Episodes

Looks like it’s down to Texas to hold senate for Dems. Ben riffs. Pat Whalen delivers his theory on their litigation of politics. Has Mayor Johnson lost the north side? One answer—yes. Other answer—can’t lose what you never had. Also, MAGA censors abortion rights group in Florida. Is free speech just for MAGA? Pat is a comedian, podcaster snd impresario. His middle initial is not J. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Trying to figure out how to pay for schools, CPS and CTU discover TIF. That’s a lot of acronyms. Ben riffs. Dan P returns to talk climate change. In particular, MAGA’s contradictory attitude regarding the impact of humans on climate. They don’t believe there is an impact when it comes to heating up the world. But they do believe Dems are creating hurricanes. Also, Dan talks water issues in Chicago. Dan is a commissioner on the Water Rec Board. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Does the media have a bias against Mayor Johnson? Ben riffs. Monroe says—duh! Does a bear, well, you know how that goes. Lots of local talk. Followed by Trump talk. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In the wake of school board-gate, everyone thinks Mayor Johnson is a one termer. Ben riffs. Peter Cunningham riffs on Ben’s riff. As they continue a debate on schools and politics they’ve been having for over 20 years. Peter was a speech writer for Mayor Daley and Arne Duncan’s press secretary. Mayor Johnson might want to hire him. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Nothing illustrates the disconnect of voters from reality so much as the issue of abortion. You got voters voting for referendums to legalize abortion then turning around and voting for politicians who will do everything they can to keep it illegal. Julie Lynn explains it all. Julie is a political consultant. No one knows more about the politics of abortion than Julie. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Dems employ filibuster to keep MAGA from winning all electoral votes in Nebraska. Ben riffs. Stacy Davis Gates talks politics of funding schools, CEO Martinez, elected school board and more. That’s the local. Then she talks national politics. She’s big time for Kamala. Also Ben offers Stacy his condolences cause Northern Illinois beat her beloved Notre Dame. Stacy is the president of the Chicago Teachers Union, See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

David Faris examines the latest election news. Including...the VP debate, the curious Harris strategy, the impact of the economy and Jack Smith's latest filing. Also, a word or two about Jill Stein and the Green Party. David is a political science professor at Roosevelt University and a columnist for Slate and Newsweek. His views are his own. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Trump makes it clear that JD’s attempt to play nice guy in the debate is ancient history. Ben riffs. Mark Wallace talks facts about the state of politics in the age of MAGA. Like…”everything you have a right to do does not mean you’re right to do it.” And…”the truth is something you never need to remember.” Also, Ta-Nahesi takes a bold stand on the West Bank. Mark is a podcaster and businessman. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

You gotta go back to Bill Clinton to find a politician as slick as JD Vance. Ben riffs on last night's vice presidential debate. Monroe joins the conversation. Talking Slick JD's smooth dodge of questions on abortion and climate change. Plus, his rewriting of history on Obamacare. And the Big Daddy--his attempt to dodge the question of whether Joe Biden won the election that Joe Biden won. Also, a critical word or two or three about the Democratic nice guy approach for Tim Walz. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jimmy Carter turns 100. Ben riffs. Kam Buckner offers some millenialistic riffs on President Carter. Conversation starts national, as in Harris v. Trump. Immigration as issue. VP debate preview. Then local. Mayor Johnson "versus" Pedro Martinez. State needs to step up on funding. Finally, Bears talk. Kam played football throughout college so he knows a thing or two or three about the game. And close with Kam schooling Ben on funding for Bears stadium. Kam is the state representative from the 26th legislative district, which includes Soldier Field. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

With Labor Day behind us, voters start to wake from their slumber. Ben riffs. Keith Kelleher explains what’s at stake for unions. Analyzes the Right’s latest attempts to win over union members and gives a brief history lesson about Janus. Keith is the retired president of SEIU Healthcare. The man knows his labor history, people. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Before Kamala, before Barack, before Bernie there was Jesse. Jesse Jackson, that is. Ran a lefty campaign for president in 1984 and 1988 when all the mainstream Dems were telling Black and lefty voters—shut up, don’t embarrass us. David Masciotra tells the lessons of Jackson and how they’re more relevant than ever. David is the author of I Am Somebody—a biography of Jackson. He’s spent hundreds of hours interviewing Jackson over the years. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Rumman Hussain gets real. Talking the reality of reality TV which is…it made Trump into an icon for his cultists. And now it’s allowing Anna Sorokin to run more cons. Thanks to Dancing with the Stars. Also much love for the latest issue of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s newsletter. Rummana is an editorial writer/columnist for the Sun-Times. Her views are her own. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Chicago’s media lines up against CTU. Ben riffs. Miles Kampf-Lassin tells you all you need to know about the economic plans of Kamala Harris and Trump’s. Also, Miles on CPS, labor, and a few words about the legacy of Chicago’s own Derrick Rose. Miles is editor/writer for In These Times. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Mayor Adams of NYC indicted on corruption charges. Ben riffs. Elizabeth Austin mentions the crushes NYT columnists had for him. In particular Nate Silver. Talking Adams turns the conversation to Blago, a pol Elizabeth once wrote speeches for. Also, if policy matters how come the media outlets that say it matters paid almost no attention to Kamala Harris’s economic policy speech? And an unconventional President Biden conspiracy theory. Elizabeth is a political strategist and writer. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

MAGA wants journalists to be fair when covering Trump. Ben riffs. Monroe explains why MAGA loves Mark Robinson. A few words about Republicans who are too ashamed to admit they’re voting for Trump. We see you Brett Stephens. And then we go local. Talking about media folks who aren’t hating on Mayor Johnson. It’s basically the Triib and Ben. And Monroe, sorta. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Mick Dumke tells you everything you need to know about Michigan, the state that may determine who wins in November. Including…the politics, the divisions, the parts that are like Chicago and the parts that are like Wyoming, the legacy of Romney (George, not Mitt), Big Gretch and the significance of the mitten. Mick knows a thing or two about Michigan because it’s his home state. He is an editor for Block Club. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Rummana Hussain hates to say I told you so—but she did warn Democrats about Tulsi Gabbard, who recently enlisted in the Trump cult. Also, a few words about challenges left over after the convention. And some love for Michelle Obama. Also, a geography lesson for Ben. And an Eddie Vedder lesson for Rummana. Rummana is an editorial writer/columnist for the Sun-Times. Her views are her own. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Using Mark Robinson as an example--and, oh, what an example--David Faris explains his reverse coattails theory. Or, how Robinson's presence as MAGA's gubernatorial candidate may swing North Carolina from Trump to Harris. Somehow voters in NC can put up with Trump but not Robinson. Also, hard ball from Nebraska's MAGA crew and nice ball from Maine's Dems. David explains that, too. When will Dems ever learn? And the strategy behind MAGA's hate. David is a political science professor at Roosevelt University and a columnist for Slate and Newsweek. His views are his own. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The federal corruption trial tangentially related to former House Speaker Michael Madigan ends in a mistrial. Ben riffs. And Pat Whalen joins him. Imagine a world in which Illinois Democrats behaved like MAGA. In which Dems stood by their Nan like MAGA stands by Trump. A few words about pundits. And then it’s back to Chicago for city council analysis. Pat is a comic, actor and podcaster. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Cook County Republicans blame the Radical Left for stirring up hate. Ben riffs. Monroe offers his alternative view of the first assassination attempt. A raging debate ensues. Also, Monroe explains why Vance and Trump are stirring up hate against Hatians and why Harris hesitated to meet with the press. Can’t argue with that. Billie Eilish joins Taylor Swiff in endorsing Kamala. Finally, the Bears—can they get worse? See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

A federal judge rules jurors won’t hear Michael Madigan say insiders are “making out like bandits”. Ben riffs. Guess who’s not making out like bandits? Property taxpayers. Right on time former Governor Pat Quinn urges voters to pass the Property Tax Relief Amendment. AKA—Fair Tax II. Only Ben and Pat can make property tax talk exciting. Also, Pat riffs on MAGA efforts to kick abortion rights referendums off the ballot. Just like Mayor Rahm tried to do to Pat’s term-limits initiative. And a few words about proposed handouts to Sox and Bears. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Is Chicago’s mainstream media biased against Mayor Johnson? Ben riffs. Then Ray Hanania riffs. Soon they’re riffing about absolutely everything, including…Trump, swing voters, Palestinian -Americans, Michael Madigan, Ed Burke, Danny Solis, Gaza, why Ray may vote Green, why he may vote for Kamala and TIFs. Ray Hanania is a columnist, suburban government spokesman, and a stand-up comedian. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Over the weekend, Mayors Johnson and Rahm fell in love, metaphorically speaking. Ben riffs. Kennedy Bartley, newly appointed executive director of United Working Families, talks about the future of lefty politics in Chicago. What’s on the agenda for the next few years? Who and what are the obstacles? And a word or two about capitalistic gravediggers. This interview was recorded August, 2023. Long before Kennedy hit the headlines, See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.