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Question of the day

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Illinois

DAVE BLANCHETTE, a state government veteran who is now deputy director of the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, will become Gov. PAT QUINN’s Springfield spokesman as of March 18.

“With his remarkable command of Illinois history and communications expertise, Dave will make our team stronger and effectively communicate information the public needs to know,” said BROOKE ANDERSON, Quinn’s press secretary. “Serving as Springfield spokesman for Governor Quinn, who himself is a history buff, is a perfect fit for Dave.”

* The Question: Your advice for Dave?

posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Mar 12, 13 @ 12:17 pm

Comments

Deep breaths.

Comment by Empty Chair Tuesday, Mar 12, 13 @ 12:28 pm
Be prepared to work “night and day”

Comment by John A Logan Tuesday, Mar 12, 13 @ 12:29 pm
One word - Plastics!

Advice …

Realize all we, Illinoisans, would like, is a straight answer when you can, and try to stay above all the paranoia/talking points.

Have fun, its’ tough being the “messenger”, but if you do it as a Pro, no matter what, you personally wil be respected.

And … Plastics.

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Mar 12, 13 @ 12:30 pm
Stay at the museum.

Comment by Bill Tuesday, Mar 12, 13 @ 12:31 pm
Become zen with the fact that there is only one press secretary in this administration and his name is Pat Quinn.

Comment by Chicago Cynic Tuesday, Mar 12, 13 @ 12:31 pm
Go in realizing that it is short term gig. Realize that Quinn lacks friends to help you get your next position. Don’t say or do anything that will aggravate people to the extent that getting a new job in January, 2015 will be unreasonably difficult.

Comment by Skeeter Tuesday, Mar 12, 13 @ 12:31 pm
Don’t lose sight of the fact that your boss’s term is over on January 12, 2015 or in 672 days.

Comment by Cassiopeia Tuesday, Mar 12, 13 @ 12:36 pm
As Abraham Lincoln said: “You may fool all the people some of the time, you can even fool some of the people all of the time, but you cannot fool all of the people all the time.”

Comment by Just saying Tuesday, Mar 12, 13 @ 12:39 pm
“… will become Gov. PAT QUINN’s Springfield spokesman as of March 18.”

He will be the spokesman for all things concerning Springfield? Who are the spokespeople for the other towns in the state…

Comment by Cincinnatus Tuesday, Mar 12, 13 @ 12:42 pm
For us outsiders — why does Quinn need both a Spokesman and a Press Secretary? Seems like one person could do both jobs.

What am I missing?

Comment by Skeeter Tuesday, Mar 12, 13 @ 12:47 pm
Cinci, I know u guys have been out of power for a while, but the tradition has been that Statehouse based reporters had their own local flak. Sometimes I used them, sometimes I didn’t. Depended on the person and what I needed.

Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Mar 12, 13 @ 12:47 pm
When you get stumped just say “Dave’s not here, man.”

Comment by Calhoun Native Tuesday, Mar 12, 13 @ 12:48 pm
Just remember, if Rebecca Rausch could get a new gig after what she had to flak for, you can, too.

Comment by Six Degrees of Separation Tuesday, Mar 12, 13 @ 12:54 pm
Take lots of pictures, Dave!
No one is going to believe what you will be seeing!

Comment by VanillaMan Tuesday, Mar 12, 13 @ 12:55 pm
Asbestos underwear, kevlar vest and polyester suit.

Comment by titan Tuesday, Mar 12, 13 @ 12:56 pm
Learn about Democratic constituencies. Consider voting in the Democratic primary for once.

Comment by Maverick Tuesday, Mar 12, 13 @ 12:56 pm
“Cinci, I know u guys have been out of power for a while, but the tradition has been that Statehouse based reporters had their own local flak. Sometimes I used them, sometimes I didn’t. Depended on the person and what I needed.”

I too, remember the good old days. My clients used to pick up the tab when I flew first class. And I never cared about the cost of the rental car when I got there. I would choose something comfortable. I knew the client would not ask questions.

But times have changed. We are all working on stricter budgets. Nobody likes it, but times are tough. You need to find places to cut.

Comment by Skeeter Tuesday, Mar 12, 13 @ 12:57 pm
Retire. No, seriously.

Comment by Pool Boy Tuesday, Mar 12, 13 @ 12:58 pm
Drink heavily on St. Patty’s Day.

Comment by Arthur Andersen Tuesday, Mar 12, 13 @ 1:01 pm
Keep your resume current.

Comment by Chevy owner/Ford County Tuesday, Mar 12, 13 @ 1:02 pm
Good luck.

Comment by Raymond Tuesday, Mar 12, 13 @ 1:02 pm
Back to the question please.

Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Mar 12, 13 @ 1:02 pm
Dave survived a lot of Blagoofian nonsense at CMS and has done fine since the PQ era…we think he understands
Good luck we know you would rather be a the ALPLM, but hey let’s have some fun

Comment by CircularFiringSquad Tuesday, Mar 12, 13 @ 1:03 pm
Take a lesson from Mayor Richard J. Daley’s press secretary and memorize these words…”Don’t write what he says, write what he means.”

Might help.

Comment by Commonsense in Illinois Tuesday, Mar 12, 13 @ 1:06 pm
One word — soy!!

Comment by Boone Logan Square Tuesday, Mar 12, 13 @ 1:07 pm
My advice: feel good about being chosen. It’s an honor, and you deserve it. You’ve served the state well every stop along the way, and getting the top Springfield flak spot is deserved. Best of luck!

Comment by Middle of the Road Tuesday, Mar 12, 13 @ 1:15 pm
Try for the sports authority

Comment by Pardon Tuesday, Mar 12, 13 @ 1:16 pm
- Rich Miller - Tuesday, Mar 12, 13 @ 12:47 pm:

“Cinci, I know u guys have been out of power for a while, but the tradition has been that Statehouse based reporters had their own local flak. Sometimes I used them, sometimes I didn’t. Depended on the person and what I needed.”

More making fun of the sentence than the position, Rich. English is a great language that I wish I could use better than I do. I think it should say, “Springfield-based,” or “spokesman in Springfield,” but hell, I’m just an engineer…

Comment by Cincinnatus Tuesday, Mar 12, 13 @ 1:17 pm
===I’m just an engineer… ===

Yeah. OK.

lol

Back to the fun.

Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Mar 12, 13 @ 1:18 pm
Duck and cover!
Stop! Drop! and Roll!

Comment by Spliff Tuesday, Mar 12, 13 @ 1:23 pm
Dave already knows how to do the pr stuff and I’m sure he also knows this is a short-term gig, so my advice would be: enjoy it while it lasts and try to have fun!

Comment by RNUG Tuesday, Mar 12, 13 @ 1:24 pm
What was I thinkin’?

Comment by retired Tuesday, Mar 12, 13 @ 2:09 pm
Is he the update guy on the contents of Quinn’s refrigerator?

Comment by Wensicia Tuesday, Mar 12, 13 @ 2:15 pm
Some press secretaries go on to successful careers even after surviving a tough boss under impossible conditions.
http://www.welovetheiraqiinformationminister.com/

Comment by Emanuel Kant Tuesday, Mar 12, 13 @ 2:18 pm
Create a header in Word that starts with

WHMTSW

What he meant to say was….

Comment by ArchPundit Tuesday, Mar 12, 13 @ 2:18 pm
Dave has been around a long time and could most likely give all of us some advice. My “advice” to Dave is keep on doing’ what you’ve been doin’ the way you’ve been doin’ it, ’cause nobody does it like you! You will be missed on 6th street.

Comment by lincolnlover Tuesday, Mar 12, 13 @ 2:29 pm
the gov’s budget is as real as Lincoln’s hat.

Comment by Michelle Flaherty Tuesday, Mar 12, 13 @ 2:44 pm
I think Mr. Blutarsky put it best

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YYqnoULgD30

Comment by OneMan Tuesday, Mar 12, 13 @ 2:49 pm
Also if anyone suggests a cartoon python, go along with it, live a little…

Comment by OneMan Tuesday, Mar 12, 13 @ 2:49 pm
You are his spokesperson, not his bodyguard.Know where the exits are.

Always have another clean shirt available, several if you are discussing pensions.

Comment by Sunshine Tuesday, Mar 12, 13 @ 3:05 pm
Congrats Dave. Have known Dave 35+ years great guy who knows how to get along. Keep up the good work.

Comment by Roger G. Jacksonville Tuesday, Mar 12, 13 @ 3:54 pm
Pq isn’t known for listening to his press people, so hang in there Dave!

Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Mar 12, 13 @ 3:57 pm
hey, at least you left the hat controv behind!!!!!

Comment by Amalia Tuesday, Mar 12, 13 @ 4:08 pm
Run. As fast as you can, run away and never look back.

Comment by BDuty6 Tuesday, Mar 12, 13 @ 4:15 pm
If you’re sent out with a tough policy position to announce or defend, procrastinate a while — your boss’s position will change.

Comment by Quizzical Tuesday, Mar 12, 13 @ 4:17 pm
Most of all… have a good sense of humor. It will help defuse all the angry people at the capital building.

Comment by Mama Tuesday, Mar 12, 13 @ 4:39 pm
Get Quinn a muzzle.

Comment by Just Me Tuesday, Mar 12, 13 @ 4:57 pm
Dave, retire. we have never met but I have “known” you through the press for years. I was disappointed when I read you were taking this position. seems like a loser to me, but I wish you all the best, seriously.

Comment by susiejones Tuesday, Mar 12, 13 @ 4:59 pm
Buy a new cage for Squeezy….

Comment by Judgment Day Tuesday, Mar 12, 13 @ 6:07 pm
good choice since quinn will be history soon

Comment by county chairman Tuesday, Mar 12, 13 @ 6:12 pm
Think positive and point OUT the positives, keep smiling, and never say die (at this point for Gov. Quinn, all of these are essentials if you’re gonna serve as his mouthpiece, (’cuz, in brief, there’s plenty to be cynical about and frown about and be discOURaged about these days in Illinois, particularly given Pat Quinn’s particular garGANtuan challenges, both policy-wise and politically-speaking)…!

Comment by Just The Way It Is One Tuesday, Mar 12, 13 @ 6:44 pm
Get your war paint and your boxing gloves ready. Defend your guy with confidence. Whatever you do, don’t let the haters and the cynics win.

Comment by chubs mahoney Tuesday, Mar 12, 13 @ 7:16 pm
From the sound of things if he wants to keep the job for awhile he might want to be nice to Lisa.

Comment by Bemused Tuesday, Mar 12, 13 @ 10:10 pm
if the hat fits its real, must be worth 5 mill?

Comment by bullet Wednesday, Mar 13, 13 @ 7:37 am