After years of studying government and politics from a distance, University of Illinois student Paul Richardson spent the last six months getting an unusually close look at how things really work in Springfield.
As part of the UI’s Civic Leadership Program, Richardson has been interning with Rich Miller, founder of the must-read Statehouse newsletter, Capitol Fax, and a companion Web site, the Capitol Fax Blog. Miller might not be a household name everywhere, but he is “hugely influential” in the world of state government, Richardson said. “What I usually say is that I work for the insider’s insider at the Statehouse,” he said. […]
“To be honest, I didn’t know what I was getting myself into,” he said. “I just wanted to experience the actual process in Springfield – the policy-making process – and get a better idea of how it all works. And I just wanted to meet a lot of people who work here, all different sides of things.” […]
“The hardest part about the whole thing for me is that I’m a perfectionist and I plan everything out as much as possible, and these seven months, literally, (Miller) would call me up and in like three minutes I’d have to go here, do it immediately,” Richardson said.
Miller took Richardson with him everywhere, from a rare 40-minute private interview with Gov. Rod Blagojevich to late-night escapades at Statehouse watering holes and everything in between.
“I’ve tried to give him a rounded view of the whole thing,” Miller said. “I take him places with me, you know, at night, which is when a lot of the work gets done in this town. I’ve just tried to introduce him around to people. This town, this process, and in fact the political process in a democracy, is mostly based on interpersonal relationships, and the only way you can move forward is to have those interpersonal relationships.” […]
Miller predicted Richardson would be successful at whatever he ends up doing. “If he is ever looking for a job, I would be more than happy to give him the highest recommendation,” Miller said. “A whole lot of other people in that building, meaning the Capitol, would do the same thing, and not because he’s been sucking up to them. It’s his output, his work, his insight, that has really impressed a lot of people.”
Paul, I can see it now! With your new connections and Rich as Campaign Manager it’ll be Governor Paul Richardson. Bill and I agree on this! Congratulations!
Comment by A Citizen Sunday, Jul 1, 07 @ 10:21 pm
My recommendation to Paul is:
Write a book about the experience now. Even if it doesn’t sell a gadzillion copies, it can do a lot for the resume, especially if you decide to stay in journalism.
Good luck.
Comment by Cassandra Monday, Jul 2, 07 @ 9:36 am
“This town, this process, and in fact the political process in a democracy, is mostly based on interpersonal relationships, and the only way you can move forward is to have those interpersonal relationships.”
This is an excellent observation by Rich Miller that highlights yet another difference between the Green Party and the corporate political parties. The platform of the Green Party of the United States provides:
“In contrast to the way in which major political parties create their platforms, through the back-room deals of insiders and power-brokers, we have created a grassroots process that invites submissions from every local Green Party and every Green individual.”
“Every human being deserves a say in the decisions that affect his or her life and should not be subject to the will of another. Therefore, we will work to increase public participation at every level of government and to ensure that our public representatives are fully accountable to the people who elect them. We will also work to create new types of political organizations which expand the process of participatory democracy by directly including citizens in the decision-making process.”
“Decision-making should, as much as possible, remain at the individual and local level, while assuring that civil rights are protected for all citizens.”
“We have inherited a social system based on male domination of politics and economics. We call for the replacement of the cultural ethics of domination and control with more cooperative ways of interacting that respect differences of opinion and gender. Human values such as equity between the sexes, interpersonal responsibility, and honesty must be developed with moral conscience. We should remember that the process that determines our decisions and actions is just as important as achieving the outcome we want.”
“Political debate, public policy, and legislation should be judged on their merits, not on the quid pro quo of political barter and money.”
Comment by Squideshi Monday, Jul 2, 07 @ 1:06 pm
I’ve noticed some apartments along Fourth Street practically next door to the Mansion… well, there’s at least one neighbor who’d never disturb you because he’s never “home” ; )
Comment by Lainer Monday, Jul 2, 07 @ 7:36 pm