This week's Illinois Review Star Conservative may not be so happy that the "Crossroads of the Conservative Community" identifies him as one of us, much less a "star," but this week's IR recognition goes to Public Affairs' host Jeff Berkowitz.
We identify Jeff as a conservative free lance member of the media because he asks questions conservatives would ask. His weekly Chicago area cable show "Public Affairs" has developed a cult-like following of political junkies who, through Jeff's persistent and non-relenting interviewing style, are able to vicariously interrogate politicians.
When Jeff's not in his cable show studio, he faithfully turns up at Chicago area press conferences, and alongside big Chicago media reporters with his camcorder on a tripod, often asks the toughest questions. Not intimidated in the least by political stars, Jeff's been known to irritate even the most media-savvy politicians including Illinois' Democratic rising star Barack Obama.
Jeff's blog is a treasure chest of years of transcribed interviews and on a humble, mostly self-financed budget, Jeff provides some of the most thorough conversations with both conservative and liberal politicians.
Jeff, who achieved his J.D. at the prestigious University of Chicago, holds everyone's feet to the fire, and those in political circles know it. Their only hope is that his audience remains small and Chicago-based, and continues to be limited in its exposure.
But the day of localized coverage for Jeff is short term. This week, Illinois Channel picked up an excerpt of an on-the-street, spontaneous interview with former Governor Jim Thompson about his feelings on the upcoming gubernatorial election. In Jeff's typical "you-don't-get-away-with-that-kind-of-slick-answer" style, he pushes Thompson about his interesting connections to Governor Blagojevich.
Congratulations, Jeff Berkowitz on being IR's Star Conservative of the week. We're proud to count you as one of our own . . . and hope to feature you more on Illinois Crossroads of the Conservative Community. We like your style.
(We'll feature a photo of Jeff if we can get one, but because he's most often BEHIND the camera, it may be tough . . . )
Who's your choice for next week's IR Star Conservative? Send your nominations to featon@illinoisreview.com.
