Editor's note: RFFM.org conducted the following interview with Steven J. Rauschenberger. The former state Senator from Elgin gives his views on the state of Republican politics in Illinois and what needs to be done to revitalize the state GOP. The interview was conducted via e-mail and RFFM.org thanks Senator Rauschenberger for his cooperation.
Rauschenberger is a past president of the National Conference of State Legislators (NCSL), where he also served as co-chair of the Taskforce on Telecommunications and Electronic Commerce.
A graduate of the College of William & Mary with a BBA, Rauschenberger serves on a number of professional and legislative boards, including the United Republican Fund of Illinois where he is President. He also served as Hanover Township Republican Committeeman (1994-2002), was president of the John Ericsson League of Illinois, and has been involved in numerous Republican campaigns, county and township organizations, and affiliates throughout his career.
Q. You have had a long and distinguished career serving the citizens of Illinois. Why did you decide to go into public service, especially the field of politics?
A. I was busy in the furniture retail business when the recession hit in 1991, and the budget shenanigans that took place that year in Springfield woke me up to the realization that state government and politics was affecting my business and the livelihoods of the 50 people I employed. After contacting both my State Senator and State Representative, I decided to get involved. I wanted to improve the budget process and work to lower taxes.
Q. In general terms, how has politics changed since you first held elected office?
A. I don't think politics has changed much in the last thousand years. It is still the social model for allocating power and resources. Each generation seems to adapt to the changes in technology, and communication, and travel, but at its heart, politics is still a people business engaged in determining the distribution of authority and wealth.
Q. RFFM.org has been in existence for 15 years. In that time the Republican Party has gone from being the Party of the future in Illinois to almost being a political afterthought. Why has this happened?
A. I would argue that the decline of the Republican Party in Illinois can be traced to the long running Thompson Administration. The 14 years that Jim Thompson was Governor and controlled the levers of power in the Republican Party led to the emergence of a pragmatic, privileged class of Republicans more interested in the "deals" that kept them in power than in any philosophical vision of a future for Illinois or America. Unfortunately, these "pragmatists" controlled the Illinois Republican Party during what most of America experienced as the Reagan Revolution. While Ronald Reagan was leading America back to free enterprise, smaller government, and more personal freedom, the Thompson wing of the Illinois Republican Party was unilaterally surrendering Chicago, and Chicago citizens to one party rule by the Democrats.
Until the Illinois Republican Party assembles, and shares a vision for the future of Illinois that today's families can believe in and trust, we will not reverse the declines we are experiencing at the ballot box. It is not enough for us to criticize the Democrats and claim that we are not as bad, we must offer realistic public policy alternatives that they will believe in.
Q. In the good times, what was the Illinois GOP doing right, if you do indeed believe there were good times in Illinois Republican politics.
A. During the period of around 1993 until 1998, the Republican leadership in Illinois did a number of things well. We ran State Government honestly. We cleaned up the budget mess left by the Thompson Administration. We began paying off our Pension obligations. We reduced State long term debt. We took at stab at major structural reform of the Chicago Public Schools. We ended, in Illinois, 30 years of failed Great Society welfare programs (and we did most of that before Washington did). But what we failed to due is organize a "continuing" revolution. We fixed things, and then stopped being a force for additional reform.
Q. The Republican Party today does not hold a single statewide office. Both Houses of the General Assembly are in Democratic hands and, according to all projections, things are going to get far worse before it gets better. Where does some of the blame lie regarding the sad state of GOP affairs in Illinois? Can you get specific?
A. A political party without a purpose and a comprehensible, compelling message is doomed to fail. In Illinois, and perhaps national the Republican Party lacks an understandable, motivating message and purpose. Ask a friend or a neighbor, and they are likely to say something like, "There is no difference between the Republicans and the Democrats, politicians only care about themselves...". That is our problem. While Lincoln was leading to "one Union, indivisible..", or when Teddy Roosevelt asserted that the "Trusts won't run America..", or when Ronald Reagan spoke about "...making America a Shining City on the hill...", or when Gingrich and the Republican Revolution in Congress promised to live up to the Contract with America; no none would have said there is no difference between the parties.
Q. How would you have done things differently when the Republican Party started heading in the wrong direction? Perhaps I'm not looking at this from a proper perspective. What has hurt the Republican Party in Illinois...policy, failure to perform or personnel?
A. The Illinois Republican Party is in trouble today because we do not have a vision for the future that our friends, neighbors and families can believe in. So our first failure is policy. From a vision of policy grows the responsibility to perform on that vision, and that commitment to changes brings both the personnel to lead and the support of the voters.
Q. What would be the first thing you would do if elected GOP National Committeeman?
A. My first goal as National Committeeman is to give the National Republican Leadership a clear understanding of our situation in Illinois. We are not a blue state. We are a red state being manipulated and dominated by the largest, longest running, most corrupt political machine in America. We need to seek national help in taking on the Democratic machine in Chicago.
Q. Would you feel comfortable telling RFFM.org's readers who you would like to see become the Republican Party's state chairman? What would that person need to do to get things turned around?
A. Andy McKenna is the current Republican State Party Chair and his term runs until about 2010. To the best of my knowledge Andy intends to continue serving. As I have said above, the key to the future of the Republican Party will be developing a vision for the future that engages and inspires the people of Illinois.
Q. Let's say everything goes your way and you are appointed National Committeeman. We all know politics is about as unpredictable as the weather. However, for a moment, let's say things fell in line very rapidly for you regarding Republican reform in Illinois. How long do you think it would take to turn things around in the state?
A. I think we can begin the process of renewal immediately. Our Governor, the chaos in Springfield, the nearly continuous indictments and convicts of political crooks in Chicago are all opportunities for us to begin working on. Realistically, we well need two or three election cycles with new vision to recover the trust of the majority of Illinois citizens.
Q. Many RFFM.org readers care deeply about social issues. Could you address the state Party's platform? Would you like to see it changed or is it fine as is or would you lobby the platform needs tweaking?
A. I apologize that I have not been able to follow the process of the platform committee. I think our platform needs to stay clear and strong on the principles of individual freedom, strong support of individual rights, a clear plank on our respect for and commitment to life....
Q. There has been talk of a need for a Constitutional Convention in Illinois. What are your thoughts on that issue?
A. I am undecided on the issue of a Constitutional Convention for Illinois. In some ways it could benefit the people of Illinois to have a primary voice in reforming our state. I am no fan of the current constitution, but I remain concerned that the Chicago machine might be able to control the election of convention delegates and we could end with state constitution that might be far worse.
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