Episodes
Monroe Anderson - "Mayor Johnson and the Press"
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.
Peter Cunningham - "Blood in the Water"
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. May…
Julie Lynn—The Choice Is Yours
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 …
Stacy Davis Gates—Now They Complain About Loans
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 con…
David Faris--October Surprise
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 f…
Mark Wallace—“Back to Incivilty”
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 r…
Monroe Anderson--"Slick JD"
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…
State Rep. Kam Buckner--"Happy Birthday, Jimmy!"
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 tal…
Keith Kelleher—Union Labels
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 k…
David Masciotra—I Am Somebody
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 re…
Rummana Hussain—Dancing With Anna
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 w…
Miles Kampf-Lassin-"All Alone"
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 Priva…
Elizabeth Austin—“Busted in NYC"
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 …
Monroe Anderson-"Be Fair!"
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 …
Mick Dumke—Michigan Swings
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…
Rummana Hussain—MAGA Tulsi
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 R…
David Faris--The Mark Robinson Factor
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 f…
Pat Whalen —“MadDog Mistrial"
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. An…
Monroe Anderson—“MAGA Blames the Left”
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 pre…
Pat Quinn—"Making Out Like a Bandit"
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 P…
Ray Hanania— Confessions of a Swing Voter
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 an…
Kennedy Bartley—In Her Own Words
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 obstacle…
Rummana Hussain—Loomer Hate
just when you think MAGA couldn’t get any more filled with hate, along comes Laura Loomer. Rummana Hussain riffs on all things Loomer. Including Loomer’s’ hatred for Indian Americans. Is this where America is at? Rummana is an editorial writer and columnist for the Sun-Times. Her views are her own…
Joanna Klonsky—Side By Side
Several days after the debate, Joanna Klonsky has had time to figure out what each candidate was trying to accomplish. The fact that Trump thought peddling hate and lunacy could win him the election says a lot about where our country is right now. And Kamala’s answers reveal what she thinks she has…