blagojevich is arrested…the people of Illinois have a chance, right?

Cmsr. Tony Peraica: That’s correct.

Jeff Berkowitz: A chance to correct this, right.

Cmsr. Tony Peraica: There’s always a chance…

Jeff Berkowitz: …Blagojevich has been arrested, people are saying he is ineffective, one would think he would be impeached…but no, the Attorney General Lisa Madigan says no, that’s not such a good thing—she wants the Illinois Supreme Court to declare that [Blagojevich] is incompetent—mentally, physically, whatever from carrying out his duties [as Governor]. [AG Madigan’s motion] would be a perversion of the law, right…

Cmsr. Tony Peraica: It would be. [Ed. Note: subsequent to the taping of this show on Dec. 14, 2008, the Illinois Supreme Court dismissed Attorney General Madigan’s suit without comment].

Jeff Berkowitz: Why does [AG Madigan] want to do that? Why does she not favor impeachment?
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Public Affairs Chicago Metro suburban airing schedule.

The show featuring Cook County Cmsr. Tony Peraica 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 Cook County Cmsr. Tony Peraica (R-Riverside) will also air throughout the City of Chicago on Monday night, December 29, 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 Cook County Cmsr. Tony Peraica (R-Riverside) will also air throughout the City of Rockford (and in surrounding areas) next Thursday night, Jan. 1 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 Cook County Cmsr. Tony Peraica (R-Riverside) may also air throughout the State of Illinois on the Illinois Channel.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 a recent Bill O'Reilly segment w/Berkowitz on Obama, shows with Cook County Cmsr. Tony Peraica (R-Riverside) on the mess we call Illinois politics, Chicago Sun-Times columnist Mary Mitchell, State Senator Bill Brady (R-Bloomington), State Senator Kirk Dillard (R-Westmont), Cook County Commissioner and possible 5th CD Dem. Primary candidate Mike Quigley (D-Lakeview), State Rep. Lou Lang (D-Skokie) and Cook County Cmsr. and Obama Media Team Member Forrest Claypool and much more.
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Senator Bill Brady: A team of no rivals? Cable and streaming

Jeff Berkowitz: So, do you guys call him Godfather when you want something from Senate President Cullerton (D-Chicago)?
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State Senator Bill Brady: And, you know that I supported vouchers in the Chicago Public School system—

Jeff Berkowitz: And you still would if you could do it?
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You can watch the show with Senator Brady here.

The show with Senator Brady was taped on December 7, 2008.
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Go here for a list of the topics discussed in the show and for background about Senator Brady.
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Jeff Berkowitz: …Bill Brady, who it sounds like will be a candidate for Governor in 2010 and you are going to have some opponents?

State Senator Bill Brady (R-Bloomington): Hopefully not.

Jeff Berkowitz: Joe Birkett might be running…

State Senator Bill Brady: Joe Birkett would make a great Attorney General candidate.

Jeff Berkowitz: Dan Rutherford, who ran for Secretary of State…

Senator Bill Brady: I’d like to see Dan on the ticket and I think either Secretary of State, Comptroller or Treasurer would be great—

Jeff Berkowitz: Jim Durkin, State Rep., might be running—

Senator Bill Brady: I don’t know—we’re also going to need a United States Senate candidate.

Jeff Berkowitz: Yeah, Peter Roskam for that? Cong. Peter Roskam?

Senator Bill Brady: Maybe.

Jeff Berkowitz: Cong. Mark Kirk?

Senator Bill Brady: Mark Kirk. Back to education. One of the major points I think—

Jeff Berkowitz: Give me some reform in education…

Senator Bill Brady: We have GOT to expand charter schools. Some of the best indications of success we’ve had, particularly within the Chicago Public School system, is when the Latino community comes in and uses charter schools—

Jeff Berkowitz: Expand charter schools? What about school vouchers-school choice, at least in principle…I know it’s difficult—you’ve said – politically.

Senator Bill Brady: And, you know that I supported vouchers in the Chicago Public School system—

Jeff Berkowitz: And you still would if you could do it?

Senator Bill Brady: Where I think its broken, I would.

Jeff Berkowitz: In the Chicago Public Schools, where we spend $16,000 per kid per year. Did you know that?

Senator Bill Brady: I do.

Jeff Berkowitz: And, what do we get for that?

Senator Bill Brady: The results are abysmal.

Jeff Berkowitz: Do you think somebody could take that that $16,000 per year and give it to a private school and do much better?

Senator Bill Brady: I do.

Jeff Berkowitz: And, you would support that in the Chicago Public Schools?

Senator Bill Brady: As I said, I have. But, I think we’ve got to do it cautiously and we’ve got to realize what we can pass.
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Senator Bill Brady: …Emil Jones and Rod Blagojevitch were locked at the hip. Mike Madigan was with him for about five of the six years. And, then he started to see the light but frankly it was too late. Now, you are going to see Senator Cullerton who is clearly aligned with Mike Madigan. Let’s face it. I think he is the Godfather of Mike Madigan’s son, so there’s a—

Jeff Berkowitz: So, do you guys call him Godfather when you want something from Senate President Cullerton (D-Chicago).

Senator Bill Brady (Laughing): No, but clearly I think you are going to see a change in attitude.
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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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On the other hand, as we discussed recently with Bill O’Reilly [Go here to watch], about six and one half years ago, then State Senator Barack Obama told Berkowitz he was focused on electing Rod Blagojevich as Governor of the state of Illinois. As it turns out, not the best Dem to try to elect.
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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 a recent Bill O'Reilly segment w/Berkowitz on Obama, shows with Cook County Cmsr. Tony Peraica (R-Riverside) on the mess we call Illinois politics, Chicago Sun-Times columnist Mary Mitchell, State Senator Bill Brady (R-Bloomington), State Senator Kirk Dillard (R-Westmont), Cook County Commissioner and possible 5th CD Dem. Primary candidate Mike Quigley (D-Lakeview), State Rep. Lou Lang (D-Skokie) and Cook County Cmsr. and Obama Media Team Member Forrest Claypool and much more.
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Better than Monday Night Football: Bill Brady's run for Governor, Blago's exit strategy and much more. Cable and Streaming

Tonight's Chicago edition of "Public Affairs," features State Senator and likely 2009 Republican Primary candidate for Guv Bill Brady (Bloomington). See, below, for a detailed description of topics discussed on tonight's show, as well as background information about Senator Brady .

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. The show also will air in Rockford and surrounding areas this Thursday night at 8:00 pm on Cable Ch. 17.
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You can watch the show with Senator Brady here.

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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On the other hand, as we discussed recently with Bill O’Reilly [Go here to watch], about six and one half years ago, then State Senator Barack Obama told Berkowitz he was focused on electing Rod Blagojevich as Governor of the state of Illinois. As it turns out, not the best Dem to try to elect.
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State Senator Bill Brady (R-Bloomington), a veteran of eight years in the State House and six years in the State Senate, debates and discusses the issues with show host and executive legal recruiter Jeff Berkowitz.

Topics discussed on the show include the re-building of the Republican Party, the 2010 Gubernatorial race, the friction between Family-PAC's Paul Caprio and Senator Bill Brady, the efforts to unify social and economic conservatives in the State GOP, the issue of whether social issue moderate Republican Senator Radogno can be an effective leader of the Republican Party in Illinois, Brady's key themes in his upcoming run for governor, the potential impact of an indictment of Gov. Blagojevich, the impact of the new Senate President, Senator John Cullerton (D-Chicago) and the new Senate Republican Leader, Senator Christine Radogno (R-Lemont) on the stalemate between the Governor and the Legislature, the prospects for an increase in the income or sales tax in Illinois and much, much more.
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The show with Senator Brady was taped on December 7, 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.
**************************************************
Recently posted shows on the Public Affairs YouTube page include shows with Cook County Cmsr. Tony Peraica (R-Riverside) on the mess we call Illinois politics, Chicago Sun-Times columnist Mary Mitchell, State Senator Bill Brady (R-Bloomington), State Senator Kirk Dillard (R-Westmont), Cook County Commissioner and possible 5th CD Dem. Primary candidate Mike Quigley (D-Lakeview), State Rep. Lou Lang (D-Skokie) and Cook County Cmsr. and Obama Media Team Member Forrest Claypool and much more.
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Berkowitz goes one-on-one with Obama on School Vouchers-School Choice: Change we can believe in?

As we discussed recently with Bill O’Reilly [Go here to watch], about six and one half years ago, then State Senator Barack Obama told Berkowitz he was focused on electing Rod Blagojevich as Governor of the state of Illinois.

In that same show, Senator Obama said he was open to being persuaded that kids would be made better off by parents having a school voucher-school choice. And, if Obama were so persuaded, he would support vouchers. If you watched the whole discussion, it seemed like Obama anticipated a great debate. Theory, data and argument. Trial and error. A number of years. And, Obama was to be in the thick of it.

Then, a year later, the debate was over. Obama changed. He said he did not “believe in school vouchers,” but he did support charter schools. What caused Obama to change his mind? Or, did he close his mind? Obama said we shouldn’t be didactic about these issues? Did he become so? What does Obama believe this week? A week in which he chose a Secretary of Education for his cabinet: Arne Duncan. Did Obama pick a reformer? To be continued.
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From June 27, 2002 episode of Public Affairs:

State Senator Barack Obama (D-Chicago): And, I am also willing to say that I am not close minded on this issue [School Vouchers-School Choice] so I think everybody should go into this with the basic attitude that the bottom line is--how are we providing the most effective education for students at every grade level and every economic strata, and if we are doing that, then we shouldn't be didactic or ideological about how to best deliver that.

Jeff Berkowitz: So, I take that to mean that 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 that to mean is that I am willing to listen to these arguments and see if there-- if I can be persuaded that ultimately kids would be better off, then--

Jeff Berkowitz: Then you would support it.

Barack Obama: I would support anything that is going to be better off for the children of Illinois.

Jeff Berkowitz: Including school vouchers, if you are persuaded?

Barack Obama: Whatever is on the table I think has to be debated.

Jeff Berkowitz: Quite a concession. I am going to quit while I am ahead....
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From July 25, 2003 episode of Public Affairs

Jeff Berkowitz: Speak to me as if I were a part of your base in the City of Chicago. Speak to me as if I were a parent with two kids in the Chicago Public Schools ("CPS"). As you know, one out of every two schools in the CPS is labeled as a failing school. Speak to me as if I am an African-American and my income is $30,000. What are you going to do for me [about education]?

Barack Obama: Here is my only question, Jeff. Am I going to have to talk about [school] vouchers right now [Big laugh]?

Jeff Berkowitz: You have to do it for a minute or two.

Barack Obama: How much time do we have?

Jeff Berkowitz: Two minutes.

Barack Obama: Can't we put the old tape [of our prior voucher discussion] on?

Jeff Berkowitz: Well, your views might have changed. Last time, you said you will do anything that improves the [school] situation and you were open to school vouchers. Did I get that right?

Barack Obama: What I said was--I think that we have to consider every possibility of improving what admittedly is an intolerable school system for a lot of inner-city kids. I do not believe in vouchers. I am a strong supporter of charter schools, as you know. And, I think that we do have to innovate and experiment to encourage competition in the school systems. I also think that at the federal level--because most of these issues are state level issues--at the federal level the most important thing that we could be doing, and you don't need to pull out the props--with the vouchers

Jeff Berkowitz: Hey, you have to do it. Everybody has to do it. Here is my [school voucher] backpack, right here.

Barack Obama: I have done the backpack thing, Jeff [Big Laugh].

Jeff Berkowitz: But, you haven't done it as a Senate candidate. Here it is. It has changed now. We are now spending about $9,000 [per kid per year operating cost in the CPS]. It went up from $8,000 [per year per kid]. Here is the [school voucher] backpack. I am the parent. I am serious. I want to know. Barack Obama, could you give me that backpack? That is, $9,000 for each kid. $18,000 that I could spend at a school [of my choice for two kids]. You don't want to do that for me?

Barack Obama: Jeff, Jeff

Jeff Berkowitz: [Berkowitz offers the school voucher backpack to Obama]. You don't want to take that backpack? I didn't think so.

Barack Obama: We are going to get in this debate again. As I have said before, I believe that the voucher program is, although I think that there are very sincere proponents like yourself, I think that the ultimate result of initiating a voucher program ends up being to, over time, not foster competition, but, in fact, to reduce the options available particularly for the hardest to teach kids because a private market system will not ultimately try to reach the toughest to teach kids. That's a debate that we have had before. What I do know is at the federal level what we can do on the education front is make sure that programs like "Leave no child behind," actually don't leave the money behind, which is what's happened with [President] George Bush. I think we can initiate…

Jeff Berkowitz: Well, they don’t give choice; they don’t give choice. You and I agree on that.

Barack Obama: That I certainly agree with. I think the notion that somehow these kids now have options if they are in failing schools when in fact they don't -

Jeff Berkowitz: [Holding up the $18,000 voucher backpack for two kids]. This is an option: $18,000. $18,000; School of your choice.
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Barack Obama: But the point is--

Jeff Berkowitz: Last time you said you might consider it [a school voucher system]. You are not going to consider it this time; that's a change...
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Public Affairs with Jeff Berkowitz, (C) 2008; Please do not quote without the approval of Public Affairs with Jeff Berkowitz
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Jeff Berkowitz, Show Host/Producer of "Public Affairs,"; Contributing Correspondent, Illinois Channel; 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 Cook County Cmsr. Tony Peraica (R-Riverside) on the mess we call Illinois politics, Chicago Sun-Times columnist Mary Mitchell, State Senator Bill Brady (R-Bloomington), State Senator Kirk Dillard (R-Westmont), Cook County Commissioner and possible 5th CD Dem. Primary candidate Mike Quigley (D-Lakeview), State Rep. Lou Lang (D-Skokie) and Cook County Cmsr. and Obama Media Team Member Forrest Claypool and much more.
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