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* So, I skimmed through this story late yesterday…

Gov. Quinn launches pension reform website

Anyone wondering what Gov. Pat Quinn might do to rally support for an overhaul of the state’s pension systems need look no further than cyberspace.

Quinn, who says he is planning to launch a grassroots pension lobbying effort, already has a web page dedicated to the cause.

The site - www.saveourstate.illinois.gov - urges Illinoisans to call their representatives in the General Assembly to lobby for Quinn’s pension changes, which would require workers to pay more of their pay toward their retirements and slash annual cost of living adjustments for retirees.

I clicked the link and surfed over to see a basic Web page with very little info. Could this really be the governor’s much-hyped plan to energize the grassroots with social media? Really? You’re kidding me, right?…

* I sent this text to Quinn’s spokesperson…

Please tell me there’s more to this social media campaign that that stupid little web page. What is this, 1997?

The spokesperson called me right away. I answered the phone with: “1997 just called, they want their Web page back.”

The spokesperson, however, said the page has been up since the spring session, so, no, this is not part of the new plan.

That’s a relief. I totally agree with Patty about the effectiveness of that little page…

“This does not move the needle at all,” said Patty Schuh, spokeswoman for Senate Minority Leader Christine Radogno, R-Lemont.

* Any suggestions for the governor’s big social media scheme?

posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Sep 12, 12 @ 10:10 am

Comments

Hire Mitch Daniels and Scott Walker to run it!!!

Comment by 1776 Wednesday, Sep 12, 12 @ 10:16 am
=== Any suggestions for the governor’s big social media scheme?===

Yes.

Comment by Yellow Dog Democrat Wednesday, Sep 12, 12 @ 10:17 am
I’ll bet that site gets more hits today than it has since it was first put up.

Comment by Cheryl44 Wednesday, Sep 12, 12 @ 10:18 am
He could advertise on the Capitol Fax.com

Comment by Fed up Wednesday, Sep 12, 12 @ 10:18 am
Claim that he’s been mugged in Madrid and urgently needs you to wire him some money. Works for the spammers, maybe he could pay off the state’s debts that way.

Comment by thechampaignlife Wednesday, Sep 12, 12 @ 10:19 am
Hire Rich Miller as a consultant on blog writing. If Rich is unable to tear himself away from his “blogging” hire one of his former interns.

Comment by Just saying... Wednesday, Sep 12, 12 @ 10:22 am
Hook it to FaceBook and see who hits the Like Button!!

Comment by WhoKnew Wednesday, Sep 12, 12 @ 10:27 am
Is Patty Schuh really trying to pretend the gop wants to “move the needle” on anything or help the state and its people in any way pre-election? A bigger joke than Quinn’s website.

Comment by just sayin' Wednesday, Sep 12, 12 @ 10:28 am
Embed YouTube links to all the gripping speeches Quinn has made over the years, including where he voiced his support for striking Caterpillar workers. That would inspire me! Also, he needs to make sure that Facebook friends of AFSCME aren’t allowed to post, because those aren’t the taxpayers that matter.

Comment by AC Wednesday, Sep 12, 12 @ 10:32 am
Hire the “Pawn Stars” to take over the site and start selling old junk, excuse me, collectibles and antiques, from various State agencies and facilities. He will surely generate more hits and raise more dough this way than with that POS that has “CMS Rush Job” all over it.
Folks, when you visit, make sure and check out the half-baked letters of support from the private sector.

Comment by Arthur Andersen Wednesday, Sep 12, 12 @ 10:44 am
Why is it a good idea to call the webpage stupid and use sarcasm if you want to elicit honest information? It seems counter-productive.

Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Sep 12, 12 @ 10:48 am
An early resignation????One can hope>>>

Comment by PQ's Primary Opponent Wednesday, Sep 12, 12 @ 10:51 am
Actually, if you google for Pat Quinn’s Brain you will find his social media site.

Comment by AC Wednesday, Sep 12, 12 @ 10:53 am
Quinn should start a blog in the persona of his constant companion, Betsy the briefcase.

Comment by Coach Wednesday, Sep 12, 12 @ 10:53 am
Flash Mobs! (the dancing kind, not the thug kind)

Comment by dupage dan Wednesday, Sep 12, 12 @ 10:54 am
Rush job is right. Among the letters of support is one from “Infrastrure” leaders.

It’s not a typo when you’re missing three letters in a word.

Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Sep 12, 12 @ 10:56 am
social media campaigns are fine, and easy to set up, but I want to know results and targets of such campaigns. and whether other measures should be taken to achieve a desired result. the Obama campaign has constructed an extensive door knock campaign, and also has a social media campaign as well as other things. it’s not just about electronic reach, including for the Quinn people and more should be asked about their non electronic part.

Comment by amalia Wednesday, Sep 12, 12 @ 10:58 am
Give it up. It’s a counter-productive gadfly stunt that plays on 1) people’s ignorance about the state’s pension debt and 2)bigotry towards state workers and retirees.
If Quinn wants “grassroots”, he can have Ty Fahner,Doug Whitely, and so called IPI thinktankers pound the pavement for his misguided campaign against his own workforce.

Comment by Crime Fighter Wednesday, Sep 12, 12 @ 11:16 am
Maybe you could sell him the template for the “New” Capitol Fax site.

Comment by Michelle Flaherty Wednesday, Sep 12, 12 @ 11:20 am
Saw this a while back. Looks more ‘political’ than ‘State business’ related. Asked who’s paying for it; never got an answer.

Comment by sal-says Wednesday, Sep 12, 12 @ 11:22 am
He should try that Facebooking and Tweeterings… I think are going to catch on.

Comment by Just Observing Wednesday, Sep 12, 12 @ 11:30 am
Well the serious suggestion would be to hire whomever is doing the social media stuff for the CTU..

In all seriousness I have been giving this some thought and have no idea what he can accomplish besides engaging those who don’t want anything to happen to their benefits.

As for snark…

Well I hear that myspace is big with the kids, he might want to look into that.

Comment by OneMan Wednesday, Sep 12, 12 @ 11:36 am
===Asked who’s paying for it; never got an answer. ===

It’s a state website, man.

Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Sep 12, 12 @ 11:53 am
“===Asked who’s paying for it; never got an answer. ===

It’s a state website, man.”

Was intended to be a rhetorical question. I read the URL.

Comment by sal-says Wednesday, Sep 12, 12 @ 12:05 pm
“Don’t”

As in “Don’t do it - You’ll just embarrass yourself”.

With all the action going on in Chicago, it’s time for you to lower your profile and actually get serious & get some work done.

With what is happening in Chicago (one way or the other), you are getting an advance look at a potential road map of what you might be facing fairly soon.

So, prepare accordingly. It’s all about “Lessons Learned” and “Plan B”. As is currently obvious, our ‘fearless leader’ governor has has not learned anything so far, and has no “Plan B”.

Time to get busy. And being busy creating a social media site is just a diversion.

Comment by Judgment Day Wednesday, Sep 12, 12 @ 1:52 pm
I find it inappropriate for any state officer to use the State’s resources for their political machinations. What Quinn is doing here is not informing Illinois citizens of official state policy. He is being a politician, promoting a political stand, using Illinois taxpayer money.

The Governor needed to be told that this web page is not appropriate for the State of Illinois web site and instead should be located on a web site dedicated to his candidacy and political rants.

When a governor issues an official public relations statement, it is an official document regardless of it’s political merit. Political statements such as this web page are misleading and a waste of public monies.

Comment by VanillaMan Wednesday, Sep 12, 12 @ 2:00 pm
Pat Quinn isn’t social media, social media is quick and short messages. PQ can not do quick and short.

Comment by OneMan Wednesday, Sep 12, 12 @ 2:11 pm
Well said, OneMan. Also, quick and short.

Comment by Arthur Andersen Wednesday, Sep 12, 12 @ 2:19 pm
Sal and VanillaMan — sorry, but you’re wrong on this. The Governor’s website does not mention any ballot initiative, nor does it promote partisan politics.

Certainly, it promotes a specific Administration agenda and asks for residents’ support, but that doesn’t make it “Political.” Nowhere on the site does he blame Republicans for the pension problem, nor does he ask people to vote Yes on a ballot referendum on pension reform.

If you’re saying that there are a number of different opinions on this topic, and the Governor is promoting a specific one — well, yeah. Duh, even.

Keep in mind — the Governor stood for election, and he won. That means he gets to decide what goes on the State websites, so long as it doesn’t a) advocate partisan politics or b) promote a specific response on a ballot initiative. Otherwise — if you don’t like it, run against him in ‘14.

Comment by soccermom Wednesday, Sep 12, 12 @ 2:22 pm
A you-tube video showing grass growing in real time from the “grassroots”.

At least it will be more exciting and shorter than his speeches.

Or maybe a site showing the slanting deck of the Titanic in her last throes of life with the Gov. the GA. and the CEO of Com Ed, and the other large corporations like Sears, CME, all in the life boats and Pat Quinn with a long pike pole jabbing at the throngs of state workers still on the decks to keep them back. And the followng caption ” Every one in, no one left out.”

And off in the distance you see the Carpathia, captained by Scott Walker and mated by Mitch Daniels waiting to see if any CEO’s fall over so they can save them.

Comment by Irish Wednesday, Sep 12, 12 @ 2:46 pm
===The spokesperson called me right away. I answered the phone with: “1997 just called, they want their Web page back.” ===

Haha classic.

Comment by Boone's is Back Wednesday, Sep 12, 12 @ 3:08 pm
Ok, so Quinn wants to take from state employees that have been paying into this system without fail. But I don’t see and mention that the State and Quinn promises pay their part. So, to recap, lets blame those who did not cause this problem and allow those who caused the problem blame everyone else. Good jon Quinn!!

Comment by Zoble21 Wednesday, Sep 12, 12 @ 10:12 pm