"In Their Own Words" 11th in a series by RFFM.org featuring:
John McNeal, Chairman, Illinois Young Republican Alumni Network
To commemorate RFFM.org's 15 years of service to the conservative community, we have been conducting a series of monthly interviews throughout 2007 with some of the most influential leaders in the pro-family/conservative movement. RFFM.org's national director, Daniel Zanoza, is conducting Q + A sessions with the aim of educating our readers as to some of the views held by those who work tirelessly to reach their stated goals. The 11th installment features John McNeal, Chairman, Illinois Young Republican Alumni Network
Past Q + A's included interviews with Sen. Bill Brady, Sen. Chris Lauzen; Catholic Citizens of Illinois Founder Mary Anne Hackett; writer and conservative activist Dan Gura; ILCAAAP (Illinois Church Action on Alcohol and Addiction Problems) Executive Director Anita Bedell; property rights advocate Joyce Morrison; Americans For Truth Founder and President Peter LaBarbera; Illinois Right to Life Committee Executive Director Bill Beckman; Ann Scheidler, Executive Director, Pro-Life Action League and Nedd Kareiva Director "Stop the ACLU Coalition. To read any of these interviews, click on the "In Their Own Words" category on the RFFM.org home page or go to: http://rffm.typepad.com/republicans_for_fair_medi/in_their_own_words/index.html.
AUTOBIOGRAPHY
John E. McNeal, a graduate of Chicago’s Mount Carmel High School in 1960, worked in the construction industry while attending college and law school. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Management at DePaul University and his Juris Doctorate at Illinois Institute of Technology’s Chicago Kent College of Law in 1971.
In January 2003, he retired from government service and returned to the private practice of law in which he was previously engaged, representing private citizens and small business owners for over a decade.
McNeal retired as Assistant Illinois Attorney General, enforcing Illinois law in the areas of charitable fraud, financial crime, consumer fraud and environmental protection. In prior government service, he served as a Special Assistant in the United States Department of Labor, Commissioner of the Illinois Industrial Commission and The Assistant General Counsel of the Illinois State Board of Elections.
As an instructor at the National White Collar Crime Institute, he has taught police officers and prosecutors various techniques of financial crime investigation. He was the first American member of the International Prosecutor’s Association which was created to teach former communist prosecutors unusual concepts like: innocent till proven guilty.
McNeal is active with various organizations including the Elks, Kiwanis and Emerald Society and an active participant in Catholic, Jewish and Masonic charities. He is a former member of the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers which raises the question: is he a welder with a law degree or a lawyer with a welder’s certificate?
McNeal has been a conservative Republican Party activist in every election since the 1964 Goldwater presidential campaign. He presently serves as Illinois Chairman of the Young Republican Alumni Network, Board Member of the Illinois Forum, Secretary/Treasurer for the Republican Assembly of West Suburban Cook County and Chairman of the Republican Assembly of Riverside Township.
He served as the Republican Committeeman for Chicago’s 48th Ward for eight years and State Central Committeeman for the Ninth Congressional District for six years where he served as Vice-Chair of the Illinois Republican Party. He was an elected Ronald Reagan Delegate to the 1984 Republican National Convention.
In 1980, he was the Reagan/Bush “Get Out The Vote” Director for Chicago-North and in 1984 he Chaired the Reagan/Bush Illinois Ballot Security Program. In his formative years, he served as Executive Director of the Cook County Young Republicans and President of numerous Young Republican organizations
McNeal is married to Dr. Sharon Rae Bender-McNeal, retired principal of Carl Schurz High School in Chicago.
John McNeal "In His Own Words"
Q. From your bio, you obviously have had a long and distinguished career in the field of law and politics. In the series, I have tried to learn about the "why" behind what motivates people in their life's work. Could you tell RFFM.org readers about why you first became involved with politics? What is your motivation which has led you to such an extensive career involving the Republican Party?
A. I grew up on Chicago's south side in an Irish-American-Catholic-Democrat home. My paternal grandfather had been the Democrat Alderman from the Bridgeport neighborhood at the turn of the last century. (In fact, his name is engraved on the dedication plaque at City Hall). Then, in 1960, as a senior at Mt. Carmel high school, a debate tournament friend and regular opponent from St. Catherine's of Racine, Wisconsin, recommended that I read a very important book. The book was Conscience of a Conservative by Barry Goldwater. The book's premises were based upon the value system that I had been taught from my mother's knee. From that moment, I became a Conservative Republican activist and never looked back. My friend went on to become one of the major founding fathers of the Conservative Movement. His name is Paul Weyrich.
Q. The Democratic Party currently holds all six statewide offices in Illinois. They also control both houses of the General Assembly and the Governor's office. Looking at things from the "glass half-full" perspective, what have the Democrats done to become so successful in Illinois state politics in recent years?
A. There was a confluence of events that occurred about ten years ago which changed the color of Illinois politics from light red to purple to dark blue. Don't forget that 13 years ago Republicans controlled all five executive offices, controlled the State Senate and were within striking distance of taking control of the House. Then the perfect storm occurred in 2002. First the Democrats, under Mike Madigan, took full advantage of the redistricted legislative map. At the same time, death struggle infighting broke out at all levels of the Republican Party and four years later, the Democrats picked up all the marbles.
Q. Do you feel the Republican Party has played a role in its demise and, if so, can you tell RFFM.org readers why this is the case?
A. Around 2002, some members of the various wings of the conservative movement (traditional, social, Neo, libertarian) began a bitter personal attack on each other and any Republican who did not agree with them 100%. The term RINO (Republicans In Name Only) was used to vilify anyone who disagreed with them on any issue. These fellow conservatives were placed on an enemies list, whether true or not. At the same time, some Republican leaders (their identities are no longer important) demanded pledges of blind loyalty from candidates before slating them or placing them on the approved funding list. The internecine war, that had been brewing for decades within the GOP, exploded. Most people believe the battle was waged between conservatives and moderates or liberals. In fact, it had been a battle brewing since 1976 (the first Reagan campaign) between conservatives and the professional politicians who have no ideology and are motivated only by the four "Ps": Power, Patronage, Profit and Prestige.
Q. OK, we know what the Democrats have done well. We know where the Republicans have failed. What would be your prescription for the ailments which plague the GOP in Illinois?
A. The first thing I would do would be to make the use of the term RINO a capital crime. The very use of the term belies the very underpinnings of the democratic process, which requires discussion, debate and reaching a consensus if total agreement is unattainable. Many Republicans have forgotten several old truths applicable to winning elections: "Politics is a game of addition, not subtraction" and "Half a loaf is better than none at all." The "all or nothing" mind set must be set aside. We must reinstate and reinvigorate the Reagan concept that: "anyone who agrees with me 70% of the time is my friend."
Q. Some believe SB600 could change many of the problems that have put the Illinois GOP in the position it currently finds itself in. Can you talk about what SB600 would do and whether you support it or not?
A. Senate Bill 600, which I drafted and has been sponsored and championed by Sen. Chris Lauzen, would reinstitute a Republican State Committee that is elected by the Republican primary voters from each congressional district. This tried and true method of selecting the members of the state GOP leadership team was dumped by the "Professional Pols" in favor of a system where the "Pros" appoint the state committee in back-room caucuses. The elected system provided a balance between ideological conservatives and moderates and the non ideological Pro Pols. The elected system provided a place at the table for all factions of the party to thrash out their disagreements behind closed doors. Once the caucus method was established, it effectively gave control of the state party to the pro pols and a few moderates and locked out the conservatives. The ensuing internecine war can not be ended by "outreach" programs. It can only be ended by going back to an elected state party leadership team where Republicans of all persuasions come to the table as equals and are forced to work together. I know of what I speak because I was an elected state committeeman under the old system and was part of the caucus that appointed state committeeman as a city ward committeeman.
Q. If you had a crystal ball and could look into the future, what in your estimation will be the state of Illinois politics in ten years? Has the state become a Democratic stronghold on a permanent basis?
A. As a strong believer in the conservative view of government and history, I greatly fear that the internal war within the ranks of the Illinois Republican Party is so entrenched with a "take no prisoners" mentality that it will be a long time before the party can achieve parity with the Democrats again. The traditionalists don't trust the Neo Cons, while the libertarians despise the traditionalists and even refer to the first Republican President (Abe Lincoln) as a despot and dictator. Meanwhile, the Pro Pols sit in the driver's seat enjoying the fruits of power (however so diminished) and demand command and control of the party. Fortunately, the Dems have their problems as well. They have their own internal wars which are built around personality cults, not ideology. Mike Madigan wants to elect his daughter Governor, while Dick Mel wants to oust his roundly despised son-in-law as Governor. The people of Illinois are still pragmatic, salt of the earth, mid-westerners. They will vote for Republicans--if we provide a united front. It's almost as if the Illinois GOP is a third world nation involved in a bitter four way civil war. The sitting Pro Pols must agree to "power sharing" with the traditional and Neo conservatives and the moderates. They, in turn, must agree to stop the name calling and eliminate 100% litmus tests.
Q. For a moment, let's look at the state of our great country. We currently see a political and ideological divide in America that has probably not been greater since the times leading up to and during the Civil War. First of all, do you agree with this premise and, if so, what has led to the situation we now find ourselves in as a nation?
A. Your premise is correct, but American history tells of other times as dire as those we face today. Interestingly enough, the most fractional time in our history was the Revolutionary War. Only about one third of the population favored independence, another third were neutral, while the rest remained steadfast pro-British Tories. After the revolution, many of the Tories were driven out of the U.S. to England and Canada. In my opinion, that era most closely resembles the state of the Union today. One third of our citizenry despise the U.S. and believe our nation's history to be one of evil, power hungry imperialism. Another third could care less about the state of the Union or our history, but only think of "where's mine"? The last group believes in the Reaganesque view of America being a great shining city on a hill as a beacon of freedom. As you may suspect, I fall into the third category. While I'm a national defense, fiscal and social conservative, I'm a Constitutionalist and believe that document makes national defense the primary purpose of national government.
As an arm chair historian, I know that there has been a segment within Islam, from its inception, which is on a mission of world conquest and conversion. When they aren't killing non Muslims, they're killing Muslims they believe are heretical. Presently, these whackos are in a recurring ascendancy and are intent on our destruction. They are not open to negotiation nor reason because, to coin a "Blues Brothers" phrase, they're on a mission from God. Unlike the cold war, they look at nuclear war and mutual annihilation as a good thing. Their enemies are sent to hell in a fireball which sends them to paradise. Self-hating Americans believe we brought these evil days on ourselves. They believe we can reason with the Islamic nut jobs and we are entitled to reprieve if we beg the world's forgiveness for U.S. plans of world domination. Unless we wake up the "Where's mine?" Americans to the real threat, I believe our chances of survival as a nation are slim.
Q. You are currently working on behalf of former U.S. Senator Fred Thompson's presidential campaign here in Illinois. Could you talk a little bit about why you feel Thompson would make a good President?
A. I support Fred Thompson because I believe he is correct on all major issues of the day when I apply my views and standards. That said, when I give allowances for my own fallibility (something many conservatives fail to admit) and apply Reagan's 11th commandment (speak no ill will of a fellow Republican) and his 12th commandment (anyone who agrees with me 70% of the time is my friend), I must confess there are at least four or five GOP candidates who have the makings of a good President. Since this year may result in the first open convention since 1940 (no candidate has it locked ahead of time) I believe GOP primary voters should select delegates who may not be pledged to their personal presidential choice, but are not from the moderate or Pro Pol wing of the party.
Q. Let's say Thompson doesn't succeed and Rudy Giuliani becomes the Republican Party's presidential nominee. The Rev. James Dobson, a highly influential pro-family leader, has said he would consider backing a third party candidate in the 2008 election. Many other conservatives have echoed the same sentiments regarding Giuliani because of the former New York Mayor's positions on abortion, same-sex "marriage" and Second Amendment rights. What do you think about Dobson's comments regarding Giuliani and the presidential race?
A. What disturbs me, more than anything else, are those conservatives who threaten to walk away or support a third party candidate if their guy isn't nominated. Taking their marbles and going home will only elect a socialist or radical leftist as president. Why wouldn't Dobson (or any other Social conservative) prefer Giuliani over Hillary or Obama? The ONLY possible answer is: since they didn't get their way and/or candidate nominated, they're going to punish the GOP and the nation by electing a radical leftist or socialist.
Q. For a moment, let me try to speak for Dobson, even though I might not agree with him concerning the 2008 presidential election.
Some social conservatives believe a Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama presidency would be disastrous for America. However, they also feel if Rudy Giuliani were to win the presidency, the pro-life movement would, essentially, be dead in America. The rationale behind this thought is the Republican Party will say the support of the so-called religious right is not needed in order to win the presidency. Therefore, the abortion issue itself will be cast aside as simply another insignificant special interest issue. Can you understand these fears and what would you tell this group to allay their concerns?
A. That's not only egocentric, it's just plain crazy. It is one of the inherent evils of single issue voters. This is especially true at a moment in history (that probably won't happen for another 25 years) when we are one Supreme Court vote away from overturning Roe v. Wade. I take Giuliani at his word that he will appoint strict and original constructionists to the court. Don't forget that strict and original constructionists of the Constitution are on the same page whether they are dealing with law and order, national defense, homeland security OR abortion. To elect Hillary or Obama (from a "that'll show em" mentality) puts a left wing nut in the White House who believes in criminal rights, Imperial America, negotiation with Islamo-Fascist AND ABORTION.
Q. You are currently involved with the Young Republican Alumni Network. Can you tell RFFM.org readers what this group is all about?
A. It has been estimated that there are 250,000 former Young Republicans across the nation, who are still alive and kicking. They were the shock troops of the conservative movement in the seventies and eighties. Many of them retired from politics believing the war was won and went back to their careers full time. They forgot the battle of good over evil is never finished. The purposes of the Young Republicans Alumni Network are to locate and enlist as many of the missing Young Republican brothers and sisters to raise charitable funds for scholarships and to provide a fraternal and social re-union network on state and national levels. If the renewed contact and camaraderie leads to reactivation "at the front", it's an extra added attraction.
Q. If anyone wants to become involved with the Young Republican Alumni Network, what do they need to do?
A. They can contact me at [email protected]
Include: Name, Address, E-mail & Phone and identify YR or College YR with which they were ever affiliated. Dues are $50 per year. ($25 national. $15 State and $10 charitable fund)
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