We know that the mainstream media — and voters — are following his Tweets, and they’ve even used it to get leads to break real news stories on the evening news.

Now, it appears that some on the county board are trying to shut down this effort at open government by banning the use of Twitter by county board members.

This, of course, is a political gesture — perhaps even a personal effort aimed at Commissioner Peraica.

Either way, it’s wrong.  If County Board members don’t like what Commissioner Peraica is sharing on Twitter — then they should start their own Twitter accounts and counter his arguments.

Partisan politics is no reason to stymie open government.

Here we are quoted in a Gatehouse News Service story that is running throughout the state, specifically speaking to the strong online effort we are helping manage for Former Illinois Attorney General and current Republican gubernatorial candidate Jim Ryan:

Those running for statewide office see the Internet and its new social networking tools as inexpensive, invaluable gateways to reach voters – their way on their own terms.

“Is the Web the end-all-be-all? Of course not,” said Curt Mercadante, an e-campaign consultant for Ryan. “But it’s a key component, and it allows us to do things in a way we’ve never done before.”

Mercadante said Obama succeeded online by making it a top priority. He said Ryan, the former attorney general making a political comeback, is taking the same attitude.

And this excerpt is from an Associated Press story:

A consultant for Republican governor candidate Jim Ryan says the Web is at the forefront of Ryan’s campaign.

“We’ve managed to get our fingers into every single part,” said Curt Mercadante, who is helping Ryan on the Web.

We’ll post more this week on some of the techniques we’re using with a variety of campaign to help them build solid, active online networks.