And now, from the University of Chicago Institute of Politics and CNN, the Axviles, with your

host, David Axelrod.

You may not have heard the name, Abner Mickfe, but he's a living political legend from Illinois

to Washington.

He was an impactful state legislator in Illinois in the 50s and 60s, a leading progressive

member of Congress in the 1970s, and a respected member of the federal bench in the 80s and

90s before he left to be Bill Clinton's White House counsel.

Abner Mickfe has seen, and has led so much history over the last 60 years.

Among his protegees, Merrick Garland, who succeeded him as Chief Judge of the U.S. District Court

of Appeals in Washington, has now the president's choice for the Supreme Court.

I sat down with Judge Mickfe to talk about his long career and his observations of politics

today.

Abner Mickfe, welcome.

You're a living legend here in Illinois and in Washington as well.

You've been a legislator, a congressman, a judge, a White House counsel, often mentioned

potential Supreme Court nominee at one time.

But I want to go back to the beginning because I think people don't appreciate the richness

of your political roots here in Illinois.

You raised a Milwaukee.

And tell me about that.

Newton Minow, the legendary member of the Kennedy Inner Circle, who was famous at the FCC,

who talked about the vast wasteland of television.

...