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“The belly of the beast”

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Illinois

* My former intern Kevin Fanning recently stumbled across a short essay he wrote back in 2009 about his work for me the year before…

I had the rare opportunity to work for Capitol Fax creator and Illinois political guru Rich Miller. The experience was a once-in-a-lifetime chance to look inside the belly of the beast that is our statehouse, and has often been referenced as the best internship in state politics. Riding shotgun with Mr. Miller enabled me to experience things to which few Illinois politicos are privy, let alone a 22-year-old.

My official duties included daily work on The Capitol Fax blog, interviews with every legislative spokesperson, weekly opinion columns, and intense on-the-ground reporting at the statehouse. The high profile of The Capitol Fax created opportunities to interact with, learn from, and develop relationships with a variety of key players in the legislative process including but not limited to: constitutional officers, caucus leaders, legislators, lobbyists, journalists, and staffers.

Late-night office conversations, backroom restaurant talk, and quiet corner event discussions became a staple of my residency. Much of the real statehouse action takes place behind closed doors, and oftentimes I was lucky enough to be there to observe. The experience was heightened by the rare spectacle that was the 2008 General Assembly session, the Tony Rezko verdict, and the presidential bid of Springfield’s native son, Barack Obama. I had an exceptional time in Springfield, and will continue working on the blog while pursuing my master’s degree.

* I flat out rejected Jim Nowlan when he initially tried to persuade me to bring on Paul Richardson during the summer of 2006. I didn’t want to be tied down, slowed down, held back, whatever, by a tag-along kid. But Paul turned out to be fantastic, and over the years I’ve learned a lot from those young guys, and we had some amazing times along the way.

The University of Illinois program that brought Paul, Kevin, Mike Murray and Dan Weber changed after Nowlan left, and we no longer work together. SIU’s Paul Simon Institute sent me the irrepressible and smart as a whip Barton Lorimor, and I’ve known Owen Irwin since he was a young child. I took Owen on after he invited me to dinner one evening last year and impressively laid out his future plans and asked for my help.

* I didn’t have an intern this past spring. In some ways it was easier because I wasn’t responsible for anyone else. In other ways, though, I really missed the mentoring and the help.

Barton, Owen and I went out to dinner last night and talked about old times and current events. I thoroughly enjoyed myself and wondered later if I should try and find someone for next session.

* So, if you know a young person who is keenly interested in politics and can hang with the big dogs, send me an e-mail or give me a call. Perhaps we can work something out.

posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Nov 21, 13 @ 10:07 am

Comments

What a great opportunity to learn the real world of Illinois politics! If I were younger and just starting out I would have jumped for the chance to work with the Master.

Comment by Nearly Normal Thursday, Nov 21, 13 @ 10:17 am
i had interns in my office for 25 years. i lost track of most of them, but some have kept in touch, and others have popped up again later. they are, almost without exception, a very talented, accomplished, bunch of individuals. they would have done well anyway without the internship. but it was mutually beneficial to have them around.

Comment by langhorne Thursday, Nov 21, 13 @ 10:18 am
It truly was the best internship in state politics. More universities need to understand the value and practical application of these programs. (Particularly the University of Illinois)

Also- I should have picked a better picture rather than the one next to Bill Cartwright. I look like I’m 5′3.

Comment by Kevin Fanning Thursday, Nov 21, 13 @ 10:20 am
Replace 2008 with 2010, and Barack Obama with Scott Lee Cohen. Beyond that, what Kevin said and then some.

Comment by Barton Lorimor Thursday, Nov 21, 13 @ 10:21 am
Why don’t you hire that Brown guy he should have great insights

Comment by CircularFiringSquad Thursday, Nov 21, 13 @ 10:26 am
Ask Paul Green when you see him. He had a couple of real talented rip-snorters in his class on Chicago politics last term.

Comment by walkinfool Thursday, Nov 21, 13 @ 10:34 am
Hell, if I ever won the lottery I would want to do that….

Comment by OneMan Thursday, Nov 21, 13 @ 10:37 am
===who is keenly interested in politics and can hang with the big dogs===

The second qualification is much harder to find than the first, and probably more important.

Comment by 47th Ward Thursday, Nov 21, 13 @ 10:38 am
I’ve had interns every year, all good, many great. It’s not mine to judge, but I feel like I owe that experience to at least one or as many as three every year. Knowledge is a waste if you don’t share it. Rich, you should never be without one. Fresh eyes and unbounded energy are good for all of them. The rewards are priceless; like the guys who can testify for you if need be. LOL

Comment by A guy... Thursday, Nov 21, 13 @ 10:39 am
This opportunity… is one of a very small few… where as an intern, your first job will be a letdown from the internship.

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Nov 21, 13 @ 10:41 am
===and probably more important. ===

You gotta know when to keep your mouth closed when it comes to both imbibing and talking. lol

Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Nov 21, 13 @ 10:44 am
All men, eh?

Comment by Frost Thursday, Nov 21, 13 @ 10:55 am
===All men, eh? ===

I had no control over recruitment.

Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Nov 21, 13 @ 10:57 am
George Ryan is back in Illinois. He’d make for an interesting CapFax intern.

Comment by Michelle Flaherty Thursday, Nov 21, 13 @ 11:45 am
Less than three days on the job I was ushered at Rich’s side into the Governor’s office for an hour-long private interview. I don’t think Blago had given anyone that much access for months prior.

On my last day, the Governor called me to wish me well…inviting me to stay in the mansion at any time, “so long as I didn’t bring any girls over.”

I do not think any other internship has bookends like that.

In between I joined the Seersucker Caucus, had my life saved by Jack Kelly, fell asleep in the Capital during marathon July overtime sessions, golfed with Daily Herald reporter Mike Riopell, ate at every nice restaurant in town, and made memories that I’ll take to the grave.

It’s like finding the Golden Ticket and getting to tour the chocolate factory.

Comment by Paul Richardson Thursday, Nov 21, 13 @ 12:14 pm
The belly of the beast? Rich, you shouldn’t let your employees talk about you like that.

Comment by AlphaBettor Thursday, Nov 21, 13 @ 12:19 pm
===had my life saved by Jack Kelly===

We talked about that lasts night. He really did save your life.

Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Nov 21, 13 @ 1:04 pm
all those individuals did a bang up job and glad to consider them still friends.

Comment by Cassidy Thursday, Nov 21, 13 @ 1:25 pm
===tour the chocolate factory.===

More like the Jameson distillery.

Comment by 47th Ward Thursday, Nov 21, 13 @ 1:48 pm
==== More like the Jameson distillery. ===

If it was owned by Phillip Morris and you receievd a free pack of smokes with your fifth….

Comment by Ghost Thursday, Nov 21, 13 @ 1:56 pm
===had my life saved by Jack Kelly===
After that night we didn’t think Paul could hang with the big dogs but he was a quick study and was soon able to keep up with the pack.

Comment by Sleeping at Two Brothers Thursday, Nov 21, 13 @ 2:07 pm
When Barton Lorimor made fun of my Jameson Keg Stand, I had serious reservations I could keep up with the Rich Miller Intern Crew …

I am still scarred.

To the Post,

Belly of the Beast is Spot-On. How many interships allow you to see something, warts and all, and if you keep your eyes open, your mouth shut and your word true, man o’ man, you are cookin’ with gas, and Rich wil have sent off someone to a future employer that will be way ahead of the learning curve.

This is one intership that the knowledge gained, you can not put a price or value on, period.

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Nov 21, 13 @ 2:25 pm
=== This is one intership that the knowledge gained, you can not put a price or value on, period. ====

Pricless…. for everything else, the Capfax visa card, its accepted everywhere you want to drink….

Comment by Ghost Thursday, Nov 21, 13 @ 3:13 pm