Monday, December 14, 2009

Berkowitz w/Comptroller Candidate Krishnamoorthi on the State's Fleet of airplanes and assessing Senate Candidate Giannoulias; Cable and Streaming

Jeff Berkowitz: But, you are not willing to make a statement here and now, saying… cut that fleet of state airplanes?

Raja Krishnamoorthi: I have to take a look at it.
****************************************
Should the State of Illinois be operating a fleet of airplanes to benefit top State Government officials and employees? Another example of the budget being cut to the bone?

Raja Krishnamoorthi (Candidate for State Comptroller in Democratic Primary): the larger point is one of what are needs, what are wants? Airplanes, a fleet of cars and vehicles. I think we have to seriously look at whether its--

Jeff Berkowitz: Can’t [the top state governmental people] take commercial flights if they have to fly? Why do they have to have the state doing it? Is that the core competency of the State to be an airline? Illinois airlines?

Raja Krishnamoorthi: I think that is a valid question. We have to take a look at it.

Jeff Berkowitz: …That is a valid question. But, what’s the valid answer? Yes or no, should they cut these things out?

Raja Krishnamoorthi: I think the valid answer is nothing is off the table. Nothing is off the table. We have to look at every single one of these expenditures.

Jeff Berkowitz: But, you are not willing to make a statement here and now, saying… cut that fleet of state airplanes?

Raja Krishnamoorthi: I have to take a look at it.

Jeff Berkowitz: When are you going to look at it? I mean the election is Feb. 2, are you going to look at it before?

Raja Krishnamoorthi: …I think the main point is that nothing is off the table. Everything is subject to cuts. Everything is subject to freezes. And, we have to take the conversation from there.
***************************************************************
Are Giannoulias' alleged mob ties an issue for Krishnamoorthi?
********************************************
Raja Krishnamoorthi: …[Treasurer Giannoulias] has not sought my endorsement…I am just not that prominent.

Jeff Berkowitz: But, you know there are issues raised about the Broadway Bank, [Giannoulias’] family bank-- draining funds recently. Lending money to mobsters, to people allegedly mobsters, when [Alexi Giannoulias] was VP, Loan Officer. Do you shrug those off as being non-issues?

Raja Krishnamoorthi: I know Alexi Giannoulias as a friend and as a individual, as a manager of a large state office, and what I know about him is that he is an excellent, excellent public servant. And, he is one of the best state treasurers in the nation.

Jeff Berkowitz: You have complete confidence in him?

Raja Krishnamoorthi: Yeah, I believe he is one of the best state treasurers in the nation.

Jeff Berkowitz: And, those allegations about what was going on in Broadway Bank when he was the VP, loan officer and loans were being made to some questionable individuals?

Raja Krishnamoorthi: I think the main point is that what I know about him has been extremely positive and I have no reason to believe in any of that other stuff.
***************************************************************
From Tonight's Public Affairs with Jeff Berkowitz, featuring Comptroller candidate Raja Krishnamoorthi, airing in the City of Chicago at 8:30 pm on Cable Ch. 21
**************************************************************************
For another partial transcript of the show and a summary of the topics discussed, please go here.

To watch our show now with Comptroller candidate Raja Krishnamoorthi, please go here.
*******************************************************************
More than 118 of our shows from the last two years are posted on the Public Affairs YouTube page . Now streaming are our most recent shows w/ Patrick Collins, former Chairman of the Illinois Reform Commission; Democratic Primary candidates: for State Comptroller, Raja Krishnamoorthi; for U. S. Senate, David Hoffman; for 7th CD, Chicago Ald. Sharon Denise Dixon; [24th Ward]and for State Comptroller, Clint Krislov.
******************* .