Monday, November 30, 2009

Better than Monday night football, Berkowitz w/ Dem. U. S. Senate Candidate David Hoffman on cable this week in Aurora and Rockford and also streaming

The "Public Affairs," show featuring David Hoffman, candidate in the 2010 U. S. Senate Democratic Primary, is airing tonight, Nov. 30 on cable in Aurora and surrounding areas at 7:30 pm on ACTV-10. The program also airs at 3:30 pm tomorrow and Wednesday in Aurora on ACTV-10 and surrounding areas (recently added regular slots for "Public Affairs" in Aurora). 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.

The "Public Affairs," show featuring David Hoffman, candidate in the 2010 U. S. Senate Democratic Primary, will also air throughout the City of Rockford (and in surrounding areas) this Thursday night, Dec. 3, 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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For more about the Public Affairs show with David Hoffman, including partial transcripts and a summary of topics discuessed, please go here.
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You can now watch the show with Democratic U. S. Senate Candidate Hoffman here.
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The Public Affairs show featuring 2010 U. S. Senate Democratic Primary candidate David Hoffman (D-Chicago) also airs on Monday night, Dec. 7, 2009, throughout the City of Chicago at 8:30 pm on Cable Ch. 21
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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. *************************************************************
More than 116 of our shows from the last two years are posted on the Public Affairs YouTube page . Our most recent shows w/ Democratic Primary U. S. Senate Candidate David Hoffman, 7th CD candidate Chicago Ald. Sharon Denise Dixon [24th Ward]and State Comptroller candidate Clint Krislov are now streaming.
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Better than Placko & Conaty w/Gov. Quinn and Tom Cross: Berkowitz w/ 7th CD Dem. Candidate Ald. Dixon on Choice to the 5th Degree; Cable and Streaming

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Jeff Berkowitz: …Is the answer yes or no, based on the information you have? Would you go with the President and give him the 40,000 troops he wants [for Afghanistan], or not? [Watch the Show with 7th CD candidate Ald. Dixon here].

7th CD Candidate Chicago Ald. Sharon Denise Dixon (D-24th Ward): …I trust the President’s judgment but I also think it is the responsibility of the Congress- it is the responsibility of the Congress –to understand the issue and then make a decision.
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7th CD Candidate Chicago Ald. Sharon Dixon: I am a peace candidate.

Jeff Berkowitz: Just give [school] vouchers a chance. You think?

Ald. Sharon Dixon: Maybe.
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Jeff Berkowitz: Late-term abortion. Should there be abortions, other than to save the life of the mother, in the third term?

Ald. Sharon Dixon: Probably not.
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Jeff Berkowitz with Democratic 7th Cong. District Candidate Chicago Ald. Sharon Denise Dixon (24th Ward) on Choice in Schools, Abortion, Marriage, Guns. Afghanistan and much more; Tonight on Cable and now streaming. Ald. Dixon, along with at least three other candidates, is taking on 13 year incumbent Cong. Danny Davis (D-Chicago), who decided to drop his bid for Cook County Board President and pursue, instead, re-election to Congress.
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Tonight's "Public Affairs w/Jeff Berkowitz," features Democratic Primary 7th CD candidate Ald. Sharon Denise Dixon airing in the City of Chicago on Cable Ch. 21 at 8:30 pm. For more about tonight's show with Ald. Sharon Denise Dixon , including a summary of topics discussed and a discussion of the 7th CD Democratic Primary race, please go here. The show was taped on November 15, 2009.
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School Choice-School Vouchers.

7th CD Candidate Chicago Ald. Sharon Denise Dixon (D-24th Ward): What we need is a system that works because the public school system will work and it has worked.

Jeff Berkowitz: Try the private schools [School vouchers- school choice]. If people like and it works, maybe the competition will work, just give them a chance—you heard that saying, you said you are a peace candidate—

Ald. Sharon Dixon: I am a peace candidate.

Jeff Berkowitz: Just give peace a chance.

7th CD Candidate Chicago Ald. Sharon Dixon: I am a peace candidate.

Jeff Berkowitz: Just give [school] vouchers a chance. You think?

Ald. Sharon Dixon: Maybe.

Parental Notice and late term abortion

Jeff Berkowitz: There you go. We got a “maybe.” All right, let’s go over to the social issues. We don’t have too much time left. Abortion, you’re 1000% pro choice?

Ald. Sharon Dixon: I’m pro-choice.

Jeff Berkowitz: You wouldn’t limit a woman’s right to choose in any way?

Ald. Sharon Dixon: That depends.

Jeff Berkowitz: Partial birth abortion? Are you in favor of that?

Ald. Sharon Dixon: It-

Jeff Berkowitz: Late-term abortion. Should there be abortions, other than to save the life of the mother, in the third term?

Ald. Sharon Dixon: Probably not.

Jeff Berkowitz: Probably not. Parental notice—Should parents have an opportunity to know about their minor daughter having an abortion?

Ald. Sharon Dixon: Yes.

Jeff Berkowitz: You believe in parental notice. Okay.

Ald. Sharon Dixon: I do.

Same Sex Marriage?

Jeff Berkowitz: So, two gays or two lesbians should be allowed to marry, under your view?

Ald. Sharon Dixon: I believe people have a right to make their own choice.

A handgun in your home?

Jeff Berkowitz: Should people in Chicago be allowed to own a handgun—they can’t now [possess one], you know. It’s a city law.

Ald. Sharon Dixon: I think they should be allowed to have a handgun on their own property.

Jeff Berkowitz: In their home?

Ald. Sharon Dixon: In their home.

Jeff Berkowitz: You would tell the Mayor he is wrong on that?

Ald. Sharon Dixon: In their home. In their home, not on the—

No concealed carry?

Ald. Sharon Dixon: Not on the public way.

Jeff Berkowitz: If you’re in a dangerous area and you’re walking along and you might want to have a gun in your purse, so if somebody came up to you could do something about it—

Ald. Sharon Dixon: No, not in a public way.

Jeff Berkowitz: You wouldn’t do that?

Ald. Sharon Dixon: No.

Taxes: High-Low?

Jeff Berkowitz: Taxes, are they too high or low?

Ald. Sharon Dixon: High.
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40,000 additional troops in Afghanistan if President Obama asks?

Jeff Berkowitz: …Is the answer yes or no, based on the information you have? Would you go with the President and give him the 40,000 troops he wants [for Afghanistan], or not?

7th CD Candidate Chicago Ald. Sharon Denise Dixon (D-24th Ward): …I trust the President’s judgment but I also think it is the responsibility of the Congress- it is the responsibility of the Congress –to understand the issue and then make a decision.

Jeff Berkowitz: But, based on what it is now, Nov. 15, as of this date, we understand you might change your mind if you had different information, as of Nov. 15, yea or nay?

Ald. Sharon Dixon: …Jeff, I have to say this again—

Jeff Berkowitz: You’re not going to give me an answer?

7th CD Candidate and Ald. Sharon Denise Dixon: No, I am going to give you an answer and the answer is this: I have been watching—

Jeff Berkowitz: No, but you have to vote. In congress, you have to press a button, just like you do as an alderman.

Ald. Sharon Dixon: You do have to vote, but you vote on those issues that you understand and I think a large part of some of the problems that we having now with our Congress, many feel, [is]…that they did not have information that they should have had before making decisions about going to war, or sending additional—

Jeff Berkowitz: All right, so you are not going to tell the voters yes or no on that.

Ald. Sharon Dixon: I am going to say I think as a responsible congressional person I’d like to have the information and the facts before me before making such a decision.
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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.
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You can now watch the show with 7th CD candidate Chicago Ald. Sharon Denise Dixon (24th Ward) here .
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More than 116 of our shows from the last two years are posted on the Public Affairs YouTube page . Our most recent shows w/ Democratic Primary U. S. Senate Candidate David Hoffman, 7th CD candidate Chicago Ald. Sharon Denise Dixon [24th Ward]and State Comptroller candidate Clint Krislov are now streaming.
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Sunday, November 29, 2009

Better than Chris Wallace w/Gov.Dean: Berkowitz w/ Gov. Dean on multiculturalism;healthcare reform;Obama,fiscal issues and more troops for Afghanistan

Gov. Howard Dean, Michael Medved and Al Gore on Multiculturalism

Jeff Berkowitz: You were talking tonight about multiculturalism, how important it is, how it’s been important for America for the last few hundred years. Michael Medved spoke to [the New Trier Republican Organization] just a few miles away [in Northbrook, IL] a few weeks ago, and he said [former Vice President] Gore got it wrong. It is E Pluribus Unum, out of many-one. Medved said that Gore said it was “out of one, many.” Is there a debate between you and Michael Medved about multiculturalism in America?

Gov. Howard Dean [2004 Democratic Primary Presidential Candidate]: I have no idea what Michael Medved’s positions are on anything, so—

Jeff Berkowitz: Well, what do you say, I mean when he says, “out of many, one.” You know, it’s somebody who is Russian and Jewish, they become an American. Somebody is an Israeli, they become an American. Somebody who is Hispanic, they become an American. That’s what Medved is saying. Is multiculturalism consistent with that?

Gov. Howard Dean [2004 Democratic Primary Presidential Candidate]: Sure, multiculturalism doesn’t mean people aren’t Americans. There’s lots of different kinds of Americans. Irish-Americans. Italian-Americans. Jewish-Americans. Catholic, Protestant, Hindu Americans. Americans are first Americans. But, people have traditions in their families and in their backgrounds and those backgrounds and those traditions are honored by the Democratic Party. And, the Republican Party often uses them to drives wedges between people and that’s the fundamental difference between the parties.

Gov. Howard Dean on passing healthcare reform in the Senate

Jeff Berkowitz: You said [regarding] healthcare-- the Public Option is there, it should be there and it’s going to pass. You acknowledge there are some problems with the U. S. Senate, as opposed to the House. Think about those problems. You said it’s going to be 60 votes, not reconciliation. How do you get by those folks like Mary Landrieu (LA), Ben Nelson (NE)…so the Democrats have problems in the Senate getting 60 votes, don’t they?

Gov. Howard Dean [2004 Democratic Primary Presidential Candidate]: I don’t think so. I think Harry Reid wouldn’t have put this on the table if he didn’t think he has the votes and I think he’ll get the votes

Is President Obama being fiscally responsible?

Jeff Berkowitz: You mentioned fiscal responsibility and you said the Democrats have to be careful about this—President Obama, it looks like he has a 1.4 to 2 trillion dollar deficit, 800 billion dollar stimulus program, all of that bailout stacked onto bailout, what does he do going forward to be fiscally responsible?

Howard Dean: Let’s remember that the bailouts were George Bush’s bailouts and that the deficits are George Bush’s deficits. And, that the collapse on Wall St. is George Bush’s collapse on Wall St. So, what we have to do is first repair the damage and get people back to work again. And, then we are going to have to start minding our money. We are going to have to start making sure that we don’t spend beyond our means.

40,000 more troops for Afghanistan?

Jeff Berkowitz: …On Afghanistan…what should President Obama do? Should he …give the Commander on the ground what he wants, another 40,000 troops?

Howard Dean [2004 Democratic Primary Presidential Candidate]: You know the President has access to intelligence that I don’t have and I’m not going to second guess him, whatever he decides to do.

Former Gov. Howard Dean [2004 Democratic Primary Presidential Candidate], from a forthcoming video interview with Jeff Berkowitz, after a Tenthdems event featuring Gov. Dean on October 31, 2009 at the Deerfield Hyatt in Deerfield, IL.
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Friday, November 27, 2009

Getting to know 10th CD Republican Primary Candidate Bob Dold

Text revised and links added at 5:00 pm on Friday.
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There are four major candidates in the 10th CD Republican Primary. See here. One of the 10th CD Republican candidates, Bill Cadigan (Winnetka), has appeared on Public Affairs. Watch Bill Cadigan here and Read a Cadigan partial transcript here. Another one of the 10th CD Republican candidates, State Rep. Beth Coulson (Glenview), committed to do the show on Sunday, Nov. 22, 2009. A day before that scheduled taping, Rep. Coulson cancelled, due to a “loss of voice,” her staff advised. Coulson’s staff said she would re-schedule but as of this date, she has not done so.

Another 10th CD candidate, Dick Green, has shown no interest in taping Public Affairs. He has said he is following the advice of his Washington, DC. and Chicago strategists, which seems to be to stick to his paid media and avoid earned media. [Green has also been missing candidate forums of late, as well, ducking a Morraine Township Republican Organization forum this week because "he had to do a commercial," and missing an Hadassah sponsored forum at Am Shalom Temple in Glencoe recently when he informed the sponsors, at the last minute, a family member had a birthday]

Another 10th CD Candidate, Bob Dold, said a few months ago that he did not have time, at that time, to tape a thirty minute show because he was focusing on grassroots activities, but candidate Dold did agree to do a ten minute phone interview on October 9, 2009. Dold’s campaign manager, Kelly Fellino, recently said she would consider an appearance on Public Affairs for Dold, but she has not returned our phone calls asking about same.

A transcript of a portion of our phone interview with candidate Dold is included, below.
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Jeff Berkowitz: …if you had been there [in Congress]… in the Fall of 2008 when President Bush, Treasury Secretary Paulson and Fed Chief Bernanke recommended the 700billion dollar bailout, do you think you would have voted to support that?

Bob Dold [Kenilworth], 10th Cong. District Republican Primary candidate: That’s a great question, Jeff, and I think there certainly needed to be some stuff done for the—it’s tough for me to be the you know, I guess we should say it’s easier for me to be the Sunday morning quarterback-- but at the time, certainly something needed to be done to make sure that the banks stabilized. I’m not so sure that in terms of the dollars that we had allocated for the TARP funds—and that they were originally targeted for the banks-- and we decided to use them for a bunch of different things. So, I would have voted at that point in time to do what was necessary to try to stabilize the banking system so that it didn’t spiral out of control and we had basically banks with “going out of business,” signs.

Jeff Berkowitz: So, does that mean that yes, you would have supported the bailout, as pronounced at the time?

Bob Dold: Honestly, Jeff, I have not read the entire bill. I can tell you I would have supported making sure that we didn’t have banks going under. And, I think one of the complaints, as a Sunday morning quarterback, or a Monday morning quarterback, at this stage of the game is that there was basically how were you going to determine what banks were going to stay and what banks were going to fail. So, that was part of the complaint against the government. But, I think we needed to give the government the ability to make sure that we’re stabilizing the banks.

Jeff Berkowitz: What about the 800 billion dollar stimulus that was proposed and then legislated under President Obama. Would you have supported that?

Bob Dold: No.
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More than 116 of our shows from the last two years are posted on the Public Affairs YouTube page . Our most recent shows w/ Democratic Primary U. S. Senate Candidate David Hoffman, 7th CD candidate Chicago Ald. Sharon Denise Dixon [24th Ward]and State Comptroller candidate Clint Krislov are now streaming.
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Wednesday, November 25, 2009

Berkowitz to join headliner Paul Vallas on Tom Roeser's weekly WLS- 890 AM radio show, Political Shoot-out, this Sunday night at 8:00 pm

After all the turkey left-overs have been eaten on Sunday and there is virtually no football left to watch, don't despair, you will still have one big treat in store for you.

Jeff Berkowitz will join Paul Vallas, former Chicago Public Schools CEO (1995-2001) and first runner-up to Rod Blagojevich in the 2002 Democratic Primary for Governor, as a guest this Sunday night on Tom Roeser’s often edgy, breaking news Sunday, call-in radio show, Political Shoot-out, on WLS 890 AM Radio, from 8:00 pm to 9:00 pm.
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You say you don't live within the WLS broadcast area? Not to worry. You can go here to listen to the program, live, on the web.[You may encounter some technical problems in signing on-- allow five minutes, or so, for following the prompts for technical difficulties, and you should be able to hear WLS live on the web] See here for Tom’s Blog which has Tom's thoughts on a great many matters, political and otherwise.

Upset with something Berkowitz said on his show, Public Affairs, 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.

It is this journalist's guess that Tom Roeser will focus a bit more on national issues than is usually the case, in that Paul Vallas, has put in stints during the last decade as the major educational honcho in New Orleans, Philadelphia and Chicago, not to mention a run for Governor in Illinois. Thus, Vallas brings perhaps more of a national perspective than many of Tom's guests. who tend to focus on Illinois state and local political issues.

It might be interesting, for example, to get Vallas' perspective as to the current priorities of Louisiana Gov. Jindal, who is himself a bit of a national figure. It might also be good to get Vallas' views about President Obama's and his Secretary of Education's [Arne Duncan] education reform efforts, e.g., the race to the top, given Paul Vallas' enormous education reform credentials.

Further, now that Vallas appears to have become a Republican, what is his perspective on the current Republican national leaders and the likely crop of Republican Presidential candidates in 2012?

Of course, given Paul Vallas' knowledge of Illinois' historical and perhaps current budget and finance issues, as well as what he knows about Democratic and Republican Party pols, it would also be worthwhile to get Vallas' views on the Democratic and Republican gubernatorial primaries, both as to issues and personalities.

Finally, there is some buzz that Paul Vallas might run for Mayor of Chicago in 2011. Would Vallas do that, irrespective of whether Mayor Daley decides to seek re-election? Indeed, perhaps Vallas would like to take on the Mayor. Read this for some historical background on the Vallas-Daley relationship and what that author seems to think President Obama learned from Mayor Daley.

Of course, the above are just some guesses by this journalist as to some of the topics that this Sunday night's show might touch on. The ultimate choice is up to the show's host, Tom Roeser, and his listener call-ins.

This journalist's surmise as to the political (and other) personalities who might be discussed this Sunday night include, without limitation, President Obama, Vice-President Biden, Speaker Pelosi, Senate President Reid, Former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin, Minnesota Gov. Pawlenty, General Petraeus, Mayor Guiliani, Former Alabama Governor Huckabee, Wisconsin Cong. Paul Ryan, Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour, Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney; Illinois Republican Primary Gov. Candidates Proft, Andrzejewski, Brady, Dillard, Ryan, McKenna and Schillerstrom; Democratic Guv candidate and State Comptroller Dan Hynes, Democratic Governor Pat Quinn; Republican U. S. Senate Candidates Cong. Kirk, Pat Hughes and John Arrington; Democratic U. S. Senate candidates David Hoffman, Cheryle Jackson, Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias and Jacob Meister.
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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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More than 116 of our shows from the last two years are posted on the Public Affairs YouTube page . Our most recent shows w/ Democratic Primary U. S. Senate Candidate David Hoffman, 7th CD candidate Chicago Ald. Sharon Denise Dixon [24th Ward]and State Comptroller candidate Clint Krislov are now streaming.
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Monday, November 23, 2009

Better than CNN's John King: Berkowitz w/ U. S. Senate Candidate David Hoffman on "Is Hoffman a better candidate than Giannoulias;"Cable and Streaming

Jeff Berkowitz: Does Alexi Giannoulias, as somebody who ran on his experience working for the family bank, the Broadway Bank, can he hide from that?...[or] if the Bank screwed up, did Alexi Giannoulias screw up?

David Hoffman, U. S. Senate Candidate (D-Chicago): Well, of course, it's relevant. I mean, if you are the Vice-President and Chief Loan Officer of a Bank, you have to take responsibility for...People who watch Illinois politics know that everything is inter-related. So, how some of these players like Tony Rezko are getting financial benefits from loans [at Giannoulias' family bank], or if they bounce very large checks at Vegas casinos, as happened here with [Giannoulias' family bank] Broadway Bank, and they are not getting kicked out of the bank-- [Watch the show w/David Hoffman here].

Jeff Berkowitz: Isn't the bank supposed to report that if that happens?

David Hoffman: I believe that that's right and

Jeff Berkowitz: Did the bank do that?
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This week's Chicago Metro Suburban edition of "Public Affairs," features 2010 U. S. Senate Democratic Primary candidate David Hoffman (D-Chicago). The Chicago Metro Suburban airing schedule for Public Affairs is included, below. The show was recorded on Sunday, November 22, 2009.
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You can now watch the show with Democratic U. S. Senate Candidate Hoffman here.
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2010 U. S. Senate Democratic Primary candidate David Hoffman (D-Chicago) debates and discusses a broad range of domestic and foreign policy issues with show host and executive legal recruiter Jeff Berkowitz on this week’s suburban edition of “Public Affairs.” Topics discussed include the relevancy to the U. S. Senate race of Treasurer Giannoulias' alleged involvement at Broadway Bank with Tony Rezko, borrowers at Giannoulias' family bank convicted of operating brothels, borrowers of the bank involved with gun shops that were known for selling guns that were used in criminal operations; The significance of U. S. Senate Candidate Cheryl Jackson's former role in the Blagojevich Administration; lack of transparency by Giannoulias and Jackson; financial mismanagement by State Treasurer Giannoulias; Giannoulias and Jackson in hiding; the Barack Obama Doctrine and is it working? Is the United States being beat, under President Obama, at diplomatic strategy and foreign policy by China, Russia and Iran; how to handle Iran's growing nuclear capability; did the 800 billion dollar Economic Stimulus fail to work? Should President Obama try a new approach to stimulating the economy? Should the Feds encourage charter schools and school vouchers? Is Hoffman independent of Mayor Daley? of Teachers unions? And, much, much more.
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The Chicago Metro suburban episode of "Public Affairs with Jeff Berkowitz," featuring this week's guest,2010 U. S. Senate Democratic Primary candidate David Hoffman (D-Chicago), airs 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.

and tomorrow night, 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 tomorrow night, 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.
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The Public Affairs show featuring 2010 U. S. Senate Democratic Primary candidate David Hoffman (D-Chicago) also airs on Monday night, Dec. 7, 2009, throughout the City of Chicago at 8:30 pm on Cable Ch. 21
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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. *************************************************************
More than 116 of our shows from the last two years are posted on the Public Affairs YouTube page . Our most recent shows w/ Democratic Primary U. S. Senate Candidate David Hoffman, 7th CD candidate Chicago Ald. Sharon Denise Dixon [24th Ward]and State Comptroller candidate Clint Krislov are now streaming.
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Better than Bill Kurtis with Gov. Quinn: Berkowitz w/State Comptroller Candidate Krislov on the Bully Pulpit & Taxes; Cable tonight and now streaming

Clint Krislov (D-Wilmette), Candidate for State Comptroller: What Krislov says is that before you can ask people to raise their taxes, you’ve got to make the system fair, you’ve got to make it so that it’s not just the taxpayers who are the sucker in this game…

Jeff Berkowitz: How do you make it fair?
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From Public Affairs w/Jeff Berkowitz, Our show with Democratic Primary State Comptroller candidate Clint Krislov was taped on Sunday, Nov. 8, 2009, and it is airing in the City of Chicago on "Public Affairs," tonight on Cable Ch. 21 at 8:30 pm. For more about tonight's show with Comptroller candidate Clint Krislov (D-Wilmette), including a summary of topics discussed and a partial transcript of the show, please go here.
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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.
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You can now watch the show with Democratic State Comptroller candidate Clint Krislov here.
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More than 116 of our shows from the last two years are posted on the Public Affairs YouTube page . Our most recent shows w/ Democratic Primary U. S. Senate Candidate David Hoffman, 7th CD candidate Chicago Ald. Sharon Denise Dixon [24th Ward]and State Comptroller candidate Clint Krislov are now streaming.
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Sunday, November 22, 2009

The meaning of recent endorsements by Republican Township organizations for IL 10th Cong. District Candidate Robert Dold.

Links added and text revised at 10:30 am on Monday
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Rich Miller (Capitolfax) makes some inferences that are not supported by the evidence when he writes:

It’s becoming obvious that several suburban township organizations have moved far to the Right - at least at the endorsement sessions. New Trier’s GOP organization endorsed Bob Dold over Rep. Elizabeth Coulson and other candidates in the 10th Congressional District. In the past, that would’ve probably been a lock for Coulson. Elk Grove Township also went with Dold, and nobody got enough support in Northfield Township for it to make an endorsement.
[emphasis supplied]

As to the New Trier Republican Organization (“NTRO”), it has not been far to the right in the past and it not far to the right now. It is and remains an establishment, center-right organization of precinct captains, and it’s long time committeeman, Tolbert Chisum, is right in sync with that.

Yes, Lolita Dedrickson, a moderate, easily won the 1998 NTRO endorsement over conservative Peter Fitzgerald for the U. S. Senate seat but that reflected a push by Peter that was too little, too late-- as he waited until the night before the endorsement vote to make his calls to the captains. In 2004, Jack Ryan, who was a NTRO precinct captain and an attractive, conservative U. S. Senate candidate who worked his local contacts hard, won the NTRO endorsement easily over the less conservative Andy McKenna, Jr. (from Northfield) and five others. There was no push to the right from 1998 to 2004 in the NTRO.

As Tip O’Neill said, all politics is ultimately local and that is especially true with the highly nuanced and localized endorsement process involving very personalized aspects of the candidates and historical, institutionalized aspects of the township organizations. Ideology has a role-- but often it is far from dominant.

Bob Dold won the NTRO 10th CD endorsement last week because he is a polished, reasonable center-right candidate who also happens to be a precinct captain very active in the NTRO. His father (Bob Dold, Sr.) is a long time captain in the NTRO and Bob’s mother is also quite active in the NTRO. Bob, Jr. lives, with his family, across the street from the NTRO HQ and Bob’s father built up a pest control company in the area that Bob Jr. now helps run.

Again, all politics is ultimately local and all of that local activity by the Dold families is a major factor, along with Bob Dold, Jr.’s talent and traits, in the explanation why he won the NTRO 10th CD endorsement. Bob Dold’s endorsement is no slap at competitors Coulson, Catigan or Green and has nothing to do with a conjectured shift to the right, with all due respect to Rich Miller. Sure, Beth Coulson's well known moderate social views were a factor, but no more so than they would have been five or ten years ago.

Dick Green, a 10th CD candidate from Winnetka, is a big financial supporter of NTRO and a Deputy Committeeman but not as active and not for as long a time in the NTRO as the Dolds.

Bill Cadigan, another 10th CD candidate from Winnetka, has historically been more involved in the Wheeling Republican Township Organization and got the most votes in that township’s endorsement session, but not enough for an endorsement. [See here].

State Rep. Coulson is respected and liked by most in the NTRO, even though her socially moderate views as a state legislator have probably been more moderate than most in the NTRO. The organization has endorsed her and worked to re-elect her in the 17th State House District for more than a decade, notwithstanding her cultural views.

However, Beth Coulson is not, like Bob Dold, part of the very long term rank and file of the NTRO. Beth’s base, if you will, is more in Northfield Township, where she received the most votes, but did not meet the two-thirds necessary for an endorsement. NTRO’s endorsement procedures, unlike Wheeling and Northfield, do not require a supra-majority.

So, in short, the fact that NTRO endorsed Dold for the 10th CD and no one got the endorsement in Northfield had more to do with the personal, not ideological, histories of the candidates and perhaps the nuances of what it takes for an endorsement than any shift to the right in those organizations. I am not familiar with the nuances of Elk Grove Village, but I imagine that endorsement also does not portend or reflect a shift to the right.

Moreover, Dold, Coulson, Catigan and Green sound quite similar on the issues, i.e., conservative, at the candidate forums. The forums I have attended have focused on domestic and foreign policy issues, with little attention paid to cultural issues. Based on their views expressed at forums, where there is little, if any, follow-up questions, those four Republican candidates, who are the major Republican candidates, come across as quite similar in terms of healthcare, spending, taxes, stimulus, Iraq, Afghanistan, Israel, etc.

Bill Catigan, has appeared on “Public Affairs,” and from that appearance and elsewhere we know his cultural views are generally socially moderate, not unlike those of thirteen year State Rep. Coulson and those of Cong. Kirk and Cong. Porter, two Republicans who have held the 10th CD seat for the last thirty years [Attorney Cadigan is a former Cong. Porter staffer and campaign manager]. We don’t know as much about Bob Dold and Dick Green, including on the social issues as both have declined to appear on “Public Affairs,” and both have gone out of their way not to take clear positions on the social issues, apparently arguing that is not what the 10th CD Republican Primary is about. [State Rep. Coulson was scheduled to tape Public Affairs this afternoon, but advised us yesterday that she lost her voice and confirmed this morning that she would have to re-schedule].

In conclusion, if there is any kind of a shift to the right in the North Shore or Northwest Republican township organizations, you couldn’t tell if from the endorsement votes. And, if Politico thinks anything going on the IL 10th CD is at all related or similar to what went on NY 23, they surely have made no such case. Perhaps they should have someone write for them who knows something about the IL 10th CD. Could we suggest, in all modesty, this guy Berkowitz? See here and here.
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More than 116 of our shows from the last two years are posted on the Public Affairs YouTube page . Our most recent shows w/ Democratic Primary 7th CD candidate, Chicago Ald. Sharon Denise Dixon [24th Ward]and Democratic Primary State Comptroller candidate Clint Krislov are now streaming.
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Saturday, November 21, 2009

IL State GOP Chairman Brady: The meeting with Chairman Steele,Rep. Coulson, Tom Cross, et al was not as reported in Politico- "They were 100% wrong."

IL State GOP Chairman Pat Brady says, "Politico was completely, 100% wrong.”
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Jeff Berkowitz: And, I take it Michael Steele is staying neutral in the 10th Cong. District.

IL State GOP Chairman Pat Brady: Absolutely. The focus is completely on a big picture approach to winning seats from top to bottom in Illinois.
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Jeff Berkowitz: Do you expect [Beth Coulson] to say anything or do anything to kind of—

Pat Brady: No, I think it was an honest screw up, mistake by a staffer so that’s why I don’t want to hang anybody out to dry—too much.
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Yesterday's reports from "Public Affairs." Capitolfax and Politico

This journalist reported yesterday, based on comments from Team Coulson and a Team Coulson press release, about State Rep. and 10th CD candidate Beth Coulson attending an upcoming meeting with RNC Chairman Steele and others relating to “the upcoming midterm elections in Illionois and how to keep the 10th CD in Republican hands.” Go here and here.

Although this journalist did not say that Beth Coulson was being supported or given preferred treatment in the 10th CD by Chairman Steele, that was the aura from the Coulson press release. Rich Miller, in the Capitolfax blog went further:

The GOP leaders believe that Coulson is the best shot at holding onto that seat. But she has to get through the primary first. Coulson, for her part, is trying hard to move right.

So did Politico:

State Rep. Beth Coulson, one of the most moderate Republican candidates running for Congress, will be meeting with Republican National Committee chairman Michael Steele tomorrow in Illinois to discuss her campaign – and the need for Republicans to have a big-tent party so it can compete in Democratic-minded districts

According to State GOP Chairman Pat Brady, speaking by phone yesterday after the meeting with Coulson, Chairman Steele, Illinois State House GOP Republican Leader Cross, Chairman Brady and others, the meeting was not focused on “Beth’s campaign,” or on the “need to have a big-tent Party.” Take a listen:

The Report from State GOP Chairman Pat Brady

Jeff Berkowitz: All right, so what’s the news?

State GOP Chairman Pat Brady: The news is probably no news, really. We had a meeting today with leadership from different parts of the State, with the National Chairman to talk about mapping out a strategy for victory in 2010, from the [U. S.] Senate races all the way on down.

Jeff Berkowitz: So, was this with Cross, Radogno, you and—

State GOP Chairman Pat Brady: Yeah, with me, Cross, Radogno, Randy Pollack-County Chairman’s Association, Lee Roupas [Cook County Republican Party Chairman], several members of the State Central Committee, the State Party finance people-our fundraisers, [Chairman] Steele, our regional political director-Chris McNulty, he’s our representative from the RNC.

Jeff Berkowitz: Was this the meeting that involved the State legislators or was that a separate one?

Pat Brady: It wasn’t all the State legislators, it was just representative leadership.

Jeff Berkowitz: Not all, I’m saying, but some state legislators?

Pat Brady: Yes. some were there.

Jeff Berkowitz: Can you name them?

Various State Legislators attended the meeting

Pat Brady: Beth was there. Beth Coulson. My cousin- [State Rep.] Dan Brady was there. [State Senator and Republican Primary guv candidate Bill Brady (Bloomington) ] was there. [Leader] Tom Cross. Who else. [Cook County Commissioner] Liz Gorman. A representative from [State Rep.] Roger Eddy. A representative from the Congressional delegation.

Focus not on the 10th CD

Jeff Berkowitz: So, the focus wasn’t at all on the 10th Cong. District?

Pat Brady: No, not at all.

Chairman Steele stays neutral

Jeff Berkowitz: And, I take it Michael Steele is staying neutral in the 10th Cong. District.

Pat Brady: Absolutely. The focus is completely on a big picture approach to winning seats from top to bottom in Illinois.

Jeff Berkowitz: Meaning State and Federal?

Pat Brady: Yup.

Jeff Berkowitz: Anything new come out in terms of a slice on how the Republicans are going to play it in Illinois in terms of winning seats? Retaining seats?

Pat Brady: I’m sorry. Couldn’t hear you. In terms of what?

Jeff Berkowitz: In terms of either retaining or winning seats? Any particular newsworthy slice as to—

State GOP anticipates pick-ups

Pat Brady: Just that they anticipate-- I didn’t hear any numbers on pick ups in the House and in the Senate-- Tom and Chris didn’t give specific numbers. I know there are seventeen contested races in the [State] House and I don’t know how many there are in the Senate. It was just more that they anticipate pick-ups.

Jeff Berkowitz: Is the National Republican Party going to be able to assist—that’s only in the general election, I imagine.

Pat Brady: Just in the general [election], yeah.

Jeff Berkowitz: Are they planning to assist in the U. S. Senate race? And in the Gubernatorial race?

Help all up and down the ticket

Pat Brady: Yes, throughout the State, from the Senate on down. It was interesting. The Chairman made a point of it. Absolutely, we want to help with the Senate race because that’s a big national focus. But, equally important to him is getting the lower seats—because he is a former County Chairman, a Lt. Governor [Maryland] and local guy and he wants to make sure there are going to be resources to help all up and down the ticket.

Jeff Berkowitz: I think that’s…

Pat Brady: The 10th [CD], that was just flat out wrong. The 10th was never that. This whole meeting was just the way I described it. It was not as it was reported in Politico. They were completely, 100% wrong.

Jeff Berkowitz: Politico reported that---

Pat Brady: Yeah, Politico had a big article. Even Joe Ryan [Daily Herald] put something in there about Beth Coulson. It just wasn’t. That’s not what it was, at all.

Jeff Berkowitz: Do you expect [Beth] to say anything or do anything to kind of—

A honest screw-up by a Coulson staffer

Pat Brady: No, I think it was an honest screw up, mistake by a staffer so that’s why I don’t want to hang anybody out to dry—too much.

A Republican Primary front-runner in the 10th CD?

Jeff Berkowitz: Do you have any impressions on who is the [Republican] front-runner in the 10th Cong. District?

Pat Brady: I do not. Do you?

Jeff Berkowitz: I’m—

Pat Brady: I don’t. I’m really-- a run of good candidates.

Jeff Berkowitz: Well, I think four. I think there are four major candidates [Bill Catigan, Beth Coulson, Bob Dold and Dick Green]. I don’t think it’s going to go beyond that.

Pat Brady: Yeah. I’m for the winner, man.
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More than 116 of our shows from the last two years are posted on the Public Affairs YouTube page . Our most recent shows w/ Democratic Primary 7th CD candidate, Chicago Ald. Sharon Denise Dixon [24th Ward]and Democratic Primary State Comptroller candidate Clint Krislov are now streaming.
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Friday, November 20, 2009

10th CD Candidate Rep. Coulson meets today with RNC Chairman Steele, Republican Leaders Cross and Radogno and State GOP Chairman Brady

Video links added on Friday at 12:45 pm (CST)
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The Coulson campaign sent out a press release late yesterday afternoon indicating that 10th Cong. District Republican Primary candidate Beth Coulson is joining Illinois House Republican Leader Tom Cross, Illinois Senate Republican Leader Chris Radogno and Illinois Republican Party Chairman Pat Brady in a meeting with RNC Chairman Michael Steele to talk about the upcoming midterm elections in Illionois and how to keep the 10th CD in Republican hands.

The Coulson Press release quoted State Rep. Coulson, “as welcoming the opportunity to meet with Chairman Steele to discuss how the Illinois Republican Party can compete in many of the state elections and how we can keep this seat in Republican control.”

10th CD candidate and State Rep. Coulson noted to this reporter in a phone conversation last night that she would not just be discussing the 10th CD with Chairman Steele but they would be discussing how Republicans can win in many districts.

House Republican Leader Tom Cross noted in the press release that he had already endorsed the 13 year veteran state legislator, Rep. Beth Coulson, to replace Cong. Mark Kirk in the 10th CD seat he has held for nine years.
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When asked last night by this reporter if he thought the meeting by Chairman Steele with Rep. Coulson was showing some kind of favoritism that might be inappropriate, 10th CD candidate Bill Catigan (R-Winnetka) said, “if he does, I don’t think it will have the intended effect. There are no more independent group of voters than the Republicans in the 10th Congressional District. If [Chairman Steele] were to make an endorsement, I don’t know that most people would give it great weight.”

When asked by this reporter if he would be thrilled and honored if former 10th CD Congressman John Porter [1979-2000] were to endorse him, Candidate Cadigan said, “John Porter is someone with a record of involvement in the Community. for …35 years and no one knows this District better than John Porter. I think national figures who don’t live here who come in and make observations based on self-serving statements of candidates shouldn’t be given as much weight as people locally.”
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Thursday, November 19, 2009

10th CD Republican Candidate State Rep. Beth Coulson to meet with RNC Chairman Michael Steele.

10th CD Republican Primary Candidate State Rep. Beth Coulson (R-Glenview) is scheduled to meet tomorrow afternoon, in the Chicago Loop, with RNC Chairman Michael Steele.

It is not known by this journalist if Chairman Steele will be meeting on this trip to Chicago with any other 10th CD candidates.

Coulson is vying for the 10th CD Republican nomination with three other major candidates: Small businessman Bob Dold (Kenilworth); Wealthy financial sector entrepreneur Dick Green (Winnetka); and attorney Bill Cadigan (Winnetka). Ari Friedman, a retired military officer and peditrician entered the race recently and it is thought that it might have been too late for Friedman to become a credible contender. Patricia Bird and Paul Hamann are not thought to have a serious chance to win the nomination.

On the Democratic side, the major contenders are Dan Seals (who was the Democratic nomninee for the 10th CD seat in 2006 and 2008) and 11th year State Rep. Julie Hamos (Evanston).

The current 10th CD incumbent, Cong. Mark Kirk (R-Highland Park), who has held the seat since 2000, is expected by most knowledgeable pundits to win, farily easily, the 2010 Republican Primary nomination for the U. S. Senate and is the current, slight favorite to win the general election contest in the fall over State Treasurer Giannoulias, Former Chicago Inspector General David Hoffman or former Chicago Urban League President Cheryle Jackson.
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Gov. Pat Quinn to Dan Hynes: I’m the Governor and you’re not; Hynes to Quinn: "It's about leadership, Pat."

Text revised significantly and supplemented, and video links added, at 1:00 pm on Thursday.
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There is not a lot of daylight between Quinn and Hynes whether it is tax policy, healthcare policy, state treatment of illegal immigrants, spending priorities, education policy, job growth policy or whatever. The views of Quinn and Hynes are consistently liberal and virtually identical on most issues to those of the other. Hynes' emphasis on his preference, long term, for a progressive income tax is a difference with Gov. Quinn that is more apparent than real.
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Jeff Berkowitz: What substantive difference do you see between you and Dan Hynes on healthcare policy.

Gov. Pat Quinn: Well, I think I am the Governor and he wants to be Governor and I think the person who is Governor has a good record at fighting for fundamental reforms this year; we got a very far reaching insurance reform that allows healthcare consumers who are not treated properly by an insurance company who have a grievance to have an independent review of their denied care. I think this could make a big difference for a lot of families in Illinois and I was the Governor who got that done and I look forward to doing many more things like that.

Jeff Berkowitz: But, fundamentally on policy, you’re in agreement with Dan Hynes, aren’t you?

Gov. Pat Quinn: I’m the Governor. You know, people can agree with me. I’m the one who is doing all these things every day. That’s how it works.
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Exchange between Berkowitz and Gov. Quinn (D-IL) after yesterday's Campaign for Better Health Care Debate between Gov. Pat Quinn and his primary challenger State Comptroller Dan Hynes.
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After debating for over an hour, starting at 8:00 am yesterday at the Union League Club of Chicago, and then holding separate post game media availabilities, Gov. Quinn and Comptroller Dan Hynes clashed once again for another hour, or so, starting around 3:30 pm and going at it for an hour before the Campaign for Better Health Care, which seems to be a fully owned subsidiary of various labor unions, along with a few medical provider groups thrown in for good measure. The debate was at the Holiday Inn at 350 North Orleans in the Loop, as a part of a meeting of the Campaign for Better Health Care, whose leaders seem to have a big time distaste for "teabaggers."

There is not a lot of daylight between Quinn and Hynes whether it is tax policy, healthcare policy, spending priorities, education policy, job growth policy or whatever. The views of Quinn and Hynes are consistently liberal and virtually identical on most issues to those of the other. Hynes' emphasis on his preference, long term, for a progressive income tax is a difference with Gov. Quinn that is more apparent than real. Quinn would like a progressive income tax, too. He just thinks his proposal for increased personal exemptions is more practical and quicker and more likely to be achievable than going the constitutional amendment route, which may not be politically feasible. To establish a true progressive income tax in Illinois, as Hynes' proposes, requires a constitutional amendment.

In contrast to the virtually identical public policy positions of Quinn and Hynes, Democratic Gubernatorial Primary candidate Ed Scanlan has significant public policy differences with Hynes and Quinn [Scanlan, a very successful trial lawyer, opposes an increase in the state income or sales tax to deal with the State's budget deficit and he has a much greater emphasis on making the State more job growth friendly]- Watch Scanlan here], but Doc Walls and Scanlan were excluded from the Union League Club of Chicago debate, based on allegedly low polling numbers. This journalist is not familiar enough with the views of Democratic Primary Gov candidate Walls to know if they would differ substantially from those of Quinn and Hynes.

As to Hynes' vaunted short-term revenue solution of an increased cigarette tax, closing tax loopholes, an expanded sales tax and an increase in the casino tax, Quinn is not conceptually opposed to any of that and has proposed or supported much of the same, at one time or another [Indeed, when Quinn opposed Blagojevich's proposed Gross Receipts Tax, Quinn argued, instead, for closing "loopholes," to the corporate income tax]. Gov. Pat Quinn, again, may question the current political feasibility, but not desireability, of some of those measures proposed by Dan Hynes.

Hynes responds to the above volleys of Quinn by saying that Quinn is not providing the requisite "Leadership," to accomplish the spending and revenue priorities and budget needed to support Democratic goals and program. So, at the end of the day and the debate, we are back to where we started: Not a lot of difference between Quinn and Hynes on public policy substantive issues. Hynes to Quinn: It's about leadership, Pat. Quinn to Hynes: Yeah, I'm leading by being Governor every day, as I have been doing for the last ten months, what are you doing to solve the state's problems?

One significant item on which a Quinn-Hynes difference exists is pension reform policy and this difference was highlighted during yesterday's post Union League Club of Chicago debate media availability with Hynes. Hynes argued vigorously, when challenged by the media, that the State should not move toward a defined contribution pension for new state employees, while keeping its defined benefit system for current employees.

Such a change would save tens of billions of dollars for the state in the next two to three decades, making the state's public sector pensions solvent. Quinn says he supports such a change in the State's pensions with its government employees, including teachers. Hynes thinks that would be an inappropriate treatment of new teachers and other new state government employees.
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More than 114 of our shows from the last two years are posted on the Public Affairs YouTube page . Our most recent show w/ Democratic Primary State Comptroller candidate Clint Krislov is now streaming.
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Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Almost as good as the late John Callaway w/the late Harold Washington:Berkowitz w/ 7th CD Candidate Ald. Sharon Denise Dixon; Cable and soon streaming

This week's Chicago Metro Suburban edition of "Public Affairs," features 2010 7th Cong. Dist. Democratic Primary candidate Chicago Ald. Sharon Denise Dixon (D-24th Ward)

The Chicago Metro Suburban airing schedule for Public Affairs is included, below. The show was recorded on Sunday, November 15, 2009.
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You can soon watch the show with Ald. Dixon on your computer here.
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Chicago Ald. Sharon Denise Dixon is a candidate in the 7th Cong. Dist. Democratic Primary. Cong. Danny Davis, a thirteen year incumbent, filed for both President of the Cook County Board and for re-election in the 7th CD. After he saw the competition in the Cook County Board President race, he apparently decided, a week after filing, to withdraw from the race for President of the Cook County Board. So, the real question is- why did Cong. Davis file for County Board President? Why, indeed.

In addition to Ald. Dixon, a number of candidates have apparently decided to stay in the 7th CD race, including Deputy Cook County Recorder of Deeds Darlena Williams-Burnett, Businessman Jim Ascot, Businesswoman Joyce Washington and Rev. Hatch. Senator Hendon has dropped out to run for Lt. Governor. State Reps. Ford and Collins have dropped out to run for re-election. It is interesting that Cong. Davis has attracted three African-American females to oppose his re-election. Some have suggested there might be a “ringer,” or two in that group. Someone filing mainly to drain votes from someone else? That type of thing has been known to happen in Chicago politics.
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Ald. Dixon is a smart, thoughtful candidate who knows the public policy issues and she knows politics, as well. She came up in politics via the grassroots, upsetting a 12 year incumbent Alderman in the 24th Ward more than two years ago. She is looking for a repeat in February, as she seeks to upset a 13 year incumbent congressman, Danny Davis.

Ald. Dixon debates and discusses a broad range of domestic and foreign policy issues with show host and executive legal recruiter Jeff Berkowitz on this week’s suburban edition of “Public Affairs.” Topics discussed include was the military guilty of political correctness in dealing with Major Hasan? If President Obama asks for a resolution supporting 40,000 additional troops for the war in Afghanistan, should Congress give it to him? Was General Casey wacky on diversity and the Ft. Hood shooting? Should illegal immigrants be included in the Obama healthcare reform plan? Should residents in the City of Chicago have greater choice from charter and voucher schools? Is the Obama economic stimulus program working? Should abortion be permitted in the third trimester if a woman’s life is not at issue? Should taxes be increased or decreased? Should we allow same sex marriage? Should we bring back the ban on assault weapons? Should citizens in the City of Chicago be allowed to possess a handgun in their homes? Outside their homes? And much, much more.
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The Chicago Metro suburban episode of "Public Affairs with Jeff Berkowitz," featuring this week's guest, 2010 7th Cong. District Democratic Primary candidate Chicago Ald. Sharon Denise Dixon (D-24th Ward), airs 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.

and tonight, 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 tonight, 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.
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The Public Affairs show featuring Ald. Sharon Denise Dixon a candidate for U. S. Representative from the 7th Cong. Dist. in the Democratic Primary, also airs on Monday night (Nov. 30) throughout the City of Chicago at 8:30 pm on Cable Ch. 21
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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. *************************************************************
More than 114 of our shows from the last two years are posted on the Public Affairs YouTube page .
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Monday, November 16, 2009

Better than Stephanopoulos w/ Hillary Clinton: Berkowitz w/Democratic Illinois Comptroller Candidate Clint Krislov; Cable and Soon Streaming

Clint Krislov: No, I’m not waffling. I’m telling you when people get their pension doubled or tripled and then move out of state, so that they can receive their pension and start working somewhere else now and they never have to pay Illinois tax on that, that’s a concern.
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Ed. Note: Is Krislov waffling? You can watch the whole show and be the judge of that. For more on this general issue, See the comments of the Chicago Tribune's Eric Zorn and Berkowitz here.
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As the saying by Woody Allen goes, “90% of life is just showing up.” So, [Democratic Comptroller candidates Krislov and Krishnamoorphi are getting "Public Affairs," grades in the 90% and up range, which are very good grades. State Rep. David Miller? So far, not so good.
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The "Public Affairs," show featuring Clint Krislov, Candidate in the 2010 Democratic Primary for Comptroller, is airing tonight, Nov.16 on cable in Aurora and surrounding areas at 7:30 pm on ACTV-10. The program also airs at 3:30 pm tomorrow and Wednesday in Aurora and surrounding areas (New regular slots for "Public Affairs"). 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.

The "Public Affairs," show featuring Clint Krislov, Candidate in the 2010 Gubernatorial Democratic Primary, will also air throughout the City of Rockford (and in surrounding areas) this Thursday night, November 19 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.

All of the above are regular airing slots for "Public Affairs."
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You can also soon watch the show with Clint Krislov on your computer.
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For more about this week's show with Clint Krislov please go here.
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Raising taxes and fairness

Clint Krislov (D-Wilmette), Candidate for State Comptroller: What Krislov says is that before you can ask people to raise their taxes, you’ve got to make the system fair, you’ve got to make it so that it’s not just the taxpayers who are the sucker in this game…

Jeff Berkowitz: How do you make it fair?

Clint Krislov (D-Wilmette): You eliminate the double and triple dippers, people who are able to leave employment at age 60 and make, three pensions, more than they ever made when they were working for the State and local—
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Clint Krislov: …the Comptroller should be the taxpayer’s, the citizen’s watchdog.
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The Comptroller's bully pulpit and expressing concerns.

Jeff Berkowitz: …if you were the State Comptroller, would you use the bully pulpit to say, “You know, it would be fairer if people earning retirement benefits, pension benefits had that income taxed [by the State of Illinois].”

Clint Krislov: It would be something you would have to consider

Jeff Berkowitz: But, you’re not taking a position?

Clint Krislov: Well, you know—

Jeff Berkowitz: You’re waffling.

Clint Krislov: No, I’m not waffling. I’m telling you when people get their pension doubled or tripled and then move out of state, so that they can receive their pension and start working somewhere else now and they never have to pay Illinois tax on that, that’s a concern.
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Ed. Note: Is Krislov waffling? You can watch the whole show and be the judge of that. For more on this general issue, See the comments of the Chicago Tribune's Eric Zorn and Berkowitz here. But, whatever you think about the above colloquy, most importantly, Clint Krislov showed up. One of his Democratic Primary opponent’s, Raja Krishnamoorthi, is also scheduled to show up and tape the show this Sunday.

But another Primary opponent of Krislov's, Rep. David Miller, is guilty, so far, of a much worse sin. Team Miller has not responded to our repeated invitations to schedule a time for Rep. Miller to tape the show. As the saying by Woody Allen goes, “90% of life is just showing up.” So, Krislov and Krishnamoorphi are getting "Public Affairs," grades in the 90% and up range, which are very good grades. Rep. Miller? so far, not so good.
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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. *************************************************************
More than 114 of our shows from the last two years are posted on the Public Affairs YouTube page. *********************************************************************

Better than Olbermann w/Palin: Berkowitz w/Dem. Gov. Candidate Ed Scanlan; On Cable tonight in Chicago, now Streaming

Ed Scanlan [Democratic Primary candidate for Governor]: ... we ought to be trying to lure businesses into Illinois by giving them a tax Holiday…and then also trying to make our climate in Illinois one that businesses will want to come to. What they are doing is precisely the opposite. watch show with Ed Scanlan

Jeff Berkowitz: Who are they?

Ed Scanlan [D-Oak Park]: Governor Quinn and Comptroller Hynes. [They] are doing just the opposite.
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You can now watch the show with Ed Scanlan on your computer, as well as on Cable (See below).
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From Public Affairs w/Jeff Berkowitz, taped on Sunday, Nov. 1, 2009, and airing in the City of Chicago on "Public Affairs," tonight on Cable Ch. 21 at 8:30 pm. For more about tonight's show with Democratic Primary Gubernatorial candidate Ed Scanlan, including a partial transcript, please go here.
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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. *************************************************************
More than 114 of our shows from the last two years are posted on the Public Affairs YouTube page .
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Sunday, November 15, 2009

New Trier, Northfield and Wheeling Republican organization endorsement sessions: Quotes and Totals

New Trier Republican Organization endorsment session

“It’s fantastic to get the endorsement of the New Trier Republican Organization (“NTRO,”) said Kenilworth’s 10th CD candidate Bob Dold yesterday. It’s a thoughtful organization- true honor to get their endorsement. There are twelve organizations like this in the 10th CD, but there are only four are five that will actually endorse… We got the Elk Grove endorsement so we are two for two. [Subsequently, it was determined that both Northfield and Wheeling did not endorse anyone in the 10th CD, see below].

Gubernatorial candidate Andy McKenna, Jr. said yesterday, “Well, I am pleased to be endorsed by NTRO [dual endorsement with Dan Proft], it is a great organization.” When this reporter asked if he was now the front-runner, Andy McKenna said, “You know, we are really having fun with this race…we are pleased with the momentum we are having. There are 80 days to go and we love competition and there’s a lot ahead of us.” When asked what he saw as the key issue in the campaign, McKenna said, “It’s the one I spoke about today, this outrageous spending and outrageous debt. People in Illinois are deeply troubled by a government that’s about to collapse and it all happened because of bad leadership. And people want common sense, simple, courageous leadership that will make decisions to rein it in. We’re not headed for a fiscal, rainy day, we’re headed for a fiscal Katrina and I’m just going to fix it. If that means tough decisions and a one-term governor, I’ll do it. I want to fix the problem.”

This reporter asked McKenna if he could control it all by spending cuts or does he have to consider a revenue or tax increase? McKenna said, “Illinois taxpayers gave Illinois more and more revenue. It is just that the leaders down there spent faster than the tax dollars came in and we have to live within our means.”

Jim Dodge was elated about winning the NTRO endorsement, noting that he had also won his home township, Orland Township, and that he picked up a straw poll victory in Milton township in DuPage, won unanimously in Schaumburg Township and he was expecting “some support out in Will County, as well.” Dodge said he thought, “people were responding to the idea of making a clean break with the politics of the past so that we can move forward.” Dodge said, “the people remember, whether it is fair or unfair to Judy, how she was tied to George Ryan by Blagojevich… and frankly the whole Alan Keyes thing happened on her watch as State Party Chairman.” When this reporter asked Dodge if he thought taxes should be increased, he said, “Absolutely not, emphatically not. Worse possible move.” I asked, “You don’t think there should be an increase in the income tax or sales tax for the next four years? Dodge said there should not be such an increase. He said the State spends too much money. When this reporter asked if Dodge could find ten billion dollars to cut since he said there was a ten billion dollar deficit, Dodge said, “Yes, [but] it’s not necessarily the Comptroller’s job, the comptroller’s role would be to get the facts right, so that the legislature, who ultimately controls the dollars, and the Governor, have a clear set of facts.”

Tolbert Chisum, NTRO Committeeman, speaking yesterday from the Winnetka Community House, the site of the endorsement session, said that in the Republican gubernatorial primary, Dan Proft won the first vote, 25 to 20 over McKenna, Jr. with the remaining votes being splintered among the other candidates and that the run-off between Proft and McKenna resulted in a tie at 32 votes each, meaning that NTRO would make a dual endorsement. Chisum said he had been neutral in the race for Governor and now that his organization has endorsed Proft and McKenna, he would be supporting them both.

Chisum acknowledged that McKenna, who had lived, with his family, in Glenview for many years, was kind of the hometown guy and “much better known there than Proft,” in his organization’s endorsement vote. This reporter asked Committeeman Chisum if Proft would get some notoriety out of this since he had tied a guy who was from the area and has been running big time TV ads. Chisum responded that this tie told him “Proft was representing his views very well and that people are hearing what he has to say.” When I asked Tolbert if he thought this meant “Proft had a shot at getting the Republican Party nomination,” Tolbert Chisum just laughed and said, “Thank you, Jeff, I’m not going to go there, I am only dealing with New Trier.”

NTRO Committeeman Chisum said the 10th CD vote was a surprise in that Bob Dold won it on the first ballot with about 52 %. [Chisum said it was 36 votes for Dold, 20 for Dick Green and 11 for State Rep. Beth Coulson, with Bill Cadigan getting 3 or 4 votes]. Chisum said the big surprise was Coulson’s third place performance because a lot of people thought she was the favorite because “She is the current State Rep. for the 17th Dist. and well known in this area…we’ve supported her thru New Trier strongly the last three elections and she has more name recognition than anyone but again Robert Dold had a strong showing- this is his home territory so his message is clear-- and Dick Green also made a strong showing…”

Committeeman Chisum said that Cong. Mark Kirk, who grew up in New Trier Township and is its Congressman, picked up the U. S. Senate endorsement, getting 94% of the vote, with several of his conservative opponents getting one or two votes each.

Jim Dodge picked up the NTRO endorsement over Topinka for Comptroller.

Northfield Township Republican Organization endorsement session

In Northfield Township, Cook County Comm. Goslin received the endorsement but the organization did not endorse anyone for Governor [McKenna, the top vote getter], Lt. Gov. [Plummer, the top vote getter], 10th CD [Coulson, the top vote getter], or Comptroller [Topinka, the top vote getter], as no one received the requisite two thirds for endorsement in those races.

Wheeling Township Republican Organization endorsement session

There was no endorsement for Governor, although Dillard received the largest vote total in the third round (46) to Brady’s 33, but Dillard did not have the requisite 60% for an endorsement.

For Lt. Gov., the local native son Sen. Matt Murphy received 41 votes to downstate Jason Plummer’s 40 votes in the third ballot, but again that was insufficient for the endorsement.

For 10th CD, Bill Cadigan was the top vote getter in the third round, with 43 to Dold’s 40 votes, but again that was insufficient for an endorsement.

In the U. S. Senate race, Pat Hughes edged out Cong. Mark. 43 to 38 in the third round vote totals, but again, that was insufficient for an endorsement.

Jim Dodge picked up the endorsement for Comptroller over Topinka, winning 53 votes to 25 in the second round.
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Thursday, November 12, 2009

To improve Cook Cty democracy, Gov.Quinn holds a Strange, Saturday, Sabbath Stroger Presser—but it was not about Stroger, or Stroger's tax- or was it?

A strange Saturday Sabbath with Gov. Quinn

It was a strange Saturday afternoon at the Thompson Center in the Chicago Loop this past weekend. The few media who showed up in the Blue Room on the 15th Floor for the Press Conference called by Governor Quinn to watch him sign some new legislation were treated to a University of Chicago reform seminar. Yup, it was Poly Sci 101, goo goo style, with Professor Quinn presiding, flanked by his teaching assistants, State Rep. Walker (D-Arlington Heights) and Senator Kotowski.(D-Park Ridge). Senator Noland (D-Elgin) and Rep. Zalewski (D- Summit) were kind of auditing the course-- in attendance, but not really participating. All the show was missing was the reform movement's defrocked Larry Bloom.

Many of the less tutored thought that various Democratic legislators were concerned about the negative image President Stroger is giving the Democratic Party. To such legislators, President Stroger stands for higher Cook County sales taxes, perhaps the highest in the nation, which upsets consumers, employers and employees (voters all) in Cook County who think business and low priced products are being driven out of Cook County, taking with them jobs. Indeed, earlier this year, when appearing on Public Affairs, it seemed that Rep. Walker had that point of view. See here. [Rep. Walker: 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.”]

Stroger enablers no more: the Democratic Party is now about reform?


The legislation, recently passed, which lowers the requisite percentage of Cook County Board members to override President Stroger’s veto from 80% to 60%, was thought by most to be intended, specifically, to allow the County Board to repeal the much maligned increase in the County sales tax.

When the media showed up on Saturday, they were surprised to learn that Gov. Quinn never really focuses on an individual, such as Todd Stroger or Dan Hynes. For Pat Quinn, Illinois’ only Governor in the 21st Century not to have been indicted, changing the override legislation for Cook County was akin to cleaning up an historical, legislative anomaly. Indeed, it was as if Gov. Quinn had said Saturday was about insuring a more perfect union of the one hundred two counties, only one of which, Cook, had been out of sync with its 80% veto override requirement.

Walker and Kotowski: no politics, please

Same with Rep. Walker and Senator Kotowski. For them, the Saturday afternoon signing ceremony was really just another effort at reform, viewed almost as a glorious, but abstract, concept. Yes, Rep. Walker conceded that the increase in the Cook County sales tax was quite bad for the economy in the District he represents, but he couldn’t really say how much the sales tax increase should be rolled back. That was for others to decide. State Rep. Walker had not gotten “that deep into the numbers to say which is the right solution.” Walker had signed up for the poly sci seminar, not the math seminar.

And, of course, neither Sen. Kotowski nor Rep. Walker was much concerned about the politics of the situation. Like Captain Renault in Casablanca, they would be shocked to discover that politics was going on- by politicians holding a presser on a Saturday afternoon- in the blue room. And, to the media’s surprise, no Democrats in the Blue Room had heard anything about Speaker Madigan bottling up, for months, the veto override legislation. Yup, in the University of Chicago seminar view of the making of public policy, it is all about goo-goo goodness, sweetness and reform. Politics at the Thompson Building? Who would have thunk such a thing?

Cook County Comm. Tony Peraica (R-Land of Topinka) showed up and even took to the lectern, after the Dems finished, to provide a counter-lecture, suggesting that yes, the Democrats were indeed worried about encountering the wrath of the people upset about Stroger’s tax and other antics-- and the corruption of the now impeached, arrested and indicted former Governor, Rod Blagojevich. Blago, of course, is affectionately known by one of the seven Republican candidates for Governor, Andy McKenna, Jr. as “Hair.” And, that is the most substantive statement to come out of McKenna’s nascent campaign, to date,

Peraica contended, essentially, that the Democrats were trying to enable a repeal of the County sales tax, to save their political hyde.

Senator Kotowski responded to Comm. Peraica that his feelings were hurt that Tony would even suggest such.

And, the media present were shamed for daring to suggest same.

Finally, it was rumored that all the pols present were being considered for the faculty of the school of journalism at the University of Chicago, should such a school be started.

And, if you would like to read about Saturday’s Seminar, an actual, partial transcript of the press conference at the Thompson Center is included, below.
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Jeff Berkowitz: Governor, Senator Kotowski said this wasn’t a matter of party, Democratic or Republican. I think a number of Republicans would argue what is going on [at this bill signing, reducing the vote required to override a Cook County Board President veto from 80% to 60%] is at least, in part, an effort by the Democrats to inoculate their State legislators …on the Northwest side of Chicago in particular and in the Northwest suburbs from the wrath of the voters with regard to Blagojevich, Todd Stroger, public corruption and indeed, they would argue, the Democratic Party in general. What do you say to them?

Gov. Quinn [D-IL]: Well, that sounds like a lot of words about something very specific. I think you should have a three fifths rule [for] the override of an Executive action at the County level in Cook County the way you have at the State level regarding the Governor and the Legislature. I think it is just simple, direct democracy and so…

Jeff Berkowitz: Could we get the response of, in particular, Senator Kutowski and Rep. Walker as to whether they think—

Gov. Quinn: Their political philosophy?

Jeff Berkowitz: No, as to whether they think this is a Todd Stroger concern because I think I have heard them talk about that, indeed, Mark Walker, when he was walking the precincts to get elected [in 2008] told me, the voters asked him “What are you going to do—when you go down to Springfield—about Todd Stroger?” So, I’d kind of like to hear [from Rep. Walker about that].

Gov. Quinn: I’d just like to say about myself. I don’t do anything in this office…that’s directed at any one person. I don’t believe in that. I don’t. People call me names. It’s water off a duck’s back, as far as I’m concerned…I’m not signing this bill to be directed at any one person or elected official…

State Rep. Mark Walker: That’s a very interesting question. As I go door to door, I hear all kinds of opinions expressed. …As far as my personal opinion of Todd Stroger, I’ve never met the man. I understand he is a very nice man. What I talked about with my constituents was what is going on in Cook County and what they talked about was the Stroger tax increase. So, I focused on the financial issues and I focus on what it is doing to the economy in my area. We have a lot of businesses that have moved outside of Cook County. We have a tremendous amount of shoppers that have crossed borders to buy…You can talk to anyone who lives in our area. They will tell you where they go so as not to shop in Cook County. I think that is simply bad policy and that’s why I pushed for this bill.

Monique Garcia [Chicago Tribune]: Do you think that that tax should be repealed…

Rep. Walker: I will leave that up to the [Cook County] commissioners. I understand that they have tried to cut the increase [in the added Cook County one cent sales tax] in half. I understand they have tried to take one per cent away. I am not that deep into the numbers to say which is the right solution.

Jeff Berkowitz: When you say that is bad policy, I thought you meant the tax increase that Todd Stroger pushed for and got. And, now you say, you don’t know if they should repeal it. So, what do you mean by bad policy?

Rep. Walker: Again, what I did say, not what you just said. What I did say was that I support reducing the tax. It’s up to them as to the question whether it should be the full amount or part of it—I leave that up to the commissioners.

Monique Garcia: But, you think that some portion should be—

Rep. Walker: That’s my perspective. But, again, it’s not my job to make that decision.

Jeff Berkowitz: Well, is it that the differential [between the Cook County tax and the tax in surrounding areas] is bad policy and you are not sure how much that differential should be? You said something was bad policy—what is it?

Rep. Walker: I think the tax increase that was passed has been destructive to the economy of my area.

Another reporter: It is undeniable, though, is it not that the driving force behind this move has been the sales tax reform, isn’t this why you’re here? Isn’t this why you’re signing this into law?

Rep. Walker: I would say to that. The driving force behind is, at least from my perspective, is a belief by my constituents that I talk to is that there is a lot wrong in Cook County, that they want to be better represented in Cook County, that there are issues- at least perceived issues of corruption, of mismanagement, of waste, of tax policy and they want to be better represented and I think one way to get them better represented is to give the commissioners more power of a systemic point of view.
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Senator Kotowski: …this is the type of initiative that needs to get passed to insure that, as Rep. Walker talked about, when you talk to somebody at their door, they don’t feel as powerless as they have felt in the past. This is a very important empowering piece of legislation; it’s an empowering law and we’re here to try to support it.

Jeff Berkowitz: …it was argued in the media that Speaker Madigan, also Chairman of the Illinois Democratic Party, was bottling up this effort [to reduce the percentage of Cook County board members required to override a veto by the President] for a long time. For some reason, he relented. So, if it is not about Party [as you suggest], it’s about reform- and it was said that Speaker Madigan was doing that because he did not want to upset Todd Stroger and perhaps the African-American community. Do you have any response to that? Do you think Speaker Madigan was bottling this up and why was he doing that?

Senator Kotowski: I don’t have a window into the workings of all people’s minds…I have a window into my own mind. Any, my own mind is that I worked with my colleague and my teammate Mark Walker on an initiative that we thought was good government. And, we worked very, very hard and we introduced one initiative and this is what happens in Springfield- sometimes something has an opportunity to get passed and you just keep pushing and pushing and pushing until it becomes law. That’s just simply what happened here. We refused to give up and good government is going to happen.
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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. *************************************************************
More than 114 of our shows from the last two years are posted on the Public Affairs YouTube page .
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