American Politics

Political consultant Neil Oxman. He specializes in media consulting and designed Lynn Yeakel's ads for the Democratic nomination to the U.S. Senate. She'll run against Senator Arlen Spector. Yeakel was a virtual unknown at the start of the race. It's believed that Yeakel's T-V ads made the difference in the campaign. One emphasized her work as head of Women's Way. The other received national attention because it attacked Spector for his role in the Thomas hearings.

Investigative reporter William Greider. He's written a new book about the breakdown of democracy in the United States, "Who will tell the people: The Betrayal of American Democracy." (published by Simon and Shuster). It's also the subject of Greider's "Frontline" documentary on PBS this week. He's also the author of "Secrets of the Temple," about the inner workings of the Federal Reserve.

Two members of the punk rock group Fugazi: singer-guitarist Ian MacKaye and guitarist Guy Picciotto. The Washington, D.C. band has become internationally known despite the fact that the band refuses to sign with a major label. They abhor commercialism and stardom. The impassioned band sings on it's new album, "Steady Diet of Nothing," about having control of their own bodies, TV - "nothing going on in there," and about the supreme court, "Justice Brennan, I know it's not your fault." (the new album is on "Dischord Records.")

Writer David Osborne. He's co-author of a new book, "Reinventing Government: How the Entrepreneurial Spirit is Transforming the Public Sector." The book argues that government bureaucracies are outdated and inefficient, and comes up with proposals to decentralize city and state governments, and promote competition. Osborne has been a consultant to Bill Clinton, among other politicians. (Addison-Wesley Publishing Co).

Homeless expert Joel Blau (rhymes with "plow"). Blau spent years as a policy analyst for the city of New York, trying to solve their homeless problem. He eventually became disillusioned with government's approach to dealing with the homeless. He explains the fallacy of some of our basic assumptions about the homeless in his new book, "The Visible Poor: Homelessness in The United States." (It's published by Oxford University Press).

Former Chicago Mayor Jane Byrne. She’s written a new memoir of her years in Chicago politics, called My Chicago. It’s published by W.W. Norton).

Duke law professor Walter Dellinger talks about the Supreme Court; big cases coming up in the next few months, Clarence Thomas' early performance on the Court; and how who wins the presidential election in November will effect the future of the court.

Charles Lewis, the founder and Executive Director of the Center For Public Integrity. That group monitors the ethics of public officials, and investigates possible conflicts-of-interest. Today, Lewis tells us what his group's found out about the current presidential candidates.

Analyst Chip Berlet of the Political Research Associates, a research center which collects and disseminates information on right-wing political groups and trends. Terry will talk with him about some of the currently popular conspiracy theories such as the motive for the JFK assassination, and the view of some African Americans that AIDS and drugs are attempts to destroy the race.

Political journalist Hodding Carter. This week, the Public television series "Frontline" is airing Carter's report, "Who Is David Duke?" about the Klansman turned presidential candidate.