Mike Frerichs + Posting His Ballot On Twitter = Felony?

As posted on Mike Frerichs' Twitter handle this afternoon: a selfie (of course!) of voting for himself.

The problem?  According to the Chicago Tribune, it is a felony:

Illinois voters might want to reconsider that picture they posted online of their completed ballots. Turns out, it's considered a felony under state law. 

On Tuesday, people logging into their various social media sites saw photographs others posted of their completed ballots.

The state's election code doesn't explicitly ban photographing ballots, but it does prohibit voting in a way that can be observed by others. Ken Menzel, deputy general counsel for the Illinois State Board of Elections, said posting photos of completed ballots on social media is a clear violation of that provision.

...Its classification as a felony — carrying a one- to three-year prison sentence and a maximum fine of $25,000 — reflects how seriously Illinois officials take the practice.

(emphasis, ours)

Rut-roh.  The Gaffeman strikes again!

Reset the 'days since' counter, guys.

Fourth Time's The Charm For Mike Frerichs On Social Media Fundraising Plea?

It takes some folks four times to get things right.   And in most cases, that's ok.  For instance...

My wife goes to the Home Depot and picks four different samples of paint and tries a little bit of each on the wall.

When my college roommate was 'experimenting' with growing fungii in our apartment, it took him four times to get it 'right' and have them survive.

The Cleveland Browns have changed coaches four times in just six years.  

Hell...This guy tried to steal televisions four times just this month from ShopRite.

But...Mike Frerichs, Democrat Candidate for Illinois Treasurer?  

It takes him four times just to get a simple fundraising plea posted to Twitter.  Yep.  Fourth Time appears to be the charm as it has stayed active, while the previous three attempts were aborted.  

It seems that he's always asking for a second chance.  Second chance to cut his campaign video.  Second chance to respond on Israeli bonds.  Second chance to answer on merging the Treasurer/Comptroller in Illinois.  

Apparently...he needs a 'fourth' chance on social these days.

Here it is as it currently sits:

Let us explain:

On Monday afternoon, the Frerichs campaign posted this ridiculous image with these totally unnecessary errors.  Clearly...no one is proof reading things down in Champaign.  

After we pointed out the errors, the folks in charge of social media (we use the phrase 'in charge' pretty lightly because it is clear that it is a bunch of mopes over there), they pulled it down.  

Then..Tuesday, they tried again.  Not once.  But twice more.  Yeah...that means they posted it, deleted it.  Then posted it again.  And deleted it again.  Check out the evidence:

And then they went silent.  A full 24 hours later, they lifted the 'shutdown' directive and tried again by posting the image with some fixes made.  (Note...they still haven't fixed one of the errors, though.  Check out the donation page.  Frozen 'snicker' with no 's' at the bottom.  Smooth move guys!)

And this guy wants to be in charge of our state finances?  Please.  We won't be able to give him four chances to get those investments right will we?  

Mike Frerichs always needs at least two chances to get things right.  Illinois can't afford this many mistakes.  

Looks Like the "Lockdown" On Social Media For Mike Frerichs Is Over?

We have to give Mike Frerichs some credit.  He's jumped right back in the saddle as he flails about aimlessly on Facebook and Twitter with photos of his whereabouts and what-have-yous.  Late yesterday, he posted a few photos after a period of a series of aborted posts and silence.

We were, however, tipped some footage from a campaign tracker that shows how liberated Mike Frerichs campaign staff felt yesterday afternoon after they decided they could - once again - post on social.  Check it out - Mike's team sure is geeked up about being able to wield his camera phone:

Exclusive Footage Of Mike Frerichs Treasurer Campaign Social Media Team

Now...this totally explains why they're making so many mistakes on Social Media, doesn't it?

Here's some exclusive footage that we were handed of the Frerichs for Illinois Treasurer campaign social media team in action:

Life Pro Tip for the Frerichs Campaign:  Don't Drive and Tweet.  It's dangerous.  And you make mistakes.

Frerichs Campaign Also Takes Down Facebook Posts, Tries To Avoid Further Embarrassment

It isn't just on Twitter that the Mike Frerichs for Illinois Treasurer Campaign are deleting posts/photos.

They're also, apparently, totally gunshy on their Facebook wall, too.

In similar fashion, they've taken down a Facebook post that linked to a Fundraising event down at the State Fair.  Here's a screenshot of their post that is no longer active:

It looks, to us at least, that they've fixed their errors, so we're not quite sure why they took this one down.  Guessing that there's a CODE RED down in Champaign after the morning they've had an the folks in charge are likely scrambling and said "Take down EVERYTHING".

Here's what the Frerichs for Illinois Facebook Wall looks like right now.  Note the post isn't there as the most recent photo is from a golf outing yesterday:

We had a Tipster send us a gif of Mike Frerichs walking around town this morning after reading all of this.  He looks to be in bad shape.

Wait...The Mike Frerichs Campaign Just Deleted A New Tweet, Again?!?

We were trolling (as we like to do), the @MikeforIllinois Twitter handle just now and saw that they posted a NEW tweet with an updated Fundraising image.  Here's the screenshot below.  See it there at the top of his Timeline?  The must have posted that before they saw our posts about calling them on their errors.

Well...we just clicked on it, and turns out...they deleted *THAT* Tweet, too!

Here's what his Twitter Timeline looks like right now.  Note the Fundraising image/Tweet have disappeared:

Huzzah!  We'll take that as a compliment, Team Frerichs.

Let's call it:  The Mike Frerichs for Illinois State Treasurer campaign is OFFICIALLY social media gun shy at this point.

Illinois Truth Team FTW.

Democrat Mike Frerichs Deletes Fundraiser Tweet With More Errors

Social Media can be a huge asset for political campaigns by marshaling voters around a common cause and candidate.  

It can also be a huge liability.  As evidenced by the Mike Frerichs for Illinois State Treasurer Campaign, they keep making more mistakes and their campaign continues to really show their 'amateur hour' stripes.

The most recent example was a Tweet put out by Mike Frerichs and deleted pretty quickly (you can't find it on his Twitter Timeline  Check it out for yourself.  This was posted yesterday afternoon, but based on the errors, it looks like the Frerichs campaign deleted it).   

To promote a fundraising event the Frerichs Campaign was hosting called "A Pre-Democrat Day Fundraiser", Tax Hike Mike Tweeted out this image that has some 'cute' names for various levels of sponsorship that relate to the Illinois State Fair.  

But..apparently...they REALLY REALLY REALLY wanted folks to pick the "Lemon Shake Up" level, right?  That can be only reason they listed in three times on the invitation?  

We suppose that at least they're learning, as someone at the campaign wised up and deleted the Tweet.  (but..not before we were able to grab a screenshot!)  Guessing something new about this event will go up today.  We'll be watching.

But...we have to ask:  Does nobody proofread this shit down in Champaign?  SRSLY.  

Treasurer's Candidate Mike Frerichs Visits With WVON, But You Wouldn't Know It Based On The Pics

Another day, another misstep from the Mike Frerichs for Illinois Treasurer campaign on social media.  Add this to the pile!

Over the weekend, it looked like Mike had a very busy weekend visiting with voters and advocacy groups around Chicago and the suburbs.  He flailed about on Twitter and Facebook with all of his appearances.  He uses hashtags like a Tween on Instagram.

In one of them...He appears to have been on the radio on WVON this weekend, but based on the care he put forth in the photo he's using on Twitter, you'd hardly know it. 

Check out how his team Tweeted his appearance.  Beautiful pic, eh?  Looks like grass?  

Congressional Candidate Ann Callis Welcomes Back Hero Son

As you all know, we goof on folks all the time here on the Truth Team, but we wanted to make sure we share this important Facebook post from Democrat Congressional Candidate and current Judge Ann Callis on the return of her son from active duty.  This is more important than elections.

From all of us here at the Illinois Truth Team:  Welcome Home, Elliot.  You're one of our heros.  Thanks for all that you do for all of us back home.

Here's an amazing photo of a mom celebrating the return of her son.  What a nice feeling that must be:

Candidate Facebook Weekend: Bruce Rauner, CD Davidsmeyer, Dick Durbin, Mark Kirk, Dan Rutherford

Monday mornings are the time for social media wrap-ups!  Let's take a look at what some of the candidates and elected officials were up to this weekend around Illinois in our weekly feature:  "Candidate Facebook Weekend".

First, Illinois Governor's candidate Bruce Rauner was out in Wheaton (home of his running mate!) and hung out with Lt. Dan.

Illinois State Representative CD Davidsmeyer was celebrating Scott County on 175 years.

US Senator Dick Durbin had a creamy delight.  Good for him.  

And his fellow Senate-mate Mark Kirk not only ran into former Bloomington Mayor Tari Renner, but also hit a personal milestone:  he walked across the Michigan Avenue Bridge.  Good for you, Senator Kirk!

And...last but not least, we check in (as we always do) with Illinois State Treasurer Dan Rutherford.  For the second weekend in a row, he, umm...didn't do much.  At least he didn't share it on Facebook.

Capitol Fax Covers Democrat Mike Frerichs' "Great Event" Tweet

In addition to national outlets like the Washington Examiner and local outlets like the Madison County Record covering the latest in Mike Frerichs Candidate for Illinois State Treasurer gaffes on social media, Illinois "Top Dog" blogger and political reporter Rich Miller at Capitol Fax just posted the Frerichs' 'tweet heard round the state' on CapitolFax.com.

As you can see in the screengrab above...he called it "unfortunate".

Priceless!  But...the joy over here at the Illinois Truth Team doesn't stop there.  You have to wade into the comments to see some real gems.

(Click on each quote images of these to make them bigger if you need help reading them.)

From OneMan:

From Oswego Willie:

From Angry Chicagoan:

From Anonymous:

Even More Oswego Willie:

And...more Anonymous:

What Happened?!? Mike Frerichs Has Gone Silent on Facebook?!?

Oh noes!  What have we done?  It has been almost 48 hours since Democrat State Treasurer Mike Frerichs has posted on his Facebook wall.  Please say it isn't so, Team Frerichs?!?  Last post was on Sunday afternoon?  And it is Tuesday already...

What's that sound you hear here from the Mike Frerichs for Illinois campaign on Social Media?


Say it ain't so, Mike.  We need more of those 'social media gems' to fuel our fire here on the Truth Team.  We're getting worried....

Mike Frerichs Must Be Regretting The Social Media "Strategy" Advice He's Been Getting...

We can't help but sympathize with Tax Hike Mike Frerichs.   (although...our sympathy doesn't go too terribly far.  So...consider it just a *little* bit of sympathy!)  

He's just gotten some bad social media advice on this campaign.

Experts all over the web will agree that there's been some great "Strategy" on display with the Frerichs social media channels.  Keep it up guys.

We *do* feel a little bit like the hot dog vendor on the Simpsons.  Enjoy this classic Homer quote.

With all these pageviews that the Mike Frerichs for Illinois Treasurer campaign is sending our way with this seemingly endless supply of material, we're cashing those ad network checks to pay for college!  (and...with my daughter heading into Junior year in High School, we're going to need all the help we can get!)

Schneider for Congress Campaign Posts Cheeky Fundraising Video

If you spent a moment in your inbox yesterday, you must have noted that there was a fundraising deadline.  After all, why else would we all be getting dozens of email fundraising pleas.  While the deadline is important, we here at the Truth Team have to applaud one campaign for taking a different route:  a little humor.

Now..we don't like his politics one bit, but we have to say that after watching this video, we *kinda* like his digital team.

Good on you, Brad Schneider for Congress Campaign.  Enjoy the video, folks.

Post by Brad Schneider.

Candidate Facebook Weekend Roundup: Topinka, Schimpf, Rutherford

Lots of campaign activities from this past weekend and much of it posted on Facebook for supporters and fans to check out.

Have you connected with us on Facebook?  "Like" our page here:  https://www.facebook.com/iltruthteam.

Here are a few from folks we're watching out there on the campaign trail (and at home!):

Illinois Comptroller Judy Baar Topinka hosted and participated in an 'adopt-a-pet' event in the City of Chicago.

Post by Judy Baar Topinka.

Illinois Attorney General Candidate Paul Schimpf and supporters walked in a parade in Marine, Illinois.  Great campaign slogan, right?

Post by Schimpf for Illinois.

Current Treasurer Dan Rutherford and former Governor's candidate had a busy weekend around the house.  He spotted some new guests on his property...

Post by Dan Rutherford.

A Look at How Voters Feel About IL Treasuer's Candidate Mike Frerichs And His Prattling On

Funny how people can perceive things differently.  Especially in politics.

Let's look at our first this is/this is post here on the Truth Team.

This is how Democrat (Union Stooge) Candidate for Illinois Treasurer Mike Frerichs MUST think (based on his actions) that the voters in Illinois who follow his Facebook page feel about his constant prattling on with his whereabouts and what-have-yous.

And...this is how they actually feel about having to read the endless supply of his self-important-puffery and photos of his stumping here-and-there...

It Ain't Easy Being Tall: The @mikeforillinois Mike Frerichs on Social Media Story

Democrat Latex Salesman Illinois Treasurer's Candidate Mike Frerichs can't seem to get anything right.  Especially with social media.

First it was his embarrassing plea for followers while incorrectly using a #FF hashtag.  Then it was how he flailed about with his whereabouts on Facebook.

And just over the weekend, he posted a photo of him and his daughter sideways.

But, now a tipster has shared a bunch of screenshots of how Mike Frerichs is so tall that he's getting cropped out of his OWN photos on Facebook and Twitter.

Enjoy!

Senator Klobuchar Following Truth Team on Twitter

Well, well, well.  Looks like we've *kind of* arrived!  This note arrived in our inbox from the kind folks over at Twitter.  They let us know that the Truth Team has a real, bonafied, legitimate, certified United States Senator following us on Twitter.

Our mothers would be sooooo proud.

"Like" The Illinois Truth Team on Facebook

Are you on Facebook?  (of course you are, right?)

Head over there and "Like" our new Fan Page.  You can find it at www.facebook.com/iltruthteam.