Better than Bret Baier w/Sec.Sebelius:Berkowitz w/Art Laffer [Reagan adviser] & Steve Moore [FNC & WSJ] on Prosperity,Tax Cuts & Obamanomics;Streaming

Art Laffer [former Reagan economics adviser]: We all want to see the poor do well. But, you don’t make the poor rich by making the rich poor. The dream in America has never been to make Beverly Hills look like Watts. The dream is...[Watch the show w/ Laffer and Moore here]
*******************************
Jeff Berkowitz: Art, is it just an empirical difference [of opinion in terms of reading the data] between you and say, Austan Goolsbee, one of the [economic advisers] to Barack Obama from the University of Chicago. They would say that you over-estimate these empirical effects: yes, as you tax...
**********************************
Jeff Berkowitz: If you had to assign blame, to be fair, would you put a lot of the blame on George Bush, Bernanke at the Fed, Paulson at the Treasury because those were the three who came up with the $700 billion bailout before Barack Obama was President.

Steve Moore [Fox News Channel and Wall St. Journal editorial page writer]: This was a crisis that started under George Bush. There is no question that Barack Obama inherited this crisis. The problem is that he’s, in my opinion, just doubled down on the Bush policies. …
***************************************************
This week’s suburban edition of Public Affairs features clips of Art Laffer [inventor of the "Laffer Curve,"/former Reagan economics adviser and Steve Moore, Fox News Channel and WSJ] talking about aspects of their book [authored with Peter Tanous], "The End of Prosperity: How Higher Taxes will doom the Economy- if We let it Happen." The discussion occurred at the home of Moore's sister [Kathy Dodd], an Obama supporter, and her husband in Wilmette, IL [The best educated zip code in the country, according to its Congressman, Mark Steven Kirk, ironically one of eight Republican representatives to vote for Cap and Trade, allowing it to pass the House this past Friday by a margin of seven votes. Cap and Trade is one of the two major pieces of Obama's current legislative program that Steve Moore argues "has to be stopped." The other is National Healthcare] [Watch the show with Laffer and Moore].

Laffer and Moore answer questions from Berkowitz and others during the program, and Moore is interviewed separately by Berkowitz during the program. The emphasis of the program is on Supply Side, what it is and how it is integral to understanding economics. Also discussed is Obananomics and how it is attempting to reverse the economic trends of the last few decades and what that reversal would mean for economic proserity in the United States. Laffer further discusses how if he were "father of the world," he would want to help those who were dealt a bad hand or who might find themselves, for various reasons, at the low end of the wealth ladder, but that there are "supply side costs," to doing so, and those costs have to be considered as a matter of public policy formation.

The discussion by Laffer and Moore was attended by a group of sixty, or so, interested in learning more about supply side economics. That group included Dan Proft, who recently became a candidate for Governor of Illinois in the 2010 Republican Primary, and who, this journalist is reasonably sure, would consider himself a devoted "supply sider."
********************************************
Art Laffer [Laffer Associates]: …These guys, they [the Obama Administration] don’t understand how to run things, I mean they really don’t. And, they don’t get it. And, they have no doubts as to their own accuracy…they’ve never been held accountable for their own actions, literally. They’ve never had a bad trade, they’ve never lost a wife, they’ve never been humbled. [Ed. note: I don’t know about "never losing a wife," but they have had a few losses along the way. Barack Obama, in his words, “got spanked,” 2 to 1 in his run to unseat Cong. Bobby Rush (D-Chicago, 1st CD) in 2000; Rahm Emanuel got demoted and exiled from the White House for being a bit too abrasive when he went to work, early on, for President Clinton; David Axelrod got Elliot Spitzer elected as Governor of New York, only to see him fall from grace and have to resign]. And, so what you’re going to see happening is they’re way over-reaching… I’m different from Steve [Moore] on this one... I’m not working real hard to stop cap and trade; I’m not working real hard to stop national health; I’m not working real hard to stop them from bailing out California. The sooner they do that, the quicker we [can] get back to a real win. I can undo all of the stuff they’ve done in one good weekend.
***************************************
Art Laffer: We all want to see the poor do well. But, you don’t make the poor rich by making the rich poor. The dream in America has never been to make Beverly Hills look like Watts. The dream is to make Watts look like Beverly Hills. Poverty is disgusting and wealth is wonderful… [President] Kennedy put it so perfectly when he said that the best form of welfare is still a good, high paying job. And, the first key to all of the redistribution is to create a political economy of growth.

Jeff Berkowitz: Art, is it just an empirical difference [of opinion in terms of reading the data] between you and say, Austan Goolsbee, one of the [economic advisers] to Barack Obama from the University of Chicago. They would say that you over-estimate these empirical effects: yes, as you tax people more, they will work a little less—they would say—but you’ll spread it around, you’ll do something good, and they won’t cut back on their work, as much as you think, [and on their efforts] to work, save and invest. Is that the difference? An empirical one? [a different understanding of the empirical data?]

Art Laffer: I don’t think so. I don’t know where Austan comes down—let me not name specific names, but let me just say that it is way cool being in the White House. It is cool beyond belief…my off ice overlooked the front lawn; I was right next to the Vice-President’s office…These people love those jobs. They are the best jobs they’ll ever have. And, the thing here is that when Obama says X, his advisers don’t say, “You know, sir, X is probably not the right way to go.” You don’t keep your job very long if you do that. Your job is to figure how X makes perfect sense and how you can defend it. These people do rebut arguments they know to be true in order to curry favors with their political benefactors. It’s true. Let me tell you, on my thing, I lied through my teeth every day of the week and twice on Sunday to hang with Reagan and Thatcher. But, they never asked me to…Now, can you imagine how an economics professor from the University of Chicago would justify the President actually firing the President of General Motors? I mean, it’s indefensible, so…
**********************************************
Jeff Berkowitz: If you had to assign blame, to be fair, would you put a lot of the blame on George Bush, Bernanke at the Fed, Paulson at the Treasury because those were the three who came up with the $700 billion bailout before Barack Obama was President.

Steve Moore [Fox News Channel and Wall St. Journal editorial page writer]: This was a crisis that started under George Bush. There is no question that Barack Obama inherited this crisis. The problem is that he’s, in my opinion, just doubled down on the Bush policies. …George Bush started it with all the bailouts and Barack Obama is just bailing out one industry after another. So, this was supposed to be change. I don’t see the change. In fact, I see a continuation of the disastrous policies that started in George Bush’s last year in office.
**************************************************************
The "Public Affairs," show with economists Art Laffer and Steve Moore can be watched here now
******************************************
The "Public Affairs," show with economists Art Laffer and Steve Moore was taped on June 15, 2009
************************************
Public Affairs Chicago Metro suburban airing schedule:

The show featuring economists Art Laffer and Steve Moore is airing this week in the North and Northwest Chicago Metro suburbs in its regular slot:

Tuesday night (tonight) at 8:30 pm on Comcast Cable Channel 19 in Buffalo Grove, Elk Grove Village, Hoffman Estates, parts of Inverness, Lincolnwood, Morton Grove, Niles, Northfield, Palatine, Rolling Meadows and Wilmette

and Tuesday night(tonight) at 8:30 pm on Comcast Cable Channel 35 in Arlington Heights, Bartlett, Glenview, Golf, Des Plaines, Hanover Park, Mt. Prospect, Northbrook, Park Ridge, Prospect Heights, Schaumburg, Skokie, Streamwood and Wheeling.

and 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.
*************************************************************
Chicago and Aurora:

The "Public Affairs," show featuring economists Art Laffer and Steve Moore will also air throughout the City of Chicago this coming Monday night i.e., July 6 at 8:30 pm on Cable Ch. 21(CANTV, aka Chicago Access Network TV) and on that same night on cable in Aurora and surrounding areas at 7:30 pm on ACTV-10. The Aurora station, ACTV-10, aka Aurora Community Television, Comcast Cable Ch. 10, reaches all of Aurora, Bristol, Big Rock and parts of Oswego, Sandwich, Sugar Grove and Montgomery.
*************************************************
Rockford:

The "Public Affairs," show featuring economists Art Laffer and Steve Moore will also air throughout the City of Rockford (and in surrounding areas) a week from this coming Thursday night, on July 9 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.
***************************************************
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.
**********************************************************
"Hot," recent posted shows on the Public Affairs YouTube page include a show with economist Art Laffer [inventor of the Laffer Curve] and FNC's Steve Moore about their book, "The end of Prosperity," and the Obama Administration's economic policies; the fastest five minutes on the web- a New York Times video about Obama-Berkowitz, a show with State Rep. Jim Durkin (R-Western Springs), a show with Professor Stephen Presser, a Northwestern University Law School Professor, about Judge Sonia Sotomayor's nomination to the U. S. Supreme Court, a show with State Rep. Hamos (D-Evanston) about Illinois' budget deficit and Hamos' likely run in the 2010 Attorney General Dem. Primary , a show with the most recently announced Republican Primary Guv candidate Dan Proft (will announce his decision by end of June) , the second fastest five minutes on the web- a segment of Bill O'Reilly with Berkowitz discussing a clip of Obama from 2002 on Blagojevich and many more shows.
******************************

Better than Fox Chicago Sunday w/Senate Pres. Cullerton:Berkowitz w/ State Rep. Durkin on Deficits, taxes and the First Amendment;Cable and Streaming

State Rep. and possible AG candidate Jim Durkin (R-Countryside): … What I would suggest is that most people—I believe most people believe that there is too much money in the system, too much money is being spent, there should be some type of limitation from the entities—corporations, lobbyists and also individual contributions. [Watch show with State Rep. Durkin here]

Jeff Berkowitz: Do we have it around here, somewhere? Never go far without your Constitution….Jim, this would be the U. S. Constitution.
**********************
The "Public Affairs," show featuring Jim Durkin, State Rep. (R-Countryside) and possible candidate for AG, airs throughout the City of Chicago tonight i.e., June 29 at 8:30 pm on Cable Ch. 21(CANTV, aka Chicago Access Network TV). Jim Durkin debates and discusses with Jeff Berkowitz, show host and Executive Legal Recruiter, the reasons why the National Republican Party did not support Durkin's bid for the U. S. Senate in 2002; the inconsistency of caps on political campaign spending and contributions with the First Amendment; state budget deficits, tax cuts and the state economy; For more about tonight's show, please go here.

The program with Jim Durkin, State Rep. (R-Countryside) and possible candidate for AG, also airs tonight on cable in Aurora and surrounding areas at 7:30 pm on ACTV-10. The Aurora station, ACTV-10, aka Aurora Community Television, Comcast Cable Ch. 10, reaches all of Aurora, Bristol, Big Rock and parts of Oswego, Sandwich, Sugar Grove and Montgomery.

You can also watch the show with Jim Durkin, State Rep. (R-Countryside) and possible candidate for AG, on your computer.
*************************************************
State Rep. Jim Durkin (R-Countryside): …We can have immediate disclosure and also have caps on the money which is being raised in these elections. Do you think a State Rep. seat is worth a half million dollars or a million dollars. That is what is being spent in Illinois on some of these very competitive seats. It is outrageous that this type of money has to be raised—

Jeff Berkowitz: Is it? How much do we spend to sell Coca-Cola? How much do we spend to sell cereal? …It’s not bad. If people want to inform the public about a State Rep. seat or a State Senate seat and they want to tell people the issues and they want to put money into that—why is that wrong?

State Rep. Jim Durkin (R-Countryside): I would suggest you are in the minority, Jeff, when you say that.

Jeff Berkowitz: You don’t think people should want to know—Jim Durkin, should we know your positions on issues—and if spending money gets the information about issues out, that puts me in the minority? I think that is high school civics.

State Rep. Jim Durkin (R-Countryside): … What I would suggest is that most people—I believe most people believe that there is too much money in the system, too much money is being spent, there should be some type of limitation from the entities—corporations, lobbyists and also individual contributions.

Jeff Berkowitz: Do we have it around here, somewhere? Never go far without your Constitution….Jim, this would be the.U. S. Constitution.

State Rep. Jim Durkin (R-Countryside): I am very familiar with that. I am very familiar with the First Amendment.

Jeff Berkowitz: Do you know what the First Amendment says?
**************************************************
The show w/ State Rep. Durkin (R-Countryside) was taped on June 13, 2009
**************************************************
Go here for another partial transcript of the show with Jim Durkin, State Rep. (R-Countryside) and possible candidate for AG. ******************************************
***************************************************
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.
**********************************************************
"Hot," recent posted shows on the Public Affairs YouTube page include a show with economist Art Laffer [inventor of the Laffer Curve] and FNC's Steve Moore about their book, "The end of Prosperity," and the Obama Administration's economic policies; the fastest five minutes on the web- a New York Times video about Obama-Berkowitz, a show with State Rep. Jim Durkin (R-Western Springs), a a show with Professor Stephen Presser, a Northwestern University Law School Professor, about Judge Sonia Sotomayor's nomination to the U. S. Supreme Court, a show with State Rep. Hamos (D-Evanston) about Illinois' budget deficit and Hamos' likely run in the 2010 Attorney General Dem. Primary , a show with the most recently announced Republican Primary Guv candidate Dan Proft (will announce his decision by end of June) , the second fastest five minutes on the web- a segment of Bill O'Reilly with Berkowitz discussing a clip of Obama from 2002 on Blagojevich and many more shows.
******************************

Gov. Pat Quinn flunks Prof. Stigler’s Econ 101; Watch Quinn, Murphy, Proft, Hamos and Tillman on deficits, spending and tax increases--Streaming video

Video Links added and made operable on Friday at 6:50 pm

The late, great Nobel Prize Laureate and long time University of Chicago economics professor, George Stigler, was known, among other things, for his sharp intellect/wit and biting one liners—the latter was somewhat unusual for academia. One of his favorites was spit out in response to a speaker who said, “It is just a matter of common sense.” Stigler would shoot back, “Yes, but whose.”

Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn [D-Chicago] (who earlier this year replaced the arrested, indicted and impeached Gov. Rod Blagojevich [D-Chicago], before he makes his pitch for a 50% increase in the Illinois income tax, often reminds the crowd he went to a good undergraduate school [Georgetown University] and majored in economics [Watch five minutes of Quinn, arguing for his proposed income tax increase, as of May 8, 2009, and for a five minute response, watch Republican Primary Guv. Candidate Sen. Matt Murphy; for a more general approach to "unfixing the “system,” [Go here for Eric Zorn's take on un-fix] watch the most recently announced Republican Primary Guv Candidate Dan Proft]. So, apparently, Quinn thinks voters and legislators should follow his lead on raising taxes because of Quinn’s academic credentials.

Sunday, while out on the stomp for his income tax increase (according to a WBBM, 780 AM radio soundbite replayed Monday morning), the Governor said:

We need a fair and balanced budget, [and] if expenses exceed revenue, you must increase revenue, it’s only common sense.

If Professor Stigler were alive and well-- and listening to Quinn-- he would first question Gov. Quinn as to whose common sense should be employed. I’m sure this journalist’s dissertation adviser and mentor, economist Stigler, would then go on to explain that the “better common sense,” is that cutting expenses is also an option to be explored. If one does so, one can see that, without the Draconian cuts that Quinn is proposing for human services, one can find, without too much pain, four billion dollars in spending cuts [Read about the cuts].[Watch IPI's John Tillman discuss the cuts] Those cuts would obviate the need for Quinn’s four billion dollar Illinois income tax increase. [ For a contra approach, watch Julie Hamos, State Rep. [D-Evanston] and probable Attorney General candidate].

If that four billion cut in spending would leave the state with a problem of a three billion dollar pension fund payment to fund, then the state government can still do what Illinois is planning to do even with an income tax increase—essentially give the pensions a three billion dollar IOU.

What do you know. The legislators should be able to accomplish the above next week and adjourn until the November veto session. You see, Governor, what a little common sense can do. Thank you, Professor Stigler.
***************************************************
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.
**********************************************************
"Hot," recent posted shows on the Public Affairs YouTube page include the fastest five minutes on the web- a New York Times video about Obama-Berkowitz, a show with State Rep. Jim Durkin (R-Western Springs), a a show with Professor Stephen Presser, a Northwestern University Law School Professor, about Judge Sonia Sotomayor's nomination to the U. S. Supreme Court, a show with State Rep. Hamos (D-Evanston) about Illinois' budget deficit and Hamos' likely run in the 2010 Attorney General Dem. Primary , a show with the most recently announced Republican Primary Guv candidate Dan Proft (will announce his decision by end of June) , the second fastest five minutes on the web- a segment of Bill O'Reilly with Berkowitz discussing a clip of Obama from 2002 on Blagojevich and many more shows.
******************************

Cong. Roskam speaks to Republican lawyers in Chicago about President Obama’s performance and the Republican comeback

President Obama’s mistake on the Stimulus legislation

Cong. Peter Roskam (R-Wheaton, 6th CD) spoke last night at a Republican National Lawyers Association, Chicago Chapter reception. Roskam suggested that President Obama’s macroeconomic approach to the economy has hurt the President’s ability to achieve healthcare reform. Roskam told a crowd of about forty on the roof-top at 500 North Dearborn [Svenson Law Offices]in Chicago, IL. that if Obama had pushed ahead with (1) real tax cuts for families earning less than 250 K and (2) real infrastructure spending on roads, bridges, building, schools, etc, he would have had bi-partisan support from the Republicans.

Instead, Obama brought forth meaningless rebates and stimulus spending that was a hodgepodge of miscellaneous spending programs Democrats had wanted for the last few decades, but that had little to do with stimulating the economy. Roskam indicated if Obama had followed the real tax cut, real infrastructure spending route, he could have had 120 House Republicans go with him. Instead, he got bupkus from the Republican House members on his stimulus legislation.

Democrats lose momentum on healthcare reform

More importantly, having achieved some bipartisan success on tax cuts and infrastructure spending, Roskam argued Obama could have come back to Democrats and Republicans with his “big ask,” on healthcare reform and maybe had significant bipartisan momentum to get that done. Instead, the Obama healthcare reform seems to have lost momentum with the Congressional Budget Office ("CBO") scoring,” the ten-year cost of various Democratic healthcare proposals in the 1 to 1.6 trillion dollar range, with few, if any Republicans, signing on to the program, as of yet.

The myth of forty-seven uninsured Americans

Further, the CBO has estimated that big outlay of funds will insure only about fifteen of the forty-seven million in America who are said to be uninsured. That might be fine with Cong. Roskam, who argued it is only about fifteen million Americans who truly want and don’t have access to health insurance. The remaining uninsured are illegal immigrants; individuals who could access Medicaid but don’t; individuals who are young, relatively healthy and who choose not to insure; etc.

The Democrats’ push for Single Payer

Cong. Roskam sees many of the Democratic healthcare reform proposals as moving the country toward a single payer system, but without saying so. He reminded those in attendance that President Obama has said that if we were starting from scratch, he would favor a single payer system. Further, Roskam sees a so-called “public,” or “government,” option as having the effect of driving out the private options for health insurance.

Cong. Roskam analogized the government option to having your opposing counsel in a lawsuit also operate as the judge or an opposing team in an athletic contest also operate as the umpire. In short, Roskam seems to think if we go with the Obama government option, then ultimately the only health insurance option will be the government option, and thus we will have a single payer system. Cong. Roskam also paraphrased Cong. Schakowsky (D-Evanston, 9th CD) as telling her supporters to go along with the health insurance proposal that emerges, and eventually it will be a single payer system.

Removing the “Government option.”

This journalist asked Cong. Roskam if he thought he and his fellow Republicans could support a Democratic health insurance reform proposal if the government option were removed. The 47 year old, third term, Wheaton Republican indicated that would get him and his fellow Republicans "to the table," but other issues would likely remain to be worked out.

Roskam upbeat about 2010 mid-terms

It was an upbeat Cong. Roskam who spoke last night. Although Cong. Roskam won a close two-point race in 2006 over Democratic nominee Tammy Duckworth, he referred to Republican donors who sat on the sidelines in 2006 and in 2008 (when Roskam had a much easier time of it over Jill Morganthaler). According to Cong. Roskam, Republican donors are being much more responsive about getting involved in funding the contested 2010 Congressional mid-term races. Roskam referred to at least forty-nine 2010 House races that are either open seats or already involve significant Republican challengers.

Cong. Roskam mentioned being on the House Ways and Means Committee was “way cool,” and had he realized he would be on such a Committee, he would have tried twice as hard as he did to get elected to Congress.

The need for more watchdog Republican lawyers

Roskam told the group about the importance of growing the involvement of Republican lawyers in each of the congressional races, due to the importance of ballot integrity. Roskam noted that about 20 % of the 6th CD is in Cook County and that his campaign had a bunch of lawyers involved on election day to handle the shenanigans.

Peraica, Arrington and Proft in attendance

Christine Svenson, head of the Chicago Chapter of the National Republican Lawyers Association (“RNLA”), indicated that dignitaries in attendance last night included Cook County Board Member Tony Peraica (R-Riverside); John Arrington, Candidate for the U. S. Senate in the Republican Primary; and Dan Proft, who Christine identified as a candidate for Governor in the 2010 Republican Primary [Proft has said he will announce whether he is running by the end of June, but Berkowitz’s reliable sources have already pegged Proft as a Guv candidate].

Sotomayor: Obama’s Political Choice

Svenson introduced RNLA Executive Director Mike Thielen, who spoke briefly to the crowd about the Sotomayor nomination, before introducing Cong. Roskam. Thielen argued that Sotomayor had been on a short list of three with 7th Circuit Judge and University of Chicago Professor Diane Wood and U.S. Solicitor General Elena Kagan. Thielen suggested that Sotomayor was a political choice by Obama to placate Obama's Chief of Staff, Rahm Emanuel, who wanted to put Republicans in the position of criticizing an Hispanic, Sotomayor, who Thielen characterized as not on the same level with Kagan and Wood.

Getting mileage from Sotomayor’s "Wise Latina," speech

Thielen said he “wouldn’t lie to the crowd,” and tell it that the Republicans, “thought they could defeat Sotomayor’s nomination,” but he did think they could raise important issues, e.g., Sotomayor’s “wise Latina,” speech and put the Republicans in a better position for the inevitable, upcoming Supreme Court nomination battles, most likely involving replacements for Justices Ginsburg and Stevens.
***************************************************
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.
**********************************************************
"Hot," recent posted shows on the Public Affairs YouTube page include the fastest five minutes on the web- a New York Times video about Obama-Berkowitz, a show with State Rep. Jim Durkin (R-Western Springs), a a show with Professor Stephen Presser, a Northwestern University Law School Professor, about Judge Sonia Sotomayor's nomination to the U. S. Supreme Court, a show with State Rep. Hamos (D-Evanston) about Illinois' budget deficit and Hamos' likely run in the 2010 Attorney General Dem. Primary , a show with very likely Illinois Republican Primary Guv candidate Dan Proft (will announce his decision by end of June) , the second fastest five minutes on the web- a segment of Bill O'Reilly with Berkowitz discussing a clip of Obama from 2002 on Blagojevich and many more shows.
******************************

Berkowitz joins Kevin White as a guest on Roeser's radio show tonight

Jeff Berkowitz will join Kevin White, 2006 5th CD Republican Nominee, 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.
******************************************************
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.

Political personalities or pols who might be discussed tonight include President Obama, Cook County Cmsr. Claypool, Cook County Board President Todd Stroger, Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan, Republican House Leader Tom Cross, Senate President Cullerton, Senate Republican Leader Radogno, Attorney General Madigan, Gov. Quinn, Republican Primary actual and potential Gov. Candidates Brady, Andrzejewski, Murphy, Dillard and Proft and Democratic and Republican Guv candidates too numerous to mention, Cong. Schakowsky, Cong. Kirk, Treasurer Giannoulias, Chris Kennedy, Cheryl Jackson, Cong. Jackson, Rush Limbaugh, DuPage County Board Chairman Schillerstrom, DuPage SA Birkett, John Kass, Mike Flannery, Carol Marin, Cmsrs. Peraica and Schneider; Paul Vallas, Ald. Preckwinkle, Sheriff Tom Dart and many, many more.

--What's the real reason Comm. Claypool decided not to run for Cook County Board President in the Democratic Primary?

--What's the real reason Cong. Schakowsky decided not to run for the Senate? Did someone tell her to break a leg when she went to Gitmo? Did she misunderstand and break her ankle? Is she a trooper?

--Is Sheriff Tom Dart likely to run for AG or Cook County Board President? WWSSWHTD?

--Will Lisa Madigan run for Senator or Governor? WWSMW?

--Could Cong. Kirk beat Madigan for Senator or Governor?

--Is Kirk unwilling to run against Madigan?

--If Kirk doesn't run for re-election in 10th CD, will Senator Garrett seek that seat? Dan Seals? Senator Bond?

--Could Pres. Todd Stroger win re-election?

--Will the Illinois House join the Illinois Senate and pass a major increase in the State Income tax

--Will Senator Burris tough it out until the end of his term in 2010? Could he win a five way primary race with three strong white opponents? Giannoulias, Madigan and Kennedy? and African-American, former Blagojevich Communications Director Cheryl Jackson? Would President Obama not endorse in that race? Would Cong. Kirk be favored to beat the Democratic Nominee, whoever it is?

--What will it take for the Illinois Republican Party to become the party of ideas? Somebody realizing they could take some ideas from the Illinois Policy Institute? Somebody realizing they could take some ideas from the Heartland Institute? Has a candidate already started to do that?

--Who would be next in line among the Republicans to run for Governor if that's how that decision were made? Joe Birkett? Who does Bob Kjellander want there? Who does the recently indicted Bill Cellini want there? Is the Illinois Combine alive and well? Is the Pope Catholic?

--How important is Chairman McKenna to who becomes the Republican State-wide nominees?

--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, at least on social issues.

--Can Andy McKenna, Jr. hang on as State GOP Chairman for another year? Or, did his opposition to SB 600 doom him with the party activists?

--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? Are there any money guys left in State GOP? money ladies? bag ladies?

--Did Chicago Tonight manage to do its 100th consecutive interview of a liberal book author recently Do conservatives not do book tours in Chicago? Or, does the Chicago Tonight staff just not read the books of those authors?

--What examples would Chicago Tonight give of ideological diversity among their hosts/interviewers?

--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."

--Could Paul Vallas win as a Republican candidate for Governor?
Could he get out of the R Primary?

--Does the Chicago Public School system spend more than $15,000 per kid per year to try to educate kids? Did Arne Duncan tell the truth about this? Does Ron Huberman tell the truth about this? If not, why not?

--Will the Illinois Republican Party restore its brand by opposing the Quinn income tax increase? Will Cross and Radogno keep the party united on this issue?

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

-- Did RNC Chairman Michael Steele do a good job of speaking to the DuPage County Republicans (and to the media) in February?

Did Steele make a mixtake when he criticised Rush Limbaugh? or, was it a mistake to apologize to Rush? Did Steele make a mistake when he spoke recently of a woman's individual choice on the abortion issue?

--Will Kjellander be indicted? Cellini convicted?

--Will U. S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald be promoted? be removed? fall off a horse?

--Will Al Sanchez sing? More Heartburn for Mayou Daley's ears?
************************************
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.
**********************************************************
"Hot," recent posted shows on the Public Affairs YouTube page include the fastest five minutes on the web- a New York Times video about Obama-Berkowitz, a show with State Rep. Jim Durkin (R-Western Springs), a a show with Professor Stephen Presser, a Northwestern University Law School Professor, about Judge Sonia Sotomayor's nomination to the U. S. Supreme Court, a show with State Rep. Hamos (D-Evanston) about Illinois' budget deficit and Hamos' likely run in the 2010 Attorney General Dem. Primary , a show with very likely Illinois Republican Primary Guv candidate Dan Proft (will announce his decision by end of June) , the second fastest five minutes on the web- a segment of Bill O'Reilly with Berkowitz discussing a clip of Obama from 2002 on Blagojevich and many more shows.
******************************

The latest,streaming"Public Affairs"Show:Berkowitz w/State Rep.Jim Durkin- who takes on Speaker Hastert,Sen.Burris,Rep.Franks, Rep. Hamos & many more.

Links added on Saturday at 11:50 pm
********************
State Rep. and possible AG candidate Jim Durkin [R-Countryside]: I tried calling [Speaker Hastert] after the Primary and he wouldn’t return my phone calls…the one time I did meet up with him was at some type of picnic out in Kendall County [in Summer, 2002]…I wanted to talk to him … because I wasn’t getting any financial support [for my campaign against Democrat Senator Dick Durbin]…I had a very bad conversation with [Hastert], I asked him for some assistance and he proceeded to say:

Why do I want to help someone who’s just going to be like that _ _ _ hole John McCain and you’re his guy in Illinois. [Watch show w/Rep. Jim Durkin]
***********************
State Rep. Jim Durkin: I am the only one that asked [Sen. Burris] tough questions.

Jeff Berkowitz: Did [Sen. Burris] lie to you?
******************************
Jeff Berkowitz: Jack Franks, he might run for Attorney General in the Democratic Primary. He’s a State Rep. Did he ask [Burris] some tough questions, too.

Rep. Jim Durkin: I don’t recall hearing anything from Mr. Franks.

Jeff Berkowitz: [State Rep.] Julie Hamos, she’s an attorney; she may be running for Attorney General.

Rep. Jim Durkin: They protected Roland Burris in the Committee and—
[Ed. Note: See Mark Brown, "Democrats at the hearing didn't ask any tough questions at all. They were all in the posture of protecting Burris."]
*****************************
This week’s suburban edition of Public Affairs features 11th year State Rep. and possible AG candidate Jim Durkin (R-Countryside) debating and discussing with show host and executive legal recruiter Jeff Berkowitz whether Speaker Hastert prevented Republican Senate nominee Durkin from being competitive with Senator Durbin in 2002; campaign contribution limits are desirable; campaign contribution donor limits are consistent with the 1st Amendment; an income tax increase is really necessary or desirable; significant spending cuts can and should be made (as detailed by the Illinois Policy Institute), the lottery should be sold; lower tax rates grow jobs and tax revenue; the state legislature should execute medicaid and pension reform; Rep. Durkin caught Senator Burris in a lie; the Dems tried to protect Senator Burris; Durkin is running for Attorney General and much, much more. See below for the Chicago metro suburban airing schedules for the show with State Rep. and possible AG candidate Jim Durkin.
**********************************************
The "Public Affairs," show with State Rep. Durkin can be watched here now.
******************************************
The "Public Affairs," show with State Rep. Durkin was taped on June 13, 2009
************************************
Why Rep. Durkin lost to Senator Durbin in 2002- Speaker Hastert and the Bush Administration torpedoed the good ship Durkin?

State Rep. Jim Durkin [R-Countryside]: I didn’t get any support [from the national Republican Party].

Jeff Berkowitz: How much did they promise you for that campaign [2002 U. S. Senate race]?

State Rep. Jim Durkin: I was told …if you get through the Primary, the National [Republican] Senate Campaign Committee was good for two million dollars. I received fifteen thousand dollars from them…
*************************************************
Did Bush, Rove and Hastert get vengeance with McCain by turning on Durkin?
Jeff Berkowitz: …you’re telling me it was a detriment [to you] that you were associated with John McCain when you ran for the U. S Senate?

State Rep. Jim Durkin: [It was] with the White House…, the National Senate Campaign Committee and also the Speaker of the House [J. Dennis Hastert]…I was the Chairman of the McCain Campaign in 2000. [He] and I are friends…I believe in the man
*************
Jeff Berkowitz: Who didn’t believe in [McCain]?

State Rep. Jim Durkin: The Administration of President Bush, Ken Mehlman, Karl Rove and Denny Hastert
********************************
Speaker Hastert--- Spoken Expletive Deleted?

State Rep. Jim Durkin: I tried calling [Speaker Hastert] after the Primary and he wouldn’t return my phone calls…the one time I did meet up with him was at some type of picnic out in Kendall County [in Summer, 2002]…I wanted to talk to him … because I wasn’t getting any financial support [for my campaign against Democrat Senator Dick Durbin]…I had a very bad conversation with [Hastert], I asked him for some assistance and he proceeded to say:

Why do I want to help someone who’s just going to be like that _ _ _ hole John McCain and you’re his guy in Illinois.

State Rep. Jim Durkin: After that, I realized that I am not going to get any money out of Washington and I am on my own. [Ed. note: for a more sympathetic assessment of Speaker Hastert by Rep. Durkin last fall, go here].
*********************************
Jim Durkin’s cross-examination of Burris—did Durkin catch him in a lie? Durkin ready to be AG?

Jeff Berkowitz: …are you running for Attorney General?

State Rep. Jim Durkin [R-Countryside]: I’m going to give it some thought over the next two months…I’ve had a good year…

Jeff Berkowitz: You’ve been involved in some very important things: the State House committee that was interrogating Roland Burris- you were there?

State Rep. Jim Durkin: I was the one that dragged him in.

Jeff Berkowitz: You asked him some tough questions?

State Rep. Jim Durkin: I am the only one that asked him tough questions.

Jeff Berkowitz: Did [Sen. Burris] lie to you?

State Rep. Jim Durkin: Yes, he did.

Jeff Berkowitz: … You think he should be prosecuted by the Sangamon County State’s Attorney? [John Schmidt]

State Rep. Jim Durkin: I think he should be held to the same standard as people who testify before his committees when they take an oath to tell the truth.

Jeff Berkowitz: If so, will he be charged if he is held to that standard?

State Rep. Jim Durkin: I think that latest revelation that came from the federal court about the tape of his conversation with Rob Blagojevich does not bode well for him. [It was] a direct contradiction to his story.
***************************************************
Is Burris topic 1 of the Illinois AG race? Durkin v. Franks or Hamos?Were the Dems protecting Burris? If they were, was it just politics?

Jeff Berkowitz: Jack Franks, he might run for Attorney General in the Democratic Primary. He’s a State Rep. Did he ask [Burris] some tough questions, too.

Rep. Jim Durkin: I don’t recall hearing anything from Mr. Franks.

Jeff Berkowitz: [State Rep.] Julie Hamos, she’s an attorney; she may be running for Attorney General.

Rep. Jim Durkin: They protected Roland Burris in the Committee and— [Ed. Note: See Mark Brown, "Democrats at the hearing didn't ask any tough questions at all. They were all in the posture of protecting Burris."]

Jeff Berkowitz: Would you have done the same thing if you were a Republican and there was a Republican [giving testimony] there. Don’t Republicans tend to protect Republicans [and] Democrats tend to protect Democrats. Isn’t that politics, isn’t that what it’s about?

Rep. Jim Durkin: That’s fine, but the fact is they look bad because of what happened, and the thing is—

Jeff Berkowitz: But, would you have done the same thing if, mutatis mutandis—

State Rep. Jim Durkin [R-Countryside]: If a Republican took that [Senate] appointment from a Governor that was indicted for terrible acts, and just accepted [show concludes].
**************************************************
Public Affairs Chicago Metro suburban airing schedule:

The show featuring State Rep. and possible AG candidate Jim Durkin (R-Countryside) is airing this coming week in the North and Northwest Chicago Metro suburbs in its regular slot:

Tuesday night 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 Tuesday night 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.

Our recent show with Northwestern University Law School Professor Stephen Presser on Judge Sotomayor will air in a special airing tonight of "Public Affairs," at 9:30 pm on Cable Ch. 19 in Bannockburn, Deerfield, Ft. Sheridan, Glencoe, Highland Park, Highwood, Kenilworth, Lincolnshire, Riverwoods and Winnetka. Our show also airs in its regular spot tonight at 8:30 pm [in those same ten suburbs w/ our guest- State Rep. Julie Hamos (D-Evanston).
*************************************************************
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.
*****************************************
"Hot," recent posted shows on the Public Affairs YouTube page include the fastest five minutes on the web- a New York Times video about Obama-Berkowitz, a a show with Professor Stephen Presser, a Northwestern University Law School Professor, about Judge Sonia Sotomayor's nomination to the U. S. Supreme Court, a show with State Rep. Hamos (D-Evanston) about Illinois' budget deficit and Hamos' likely run in the 2010 Attorney General Dem. Primary , a show with very likely Illinois Republican Primary Guv candidate Dan Proft (will announce his decision by end of June) , the second fastest five minutes on the web- a segment of Bill O'Reilly with Berkowitz discussing a clip of Obama from 2002 on Blagojevich and many more shows.
******************************

Better than Fox Chicago Sunday w/Radogno and Franks: Berkowitz w/Rep. Hamos on Deficits, Spending, Taxes and a run for AG, Cable and Streaming

Jeff Berkowitz: Should they bring back capital punishment? Is it time?

State Rep. Julie Hamos: No. Well, we have capital punishment. [Watch show w/Rep. Hamos here].

Jeff Berkowitz: No. Lift the moratorium [on Capital Punishment]? Should it be done?
****************************
Jeff Berkowitz: What’s the key issue for running for Attorney General in the State of Illinois...

State Rep. Julie Hamos: Integrity. People who are honest and will tell the truth.
*******************************
This week’s suburban edition of Public Affairs features 11th year State Rep. and probable AG candidate Julie Hamos (D-Evanston) debating and discussing with show host and executive legal recruiter Jeff Berkowitz whether an income tax increase is really necessary or desirable, whether significant spending cuts can and should be made, whether Rep. Hamos is "fired up and ready to run for Illinois Attorney General, whether the moratorium on capital punishment should be lifted, whether the state legislature should execute medicaid and pension reform and much, much more. See below for the Chicago metro suburban, City of Chicago, Aurora and Rockford airing schedules for the show with State Rep. and probable AG candidate Julie Hamos.
**********************************************
The "Public Affairs," show with State Rep. Hamos can be watched here now.
******************************************
The "Public Affairs," show with Prodessor Hamos was taped on June 7, 2009
************************************
For another partial transcript of the show w/ Rep. Hamos, please go here.
***********************************
Public Affairs Chicago Metro suburban airing schedule:

The show featuring State Rep. and probable AG candidate Julie Hamos (D-Evanston) is airing this week in the North and Northwest Chicago Metro suburbs in its regular slot:

Tuesday night (tonight) at 8:30 pm on Comcast Cable Channel 19 in Buffalo Grove, Elk Grove Village, Hoffman Estates, parts of Inverness, Lincolnwood, Morton Grove, Niles, Northfield, Palatine, Rolling Meadows and Wilmette

and Tuesday night(tonight) at 8:30 pm on Comcast Cable Channel 35 in Arlington Heights, Bartlett, Glenview, Golf, Des Plaines, Hanover Park, Mt. Prospect, Northbrook, Park Ridge, Prospect Heights, Schaumburg, Skokie, Streamwood and Wheeling.

and 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.

Our recent show with Northwestern University Law School Professor Stephen Presser on Judge Sotomayor also will air in a special airing this week of "Public Affairs," at 5:30 pm on Thursday and 9:30 pm on Friday on Cable Ch. 19 in Bannockburn, Deerfield, Ft. Sheridan, Glencoe, Highland Park, Highwood, Kenilworth, Lincolnshire, Riverwoods and Winnetka.
*************************************************************
Chicago and Aurora:

The "Public Affairs," show featuring State Rep. and probable AG candidate Julie Hamos (D-Evanston) will also air throughout the City of Chicago this coming Monday night i.e., June 22 at 8:30 pm on Cable Ch. 21(CANTV, aka Chicago Access Network TV) and on that same night on cable in Aurora and surrounding areas at 7:30 pm on ACTV-10. The Aurora station, ACTV-10, aka Aurora Community Television, Comcast Cable Ch. 10, reaches all of Aurora, Bristol, Big Rock and parts of Oswego, Sandwich, Sugar Grove and Montgomery.
*************************************************
Rockford:

The "Public Affairs," show featuring State Rep. and probable AG candidate Julie Hamos (D-Evanston) will also air throughout the City of Rockford (and in surrounding areas) a week from this coming Thursday night, on June 25 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.
*******************************************
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.
*****************************************
*****************************************
"Hot," recent posted shows on the Public Affairs YouTube page include the fastest five minutes on the web- a New York Times video about Obama-Berkowitz, a show with Professor Stephen Presser, a Northwestern University Law School Professor, about Judge Sonia Sotomayor's nomination to the U. S. Supreme Court, a show with State Rep. Hamos (D-Evanston) about Illinois' budget deficit and Hamos' likely run in the 2010 Attorney General Dem. Primary , a show with probable Illinois Republican Primary Guv candidate Dan Proft (will announce his decision by end of June) , the second fastest five minutes on the web- a segment of Bill O'Reilly with Berkowitz discussing a clip of Obama from 2002 on Blagojevich and many more shows.
******************************

Rumsfeld ghosts in the Obama White House: “That means dealing with the Iran that we’ve got, and not the Iran that we wish we had.”

Need some more heads cracked in Tehran?

James Rosen [FNC]: So, you don’t condemn what we’re seeing in Iran?

Ian Kelly [Obama Administration State Dept. Spokesman]: Well, I haven’t used that word, condemn.

James Rosen: That’s what I’m asking—and you’re not prepared [to do so].

Ian Kelly: Well, we still need to see—we need to see how things unfold.

James Rosen: You need some more heads cracked in the middle of the streets of [Tehran]?

Ian Kelly No, no, no. We need to have a deeper assessment of what’s going on.
****************************
Bret Baer’s Special Report, FNC, June 15, 2009
*************************************

Dealing with the Iran we’ve got; not the Iran that we wish we had.

FNC’s James Rosen reported, “U.S. Officials had made clear before balloting began that they intended to press ahead with their policy of engagement with Iran-- regardless of who won and the extraordinary events of the last seventy-two hours seemed not to change their minds.” Further, Bill Burton, Deputy White House Press Secretary said, “And that means dealing with the Iran that we’ve got, and not the Iran that we wish we had.” Bret Baer’s Special Report, FNC, June 15, 2009

Gee, that sounds awfully similar to Bush Defense Secretary Rumsfeld, who sought to justify, among other things, soldiers getting blown up with IEDs in Iraq when their vehicles did not have the appropriate protective amour by saying, "As you know, you go to war with the Army you have. They're not the Army you might want or wish to have at a later time."

No wonder Obama gets along so well with French President Nicolas Sarkozy at their joint press conferences. With Bill Burton taking to paraphrasing Rumsfeld, someone will soon point out that the French have an apt saying for the Obama Administration: “The more things change, the more they stay the same.”
**********************************

Ahmadinejad-- a son of a bitch, but he's our son of a bitch.

Moreover, can we soon expect White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs to argue, as Ahmadinejad continues to bash heads and shoot protestors in Iran, Ahmadinejad “might be a son of a bitch, but he is our son of a bitch.” Let me see—where have we heard that before? The U. S. justifying its support of the Shah of Iran and a number of third world dictators who were thought to be puppets of the U. S. during the 20th Century?

This is probably not what Obama supporters had in mind when they voted for “Change you can believe in.”

The question for Obama and Hillary is how prepared they are to trust a guy who denies the Holocaust really happened, threatens to wipe Israel off the face of the map and now kills his fellow citizens who are protesting his fraudulent election. Well, get ready folks; we are about to answer that question.

Talk about a Hobson’s choice. This may be a question without a satisfactory answer for Barack and Hillary. And, for a change, this is not a problem the Obama administration inherited from Bush. This is one Barack Obama owns outright. Welcome to the new Obama White House. Yes, he can? Stay tuned and we’ll find out.
*************************************************
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.
*****************************************
"Hot," recent posted shows on the Public Affairs YouTube page include the fastest five minutes on the web- a New York Times video about Obama-Berkowitz, a show with Professor Stephen Presser, a Northwestern University Law School Professor, about Judge Sonia Sotomayor's nomination to the U. S. Supreme Court, a show with State Rep. Hamos (D-Evanston) about Illinois' budget deficit and Hamos' likely run in the 2010 Attorney General Dem. Primary , a show with probable Illinois Republican Primary Guv candidate Dan Proft (will announce his decision by end of June) , the second fastest five minutes on the web- a segment of Bill O'Reilly with Berkowitz discussing a clip of Obama from 2002 on Blagojevich and many more shows.
******************************


.

Better than Sebelius v. Romney on Healthcare: Berkowitz w/ Prof. Presser on Judge Sotomayor's nomination to the Supreme Court, Cable & Streaming

Jeff Berkowitz: ... Go back to Brown v. Board of Education [1954] ["Separate but equal," held to be unconstitutional]. Do you think those folks [That Supreme Court] did not have empathy with African-Americans, who had been …treated as Second-class citizens when it came to going to school. Do you think that? Tell me that, Professor Presser. Do you think that?

Professor Stephan Presser: Do I think "Brown" is an empathetic decision? [watch show w/ Prof. Presser here]

Jeff Berkowitz: Yes.

Professor Stephan Presser: Yeah, I think it probably is.
*************************************
The "Public Affairs," show featuring Professor Stephen Presser, Northwestern University Law School Professor, airs throughout the City of Chicago tonight i.e., June 15, at 8:30 pm on Cable Ch. 21(CANTV, aka Chicago Access Network TV). Prof. Presser debates and discusses with Jeff Berkowitz, show host and Executive Legal Recruiter, the nomination of Judge Sonia Sotomayor to the Supreme Court. The Senate confirmation hearings for this nomination are scheduled to start July 13, 2009.

The program with Prof. Presser also airs tonight on cable in Aurora and surrounding areas at 7:30 pm on ACTV-10. The Aurora station, ACTV-10, aka Aurora Community Television, Comcast Cable Ch. 10, reaches all of Aurora, Bristol, Big Rock and parts of Oswego, Sandwich, Sugar Grove and Montgomery.

You can also watch the show with Prof. Presser on your computer.
*************************************************
Go here for a transcript of what Barack Obama told Berkowitz in 2003 about appropriate criteria for Senators opposing judicial nominees and what Obama said in 2005 about Senators opposing Supreme Court nominees.
*****************************************
Will Sotomayor uphold or re-write the Constitution?

Jeff Berkowitz: What’s the problem area here [with Judge Sotomayor]?

Professor Stephan Presser:... The problem area is, ”Are you going to uphold the Constitution or are you going to re-write it.”

Jeff Berkowitz: … From what you have seen so far, [is it] very likely that Judge Sotomayor is going to re-write it?

Professor Stephan Presser: It’s a concern, now. To be fair to her, she has
said, on several occasions, it’s not the job of a judge to do that, it’s the job of a judge to follow the law that’s laid down. The problem is that there are contradictory statements [from her] and it would be important to learn what does she really believe. But, there is another thing, too, Jeff… this one I advance a little bit more tentatively. But, when you appoint somebody to the Supreme Court…you want a first class mind, if you can get one, and I’d like to know
more about whether she has that, or not.
***********************************************
Berkowitz role plays Judge Sotomayor

Jeff Berkowitz: [Assume you have] Judge Sotomayor in the chair... I’m Judge
Sotomayor, grill me…

Professor Stephan Presser: What do I want to know?

Jeff Berkowitz: Yes.

The job of a Supreme Court Justice

Professor Stephan Presser: What do you think your job as a Justice is?

Jeff Berkowitz: It is to apply the Law and the Constitution judiciously.

Professor Stephan Presser: What does that mean, judiciously? Does that
mean with empathy or does it mean according to the manner with which it was understood when the document was drafted?

Empathy or Originalism?

Jeff Berkowitz: Well, of course, we use our experience; so, of course, we
empathize;... we look at the Constitution to see what it says; and, of course, we have an understanding of what people intended when they wrote this.

Professor Stephan Presser: And, which is it?

Jeff Berkowitz: It is all of that.

Professor Stephan Presser: It is?

Jeff Berkowitz: It is all of that.

Professor Stephan Presser: And, where have you seen in our tradition that it is all of that?

Brown v. Board of Education, an empathetic decision?

Jeff Berkowitz: In the vast reaches [of the law]. Go back to Brown v. Board of Education [1954] ["Separate but equal," held to be unconstitional]. Do you think those folks did not have empathy with African-Americans, who had been …treated as Second-class citizens when it came to going to school. Do you think that? Tell me that, Professor Presser. Do you think that?

Professor Stephan Presser: Do I think "Brown" is an empathetic decision?

Jeff Berkowitz: Yes.

Professor Stephan Presser: Yeah, I think it probably is.
****************************************
Public Affairs, Taped on May 31, 2009
********************************
Go here for another partial transcript of the show with Prof. Presser
******************************************
"Hot," recent posted shows on the Public Affairs YouTube page include the fastest five minutes on the web- a New York Times video about Obama-Berkowitz, a show with Professor Stephen Presser, a Northwestern University Law School Professor, about Judge Sonia Sotomayor's nomination to the U. S. Supreme Court, a show with State Rep. Hamos (D-Evanston) about the State's budget deficit and her likely run in the 2010 Attorney General Dem. Primary , a show with probable Republican Primary Guv candidate Dan Proft (will announce his decision by end of June) and many more shows.
******************************
"Hot," recent posted shows on the Public Affairs YouTube page include the fastest five minutes on the web- a New York Times video about Obama-Berkowitz, a show with Professor Stephen Presser, a Northwestern University Law School Professor, about Judge Sonia Sotomayor's nomination to the U. S. Supreme Court, a show with State Rep. Hamos (D-Evanston) about the State's budget deficit and her likely run in the 2010 Attorney General Dem. Primary , a show with probable Republican Primary Guv candidate Dan Proft (will announce his decision by end of June) and many more shows.
******************************

Better than Tom Roeser w/ Rep. Jack Franks: Berkowitz w/ Rep. Hamos on Taxes and AG race; Cable and Streaming

Jeff Berkowitz: Attorney General [race]. [State Rep.] Jack Franks may be running. [State Comptroller] Dan Hynes--

State Rep. Julie Hamos [D-Evanston]: Fine, Bring them on, the more men, the better. I’m happy.
********************
State Rep. Julie Hamos [D-Evanston]: …if I walk up to any random group of people…and I say to them—Have we made a case to you on what a state budget deficit means? Do you get that? Is that important to you? Inevitably, people will say, we have no idea what that means to us. And, I then say, if we haven’t made that case, do you support a tax increase? And, people inevitably will say, “No, I don’t.” [Watch State Rep. Hamos here; she is the featured guest on the suburban edition of Public Affairs this coming week].
****************************************************
Jeff Berkowitz: …The Illinois public, at this point, does not support an increase in the income tax?

State Rep. Julie Hamos [D-Evanston]: No, I don’t think they do because they don’t really understand what’s really impacted and what’s affected.

Jeff Berkowitz: But, you voted on May 31st in the Statehouse for a modified version of Gov. Pat Quinn’s proposal to increase the income tax?


State Rep. Julie Hamos: Yes, I did [ Ed. Note: Rep. Hamos was one of only 42 State House Democrats who voted to increase the Illinois income tax; There are 70 Democratic State House members. All Republican Senate and House members voted against an increase in the income tax. The tax increase failed in the State House 42 to 74. A larger income tax increase passed the Illinois Senate. Democratics have large majorities in both the State House and the State Senate.].
************************************************
Jeff Berkowitz: Attorney General race. [Dem. State Rep.] Jack Franks may be running. [Dem. State Comptroller] Dan Hynes--

State Rep. Julie Hamos: Fine, Bring them on, the more men, the better. I’m happy.

Jeff Berkowitz: [Dem.] David Hoffman, that’s your strategy. Split the male vote and you’re going to win?

State Rep. Julie Hamos: Absolutely.

Jeff Berkowitz: What’s the key issue for running for Attorney General in the State of Illinois? The Democrats failed on reform.

State Rep. Julie Hamos: Integrity. People who are honest and will tell the truth.

Jeff Berkowitz: Pay to Play…

State Rep. Julie Hamos: People who will tell the public the truth. And, will be honest with them. And, will not pretend that there’s billions of dollars of savings in everything.

Jeff Berkowitz: Should they bring back capital punishment? Is it time?

State Rep. Julie Hamos: No. Well, we have capital punishment.

Jeff Berkowitz: No. Lift the moratorium? Should it be done?

State Rep. Julie Hamos: No, not really. Not until we really reform our criminal justice system.

Jeff Berkowitz: Should we have more treatment for drug offenders

State Rep. Julie Hamos: Of course.

Jeff Berkowitz: As opposed to putting them away in jail. Is that one of the answers?

State Rep. Julie Hamos: But, with this budget, those programs are also crashing and burning.

Jeff Berkowitz: What’s the key issue of running for Attorney General?
******************************************
"Hot," recent posted shows on the Public Affairs YouTube page include the fastest five minutes on the web- a New York Times video about Obama-Berkowitz, a show with Professor Stephen Presser, a Northwestern University Law School Professor, about Judge Sonia Sotomayor's nomination to the U. S. Supreme Court, a show with State Rep. Hamos (D-Evanston) about the State's budget deficit and her likely run in the 2010 Attorney General Dem. Primary and many more shows.
******************************

Governor, Speaker and the People of Illinois; Berkowitz w/Obama on Vouchers & War; w/Hamos on Taxes & AG race; w/Presser on Sotomayor, all streaming

Links added and revisions made at 12:40 pm on Friday, Jule 12, 2009
*************************************************************
Gov. Pat Quinn [D-IL]: …ultimately, it is going to come down to getting in the arena and voting for revenue. It will be the toughest vote that many legislators have ever made in their whole political career. It wasn’t easy for me to stand there before all the members of the House and Senate and say, having looked at the whole situation, their only way out is to raise revenue to have a balanced budget. Now, members of the House and the Senate ultimately by the end of this month will have to come to that conclusion. It will be a painful vote. But, I believe we will do it because it is the right thing for the people.
************************************
Jack Conaty [Fox Chicago News]: Mr. Speaker, do you agree with the Governor that a lot of lawmakers, or some lawmakers, don’t seem to get the urgency about the impending cuts to social services in this State?

Speaker Mike Madigan [D-Chicago]: I think the lawmakers who do not wish to vote for the income tax increase are reflecting people in their districts that are telling them: look, I’m out of work or I’m working less hours than I was two or three months ago so I can’t afford the tax increase. I think that if you talked to members of the legislature that are not inclined to vote for the tax increase, that’s what they would tell you.
*************************************
Jeff Berkowitz: Mr. Speaker, are you saying you agree with [House Republican] Leader Cross and [Senate Republican] Leader Radogno, who seem to say that the Illinois electorate is not ready for an income tax increase…[T]hey also seemed to say when they came out here that contrary to what the Governor said, you don’t need to send out these letters [threatening severe agency cuts in grants], you don’t need to do these Draconian cuts now], let reform, let your talks [proceed] for a month or two—then if it doesn’t work, send out your letters.

Speaker Mike Madigan [D-Chicago]: I think the Governor would say to you that operating under the laws that are in place today, he’s under a legal obligation to send notices.

Jeff Berkowitz: Do you agree with him?

Speaker Mike Madigan: I don’t disagree with him when he would say that. No.2, in terms of how the people of Illinois feel, seldom do Americans welcome tax increases--that seldom happens. So, Illinoisans are no different than other Americans in that regard.

Jeff Berkowitz: Representative Hamos, a Democrat, said you folks have not made the case for a tax increase. That’s what she has found from talking to people around the State. [watch our show from this past Sunday with State Rep. Julie Hamos (D-Evanston) here on Taxes, spending cuts and the 2010 Attorney General race;You can read and watch more about Rep. Hamos here]

Speaker Mike Madigan: Well, she is very knowledgeable. I mean, we should all be as smart as Rep. Hamos. Have a great day. —[Ed. Note, perhaps Berkowitz should have elaborated in his question that Rep. Hamos voted for the Quinn proposed income tax increase, but that she thought insufficient information had been imparted to voters on the issue to persuade them to support the tax increase. It appears that more context might have been helpful to the Speaker about Hamos’ statement]
*****************************************
Above is a partial transcript of comments made at a press conference on June 9, 2009, after the Governor and the Four Tops (Madigan, Cullerton, Radogno and Cross) had met to discuss the budget deficit, taxes, spending cuts and reform issues. [Please go here for more discussion and an additional partial transcript of the June 9 Press conference.
******************************************
"Hot," recent posted shows on the Public Affairs YouTube page include the fastest five minutes on the web- a New York Times video about Obama-Berkowitz, a show with Professor Stephen Presser, a Northwestern University Law School Professor, about Judge Sonia Sotomayor's nomination to the U. S. Supreme Court, a show with State Rep. Hamos (D-Evanston) about the State's budget deficit and her likely run in the 2010 Attorney General Dem. Primary and many more shows.
******************************

Gov. Quinn and the Four Tops: First the reforms and spending cuts, then there might be state revenue increases.

Gov. Pat Quinn and the four tops, i.e., the legislative leaders, met yesterday afternoon for three hours and fifteen minutes in the Governor’s conference room adjoining his office on the 16th Floor of the Thompson Center in the Chicago Loop. The topics discussed? Spending cuts, pension reform, Medicaid reform, revenue increases, job creation and perhaps general budget process reform. Each of the participants followed up by giving his or her perspective and answering questions from the media assembled in the lounge area on the 16th Floor. That whole post meeting process went on for about a half hour.

Republican State House Leader Tom Cross, speaking to the media first purportedly because he had to get to his son’s baseball game, spoke of moving forward with job creation, a capital budget, sunshine legislation and the need to make government and the budget process more efficient. Leader Cross spoke about “Those of us who are hesitant in this economy to talk about income tax increases.” Cross also emphasized that the Governor does have enough of a budget to get through six months, so he could keep going without trimming budgets, if he wanted to.

Republican Senate Leader Radogno made a similar point, arguing “we can spare significant cuts to some of the Human Service areas,” because the Governor and the four tops are now reviewing the whole budget, not just 10%, as Gov. Quinn had threatened to do earlier in this process, for spending cuts. And Quinn, apparently trying to encourage “collaboration,” cheered Radogno on, yelling out “well said.” Senator Radogno said she was encouraged that “there does seem to be a willingness to look at real reform,” but “we need to act on those ideas before we have any discourse about revenues.”

The Governor made clear he would move ahead with the pension and Medicaid reform that Radogno and Cross are promoting. Yet, there are inconsistencies between the Republican and the Democrat post-game reports, as Gov. Quinn will have Human Service agencies send out letters soon-- advising groups that receive and make use of state funds-- of massive spending cuts, notwithstanding Quinn’s supportive comments, above, to Radogno. Further, Cross is skeptical that Quinn’s attempt to complete this process by July 1, 2009 is achievable.
*****************************************
Jeff Berkowitz: Tom, did you and Leader Radogno identify some specific spending cuts that you would like to see?

Tom Cross: Jeff, we’re going through a whole list of cuts, all four caucuses and the Governor’s offices, on what we think we can trim back—trim and pare back government, and I will say, to be fair, both the Democrats and Republicans and the Governor’s office said they thought this was a fair exercise to participate in and I think all four caucuses thought—

Jack Conaty: Do you still believe July 1, [2009] is an aggressive date for getting this all settled?

House Republican Leader Tom Cross: I think July 1 is a very aggressive date for getting this done…again, you can’t expect some of these reform ideas to happen in a couple of days or a couple of weeks.
************************************
Tom Cross: I think real reform takes some time…when you make some real changes. I don’t think you can say to Illinois voters we’re going to run through this- just raise taxes without that fundamental change—and we’re going to insist on that [change].

Jeff Berkowitz: Are you meeting again next week?

Tom Cross: I think so.
************************************
Senate President Cullerton: …”We have to cut [spending] before we increase any taxes… But…it is inevitable…we eventually are going to have to have some new revenues to help avoid the Draconian cuts that the Governor was talking about…”

Speaker Mike Madigan: I think it was a very good meeting. I’ll be at the next meeting and I’m anxious to be fully cooperative with all of the proposals which are on the table- such as pension reform and Medicaid reform. Thank you very much.
***********************************
[This report of yesterday’s meeting will be continued by Berkowitz in a post later today, with an emphasis on the second half of the post game comments, which are not included above].

Better than CNN w/Professor Dershowitz: Berkowitz w/ Professor Stephen Presser on Judge Sonia Sotomayor, Cable and now Streaming

Updated on Thursday morning at 1:00 am: You can now watch the show with Professor Presser on your computer 24/7.
**************************
Jeff Berkowitz: [President Obama] would say, use this document [the U.S. Constitution] to start with-- but you’ve got to [take account] of the fact that it’s a living document.

Northwestern University Law School Professor Stephen Presser: That’s right.[Watch the show with Professor Stephen Presser].

Jeff Berkowitz: Judge Sotomayor, she’s a living document type person?
***********************************
Jeff Berkowitz: Barack [Obama] said that right here [on the Public Affairs set in July 24, 2003]. He said if your vision of the Constitution is fundamentally flawed, and you’re up for confirmation, he would say vote against, right?

Professor Stephen Presser: That’s correct
****************************
This week’s suburban edition of Public Affairs features Professor Stephen Presser, Northwestern University Law School Professor, debating and discussing with show host and executive legal recruiter Jeff Berkowitz whether Judge Sonia Sotomayor should be confirmed to the U. S. Supreme Court by the U. S. Senate. See below for the Chicago metro suburban, City of Chicago, Aurora and Rockford airing schedules for the show with Professor Stephen Presser.
**********************************************
The "Public Affairs," show with Professor Presser can be watched here now.
******************************************
Does President Obama believe in a "Living Constitution."

Jeff Berkowitz: …[President] Obama [was] a constitutional law professor at a point in his life when he taught at the University of Chicago Law School.

[Northwestern University Law School] Professor Stephen Presser: That’s correct.

Jeff Berkowitz: [And], you are [a Constitutional Law Professor]. You’re saying Barack does not believe in the U. S. Constitution?

Professor Stephen Presser: He believes in a living Constitution.

Should the U.S. Constitution change over time? How?

Jeff Berkowitz: Changing Constitution. It has to change over time. We’re taping on May 31, 2009…when was this [Constitution] written?

Professor Stephen Presser: Parts of it in 1787, amendments as recently as a few years back.

Jeff Berkowitz: So, good parts of it were written over two hundred years ago.

Professor Stephen Presser: That’s right.

Jeff Berkowitz: Don’t you have to do some changes over time.

Professor Stephen Presser: Yes, you do and that’s what Article 5 is all about. It provides a process to amend it. But, the question is should judges amend it?

Jeff Berkowitz: Should judges in interpreting—they have to adapt to—you know, there are things—we didn’t talk about the internet back in the 18th Century. Right?

Professor Stephen Presser: That’s right.

Does the U. S. Constitution have to adapt to a changing reality?

Jeff Berkowitz: We have internet questions that come up [related] to the Constitution. You see the point? You’ve got to be adapting, don’t you? Is that any different from saying you’ve got a living document?

Professor Stephen Presser: The idea of adopting the Constitution is no different from a living document.

Jeff Berkowitz: From adapting the Constitution to changes in—

Professor Stephen Presser: Do you do it through the amendment process? Do you do it by legislation? Do you do it by the popular branches or do you let the judges who aren’t even elected re-write the document.

What is an "Originalist"

Jeff Berkowitz: So, you’re an originalist? Your view-- this is the meaning, look in the Constitution. What did they [the Founders] intend? Interpret the Constitution, apply the—

Professor Stephen Presser: How did they understand the words [they used]. That’s right.

Is President Obama an "Originalist."

Jeff Berkowitz: You’re saying Obama is not an originalist?

Professor Stephen Presser: I don’t think he would say he is. No.

Jeff Berkowitz: He would say, use this document [the Constitution} to start with-- but you’ve got to [take account] of the fact that it’s a living document.

Professor Stephen Presser: That’s right.

Does Judge Sonia Sotomayor believe in a "living Constitution."

Jeff Berkowitz: Judge Sotomayor, she’s a living document type person?

Professor Stephen Presser: We think so. We think so.

Should Judge Sotomayor be confirmed by the Senate?

Jeff Berkowitz: If you find that, and you were in the Senate- they vote on confirmation- would you vote no?

Professor Stephen Presser: Yeah, I’d vote no.

Jeff Berkowitz: On that alone?

Professor Stephen Presser: I’d vote no on that alone.

Do State Senator Obama's own words provide a basis for opposing Judge Sotomayor's confirmation?

Jeff Berkowitz: Barack [Obama] said that right here [on the Public Affairs set in July 24, 2003]. He said if your vision of the Constitution is fundamentally flawed, and you’re up for confirmation, he would say vote against, right.

Professor Stephen Presser: That’s correct.

Jeff Berkowitz: At that time, [then State Senator Obama] went on talk about….
*****************************************
The "Public Affairs," show with Prodessor Presser was taped on May 31, 2009
************************************
Public Affairs Chicago Metro suburban airing schedule:

The show featuring Professor Stephen Presser, Northwestern University Law School Professor, is airing this week in the North and Northwest Chicago Metro suburbs in its regular slot:

Tuesday night (tonight) at 8:30 pm on Comcast Cable Channel 19 in Buffalo Grove, Elk Grove Village, Hoffman Estates, parts of Inverness, Lincolnwood, Morton Grove, Niles, Northfield, Palatine, Rolling Meadows and Wilmette

and Tuesday night(tonight) at 8:30 pm on Comcast Cable Channel 35 in Arlington Heights, Bartlett, Glenview, Golf, Des Plaines, Hanover Park, Mt. Prospect, Northbrook, Park Ridge, Prospect Heights, Schaumburg, Skokie, Streamwood and Wheeling.

and 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.

The show with Professor Presser also will air in a special airing this week of "Public Affairs," at 5:30 pm on Cable Ch. 19 in Bannockburn, Deerfield, Ft. Sheridan, Glencoe, Highland Park, Highwood, Kenilworth, Lincolnshire, Riverwoods and Winnetka.
*************************************************************
Chicago and Aurora:

The "Public Affairs," show featuring Professor Stephen Presser, Northwestern University Law School Professor, will also air throughout the City of Chicago this coming Monday night i.e., June 15 at 8:30 pm on Cable Ch. 21(CANTV, aka Chicago Access Network TV) and on that same night on cable in Aurora and surrounding areas at 7:30 pm on ACTV-10. The Aurora station, ACTV-10, aka Aurora Community Television, Comcast Cable Ch. 10, reaches all of Aurora, Bristol, Big Rock and parts of Oswego, Sandwich, Sugar Grove and Montgomery.
*************************************************
Rockford:

The "Public Affairs," show featuring Professor Stephen Presser, Northwestern University Law School Professor, will also air throughout the City of Rockford (and in surrounding areas) a week from this coming Thursday night, on June 18 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.
*******************************************
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.
*****************************************
"Hot," recent posted shows on the Public Affairs YouTube page include the fastest five minutes on the web- a New York Times video about Obama-Berkowitz,a show with Dan Proft, a Chicago media personality and also a possible candidate for Governor in the 2010 Republican Primary, a show with State Senator and possible Republican candidate for Governor, Matt Murphy (R-Palatine), a show with the RealClearPolitics.com's Tom Bevan about Obama's First 100 days and assessing Obama, a show with Senator Steans about budget deficits and education reform, and the second fastest five minutes on the web- a segment of Bill O'Reilly with Berkowitz discussing a clip of Obama from 2002 on Blagojevich. All other shows from the last two years are also included.
**********************************************************************