Chicago chapter discusses post-election predictions
AFF-Chicago put a wrap on our 2010 roundtable series with a lively debate entitled “Where Do We Go From Here?” Over 40 young professional conservatives and libertarians from the Chicago area joined a distinguished panel to discuss the next steps the federal government might take after the Republican victory on November 2nd.
Eric Kohn of Victory Media Group, Kyle Stone and Brian Matos of the Chicago Young Republicans, and Paul Sippil were our panelists for this informative and enlightening conversation. Questions on momentum for liberty, the Tea Party, foreign affairs, youth involvement, and Federal Reserve strategy were discussed from varying viewpoints. AFF committee member and former chapter chairman Tim Campaigne moderated the debate, which was streamed live online.
Eric Kohn suggested that the U.S. House Speaker-elect bring forth legislation popular with conservatives and libertarians on a weekly basis to keep people interested and involved.
Kyle Stone cautioned that the November 2nd victories present the liberty movement’s with an opportunity that will be squandered if sound economic and fiscal steps are not taken to course-correct two years of failed federally-led legislation.
Brian Matos made the point during a conversation on foreign affairs that the nation’s leaders need to take a step back and re-address the proper role of the U.S. influence overseas–whether with military involvement or foreign aid–when looking at where budget cuts should and must be made to get federal spending under control.
Although mostly optimistic, our panel seemed to agree that the fight is not over and it will take more of the same effort to elect conservative and libertarian candidates to our local, state and federal governments.
Join us next year for our next roundtable event–details coming soon! In the meantime, enjoy the holidays, and be sure to sign up for our Room 101 Chicago mailing list.
Panelist bios:
Eric Kohn is a senior consultant with Victory Media Group, Ltd. and has been committing politics professionally since 2001. Eric has advised a multitude of political campaigns and issues advocacy organizations. In 2004, Eric was named to the steering committee of Young Professionals for Bush, an arm of the Bush/Cheney ’04 reelection bid. He is currently working with a consortium striving to repeal ObamaCare. Eric is a regular fill-in host on “The Ray Hanania Show”, weekday mornings at 8am on WJJG 1530-AM in Chicago. Eric also serves as Family Assistance Manager for Operation Homefront Illinois, a charitable organization that provides emergency assistance to active duty military families and wounded warriors. Eric resides in Chicago with his wife, Becca, and their four-and-a-half-week old daughter, Harper
Paul Sippil has worked for three fortune 500 companies as an auditor, accountant and financial advisor. Paul is now an independent financial advisor providing consulting services in the estate, succession, retirement, and asset protection areas for owners of privately held businesses.
Kyle Stone is a practicing attorney in Chicago where he defends doctors and hospitals at a downtown firm specializing in medical malpractice cases. He currently serves as the Executive Board Secretary for the Chicago Young Republicans after having been its Membership Director for the last two years. During the 2010 political season, Kyle worked as a youth organizer for the Kirk for Senate and Dold for Congress campaigns. A featured commentator on anything political, his articles have appeared online at American Thinker, American Spectator, and Pajamas Media.
Brian Matos is currently running for alderman of Chicago’s 36th Ward as a Reform Republican candidate. He is also the Communications Director for the Chicago Young Republicans and former Communications Director for the Cook County Republican Party. He recently served as Deputy campaign manager on Adam Robinson’s State Senate campaign on Chicago’s far north side. His 9 to 5 job is with Matrix Media, Inc. a Chicago based internet radio content provider where he works as Programming Coordinator.
