Latest Post | Last 10 Posts | Archives
Previous Post: Politico report: Enyart slipping fast, Callis dumped
Next Post: Rauner outspent 2-1 on Chicago TV last month
Posted in:
* Gov. Quinn was asked today about how the minimum wage challenge was going for him…
Gov. Pat Quinn says his experience trying to live on the minimum wage for a week has meant graham crackers for dinner. […]
Quinn told reporters Tuesday that he’s opted for water instead of iced tea while eating out. He made the comments after talking to Chicago students returning to school for the first day of classes. […]
Quinn says he’ll spend $79 this week on food and other expenses. His campaign says that’s the estimated amount left for minimum wage workers after transportation and housing costs.
* React…
State Sen. Bill Brady, who ran against Quinn in 2010, calls it a publicity stunt.
“Frankly, it kind of mocks the struggles those who are living on minimum wage are dealing with,” Brady said. “It defers the attention that really needs to be focused on creating good paying, career-oriented jobs. That’s what we’re about.”
This is merely a simulated experience. Quinn won’t have to constantly fret this week about paying his rent, or making his car payment, or buying school clothes for his kids, or keeping his phone and electricity turned on, or paying for a dentist to deal with an other-worldly toothache, or the myriad other soul-crushing emergencies that the working poor deal with every single day.
If the governor talked more about those realities, I’d be more inclined to say this isn’t a stunt.
* Quinn did talk about the policy importance of the minimum wage today, but it was the same old lines he’s been using…
posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Sep 2, 14 @ 12:31 pm
Sorry, comments are closed at this time.
Previous Post: Politico report: Enyart slipping fast, Callis dumped
Next Post: Rauner outspent 2-1 on Chicago TV last month
WordPress Mobile Edition available at alexking.org.
powered by WordPress.
Kind of trivializes the whole thing, doesn’t it…
Comment by OneMan Tuesday, Sep 2, 14 @ 12:36 pm
Oh I feel so sorry for Quinn. He gets to look forward to life back on the hog after his stunt.
Most people on minimum wage can barely afford to dine out at all, let alone not order iced tea with their meal.
This is a mockery of low-wage workers.
Well, at least he’ll know what it’s like when he’s out of a job next January.
Comment by Steven Tuesday, Sep 2, 14 @ 12:37 pm
Of course Quinn is using it as a stunt, and rolling it out now hoping for an election boost. That doesn’t make raising the minimum wage any less important for the working poor and the economy.
Comment by PublicServant Tuesday, Sep 2, 14 @ 12:37 pm
I am not even surprised at the comments here.
Comment by Cheryl44 Tuesday, Sep 2, 14 @ 12:38 pm
This is about as impactful as George Ryan taking this challenge. Make his money men take it, then that’d be something.
Comment by Wumpus Tuesday, Sep 2, 14 @ 12:39 pm
phony Quinn in another useless stunt, instead of working to growing Illinois economy
just remember phony Quinn signed executive order requiring those family members caring for relatives at home ,to pay union dues taken from their Medicaid funds
Comment by better days Tuesday, Sep 2, 14 @ 12:42 pm
This is an embarrassing stunt.
Comment by Cassiopeia Tuesday, Sep 2, 14 @ 12:50 pm
Anything for Quinn and Rauner to shift the focus.
Quinnochio, Baron von Moneybags, people in chicken suits, real chickens in cages, graham crackers and water.
And so the downward spiral continues.
Comment by Formerly Known As... Tuesday, Sep 2, 14 @ 12:50 pm
I’m all for increasing the minimum wage and don’t have a problem with stunts, but for the record the “one week on minimum wage” thing is pretty deceptive. For dinner he bought a box of graham crackers rather than pasta - really Governor?
Comment by lake county democrat Tuesday, Sep 2, 14 @ 12:54 pm
== he’s opted for water instead of iced tea while eating out ==
Time to start packing peanut butter sandwiches if he expects to make it the full week.
Comment by Formerly Known As... Tuesday, Sep 2, 14 @ 12:55 pm
Swing and a miss.
Comment by john a logan Tuesday, Sep 2, 14 @ 12:57 pm
Completely agree. The thing is, unless I am missing something the legislature could have just approved an increase in the minimum wage, right? They didn’t need to do some sort of advisory referendum…
But instead of just doing something about, we get stunts.
Did a move to increase the minimum wage fail in the house or senate or did it not even come up? If it didn’t until they have an up or down vote on it this is all just a stunt.
If you think it needs to go up, then get those who oppose it on the record with a vote then use it against them.
Comment by OneMan Tuesday, Sep 2, 14 @ 12:58 pm
I wonder how many meals Pat Quinn will have bought for him this week by people trying to curry favor? You think he only forgoes the iced tea when he’s buying?
Comment by Phenomynous Tuesday, Sep 2, 14 @ 1:06 pm
Did rauner call the stunt “baloney”? (Snark)
Comment by Langhorne Tuesday, Sep 2, 14 @ 1:07 pm
It’s obviously a stunt. The real shame is that Quinn (and sanctimonious Jan Schakowsky before him) actually believes that he has a real connection with the poor and that his altruistic uses of government largess will cure the world’s ills.
Comment by Adam Smith Tuesday, Sep 2, 14 @ 1:12 pm
–Quinn told reporters Tuesday that he’s opted for water instead of iced tea while eating out.–
For crying out loud, that sounds like something Rauner would say.
I understand wanting to illustrate the issue and use it as a campaign tactic, but geez, how does Quinn whiff this badly?
Here’s the deal, Pat. You make good money. You’re juggling oogats. You don’t relate.
Instead of pulling this nonsense, how about having some folks making minimum wage over to your house for a bbq, open the doors to the press and let them tell their stories?
Advance the ball on policy and politics.
Comment by wordslinger Tuesday, Sep 2, 14 @ 1:15 pm
It’s getting the attention it deserves; mostly none and of that, mostly bad.
Comment by A guy... Tuesday, Sep 2, 14 @ 1:19 pm
Other Governors and even local U.S. reps have tried it: http://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2014/07/a-mile-in-shoes-of-the-minimum-wage-worker-109418.html#.VAYJ0sabdjY http://www.suntimes.com/news/otherviews/28995072-452/how-i-failed-to-live-on-the-minimum-wage.html .
The difference here is that Pat Quinn wants to raise the minimum wage and Bruce Rauner wants to cut it. This is a stunt, but an effective one.
Comment by Nonplussed Tuesday, Sep 2, 14 @ 1:20 pm
A stunt, plain as that. Reminds me of one if those Hollywood-type $5,000 a plate fundraising dinners for world hunger where the attendees receive a plate with a small pile of rice and a few beans , all so those attending can “understand” how hard it is to survive in the third world. Means nothing, but makes them feel so much better about themselves.
That said- his stunt must poll good with the base. Otherwise why would he open himself up for so much ridicule from even his backers here on cap fax?
Comment by Roadiepig Tuesday, Sep 2, 14 @ 1:28 pm
Why is Brady even being asked?
Was Jim Ryan unavailable?
Comment by VanillaMan Tuesday, Sep 2, 14 @ 1:29 pm
Waiting for PQ to gripe about having to reuse teabags in 3..2..1
Comment by Stones Tuesday, Sep 2, 14 @ 1:32 pm
It’s a stunt and everyone knows it’s a stunt. That’s Quinn’s standard operating procedure.
Comment by Norseman Tuesday, Sep 2, 14 @ 1:37 pm
== unless I am missing something the legislature could have just approved an increase in the minimum wage, right ==
Or at least called it for a vote.
Illinois has raised the minimum wage 7 times since 2003.
Since many of the leaders and members who ushered through those prior increases remain in Springfield today, they should have had no problem voting for it again. But they decided to wait since this is a great campaign issue and getting reelected is more important than anything else.
Comment by Formerly Known As... Tuesday, Sep 2, 14 @ 1:51 pm
This is a stunt that is frankly insulting to people who are struggling.
“Oohh, I went a week without spending much money.”
Big deal.
I saved money last week by skipping lunches because I need to lose weight. That makes me no closer, nor does it show any understanding of those who struggle to buy food. I could buy lunch. I chose not to. Same with Quinn. He could buy all those things he’s missing. He chooses not to. Poor people do not have those choices.
This is about headlines for Quinn. It has zero to do with helping people who need help.
Comment by Gooner Tuesday, Sep 2, 14 @ 1:56 pm
Water instead of Tea. I’ve been doing this for over a decade and I make well over the minimum wage. I just choose not to spend $2.50 for a glass of flavored water with my meal.
He really is marginalizing the topic. How about he start packing his lunch or skipping meals so he can afford things like utilities at home.
The stunt makes me sick.
Comment by Kevin Highland Tuesday, Sep 2, 14 @ 1:59 pm
By the way, those of you who seem to think that stunts are unique to one side in this race [eehh, eehh Norseman] — Quinnochio says hello.
Both sides are doing stuff that is stupid and insulting. Overall, both sides have been in a race to the bottom.
Aren’t there any adults who want to be Governor of Illinois?
Comment by Gooner Tuesday, Sep 2, 14 @ 2:01 pm
I am going to repeat everyone else in saying this is a stunt. I also want to add that he is spending $79 in a week on food. How much do real minimum wage individuals living alone spend on food? $79/week is probably close to what I spend on food now, let alone back when I was on a canned food from Save-A-Lot diet because Wal-Mart was too expensive for me.
==Quinn won’t have to constantly fret this week about paying his rent, or making his car payment, or buying school clothes for his kids, or keeping his phone and electricity turned on, or paying for a dentist to deal with an other-worldly toothache, or the myriad other soul-crushing emergencies that the working poor deal with every single day.==
Exactly Rich
Comment by Illiana Tuesday, Sep 2, 14 @ 2:07 pm
Gooner, never said this was unique to Quinn. Stunts are a common tool for politicians. However, I will say that Quinn takes it to a new level.
Comment by Norseman Tuesday, Sep 2, 14 @ 2:08 pm
Sure Norseman, as I glance down at my watch (hey — I’ve got a much better watch than Rauner!) and reach for my coat (OK, not really — it is like 80 in Chicago) I understand your comparison. /snark/
Yeah, Quinn is way worse. Good point.
Comment by Gooner Tuesday, Sep 2, 14 @ 2:12 pm
===Quinn takes it to a new level. ===
I dunno, man. Bringing chickens to a phony budget briefing ranks right up there for me.
Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Sep 2, 14 @ 2:14 pm
I surrender Rich and Gooner. I’m not impressed by either candidate’s stunts. That’s why Oswego Willy is my choice for Governor.
Comment by Norseman Tuesday, Sep 2, 14 @ 2:19 pm
I was thinking about the minimum wage last night. Other than business owners who are paying it out, does anybody in their right mind think the minimum wage is too high? Is the average worker/voter in Illinois going to agree with Rauner that the minimum wage is just too high?
Yeah, this is a stunt, and a smarmy one at that. Ironically, when I was a kid and unions were powerful in Illinois, the state never had a stronger economy. Ship jobs overseas and mostly what you have left now are minimum wage jobs.
Comment by Streator Curmudgeon Tuesday, Sep 2, 14 @ 2:24 pm
Water vs ice tea. Yep, the campaign just jumped the shark.
Comment by dupage dan Tuesday, Sep 2, 14 @ 2:34 pm
I’m ordering only Palmer, instead of “Arnold Palmer” this week. I’m even skipping ice. I’m feeling someone’s pain. Maybe my own. Dumb stunt.
Comment by A guy... Tuesday, Sep 2, 14 @ 2:49 pm
Someone should tell Quinn to order lemon water. THen, use that with sugar to make lemonade. The struggle is real!
Comment by Wumpus Tuesday, Sep 2, 14 @ 2:55 pm
This is Glorious Leader Quinn at his utmost worst.
This is the same Dope that wouldn’t cash his own chickens (legal), but hold back the legislators’ pay (completely unconstitutional), and now wants to discuss…tea?
Tea.
The $79 a week, Quinn is worried about tea… for 7 days.
See, Glorious Leader, those actually on Minimum Wage have no such luxury of waiting out a week, or skipping paycheck after paycheck to promote unconstitutionality of blunders…
Minimum wage workers, they worry. For weeks, their stomachs grumble.
You are inadvertently making a point of the lunacy of thinking for a moment, you can match or mirror the plight.
You are not wondering if the electricity stays on, hoping a child doesn’t get sick because you owe money…
…what’s next, in a week you going to say, “Wow, that was tough, I feel more in touch. Let’s go to Manny’s”?
A stunt, by a 3rd World leader, as he then prepares to feast afterwards at the “People’s Palace”
Yikes.
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Sep 2, 14 @ 3:19 pm
Quinn is just not a stunt kind of guy, no matter how hard or often he tries.
Everyone always knows these are stunts on both sides — but some have the smoothness to avoid being called on it. Just announce it, call it a “symbol”, then explain or detail nothing further.
Indeed just like the Rauner budget-plan chicken rodeo. Now that’s a sales rep!
Comment by walker Tuesday, Sep 2, 14 @ 3:25 pm
Try it for a few months mr.governor then come back an tell us!!
Comment by Highspeed Tuesday, Sep 2, 14 @ 3:36 pm
I’m stunned by how stupid Quinn’s stunt is. From the size of him he has not missed to many meals.
To bad they tore down Cabrini- Green he could have move in there. After all he is a man of the people.
Comment by Mokenavince Tuesday, Sep 2, 14 @ 5:05 pm
While eating out….says it all to those on minimum wage or no wage.
Comment by I-64 Tuesday, Sep 2, 14 @ 6:21 pm
Quinn is going to demonstrate how he CAN’T get by on the present minimum wage, (without losing weight).
Republicans try to demonstrate how they CAN get by on minimum wage, with no hunger and money to spare.
Maybe Quinn could write review of his week of not eating much and sell it as a new diet plan to lose weight.
Comment by DuPage Tuesday, Sep 2, 14 @ 7:57 pm