Capitol Fax.com - Your Illinois News Radar

Does it feel like August to you?

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Illinois

* Man, it’s only August 20th and it seems like October. At one point yesterday afternoon, CapitolFax.com was loading slowly, so I called my local web hosting company to ask what was going on. They said the site was getting 50 visits per second. I thought we were under attack or something. But no. It was all legit traffic.

We ended up with over 290,000 page views yesterday - twice the number we had on the day Rod Blagojevich was arrested (which stood as a record for a very long time) and more than all days but one during the record-setting month of this past May, when we came close to 5 million page views.

To put this into perspective, Andrew Sullivan’s Daily Dish had about six million page views last month. Sully’s blog is read all over the world. This blog is read almost solely in Illinois.

What was that line in Godfather, Part II? “Michael, we’re bigger than US Steel.”

Just kidding.

Sullivan has far more unique visitors than we do here, but our folks come back constantly throughout the day and into the evening. So I’d be remiss if I didn’t thank all of you for your presence here.

* Despite the increase in traffic, comments have remained mostly civil. Thanks for that as well. The newbies have yet to arrive, however. They’ll undoubtedly descend upon our beloved website to spew their DC talking points as we get closer to election day, even though, as I said, it’s already starting to feel like the home stretch.

* And speaking of the fast-approaching election, things are getting a little testy behind the scenes between the two campaign staffs. Gov. Quinn’s campaign communications director Brooke Anderson blocked some Rauner comms staff from following her Twitter account today. One of Rauner’s guys sent me this…

From Brooke…

A. Whiners. B. I’ll make them a deal: they can follow my personal Twitter if they’ll disclose their candidate’s full tax records!

Lol

Heh. She does use that account quite a lot for her job, though. And the Rauner staff hasn’t Twitter-blocked anyone from the Quinn campaign… yet.

Anyway, it’s a small thing, but I do expect this situation to get plenty worse by November. My pre-election party for top campaign staff should be interesting.

posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Aug 20, 14 @ 2:51 pm

Comments

Kudos Rich!

I might be confused/certain/undecided when I’m thru reading here, but at least it’s at a higher level!

Comment by WhoKnew Wednesday, Aug 20, 14 @ 3:10 pm
See - Rauner is good for business.

Comment by Doooode Wednesday, Aug 20, 14 @ 3:12 pm
Good for Brooke.

Whining to Rich because you got blocked on Twitter?

Rauner ought to have better things to do 80 days out.

What’s next, Yard Sign Wars?!

Comment by Yellow Dog Democrat Wednesday, Aug 20, 14 @ 3:20 pm
First, congrats Rich. It lives and breathes. Speaks volumes to all your hard work, and dedication, and making this “the” place for the discussion of Illinois politics.

Second, it in no way feels like “August”.

I feel tired for the Crews already! This cycle of work being generated, and responded to, and responding to responses, and the shoe leather work…I tip my hat to them all, as always.

The only “August” feel is the state legislative races. They seem slow to the call. By design, I know, the Congressionals, the Statewides, the gearing-up in Chicago mayoral politics, if you have more than 200 precincts you’re running in, it’s going to be the longest “October” in history.

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Aug 20, 14 @ 3:21 pm
Capitol Fax, the go-to place for folks who want to know about Illinois politics and government!

Congrats on the increased traffic, but yesterday’s slowness was a pain in the …

Comment by Norseman Wednesday, Aug 20, 14 @ 3:22 pm
First glimpse at the screen grab made me wonder if I’d re-referred to a People mag site. Not your typical photo of a media spinmeister.

Comment by Norseman Wednesday, Aug 20, 14 @ 3:24 pm
You’re welcome, Rich. I am sure 32 of the clicks per second come here for my witty and humorous responses.

Congrats

Comment by Wumpus Wednesday, Aug 20, 14 @ 3:26 pm
Long live Capitol Fax and its hirsute leader!

Comment by phocion Wednesday, Aug 20, 14 @ 3:32 pm
Rich,

I hope you have an “Oscar Fix” for us this week. Don’t know if I can wait until Friday. It has been one of those weeks already and it’s only Wednesday!

Comment by Nearly Normal Wednesday, Aug 20, 14 @ 3:40 pm
Sounds like you need additional staff in a newly minted Chicago HQ (complete with kegorator).

Comment by Not it Wednesday, Aug 20, 14 @ 3:44 pm
(And it just so happens I know how to make one of those.)

Comment by Not it Wednesday, Aug 20, 14 @ 3:44 pm
@Rich - Congrats again and thanks for driving the bus while we ride along. This tiny little blog of yours has been making inroads among national journalists and pols seeking an update on our local fixins’ for quite some time now. The good word spreads wide and far. Kudos, sir.

@Wumpus - at least one of those clicks comes from me, combing through comments in search of Wumpus witticisms

Comment by Formerly Known As... Wednesday, Aug 20, 14 @ 3:45 pm
== A. Whiners ==

A childish action followed by dismissive name calling?

Par for the course on both sides of this campaign so far.

Comment by Formerly Known As... Wednesday, Aug 20, 14 @ 3:47 pm
Big congrats on your traffic!!! Well deserved!!

Comment by Just a citizen Wednesday, Aug 20, 14 @ 4:00 pm
Quality attracts through satisfied repeat customers.

Comment by Anyone Remember Wednesday, Aug 20, 14 @ 4:05 pm
Congrats on the traffic count. Nice to see an independent operator succeed.

Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Aug 20, 14 @ 4:09 pm
Anon 409p = langhorne

Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Aug 20, 14 @ 4:11 pm
Both sides are being moronic. And they put hashtags on their tweets anyhow that would show up in feeds.

Here’s the real question: what on earth is that picture Brooke chose for her twitter page?

Comment by ChinaTown Wednesday, Aug 20, 14 @ 4:30 pm
You have so much traffic you’re gonna need some red
light cameras to keep things under control. Your numbers are hard earned and well deserved.

Comment by And I Approved This Message Wednesday, Aug 20, 14 @ 4:52 pm
FKA, I do really appreciate this site. I have learned a lot about things and stuff. Even when Rich misunderstands me, I like this place. Also, people who disagree have a level of respect for each other. Plus, he has the best interns.

Comment by Wumpus Wednesday, Aug 20, 14 @ 5:08 pm
Even on those days and on subjects when the comments and commenters can get kind of predictable and contentious and cranky, the main thread posts that Rich starts us out with are always fresh and informative and link supported. I appreciate that, and his efforts in that regard very much.

Comment by Responsa Wednesday, Aug 20, 14 @ 5:19 pm
I check this site at least two or three times a day, more if there’s something major happening. Great place!

Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Aug 20, 14 @ 6:02 pm
the fun never stops,thanks for a place to hang out and learn

Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Aug 20, 14 @ 6:27 pm
Congratulations, Rich. You so deserve the success of this website. You give the people their daily dose of important news along with your smart commentary that can only come from someone with your experience.

I also love Rich’s news feeds on the side of this page. I use them more now and get some great stories, like this very positive economic story about Chicago:

http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20140820/NEWS01/140819824/chicago-among-top-cities-for-fastest-growing-companies-inc-says

The commenters here are awesome, the best. There are so many insightful comments and experienced observers of politics and other topics.

Comment by Grandson of Man Wednesday, Aug 20, 14 @ 6:55 pm
…capitalism is a wonderful thing….

Comment by Rauner is Your Next Governor Wednesday, Aug 20, 14 @ 7:41 pm
Yes, it is. God bless America.

Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Aug 20, 14 @ 10:44 pm
==A childish action followed by dismissive name calling?==

Jeez FKA, lighten up.

Comment by Demoralized Thursday, Aug 21, 14 @ 8:33 am