Why doesn't Gov. Quinn have more Facebook friends?

SPRINGFIELD - Why doesn't anyone want to be Pat Quinn's friend?

Two weeks after becoming governor, Quinn's supporter count on the social networking Web site Facebook is a mere 528 people at last check.

In comparison, President Barack Obama has more than 5.3 million supporters.

"I wasn't even aware he was on Facebook," said Quinn spokesman Bob Reed.

Even former Gov. Rod Blagojevich, who was impeached and kicked out of office by the General Assembly in January, can still claim 2,556 supporters on the social network site. Quinn is also less popular than the "Rod Blagojevich for President 2016" group which has 1,063 members.

Facebook is a five-year-old Web site where people can connect with friends and join groups and causes. And elected officeholders set up official pages where supporters can join.

On the plus side, Gov. Quinn does have more friends than notorious human rights abuser Robert Mugabe, the dubiously elected president of Zimbabwe. Mugabe only has 163 supporters.

But Quinn is far less popular than Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin (30,447 supporters), Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad (14,040 supporters), and Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez (28,790).

In real life, Quinn's fundraisers have become exceptionally popular since he took over as governor. A recent event at Fulton's on the River in Chicago was reportedly "jam packed." And then last week, Quinn drew more than 500 DuPage County Democrats for a gala at Drury Lane in Oakbrook Terrace.

Back online, compared to other Illinois pols Quinn is relatively less popular. The governor has fewer Facebook friends than Attorney General Lisa Madigan (795 supporters), a potential 2010 primary election opponent; Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias (2,015); Sen. Dick Durbin (4,032); and Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley (624).

Quinn used his official Web site extensively as lieutenant governor to tout environmental and ethics reforms. The Internet is "definitely a priority for him when it comes to reaching out to people," Reed said.

Quinn can brag that his friend count tops state Comptroller Dan Hynes (392), who is often mentioned as a potential candidate for governor. Quinn also trounces newly-appointed Sen. Roland Burris who has 115 supporters on Facebook.

"Governor Quinn is a very friendly man and I have no doubt that as governor he will attract many more friends and supporters," Reed said.