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Quinn’s populist schtick exposed

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Illinois

* In just about every speech, Gov. Pat Quinn holds up his Super 8 VIP discount card to show how frugal he is…

The problem is, however, that the Daily Herald has found Super 8 VIP cards like Quinn’s were discontinued more than five years ago.

So the card Quinn has been touting at news conferences was effectively useless even as it helped him build a reputation as a politician so thrifty he not only sleeps in budget motels, but uses a discount card to do so.

The cards were discontinued five years ago? Here’s the official explanation…

Quinn’s office said in a statement to the Daily Herald that the card was intended as a “demonstration.” His office said the governor has stayed at Super 8 hotels in Moline, Mokena and Joliet within the last year.

“Especially in these difficult economic times, we need a governor (who) is fiscally responsible,” read the statement from Quinn’s office. “Governor Quinn has stayed at Super 8 Hotels across the state for many years and will continue to do so.”

If Quinn has stayed at the Super 8 at least three times this past year, then he knows the VIP card is no good. So, all along, this has just been patronizing populist schtick.

ABC7 steps up for Quinn…

An Associated Press review of state records shows that, as lieutenant governor, Quinn stayed at Super 8 motels when travelling and routinely paid for his own food.

Quinn say he is proud to be frugal, and considers Super 8 a move up from his previous choice, Motel 6.

* The Daily Herald also took a look at the governor’s recent public schedule…

When Gov. Pat Quinn stepped inside a famous West side Chicago soul food restaurant on Friday to celebrate Black History Month alongside lawmakers, it marked the end of a more than two-week hibernation from public events.

Quinn’s postelection downtime was in stark contrast to the whirlwind of government appearances he held before the Feb. 2 primary, announcing millions of dollars of taxpayer-funded construction projects.

Quinn’s official government schedule shows the governor’s Friday event was the first time he’s held an appearance on taxpayer time since before he narrowly defeated Comptroller Dan Hynes in the Democratic primary. Today, Quinn’s scheduled to be in Washington, D.C., for several events, including a meeting with President Obama along with other members of the National Governors’ Association. […]

“I’ve been at work every day,” Quinn said as he entered the Capitol in Springfield one day last week, adding that he’s gone back and forth between Chicago and Springfield.

I poked a bit of fun at the governor’s disappearance in my most recent Sun-Times column. But I do understand if he wanted to take a break from the public eye after a grueling campaign.

* And the Sun-Times finally notices some of Quinn’s campaign contributions from former Senate President Emil Jones, Ald. Ed Burke and Joe Berrios…

Quinn has long portrayed himself as the consummate political outsider. His credentials as a reformer include leading a successful push to reduce the number of lawmakers in the General Assembly and creating the Citizens Utility Board consumer advocacy group.

But voters shouldn’t view him any differently now, despite his turning for help to the Democratic establishment, his campaign spokeswoman says. “Absolutely not,” Mica Matsoff says.

“The governor’s credentials as a reformer rest on 35 years of fighting for change,” she says. “That’s not, in any way, undermined by the fact that he accepted contributions from members of his own Democratic Party.” […]

Quinn sees “Ed Burke as a family friend,” Matsoff says [even though Burke backed his opponent in the 1998 lt. governor primary] […]

“[Berrios and Quinn have] worked together since 1982 and have been friends ever since,” Matsoff says [even though Quinn backed a Berrios opponent in 1988].

* Related…

* Groups seek vote on redistricting method

* Organizations petition for Illinois Fair Map Amendment

* Help state change the way it draws political maps

* State government taking opinions from citizens

* Open government ready to close?

* SJ-R Opinion: Efforts to weaken FOIA are a mistake

* No pensions for felons

* Ryan: No pension; no pardon

* Maybe George Ryan should follow Tiger’s lead

* Pols, this can be you

* Illinois to receive funding to expand broadband

* Project to expand broadband in northern Illinois

* Illinois agencies host job fair for veterans

posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Feb 22, 10 @ 10:52 am

Comments

But the Super8 card is gold, Rich, gold. It kills out on the road.

If you take a look at Quinn’s campaign fund expenses, he stays in some pretty nice hotels, too.

Comment by wordslinger Monday, Feb 22, 10 @ 11:00 am
Brady has to understand that the blago/rezko stuff is not important, now. it did mckenna very little good as we can see. the blago/rezko stuff may become important in august or so, but for right now and until then brady’s case needs to be an indictment against the chicago machine dems “the chicago way,” of which quinn is a part, and how it has operates to the detriment of the public interest. the chicago way hasn’t worked in D.C. for Obama and it hasn’t helped illinois government to function well etc. brady can systematically undermine quinn’s honest reformer claims by simply tagging him along with the chicago machine dems and all they have done over recent years. if only quinn had stayed away from the machine last year, of course he could still make his honest reformer claims today and all year long and easily coast to a win in november. but, oh well.

Comment by Will County Woman Monday, Feb 22, 10 @ 11:07 am
George Ryan can stay where he is!
No pension, tough. Sorry for his wife’s illness.
He should of thought about his actions a long time ago.
Doesn’t Thompson and Ryan realize how my people are struggling in the real world.
My guess, is probably not.

Comment by Wacker Drive Monday, Feb 22, 10 @ 11:22 am
brady should be careful to make his case against quinn as a chicago dem in a way that makes the point in roundabout way, not directly just yet. the now should not be on quinn. it should be moreso on the chicago dems as a whole and how the chicago dem brand has hurt the state etc.

Comment by Will County Woman Monday, Feb 22, 10 @ 11:24 am
three words: Slow news day…

Comment by Loop Lady Monday, Feb 22, 10 @ 11:27 am
Quinn’s now tarnished reformer credentials are old hat to this blog’s visitors, but it’s nice to see one of the big dailies spill some pretty serious ink on the subject.

And, again, it’s the small, seemingly trivial stuff - lying about the use of a Super 8 VIP card - that will probably resonate more than Quinn accepting big contris from the most prominent old guard Machinists.

Comment by The Doc Monday, Feb 22, 10 @ 11:27 am
Perhaps they felt sorry for Pat and were still taking it.

Comment by OneMan Monday, Feb 22, 10 @ 11:28 am
Loop Lady, the RRB people used to say that very thing all the time.

Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Feb 22, 10 @ 11:31 am
I dont see what the problem is with the card. you seem to have some thing against quinn these days.

like hell rezko and blago don’t matter. they do and it will be a big part of why senator kirk and governor brady are elected with over 55 percent of the vote versus much closer results otherwise.

Comment by shore Monday, Feb 22, 10 @ 11:32 am
Once Quinn became the governor by default, he can no longer stake any claim to being a political outsider. Of course people are going to donate to an incumbent governor’s campaign if they think he has a chance of retaining the office. That is utterly unsurprising to this observer. Where you stand often depends on where you sit.
As for the Super 8 discount card, that is just part of the old Pat Quinn populist schlock that he has cultivated for years. Funny it took five years for someone to call him out on it.

Comment by Jake from Elwood Monday, Feb 22, 10 @ 11:35 am
shore—the eternal optimist…or pessimist maybe, Im not sure.

Comment by Bill Monday, Feb 22, 10 @ 11:44 am
Shore, dinner on me if you can go one week without mentioning Mark Kirk on CapFax.

Comment by Obamarama Monday, Feb 22, 10 @ 11:52 am
Quinn gives reporters and opponents plenty of ammunition to use against him. Using a prop as part of his populist schtick is a pretty minor offense.

@shore: why bother having an election, right?

Comment by JonShibleyFan Monday, Feb 22, 10 @ 11:52 am
Quinn has been exposed as a fraud here. It is a big deal. Pat’s strength has been an appearance of honesty and trust. The Super 8 card was his golden Wonka ticket of credibility.

Now we know he can lie and be a fraud like anyone else. He is going to catch it if the GOP uses it.

Bad move Governor.

Now, let’s hope Brady doesn’t channeling “Pappy O’Daniel” and start showing up on the back of an old pickup truck with speakers, waving a broom over his head claiming he is going to do a clean sweep of government. And have a couple of vertically challenged people with him to show that he is for the little people.

State of Constant Sorrow”

(In constant sorrow through our days)

We are a state of constant sorrow
We’ve seen trouble since this downturn.
I think we should be like Kentucky
The place where I was born to govern.
(The place where he was born to govern.)

For many years I’ve been in Springfield
No pleasures there one can find
In Springfield law is an ugly plaything
Politicians there are so unkind.

[chorus] Politicians there are so unkind.

Satan’s friend is named Blagojevich
Quinn’s and Madigan’s partner in crime
Now this old state is in a big ditch
So vote Republican one more time.

[chorus] So vote Republican one more time.

Comment by VanillaMan Monday, Feb 22, 10 @ 11:54 am
“It is a big deal.”

No. It really isn’t.

Comment by JonShibleyFan Monday, Feb 22, 10 @ 11:59 am
yes, but the problem was/is too many of quinn’s supporters/base still viewed him as a honest reformer type by the time feb 2, 2010 rolled around. his “you know me…” late primary commercial might still be resonating in people’s heads. those people need to be divorced of such views and forced to confront the present-day reality that is pat quinn: he is no longer honest or a reformer.

Comment by Will County Woman Monday, Feb 22, 10 @ 11:59 am
===No. It really isn’t. ===

Then explain to us why it isn’t.

And keep in mind that the little things in politics often mean a whole lot more than the big stuff.

Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Feb 22, 10 @ 12:10 pm
I have it on good authority that the Governor will ditch his Super 8 card in favor of his Marshall Fields credit card for all future campaign appearances.

Comment by GoldCoastConservative Monday, Feb 22, 10 @ 12:13 pm
Pat Quinn the reformer taking a whole lot of money from Alderman Burke. One wonders how much Pat Quinn now “owes” Ed “status quo” Burke?

Comment by Steve Monday, Feb 22, 10 @ 12:24 pm
Rich: I have not an RRB supporter since 2006…let’s have the news media concentrate on this non issue instead of things that really matter-like the state of IL finances and how to deal with it…Anyone who knows Quinn knows he is not a spendthrift…let’s move along now folks…

Comment by Loop Lady Monday, Feb 22, 10 @ 12:30 pm
“Then explain to us why it isn’t. ”

OK. For starters, I’ll take another line from the Herald story: “Indeed, there is little doubt Quinn has stayed at budget motels as a top state official.”

It’s a prop. But it’s a prop indicative of reality - he really stays in budget hotels, at least some of the time. It isn’t the small town roots of John Edwards in the face of evidence that he scorned those same folks. It isn’t Blair Hull’s union card that he waved around before driving off in his Toyota.

Little things can certainly have a big impact, but this almost certainly isn’t one of those things. The state’s $12 billion in debt. The budget’s a mess. There is no inertia, despite Dems controlling both houses of the legislature and the gov’s office.

Oh, and then there’s Rod.

I’d say that on the list of things that could hurt Pat Quinn in the fall, this one ranks in the cellar.

Comment by JonShibleyFan Monday, Feb 22, 10 @ 12:31 pm
===instead of things that really matter-like the state of IL finances and how to deal with it===

We have two long posts on state finances today and you haven’t yet commented on either of them.

Spare me the crocodile tears.

Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Feb 22, 10 @ 12:32 pm
JonShibleyFan, I would disagree because it is an easily understood pivot point. For instance, “Pat Quinn’s budget is as valid as his VIP card.” Etc.

Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Feb 22, 10 @ 12:35 pm
Maybe. But even then, it’s the condiment, not the meat.

Comment by JonShibleyFan Monday, Feb 22, 10 @ 12:36 pm
Is it true Quinn was touting his TWA frequent flier discount card?

Comment by Michelle Flaherty Monday, Feb 22, 10 @ 12:41 pm
PQ is a master of grandstanding, so this doesn’t really come as a surprise. It’s not a big deal I suppose because he actually stays there, but this makes it seems like the real reason he stays there is to score political points, not to save the state money.

Comment by Just Noticed Monday, Feb 22, 10 @ 12:45 pm
My apologies for the off-topic post…

Shore, seriously - your fawning over Kirk on this blog became obnoxious and irritating long ago.

Your audience here generally consists of well-informed and engaged citizens. Why you feel the need to mount a campaign for Kirk, consisting almost entirely of rosy platitudes, and directed at CapFax readers doesn’t make sense. Predicting Kirk will receive 55% of the general election vote is not based on any polling or other objective data; it is simply your desired outcome.

Please stop.

Comment by The Doc Monday, Feb 22, 10 @ 12:46 pm
Why does the Gov. Quinn card matter really, really not matter? Because it actually is his card and he actually does often stay at Super8s, as the AP research confirmed. Let the record show I have an expired library card, but it has my name on it and it doesn’t mean I haven’t been to the library recently. This lite story reminds me of when some writers were critical of Gov. Quinn’s choice of ties.

Comment by Dem in Denim Monday, Feb 22, 10 @ 12:49 pm
I have stated many times what I thought to be necessary to solve the State budget crisis, an income tax hike, better incentives for business, and pension reform (inclusive of union members) …I do not think I have to repeat these ideas when others have done so even more elegantly than myself…I am not crying for Quinn in the least …I just don’t think my comments are the be all and end all of this blog.

If only others who post here felt the same.
Thank you for caring though Rich I still love what you do…

Comment by Loop Lady Monday, Feb 22, 10 @ 1:00 pm
I’d say that on the list of things that could hurt Pat Quinn in the fall, this one ranks in the cellar.

Perot had his Oldsmobile. Brown has his Chevy truck. Blagojevich had his Cubs/Elvis image. Every politician has a personal marketing quirk that encapsulates their message within their personality demonstrating sincerity and honesty.

This goes right to the heart of who Pat Quinn is, and how voters accept him. He used the card to demonstrate to us who he is, right? We are facing cuts, higher taxes and broken schools. We need a person to lead Illinois with demonstratable frugality. That card tied everything nicely together during his speeches. It demonstrated the personal frugality of a man who followed Rod Blagojevich into office. It was the right message at the right time. He got applause for it because the audience responded positively to him, that message, and his personal sincerity. Quinn and his team used this because it was a powerful symbol. They knew it. HE knew it.

Now we know he set us up. Repeatedly. WOW. That isn’t what voters expect from this man. It is a bad thing. The GOP should use this to piece a hole right into Quinn’s chest. Any opposition should be willing to use this.

What if it was discovered that Senator Brown’s truck wasn’t really his? Or that Blagojevich never attended a Cubs game?

Well, Quinn’s VIP card has turned out to be that kind of fraud.

Comment by VanillaMan Monday, Feb 22, 10 @ 1:04 pm
I’ve seen Quinn use the super8 card a few times and he never got applause. Most people ignored him and some went EEEEWWWWWW and laughed at his poor taste in lodging.

Comment by Anonymous Monday, Feb 22, 10 @ 1:09 pm
Michelle, I think it was Pan-Am Airlines.
Oh, and Governor, not all populists opt to stay at two star hotels. Some of us like the complimentary shampoo bottles.

Comment by Jake from Elwood Monday, Feb 22, 10 @ 1:29 pm
“Perot had his Oldsmobile. Brown has his Chevy truck. Blagojevich had his Cubs/Elvis image.”

1) None of them won because of that.

2) The article points out that Quinn stays at the Super 8, so while the prop is expired, the sentiment is still valid.

Pat Quinn can only hope Brady makes the Super 8 card the center of his campaign. He’d have to start by explaining it, because if you think most voters have listened to a Pat Quinn speech and know he carries around a Super 8 discount card, well, I have a Super 8 discount card to sell you.

Comment by JonShibleyFan Monday, Feb 22, 10 @ 1:40 pm
===None of them won because of that. ===

But they could’ve lost if they were exposed as frauds.

Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Feb 22, 10 @ 1:41 pm
At some point doesn’t he need to stop with the props and actually do something as governor?

Comment by Michelle Flaherty Monday, Feb 22, 10 @ 1:45 pm
It matters because his schtick is all he has ever been.

Comment by Pat Robertson Monday, Feb 22, 10 @ 1:51 pm
geeze michelle. the man has only been governor for more than a year. why should he START actually doing something as a governor now? a bit late for that, don’t you think?

Comment by Will County Woman Monday, Feb 22, 10 @ 2:03 pm
“But they could’ve lost if they were exposed as frauds. ”

Maybe. And if the AP found that Pat Quinn was normally staying at Five Star hotels while flashing the card, they’d have a good story.

But he does stay at Super 8. And he does demonstrate personal thrift. And you can bet he’ll do so even more now that this has come out.

So instead of a scathing story of rank hypocrisy, you have a politician who is taking some license, but whose rhetoric is more or less backed up by his actions.

Comment by JonShibleyFan Monday, Feb 22, 10 @ 2:06 pm
a politician who is taking some license…

Did you crib that from Blagojevich?

Comment by VanillaMan Monday, Feb 22, 10 @ 2:24 pm
“Did you crib that from Blagojevich?”

Yeah. Waving an expired discount card from a hotel you actually stay at is EXACTLY like seeding state boards with fundraisers and trying to sell a US Senate seat.

Comment by JonShibleyFan Monday, Feb 22, 10 @ 2:26 pm
===a hotel you actually stay at===

3 times in a year.

Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Feb 22, 10 @ 2:29 pm
3>0

Comment by JonShibleyFan Monday, Feb 22, 10 @ 2:31 pm
Just as an FYI, I usually judge the impact of an argument based on the push-back in comments. The louder and more aggressive the pushback, the more effective the argument.

Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Feb 22, 10 @ 2:33 pm
I’m not trying to be argumentative here, or even back Quinn up. I am not going to decide to vote for or against him based on where he sleeps. I don’t care.

I just don’t buy that this is going to be more than a one day story, to the extent that it is even that.

Others disagree. That’s what makes the blog interesting and fun.

I’m sure Rich will refer to the card often, maybe even put it into a column, so people who read the blog will know about it, but then again, we already do.

It is merely my opinion that it is neither and important story, nor will it be a significant part of Brady’s campaign against him.

If I’m wrong, well, won’t be the first or last time.

Comment by JonShibleyFan Monday, Feb 22, 10 @ 2:37 pm
I didn’t see the 2:33 comment before I sent the 2:37.

I didn’t think I made any loud or aggressive points - certainly wasn’t thinking loudly or aggressively.

Comment by JonShibleyFan Monday, Feb 22, 10 @ 2:38 pm
For those that say this is not a big deal, allow me to paint a picture for you. Consider the following campaign commercial by Brady…

Older couple loading bags into back of station wagon in hotel parking lot

Woman loads one suitcase while saying,

“We thought we were getting a good deal after the problems with that last one…”

Man loads suitcase while saying

“We thought this one would save us money and wouldn’t be so seedy…”

Woman closes tailgate, while husband crosses arms, and woman says,

“Boy, were we wrong- all gimmicks, not the kind of service we expected…”

As the camera pans back to the station wagon leaving the parking lot, you see a sign showing they are driving across the state line into Indiana.

Cut to Bill Brady saying,

“After Rod Blagojevich was impeached, Illinoisans expected his replacement, Pat Quinn, would be a real reformer. Unfortunately, after more than a year later, the reforms we have received are as phony as Pat Quinn’s Super 8 VIP Discount Card [Shot to headline about phony card and video of Quinn holding it up on the stump]. I’ve been a leader in the legislature, sponsoring reforms to______ and ________. I’ll help to keep families and businesses in Illinois and not moving across our state lines. As a businessman, I know how to create and retain jobs and now I want our state do just that. I ask for your vote on Election Day. Together, we can turn Illinois around. [Video of station wagon doing a U-Turn and coming back to IL. End on shot of Bill Brady smiling.] Paid for by Brady for Illinois.”

I’m no political ad producer, but I could see this issue being used in just this kind of way to the benefit of Brady.

Comment by PEORIA Monday, Feb 22, 10 @ 2:55 pm
Wonder where Quinn’s staying in D.C. this week for the National Gov’s Association? Did he find a Super 8 of stay at the Penn. Ave Marriott?

Comment by Michelle Flaherty Monday, Feb 22, 10 @ 3:41 pm
It’s the selectivity I find problematic. This recent primary, at least two candidates that I know of (a challenger and an incumbent) fabricated key resume facts in print–just the kind of thing that gets mere mortals fired–and yet here, the Governor, who actually stayed at the budget hotel, is getting busted for using its old loyalty card as a prop? Oy.

Comment by Indeedy Monday, Feb 22, 10 @ 3:43 pm
What’s pathetic is that the Super 8 card can be such an issue…I know it’s “symbolic”, but it’s also trivial. It’s like Blago and “what was she thinking” and “Ryan’s Treasurer”–pure marketing. “The Selling of the President” redux.

Comment by D.P. Gumby Monday, Feb 22, 10 @ 5:09 pm
Really, gotcha-journalism on CapFax? What’s the world coming to? I want more on how Quinn shouldn’t be gratuitously alienating other players in Springfield and patronizing everybody with government-by-press-release. I suppose this tangentially qualifies on the second point, but still, REALLY!!!!

Comment by Angry Chicagoan Monday, Feb 22, 10 @ 5:10 pm
Sorry. Petty? Not really.

Just more of the same. He’s an incumbent. Wants to keep the job at any cost [including the cost to the taxpayers].

HE’S the solution?

Comment by sal-says Monday, Feb 22, 10 @ 5:32 pm
Pathetic, laughable nonsense. You mean he STAYS at Super 8’s but DOESN’T get a discount?? Why, he might as well be staying at the Peninsula! Rich is right, what a BIG DEAL. Tar and feather him I say, keel haul him, string him up! The question is, should it be Quinn for flashing the Super 8 card when he doesn’t really get any discount, or Rich, for making a mountain out of an anthill?

Comment by Mighty M. Mouse Tuesday, Feb 23, 10 @ 1:03 am
Yet another disappointing development in the destruction of Pat Quinn as we knew him.

Comment by IL Stinks Tuesday, Feb 23, 10 @ 1:54 am
meaningless nonsense

Comment by Mighty M. Mouse Tuesday, Feb 23, 10 @ 2:17 am
===or Rich, for making a mountain out of an anthill? ===

lol

Mr. Sensitive.

Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Feb 23, 10 @ 7:09 am