Crain's Greg Hinz omits the Andy McKenna, Jr.State GOP chairmanship/performance issue from his Report on the Illinois Republican Party

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

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

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

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

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

State GOP and Roskam/Kirk wins

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

Incomplete reporting by Hinz of Robling’s comments

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

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

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

Ibendahl/Rauschenberger and McKenna

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

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

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

Jeff Berkowitz: Time for Andy McKenna to go?

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

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

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

MacDougal and McKenna

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Lance Trover, the State GOP’s Communications Director (who previously worked as a staffer in the communications area on the losing 2006 campaign of Judy Baar Topinka for Governor), did not respond to an email and phone call requesting his comments on this report.
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Jeff Berkowitz, Show Host/Producer of "Public Affairs," and Executive Legal Recruiter doing legal search can be reached at JBCG@aol.com. *************************************************************
"Public Affairs," is a weekly political interview show airing in Chicago on CANTV, in the Chicago metro area, Aurora and Rockford on Comcast and also often on the Illinois Channel. You can watch the shows, including archived shows going back to 2005, here.
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Recently posted shows on the Public Affairs YouTube page include shows with pundit and PR expert Chris Robling , Illinois Policy Institute Chairman and CEO John Tillman., Senator Rutherford , former Republican Primary candidate for Governor Ron Gidwitz, a show with Cong. Don Manzullo (R-Egan, 16th CD) about his no vote on the bailout, jobs, trade and other issues, and shows with Cook County Cmsr. and Obama Media Team Member Forrest Claypool and much more.
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Better than Abrams or Hannity: Berkowitz w/ Rauschenberger on Obama, Cable and Streaming

Steve Rauschenberger: If you look at [Barack Obama’s] roll call votes in Springfield, it was eight years of [Dem. Senate President] Emil Jones in a better looking suit, okay?
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Jeff Berkowitz: Cong. Mark Kirk [R-Highland Park, 10th CD] probably votes 87% of the time with Republicans and he is viewed as an Independent—give me a break, every Republican votes with Republicans and every Democrat votes with Democrats…
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Jeff Berkowitz: ... So, what do you do with a CEO when he presides over a decrease in the capitalization of a company?

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

Jeff Berkowitz: Time for [State GOP Chairman] Andy McKenna to go?
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Tonight’s City of Chicago edition of Public Affairs features former State Senator Steve Rauschenberger (R-Elgin). The show airs through-out the City tonight at 8:30 pm on Cable Ch. 21 (CANTV). See, below, for a partial transcript of tonight’s show with Senator Rauschenberger.

Among other topics discussed tonight (See here for a list of topics covered in tonight's show and a partial transcript of the show), Senator Rauschenberger compares some of the relative strengths of Senators Obama and Clinton and he assesses some of the State GOP’s major problems and discusses some solutions.

Can’t watch the show on Cable tonight? Not to worry. Go here to watch the show with Senator Rauschenberger on your computer.

This week’s suburban edition of Public Affair’s and next week’s City of Chicago edition of Public Affairs features Republican nominee for the U. S. Senate, Steve Sauerberg. To watch the Sauerberg show on your computer, go here.

Next Week’s suburban edition of Public Affairs features State Rep. Julie Hamos (D-Evanston), who chairs the House Mass Transit Committee and passed major RTA legislation last month. To watch the show with Rep. Hamos on your computer, go here. Rep. Hamos thinks she got a pretty good look at Presidential candidate Barack Obama when they were both serving in the Illinois General Assembly from 1998 to 2004 and when she was supporting and working hard to help him get elected to the U. S. Senate in 2003-04. Among other show topics, including state budget spending and tax issues, Hamos reflects on Obama’s performance in the State Senate and on what that tells us, or doesn’t, about a President Obama.

Also, tonight’s City of Aurora edition of "Public Affairs," features Senator Rauschenberger, airing at 7:30 pm tonight on Aurora Community Television on Comcast Cable Ch. 10 in Aurora and some surrounding areas: the Aurora station reaches all of Aurora, Bristol, Big Rock and parts of Oswego, Sandwich, Sugar Grove and Montgomery.
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Remember, if you're not on "Public Affairs," you are not doing politics and public policy. Just ask Hamos, Rauschenberger, Sauerberg, Chris Matthews, Hinz, Peraica, Obama, Cullerton, Oberweis, Richardson, McCain, Lauzen, Laesch, Blagojevich, Stein, Giuliani, Jesse Jackson, Jr. and 500 other political figures appearing on "Public Affairs," in the last decade, Go here and click on the Archives.
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A partial transcript of tonight’s show with Senator Rauschenberger (recorded on February 10, 2008) is included directly, below.
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Obama: A new kind of politician? Or Same old, same old?

Former Illinois State Senator Steve Rauschenberger (R-Elgin): If you are going to be the candidate of change, tell us what you are going to change. If you look at his [Obama's] roll call votes—

Jeff Berkowitz: His tone. He is not going to play games—

Steve Rauschenberger: If you look at his roll call votes in Springfield, it was eight years of Emil Jones in a better looking suit, okay? [Emil Jones is the Democratic Senate President in Illinois and also a Chicago machine pol and long time mentor of Barack Obama].

Jeff Berkowitz: That’s an unfair statement. That’s an unfair statement.

Steve Rauschenberger: He voted essentially the same—he voted the same as his legislative leader. He was not—

Jeff Berkowitz: Republicans vote like Republicans and Democrats vote like [Democrats]—

Steve Rauschenberger: You’ve got Kirk Dillard (State Senator and former DuPage County Republican Chairman) doing commercials for him—

Jeff Berkowitz: Cong. Mark Kirk [R-Highland Park, 10th CD] probably votes 87% of the time with Republicans and he is viewed as an Independent—give me a break, every Republican votes with Republicans and every Democrat votes with Democrats, Steve, how many times did you vote with the Democrats? What percentage of the time when you were there? 10%?

Steve Rauschenberger: Probably close to zero. I don’t think it was anywhere near that.

Jeff Berkowitz: Yes, so you’re [saying you’re] better than—

Steve Rauschenberger: But, I am not out there saying I am a new kind of a Republican or that I am all about change or that I am the change agent that’s going to change the status quo when I spent the last ten years playing the game.

Jeff Berkowitz: For gosh sakes, every Republican running for office this year is talking about change. Are you going to criticize them, too?

Steve Rauschenberger: Sure.

Jeff Berkowitz: Are you going to criticize Jim Oberweis in the 14th Cong. Dist. for saying that government is broken and he is going to fix it (Oberweis won two Republican primaries on Super Tuesday, making him the nominee of his Party in a special March 8, 2008 general election to replace the retired former Speaker, Cong. Hastert, as well as the nominee of his Party in the November, 2008 general election.

Steve Rauschenberger: Yes.

Jeff Berkowitz: Go ahead, tell us what is wrong with Jim Oberweis.

Steve Rauschenberger: Well, I think that that’s a bad message.

Jeff Berkowitz: All right, did you tell him that when he was running. [Ed. Note, he is still running]. Did you stand up publicly and say that?

Steve Rauschenberger: He didn’t ask me. I am out of politics.

Jeff Berkowitz: Okay.

Steve Rauschenberger: I mean, do I think mindless messages that mislead the public are good politics? No. I don’t know whether you really do or not, either. I mean I think it is time if we are going to really change things we start honestly talking about public policy that matters.
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Steve Rauschenberger: But, I mean you asked me whether his record in Springfield reflects what he says today and I said no. And, I’ll say no tomorrow and I’ll say no the next day.
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Time to fire State GOP Chairman Andy McKenna, Jr.?

Jeff Berkowitz: The State GOP has as its chairman, Andy McKenna, Jr. He has been there [as Chairman] for three years, after they booted out Gary MacDougal, for reasons unknown. Has shareholder value for the Republican Party in the State of Illinois increased under Andy McKenna, Jr.?

Steve Rauschenberger: I think the Republican Party, if you want to compare it to the stock market, is a little bit like a bank stock today. So, people don’t know whether it has been completely devalued yet.

Jeff Berkowitz: It’s gone down.

Steve Rauschenberger: It’s gone way down.

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

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

Jeff Berkowitz: Time for Andy McKenna to go?

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

Jeff Berkowitz: Should he go? Should he go?

Steve Rauschenberger: I don’t know. I don’t know.
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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. You may watch "Public Affairs," shows with Presidential Candidates Obama and McCain-- and many other pols, as well as Tonight's City of Chicago edition of Public Affairs with Sen. Rauschenberger and last week's City of Chicago edition with Crain's political columnist Greg Hinz at www.PublicAffairsTv.com
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Recently posted shows on the Public Affairs Youtube page include, among others, tonight's show in the City of Chicago and City of Aurora with Sen. Rauschenberger, assessing Barack Obama, this week's show in the suburbs with Republican U.S. Senate nominee Dr. Steve Sauerberg, discussing his opponent--Senator Durbin-- and domestic, cultural and foreign policy issues, next week's show in the suburbs featuring State Rep. Julie Hamos (D-Evanston,IL), discussing Barack Obama, as well as various Illinois Budget issues (spending, mass transit, capital budget, education, gaming and taxes) and possible 2010 Illinois gubernatorial candidates and 2010 U. S. Senate candidates (assuming Obama moves up to President in 2008) , a discussion with State's Attorney for Cook County Republican nominee Tony Peraica; and Anita Alvarez, Chief Deputy to current State's Attorney for Cook County Dick Devine and now the Democratic nominee for State's Attorney of Cook County.
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Go ahead Eric Zorn, make my day: Trundle out the heavy artillery.

Links added and post text slightly revised at 9:05 am on Tuesday.
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Eric Zorn, father of blogging in Chicago and Chicago Tribune columnist and blogger has grown tired of Jim Oberweis and suggests he commit political suicide. Follow the lead of Jack Ryan, so to speak, albeit without the sex clubs.

Far be it from me to offer advice to the Republican party, but it's pretty clear that GOP bigwigs need to figure out a way to get dairy magnate Jim Oberweis -- a.k.a. "The Milk Dud" now known as "Jim 0-fer-four" to step aside for the November election. [Emphasis supplied] Read here

For starters, who are the state GOP bigwigs? Nationally, who are the bigwigs, in terms of controlling Illinois Republican politics and pols? Those are good questions. Or, as the lawyers might object, those questions assume facts not in existence.

National Republican Committeeman from Illinois Bob Kjellander("KJ")? Would he be the kind of bigwig Zorn has in mind? When KJ is not busy worrying about whether his apparent designation as individual K in a federal public corruption plea complaint has implications for his own possible problems with the Feds, Kjellander is hoping nobody will complain too much if he stays involved in helping to plan the National Republican Party convention later this year in Minneapolis. That kind of title-- Republican social planner, at large, for the wealthy-- might keep KJ rolling in dough in his occupation as Illinois Combine lobbyist and deal closer. But he is not the kind of bigwig who should be determining our congresspeople. Ask Zorn’s colleague, Tribune columnist John Kass.

State GOP chairman Andy McKenna, Jr.? Why would he have any control over anything? The state GOP did little, if anything, to assist Oberweis in the March 8, 2008. special election. McKenna has nothing to withhold. No resources (at least none that he wants to give to candidates not under his thumb) , no ideas, no victories of his own, nada. When McKenna ran in the U. S. Senate Republican Primary in 2004, Oberweis came in second to Jack Ryan and McKenna came in fourth in a seven-candidate field. McKenna garnered 14%, spending 4.5 million dollars in the effort (including 2.5 million dollars of his own).

The NRCC donated 1.2 million to the Obeweis effort for the special election because they knew a loss would be spun by the mainstream media as another leading indicator of things to come in the fall across the entire Congress. But, come fall, the NRCC, with fewer resources than the DCCC, will be focusing on protecting its incumbents, and Oberweis certainly isn’t one of them. So, either way, Oberweis can expect little or nothing from the NRCC and the national Republican bigwigs, if there are any residing in Illinois.

State Minority House Leader Tom Cross? Is he a Zorn bigwig? Tom has done virtually nothing to expand his numbers in the House in his five years, or so, on the job. Cross help elect Oberweis? Cross could put pressure on Oberweis. That’s a laugh.

Downstate Senate minority leader Frank Watson? Watson lost five seats in 2006, spending ten days in Italy a month before the election. What kind of pressure could he put on Oberweis to resign his nomination? Zero.

Jim Edgar, an influential big wig? Edgar last won a race in 1994. Other than WTTW, one of Chicago’s public TV stations, nobody would consider Edgar a bigwig anymore.

Judy Baar Topinka, who lost for Governor to Rod Blagojevich, 49 to 40, in 2006 in an idealess campaign that was under funded and underperformed by Topinka, is perhaps the media's favorite pretend Republican bigwig. Now she seems to fill up her life and guest panels by making fairly regular visits to WTTW’s Chicago Tonight and Bruce Dupont’s Beyond the Beltway. Yet, Topinka has nobody, outside the MSM, calling her a bigwig and rightly so.

Even If Zorn could somehow convince Oberweis the above were bigwigs, why would Oberweis listen to them? None of the above has anything to withhold since none of them has anything to give. They bring little or no prestige, organization, message, status or resources to the table.

Having lost essentially a race that became a referendum on George Bush, with his opponent, Bill Foster, getting an assist from a bitter Republican Primary opponent, Senator Chris Lauzen and a bigger assist from the so called conservative Republican Chicago Tribune [See here], Oberweis is ready for Round two.

Bill Pascoe, the main honcho running the Oberweis campaign told this reporter last night when Pascoe was asked if Oberweis might withdraw from the race:

Oberweis intends to run and win. He is in it to win it.

Life can always change, but it doesn’t sound like Jim Oberweis is going to “cut and run.” No Jack Ryan is he. Jack always wondered if he had the right mettle for politics. That's not a concern for Oberweis.

Further, why should Oberweis quit the race? Oberweis won the right to run twice this year in the 14th CD. [Indeed, John Laesch, one of Foster's primary opponents, has called for a discovery recount, as he disputes whether Foster has the right to run in November, 2008.]

In his first 14th CD general election, Jim Oberweis lost by six points. Now, Team Oberweis will no doubt assess the results, figure out why they lost and set about trying to correct the deficiencies. If Foster had lost, he would do the same. The fact that Foster has not run for the Senate and Governor before and that Oberweis has run for those positions and lost really has little to do with the decision to run in November.

Does Zorn know whether Lauzen’s bitterness was a factor in Oberweis’ loss? Does Zorn know whether that can be modified or overcome? Does Zorn know whether the Tribune’s endorsement of Foster and subsequent bashing of Oberweis was a factor? Can the Tribune be persuaded to change its position? Will Foster’s voting record be as positive for Foster as Zorn suggests? Or, will it be as problematic for Foster as Dold suggested in the Tribune endorsement session? When Foster tries, again, to tie Oberweis to Bush, will Oberweis respond by tying himself to McCain? Can he do it? Will that work with independents?

We don’t know any of those answers. Not yet. That’s why we play the game, as Democratic Party strategist and Bill Foster direct mail and message guru Pete Giangreco reminds us, from time to time.

Zorn says, implicitly, one doesn’t have to play the game. Just follow Zorn's instincts and predictions.

Would Tom Cross, as Zorn suggests, be a good choice for the 14th CD Republicans? His economic conservative credentials? Talk to media pundit Dan Proft who has labeled Tom Cross Speaker Mike Madigan’s whip. His conservative national security credentials? No real evidence of that. His cultural conservative credentials? Not a chance. Indeed, the one thing that the Lauzen and Oberweis supporters would most likely agree on would be that Tom Cross should not represent the 14th CD. If you were going to try a candidate swap at this point, and if Oberweis agreed, two big ifs, a better fit than Cross for the 14th CD would be former State Senator Steve Rauschenberger (R-Elgin).

So, go ahead, Eric. Get the Republican bigwigs to pay a visit to Oberweis. Trundle out the heavy artillery. All the oldies but goodies: Edgar, Topinka and Kjellander. Maybe KJ has some of his $809, 000 Illinois Combine-Bear Stearns fee left to offer Jim to get out, assuming Tony Rezko's business partner has "paid KJ back." You see how sticky it gets, Eric, cleaning up after the bigwigs in the Illinois GOP.

When the oldies don’t work, trot out McKenna, Watson and Cross and they can document how each has improved shareholder value for the State GOP in the last three, four or five years, as the case may be. When they fail to make that case, then Zorn can argue on behalf of Cross how he would energize the 14th CD.

When that fails, trot out Pat Widder and Bruce Dold from the Tribune editorial page and they can argue how they are thrilled that Foster won because his ads were so responsible, truthful and fair; his readiness to debate Oberweis was so impressive and his transparency and responsibility were so overwhelming—unlike that bad guy, Jim Oberweis, the embodiment of evil who continues to have the audacity to run for office without the approval of the Chicago Tribune.

Last, Eric, get the Tribune to offer its 14th CD endorsement session on DVD. Most likely, Team Oberweis would buy them, distribute them to each 14th CD resident and let each voter make his own decision regarding Oberweis, Foster. and the Tribune endorsement. Now, that would be transparency.

Go ahead, Eric, make my day.
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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. You may watch "Public Affairs," shows with Presidential Candidates Obama and McCain-- and many other pols, as well as tonight's show with State Rep. Hamos, last week's show with U. S. Senate Candidate Dr. Sauerberg, our show with Sen. Rauschenberger and our show with Crain's political columnist Greg Hinz at www.PublicAffairsTv.com
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Recently posted shows on the Public Affairs Youtube page include, among others, our show with former Sen. Rauschenberger, assessing Barack Obama, last week's show in the Cities of Chicago and Aurora with Republican U.S. Senate nominee Dr. Steve Sauerberg, discussing his opponent--Senator Durbin-- and domestic, cultural and foreign policy issues, tonight's show in Chicage and Aurora featuring State Rep. Julie Hamos (D-Evanston,IL), discussing Barack Obama, as well as various Illinois Budget issues (spending, mass transit, capital budget, education, gaming and taxes) and possible 2010 Illinois gubernatorial candidates and 2010 U. S. Senate candidates (assuming Obama moves up to President in 2008) , a discussion with State's Attorney for Cook County Republican nominee Tony Peraica; and Anita Alvarez, Chief Deputy to current State's Attorney for Cook County Dick Devine and now the Democratic nominee for State's Attorney of Cook County.

Finally, Crowning Judy Baar Topinka

Tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow creeps in this petty pace from day to day to the last syllable of recorded time and all our yesterdays have lighted fools the way to dusty death. Out Out brief candle, life’s but a walking shadow, a poor player that struts and frets his hour upon the stage and then is heard no more. It is a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing.

Macbeth

So, finally, tomorrow is upon us. The crowning of Treasurer Judy Baar Topinka as the candidate of the Establishment Wing of the Republican Party in the Gubernatorial Primary. This is the day that the mainstream media have been waiting for, for what must have seemed like an eternity for them. First Jim Edgar toys with them and then dashed their fondest hopes. But, Judy—she thought and thought, and then she came through. They knew they could count on Jude.

The Establishment likes moderate Ron Gidwitz, of course. A part of the Chicago Civic Establishment, Ron has been appointed by Democrat Chicago Mayors to high level positions and has raised money by the boatload for Republicans, but the establishment would never let anyone who has never held elected office be their guy. Sorry, Ron, but untested is not what the Establishment likes.

And then there are three conservatives [or Three White boys, as Crain's Greg Hinz has called them]: State Senators Steve Rauschenberger and Bill Brady, and dairyman and money market entrepreneur Jim Oberweis. Oberweis? That problem of differing with President Bush on immigration. Sorry, Jim. A major no no. Senator Brady, not quite ready, never ran statewide before. Rauschenberger? Ran statewide, got overwhelming support from the editorial boards. but you know what, they never thought he would win-- so the Establishment could support a conservative for the U. S. Senate. Also, the Establishment didn't have any real moderates to choose from in that Senate Race. This time they do. Good night Bill. Good night Steve.

As the Chicago Tribune editorial said in contempt and disgust when Alan Keyes walked on the stage last year, the Republican Party needs more “moderate pragmatic conservatives,” and their examples of such were Big Jim Thompson [14 years as Governor], Distinguished Jim Edgar [8 years as Governor] and well, Judy Baar Topinka [11 years as Treasurer, and counting]. The Tribune decided to show some good taste and left George Ryan out of the mix. Some things are better left unsaid.

Of course, regarding Keyes, the Tribune should have said what the Republicans needed was a sensible candidate. Ideology was the least of Keyes’ problems. Try a little humanity, humility and common sense. But, that is another subject for another day. And, certainly not for tomorrow and tomorrow.

Perhaps the Tribune could be right and there could be a term “pragmatic conservative.” But, a moderate conservative? That would seem to be similar to the notion of a liberal conservative, which would seem to be an oxymoron, even as in the olden days “lady wrestler,” would be an oxymoron. Well, no more. We got lady wrestlers, galore, so to speak.

And, the Tribune’s Rick Pearson, Capitol Fax’s Rich Miller and the Sun-Times’ Lynn Sweet and Carol Marin, just to name a few—will, no doubt, breathe a sigh of relief tomorrow morning at 10:00 am.

That will be when three time winner of the State Treasurer’s Crown [the “triple crown”], Judy Baar Topinka, the epitome of “pragmatic moderate conservative,” as the Establishment wing of the Republican Party would see it, steps onto a makeshift stage at the Klas Restaurant in Cicero [perhaps ironically, Al Capone’s base of operations]. Flanked by her honorary Chairman and cheerleader, Jim Edgar, she will say a few words, answer a few questions and then, with Edgar, will be whisked to Peoria. [After all, this is not about ideas, programs, or God forbid, ideology—that would not be pragmatic].

Will Jude play in Peoria? Edgar and Judy are betting yes.
Highlights of Jude in the Gay right’s parade? Probably not for Peoria, but maybe so—remember, Peoria banned discrimination based on sexual orientation more than two years ago. Peoria today is not your grandfather’s Peoria, or even your father’s Peoria, for that matter.

In Peoria, Judy will be flanked by moderate Edgar and the hard to label [albeit holder of many conservative views] Cong. Ray LaHood, who of course will be endorsing Jude and trying to anoint Jude with the LaHood brand of downstate conservatism, the brand that deserted the Conservatives' icon in Illinois, former Senator Peter Fitzgerald, when he was contemplating a second term. No, I don’t think we will see Senator Fitzgerald, the patron saint of conservatives and maybe independents, flanking Judy tomorrow.

Of course, with LaHood rushing to Judy’s side, now we perhaps understand what his aborted run for Governor was all about.

Then Edgar and Judy fly to Marion. A little hamlet with just a few thousand more people than the North Shore's Winnetka, IL. What is there to say about Marion? I can’t think of a thing. Oh yes, it is located at the southern end of the state and it is not very North Shore.

Then Jude stops in at Springfield to measure for drapes and again is flanked by Edgar and LaHood. Hmm, wonder if Bob Kjellander will join Judy for that last stop. After all, he is a Republican National Committeeman, and we hear that Ken Mehlman and the other National Republican Leaders are going to endorse Judy before the Primary is over.

Would Mehlman’s endorsement be of help to Judy? I don’t know.

And, they must be relying on Kjellander’s assessment of the political scene. I mean, the guy does know his way around Springfield, and he knows how to do strategic consulting and strategic marketing for say, Bear Stearns, to the tune of $809,009 for a little bit of work. And a few million more dollars for making some introductions to the Pension Boards? So, why not invite Bob up on the stage with Judy and Ray and Jim. Oh yeah, I forgot, the horse farm deal with Mrs. Kjellander and Jim Edgar. OK, come on up, Mrs. Kjellander and let's make a deal.

Judy, Jim, Ray, Kjellanders—this is what’s left of the Republican Establishment-- Not much, but at least it is united at last, and ready for one last Hurrah Who are we missing? State GOP Chairman Andy McKenna, Jr., you say? They tell me Andy is Switzerland in this race, he has to be, they say. Minority Leader Tom Cross, you say? I think he is staying neutral, but I am not so sure. Speaker Hastert, you say? He may break for Judy, but not just yet. Cong. Mark Kirk? He would seem likely to join Judy, but not just yet.

Oh yes, Jim Thompson. Too bad Jim finds Blagojevich so “refreshing" , for keeping his word on taxes, but as you know, business is business. And, Blago is the Governor. It won’t be the same tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow, creeping in this petty pace, without Jim Thompson up on the stage at the end of the Day. How can you have a pragmatic moderate conservative unity day without Big Jim Thompson? I don’t know. Ask Ken Mehlman, he is the guy who seems to think he knows what is good for Illinois. Me, I just work here.
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Jeff Berkowitz, Host and Producer of Public Affairs and an Executive Recruiter doing Legal Search, can be reached at JBCG@aol.com
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Better than Berkowitz w/Obama: Berkowitz w/ Sen. Rauschenberger on Obama, Cable and Streaming

Former State Sen. Steve Rauschenberger[Watch here]: [Barack Obama] didn’t work on building that bill—any more than he worked to write the ethics legislation. He was a show pony. He was [Democratic Senate President, Chicago machine pol and Obama mentor]Emil Jones' —

Jeff Berkowitz: Well, then, who did it? Because Emil Jones didn’t do it.

Senator Steve Rauschenberger (R-Elgin): He was Emil Jones’ show pony.
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This week's suburban edition of Public Affairs features former Illinois State Senator Steve Rauschenberger (R-Elgin) reflecting, among other things, on Barack Obama's performance as a state legislator. Rauschenberger entered the state senate in 1992 as a charter member of the "Fab 5" and gave up his seat to run unsuccessfully for Lt. Gov. in the 2006 Republican Primary. Thus, his tenure in the state senate gave him an eight year overlap with now Presidential candidate Obama. One might call it a Bird's eye view of the Presidential Phenom by someone who was generally acknowledged to be one of the smarter, more reasonable and better informed Illinois legislators.
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Next week's suburban edition of "Public Affairs," features the Republican nominee for the U. S. Senate, Dr. Steve Sauerberg (R-Willowbrook). Dr. Sauerberg, who has had a family medical practice for about a quarter of a century, is fresh off of a win in a contested primary and he had a bit of a campaign team shake-up just a few days before the show's taping on Sunday, February 17. Team Sauerberg brought on a new campaign manager for the race against the Senior Senator from the State of Illinois, Dick Durbin, who is also No. 2 in the Senate Leadership to Democratic Majority Leader Harry Reid.
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The suburban schedule for Public Affairs is included, below.
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The show with Senator Rauschenberger also airs throughout the City of Chicago this coming Monday night at 8:30 pm on Cable Ch. 21 (CANTV) and in Aurora and surrounding areas on Monday night at 7:30 pm on ACTV, Cable Ch. 10.
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Former Illinois State Senator Steve Rauschenberger (R-Elgin) debates and discusses with show host and Executive Legal Recruiter Jeff Berkowitz Barack Obama's performance as a state legislator; compares the presidential capabilities of Hillary and Barack; assesses Obama as a “reformer;” assesses Obama’s judgment on the War; asks what is Obama’s “vision of change;” suggests “Obama was eight years of Senate President [and Chicago Machine Democrat] Emil Jones in a better looking suit;” assesses whether Speaker Mike beat Hot Rod on the Mass Transit bill; assesses whether the Republicans who supported the regional sales tax increase made a mistake; assesses whether the State GOP has a vision or a brand; discusses whether State GOP Chairman McKenna has increased shareholder value for the Republican Party in his three year tenure; discusses the lack of ideological balance at WTTW-- one of Chicago’s public TV stations, and much, much more.
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This show is now available for viewing on your computer at our Youtube page, 24/7. You can also watch the same Rauschenberger show here. (See, below) for more information about the Public Affairs computer airings.
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This episode of Public Affairs was taped on February 10, 2008.
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A partial transcipt of this week's suburban edition of Public Affairs is included below.
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Former State Senator Steve Rauschenberger (R-Elgin): People need to know that [state senator] Barack [Obama] was not particularly bi-partisan. His voting record and [Democratic Senate President] Emil Jones’ were about 96% exactly the same. Barack did not vote for Republican bills. Barack was not a builder. He worked together with Kirk Dillard (Republican State Senator and then DuPage County Republican Chairman; Dillard appeared in an ad that was used by Barack in the Iowa Caucus and recently in an ad that aired nationally) on a couple of major issues that were handed to him by Emil Jones…Barack talks a lot about reform, but remember when he had his chance to help change Cook County, he was there in support of Todd Stroger as a replacement for Todd Stroger’s father[Ed. note: more accurately, he did nothing to prevent the ward bosses from installing Todd as a replacement nominee for his father]; he did not argue for [reformer] Claypool or argue for the reformers on the [Cook] County Board… This was a guy who was then U. S. Senator with all the prestige in the world and he did what the Chicago machine politicians do, bunker down and stick with what works, so he wasn’t a reformer. I don’t think he was a particularly bi-partisan legislator, not to say he is not smart and charming and you know people talk about him being a visionary but you have to ask what his vision is. Besides change—I didn’t see a vision in the Illinois Senate. I certainly haven’t seen one in his term in the U. S. Senate and now for President. It’s great to be for change, but I mean changing what. I mean I think it’s time for Barack—

Jeff Berkowitz: Changing the tone, just to play a little bit of a devil’s advocate—

Steve Rauschenberger Sure.

Jeff Berkowitz: He wants to change the way business is done. He says Washington is broken. So, he wants people to work together to bring about legislation—

Steve Rauschenberger: The same way he effectively did not work together in the Illinois Senate. The same way his and Kirk Dillard’s much heralded ethics reform—there hasn’t been a single person in the State of Illinois convicted or charged under that ethics legislation. It was obviously pretty effective ethics legislation.

Jeff Berkowitz: Well, what do you mean. Maybe this shows it worked. Has it stopped improper activity?

Steve Rauschenberger Well, no, there have been eighty federal indictments in the same period that Barack and Kirk Dillard’s bill has gone nowhere.

Jeff Berkowitz: What about racial profiling? Did he champion that bill? It’s a bill that he and I spent a half hour talking about [on this set] in 2001. So, you’re not going to take that away from him.

Steve Rauschenberger No, he stuck his neck out on that and I think some people think—

Jeff Berkowitz: And, it passed and now people don’t talk about [racial profiling] so much. Racial profiling. So, apparently it has worked. At least in the driving area, which was the main area [dealt with by the bill]. Are people getting pulled over for, as they used to say for, DWB, driving while black?
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Jeff Berkowitz: Answer that one question. In 2001, he was working on that legislation. I think it passed in 2002. Would you say that since then there have been fewer instances of African-Americans and other minorities being pulled over simply because of their race or ethnicity.

Former State Senator Steve Rauschenberger (R-Elgin): I wouldn’t have any idea. But, if that was his signal—

Jeff Berkowitz: If that is the case, then it was successful.

Steve Rauschenberger: If that is his signal accomplishment in eight years in the Illinois—

Jeff Berkowitz: Not signal. But, that’s one. What about capital punishment [reform]? You just pushed [that legislation] away and said it was nothing because you said it was handed to him [Obama].

Steve Rauschenberger: Well, that was a Chicago Tribune campaign. He and Kirk Dillard carried it on the floor.

Jeff Berkowitz: Somebody had to get it done. [do the legislative job].

Steve Rauschenberger: You can give me just as much credit for capital punishment reform as you give Barack Obama.

Jeff Berkowitz: Really, were you sponsoring that legislation?

Steve Rauschenberger: No, but my point was—all he did was carry it on the floor of the Senate.

Jeff Berkowitz: He was sponsoring it.

Steve Rauschenberger: He didn’t work on building that bill—any more than he worked to write the ethics legislation. He was a show pony. He was Emil Jones—

Jeff Berkowitz: Well, then, who did it? Because Emil Jones didn’t do it.

Former State Senator Steve Rauschenberger (R-Elgin): He was Emil Jones’ show pony.

Jeff Berkowitz: Who did it?

Steve Rauschenberger: Which bill?

Jeff Berkowitz: Capital punishment.

Former State Senator Steve Rauschenberger (R-Elgin): That was written by the staff of the judiciary committee in the Illinois Senate—to the Tribune’s specifications because that was the Tribune’s big march to get their Pulitzer…
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This week’s suburban episode of Public Affairs with guest former State Senator Steve Rauschenberger (R-Elgin) airs:

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 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 this week on Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 8:30 pm airing on Comcast Cable Channel 19 in Bannockburn, Deerfield, Ft. Sheridan, Glencoe, Highland Park, Highwood, Kenilworth, Lincolnshire, Riverwoods and Winnetka. ******************************************************
Jeff Berkowitz, Show Host/Producer of "Public Affairs," and Executive Legal Recruiter doing legal search,
can be reached at JBCG@aol.com. You may watch "Public Affairs," shows with Presidential Candidates Obama and McCain-- and many other pols, as well as this week's suburban edition of Public Affairs with Sen. Rauschenberger and last week's suburban edition with Crain's political columnist Greg Hinz at www.PublicAffairsTv.com
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Recently posted shows on the Public Affairs Youtube page include, among others, this week's show in the suburbs with Sen. Rauschenberger, a discussion with State's Attorney for Cook County Republican nominee Tony Peraica; and Anita Alvarez, Chief Deputy to current State's Attorney for Cook County Dick Devine and now the Democratic nominee for State's Attorney of Cook County.
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