Question of the day
Friday, Mar 19, 2010 - Posted by Rich Miller * My dad had a minor stroke this week. He’s been in the hospital for a couple of days. There aren’t any outward appearances of damage - no paralysis, no sight loss, no nothing. They’re still running tests, but he will hopefully be released today. I bring this up because many longtime blog readers will remember the Obamallac. That’s Dad’s 1963 Cadillac convertible which he altered by attaching gigantic “Obama ‘08″ stickers. He then drove it around Iowa in the months leading up to the caucuses… Dad drove his car to Chicago and paraded up and down Michigan Ave. on election night that year. Several people recognized the car from the blog and shouted greetings. It even happened while I was talking to him on the phone. “Hey! Are you Rich Miller’s dad?” I heard someone yell. We both got a kick out of that one. He’s also an occasional commenter here and he’s an avid blog reader. * Anyway, to the question, which isn’t really a question: Help me send best wishes and cheer him up.
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- Amalia - Friday, Mar 19, 10 @ 11:28 am:
Dear Obamallac guy:
spring is coming and here’s hoping you get back out on the road. you gave us lots of fun with that car, and you gave us Rich. thanks for all that. you really should be a star in
one of those Cadillac clubs!
- Anon E. Mouse - Friday, Mar 19, 10 @ 11:28 am:
Mr. Miller — you entertained us all with the Obamallac. Best wishes for a full and speedy recovery.
- Anonymiss - Friday, Mar 19, 10 @ 11:31 am:
Papa Miller - since we’re talking about Scott Lee Cohen below, I’d like to wish you a “refuah shlemah,” the Hebrew prayer for a speedy and full recovery! Best wishes for decades of good health and cheer.
- Get better - Friday, Mar 19, 10 @ 11:32 am:
Even though I wish you were driving the Mccainallac, unique campaign promotion regardless of party makes being in the political racket much more exciting and fun. Thanks for the memory and best wishes to a full recovery.
- corvax - Friday, Mar 19, 10 @ 11:34 am:
We’ll be lighting an extra candle Sunday morning for full recovery and another great convertible season.
- Bill - Friday, Mar 19, 10 @ 11:36 am:
Get well soon, Mr. Miller. All of us here at Blagojevich campaign headquarters are pulling for you!
- Nearly Normal - Friday, Mar 19, 10 @ 11:37 am:
All the best to you for a speedy recovery. You are in my prayers and I am sending positive thoughts your direction.
We need you to keep Rich out of trouble!
- Fester - Friday, Mar 19, 10 @ 11:38 am:
Mr. Miller get well soon and enjoy a refreshing ride in the rag top.
- Tom B. - Friday, Mar 19, 10 @ 11:38 am:
Mr. Miller, hope you feel better today and can be driving w/ the top down again soon.
- JonShibleyFan - Friday, Mar 19, 10 @ 11:40 am:
A special prayer to St. Joseph on his feast day for a full and speedy recovery. Best wishes!
- Robert - Friday, Mar 19, 10 @ 11:40 am:
Mr. Miller, Get well soon. And thank you for raising your child to be politically aware and involved; he’s now helping many others to do so in his blog…so his blog is really to your credit!
- Levois - Friday, Mar 19, 10 @ 11:40 am:
Get well soon, sir!
- bored now - Friday, Mar 19, 10 @ 11:41 am:
dude, got to get better. nice weather ahead — perfect convertible weather!
- shore - Friday, Mar 19, 10 @ 11:41 am:
I’ve never met your son or had any kind of contact with him, but he’s one hell of a guy and you seem to be a great family. I hope you get well-and know you are already off to a great start with the wonderful family I read about here everyday behind your back.
- downstate hack - Friday, Mar 19, 10 @ 11:41 am:
God Bless you and best hope for a speedy recovery.
- Anonymous - Friday, Mar 19, 10 @ 11:44 am:
I hope Bill’s comment gave you a chuckle. Laughter is good medicine. Best wishes for a speedy recovery Mr. Miller!
- Laura - Friday, Mar 19, 10 @ 11:45 am:
Mr. Miller, hope you’re feeling better with a full recovery, enjoying your health and family.
- perry noya - Friday, Mar 19, 10 @ 11:53 am:
Mr. Miller, if you’re as tough-minded as your son, Rich, no mere stroke is going to harm you. Heck, I bet you’re even tougher.
- Tori - Friday, Mar 19, 10 @ 11:54 am:
Best wishes and prayers for a full and speedy recovery.
- KGB - Friday, Mar 19, 10 @ 11:56 am:
Mr. Miller: Treasurer Giannoulias would like to know if your vehicle is available for “Sexi Lexi ‘10″.
Best wishes for a speedy recovery.
- dupage dan - Friday, Mar 19, 10 @ 11:57 am:
Mr Miller,
You are in my prayers. Get well soon!
- Responsa - Friday, Mar 19, 10 @ 11:58 am:
Mr. Miller, I’m personally not crazy about tattoos on beautifully sculpted bodies and I’m not crazy about stickers on beautifully sculpted classic automobiles. But, I really do hope you are feeling well soon and that you stay that way in good health for a long time!
- You Go Boy - Friday, Mar 19, 10 @ 12:01 pm:
Sir: Remember - Illinois politics can do to any one of us what happened to you - except you are probably a lot tougher than we….have a swift recovery. All will be well
- Little Egypt - Friday, Mar 19, 10 @ 12:02 pm:
Hey Dad Miller, get out of that bed and back into that ragtop. It’s beautiful weather for top down driving and Obama needs your help.
- KeepSmiling - Friday, Mar 19, 10 @ 12:04 pm:
Dearest Mr. Miller, maybe Rich will sing this adaptation of Natalie Cole’s Pink Cadillac to you for a smile. Although be aware, it may sound more like Bruce Springsteen’s rendition when Rich sings it.
I love you for your white Cadillac
Crushed velvet seats
Riding in the back, oozing down the street
Waving to the girls
PEELING out of sight
Spending all my money on a Saturday night
Honey, I just wonder what you do there in back of your white Cadillac
White Cadillac
Wishing you a speedy recovery [pun intended!]
- Lou Lang - Friday, Mar 19, 10 @ 12:05 pm:
My best and my prayers to you and your Dad
- Island Girl - Friday, Mar 19, 10 @ 12:05 pm:
God speed Mr. Miller - thanks for driving the ‘llac through the Quad Cities much appreciated! We don’t get much attention on this side of the state. Take care and best wishes for full recovery.
- walter sobchak - Friday, Mar 19, 10 @ 12:06 pm:
Einstein wishes you the best: People like you and I, though mortal of course like everyone else, do not grow old no matter how long we live…[We] never cease to stand like curious children before the great mystery into which we were born.
- girllawyer - Friday, Mar 19, 10 @ 12:06 pm:
Mr. Miller: My dad had a small stroke a few years ago (in his early 70’s). A month later you would never have known it happened! Have a long and happy life. And very cool car!
- Jake from Elwood - Friday, Mar 19, 10 @ 12:07 pm:
Best wishes for a speedy recovery.
And a tip: be sure you don’t turn right on red lights in the suburbs as your vehicle is highly identifiable on camera. JFE
- OneMan - Friday, Mar 19, 10 @ 12:08 pm:
Mr. Miller,
It was cool to meet you and see the sweet ride at the Sycamore Pumpkin Parade a couple years ago (you were parked near where we were staged).
Hang in there and feel better….
- Yawwwnnn - Friday, Mar 19, 10 @ 12:10 pm:
I always thought this blog had a liberal slant to it and now, after seeing this I know it does. It too bad one can not get plain objective reporting thee days from the general media. I will file your url with the rest of the liberal trash
- Deep South - Friday, Mar 19, 10 @ 12:11 pm:
Why is it that all the really cool cars belong to the really cool guys? Get well soon!!!
- Niles Township - Friday, Mar 19, 10 @ 12:12 pm:
Get well soon!!!
- cassandra - Friday, Mar 19, 10 @ 12:13 pm:
Sounds very promising for a full recovery. Be happy you live in the 21st century in a country where, while it could be better, you can get the best medical care in the world. May you live to 100 and beyond….lots more people are, you know.
- Fan of Cap Fax - Friday, Mar 19, 10 @ 12:15 pm:
Maybe Mr. Obama will see this and give you a “get well” call! You can discuss your views on healthcare and convertibles.
God bless you and your family with many blessings and continued good health.
- Porter McNeil - Friday, Mar 19, 10 @ 12:17 pm:
Get well soon, Rich, and best wishes from your friends in the Quad Cities (ellie, jack, james, mary and porter mcneil)
- Matt Penning - Friday, Mar 19, 10 @ 12:18 pm:
Being Rich Miller’s Dad has to be tough! We need you back in the Obamallac and riding herd on Rich.
I’ll add some prayers for healing while I’m at it.
- Big Daddy - Friday, Mar 19, 10 @ 12:21 pm:
Get well soon Mr. Miller. Summer is comming and there is plenty of exciting things to do.
- Louis Howe - Friday, Mar 19, 10 @ 12:21 pm:
Thank God for modern medicine….Wish you all the best in recovery…..
- Yellow Dog Democrat - Friday, Mar 19, 10 @ 12:23 pm:
Mr. Miller ~
You raised one helluva son. Get well soon.
YDD
- Interested Observer - Friday, Mar 19, 10 @ 12:24 pm:
Out best for a speedy recovery, Mr. Miller. We all want to see you in the Obamallac real soon!
- Pat collins - Friday, Mar 19, 10 @ 12:25 pm:
A very sincere wish you will be driving the big boat around very soon!
- Rich Miller - Friday, Mar 19, 10 @ 12:31 pm:
Yawwwnnn, I was gonna delete your moronic comment, but thought Dad would get a kick out of it.
If you know anyone who can control what their father does with his own political beliefs, please tell me now. I’d like some tips.
- Some Guy - Friday, Mar 19, 10 @ 12:36 pm:
Get well Mister Miller; congratulations on raising an interesting and accomplished son.
And Rich, too:-)
- Way South of the Border - Friday, Mar 19, 10 @ 12:37 pm:
I am sending every good wish for a strong recovery. You’ve touched many people through your family, on the road and in this blog. We are all pulling for you. Rest up and be well.
- Stuck with Sen. CPA - Friday, Mar 19, 10 @ 12:46 pm:
Mr. Miller, allow me to be at least the second one from the Land of Wayne’s World to send you best wishes for a rapid recovery. Hope you get a chance to take that sweet car out for a spin soon.
- 10th Indy - Friday, Mar 19, 10 @ 12:47 pm:
Wishing you a full and speedy recovery - and hoping Rich plays us out this week with some Cadillac rock and roll in your honor!
- Small Town Liberal - Friday, Mar 19, 10 @ 12:48 pm:
Mr. Miller, I saw your Obamallac in Springfield the night before Obama announced his running mate, and I’ve hoped to someday meet you ever since. Hope you’re out and raising heck ASAP.
- KC - Friday, Mar 19, 10 @ 12:52 pm:
Mr Miller,
Please get well soon. As a backer of the GOP I would like to see you back behind the wheel of the “63″ as soon as possible and Obama under it!!
- Marcus Agrippa - Friday, Mar 19, 10 @ 12:53 pm:
Mr. Miller - still remember meeting you and tipping a few at the Alamo a couple years back. You gave me some great political advice that night. Best wishes. Focus on getting better and get well soon.
- keepitsimple - Friday, Mar 19, 10 @ 12:59 pm:
Get well soon!
God Bless.
- washedmyhands - Friday, Mar 19, 10 @ 1:07 pm:
Best wishes for recovery and more cruising down the highway.
- Third Generation Chicago Native - Friday, Mar 19, 10 @ 1:11 pm:
Mr. Miller,
Best wishes for a full and speedy recovery. Also good job on raising your sons! You have given this state one good reporter!
Thanks
- MR - Friday, Mar 19, 10 @ 1:12 pm:
Mr. Miller -best wishes on a speedy recovery. Parade season is right around the corner, we need you in full force.
- vole - Friday, Mar 19, 10 @ 1:15 pm:
Best wishes to you Mr. Miller!
- zatoichi - Friday, Mar 19, 10 @ 1:19 pm:
Mr. Miller, get better. The world always needs more ‘63 Caddies.
- Kevin Fanning - Friday, Mar 19, 10 @ 1:20 pm:
I remember meeting Mr. Miller when I worked for Rich, and I actually got to ride in the Obamallac. He’s a great guy with a really funny sense of humor. Get well soon Mr. Miller. We need you in full health to keep Rich in line.
- Dr. Pepper - Friday, Mar 19, 10 @ 1:22 pm:
Dear Mr. Miller, please get well soon, you see, your soon Rich still needs lost of supervision
- How Ironic - Friday, Mar 19, 10 @ 1:33 pm:
Get well soon!
- Ray del Camino - Friday, Mar 19, 10 @ 1:36 pm:
Great top-down weather here in SO ILL, Mr. Miller. Come on down with the Obamallac and do the wine trails!
- Cindy Lou - Friday, Mar 19, 10 @ 1:37 pm:
Best of wishes for a speedy recovery to ya, Dad Miller.
- Njardar - Friday, Mar 19, 10 @ 1:43 pm:
Mr. Miller,
We are holding you in our thoughts and in our hearts.
Namaste
- Justice - Friday, Mar 19, 10 @ 1:49 pm:
Best wishes to a delightful man and dad to a great friend of many.
Yawwwnnn….Bite Us!
- VanillaMan - Friday, Mar 19, 10 @ 1:55 pm:
Sh-boom, Sh-boom - The Crewcuts, enhanced by VanillaMan for Mr. Miller.
Hey nonny ding dong, alang alang alang
Boom ba-doh, ba-doo ba-doodle-ay
Oh, life is a great scheme (sh-boom)
We never know what God will send us from above (sh-boom)
Blessedly He surrounds us with ones we love
Life is about who’s in our heart
(Hello hello again, sh-boom and hopin’ you’ll meet a new friend)
Oh, life has a theme (sh-boom)
If only wise ones will follow every rule (sh-boom)
If your pride allows you to happily play the fool
Life is great once you start
Today when we think of you
We see you as one-of-a-kind(dat-dat-dat-dat-dat-duh)
Do what Doctors want you to
And soon you’d be doing fine
Sh-boom sh-boom Ya-da-da Da-da-da Da-da-da Da
Sh-boom sh-boom Ya-da-da Da-da-da Da-da-da Da
Sh-boom sh-boom Ya-da-da Da-da-da Da-da-da Da, sh-boom
Sh-boom sh-boom Ya-da-da Da-da-da Da-da-da Da
Sh-boom sh-boom Ya-da-da Da-da-da Da-da-da Da
Sh-boom sh-boom Ya-da-da Da-da-da Da-da-da Da, sh-boom
(Hello hello again, sh-boom and hopin’ you’ll meet a new friend) boom sh-boom
Hey nonny ding dong, alang alang alang (sh-boom)
Ba-doh, ba-doo ba-doodle-ay
Life’s more than a dream
If you live it with all your heart
Life’s more than a dream
If you let God’s plans for you come true
If you would let Him spend a whole life loving you
Life is a dream from the start!
(dee-oody-ooh, sh-boom, sh-boom)
(dee-oody-ooh, sh-boom, sh-boom)
(dee-oody-ooh, sh-boom, sh-boom)
Now that’s smart!!
- SAP - Friday, Mar 19, 10 @ 1:57 pm:
Mr. Miller: Thoughts and prayers for a full and speedy recovery. Best of Luck.
- dc - Friday, Mar 19, 10 @ 2:15 pm:
Mr Miller,
I remember hanging out with you and Rich at the Alamo here in Springfield one night. I enjoyed getting to know you a little and seeing the connection between you and Rich. That’s why I laughed at the request posted earlier for you to keep Rich out of trouble. You have to get better so you can hop in that car and find some trouble!
I’m glad Rich left Yawn’s comment up there too because I know you reacted to it the same way your son did. (yawnnn was an appropriate name for that classless bore, dontcha think?) Hang in there and hopefully we’ll see you soon.
- persnickety - Friday, Mar 19, 10 @ 2:24 pm:
Best wishes for a speedy recovery and hope to see you cruising around soon.
- Rich SR - Friday, Mar 19, 10 @ 3:01 pm:
Thanks for all of the nice things you are saying today. When our five sons were in grade school and they had slooppy homework papers I would tear them up and they would redo all of it! It is obamalac, just one L. Col McCormick and his Tribune taught me that spelling method if you search the web spell it with one L please. I only decorated two cars for a politician and the other was Barry Goldwater! I still have his picture hanging on my wall next to Obama. Yawn has the freedom to speak because this is America. There are ignorant people everywhere, we had one in the White House for eight years to start off this century. Keep your blood pressure down and enjoy life every single day, and night!!
- Rich Miller - Friday, Mar 19, 10 @ 3:03 pm:
===Keep your blood pressure down ===
I would say the same to you, Daddio. lol
- Stones - Friday, Mar 19, 10 @ 3:28 pm:
Mr. Miller, a toast in your honor tonight (TGIF). Here’s to good health and positive test results. Best wishes to you sir…..
- Lisa - Friday, Mar 19, 10 @ 3:30 pm:
Dad Miller-you are a great man-Hope you get feeling better soon! Someone needs to keep Rich in line!
- disgusted in chi boogie - Friday, Mar 19, 10 @ 3:46 pm:
Take care of yourself…dont think about the budget or the upcoming elections or healthcare, oh, I’m feeling a little verklempt myself
Seriously, Feel better and best wishes.
- Andy Raucci - Friday, Mar 19, 10 @ 3:54 pm:
Mr. Miller-
I know that you are from tough stock-It’s reverse inheritance! Get well soon!
- Concerned Voter - Friday, Mar 19, 10 @ 4:02 pm:
Mr. Miller, thanks for a great guy like Rich. Get well soon.
- Barbie - Friday, Mar 19, 10 @ 4:16 pm:
Hi Mr. Miller–hope you are up and around soon. I’ll look for you and your Obamallic as things heat up for 2012!
- The REAL Anonymous fka Anonymous - Friday, Mar 19, 10 @ 4:27 pm:
Get Better: If I remember correctly, I believe we were kicking ourselves on the blog back then for not having a *McCainVette* out there (not a “McCainallac”).
Truth be told though (I’ll confess now that it’s been a while), nothing we would have been able to get out there would have been noticed by anyone with Rich’s Dad rollin’ up and down Michigan Avenue in the Obamallac.
On that note, Mr. Miller, prayers and hugs for a very speedy recovery. The Democrats love and need you–and so do we!
- The REAL Anonymous fka Anonymous - Friday, Mar 19, 10 @ 4:41 pm:
(Rich, when you see your Dad tonight would you ask him whether he’d at least consider driving for us next time? Never hurts to ask, right?)
- andysgram - Friday, Mar 19, 10 @ 4:46 pm:
hope you’re back home and in great shape soon. we need your spirit, your creativity and your commitment to important causes.
- erstwhilesteve - Friday, Mar 19, 10 @ 4:49 pm:
Rich SR -
As another senior, I want to wish you the best. You certainly don’t want to miss any of the excitement coming up this year and beyond!
- Change is on the way - Friday, Mar 19, 10 @ 5:41 pm:
Rich,
Tell your dad we are praying for him and his President will get his healthcare bill done this weekend!!!!
- Pot calling kettle - Friday, Mar 19, 10 @ 6:53 pm:
In a year, it’ll be time to paint that car and hit the road again. Get well soon!
- Boone Logan Square - Friday, Mar 19, 10 @ 7:11 pm:
Best wishes to Rich and Rich. Come back healthy so you can drive in the warmer weather with the top down!
- Dan S, a taxpaer, a voter and a Cubs Fan - Friday, Mar 19, 10 @ 8:39 pm:
Gods speed on a quick recovery Mr. Miller, my thoughts and prayers are with you.
- Irish - Friday, Mar 19, 10 @ 8:41 pm:
Mr. Miller,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you on your way to a speedy recovery. It is evident that Rich thinks a lot of you and I am sure you are very proud of him. Take care and looking forward to hearing you are up and about soon.
- Far Northsider - Friday, Mar 19, 10 @ 10:50 pm:
Hello Mr. Miller - I hope you get better very soon! We loved seeing you and your car on Michigan Ave on election night when we were standing in line to get into Grant Park. Thank you for the joyous memories of that fantastic night!
- Bella Donna - Friday, Mar 19, 10 @ 10:59 pm:
Today is St. Joseph’s Day and this Sicilian from Rockford prays for your speedy recovery and St. Joseph’s intervention in your health. God Bless You Mr. Miller. Rich is one of my heroes and a good friend too. But isn’t he just too funny sometimes? Especially on Chicago Tonight….
- 312 - Saturday, Mar 20, 10 @ 9:32 am:
Mister Miller — I met you with your son in a subterranean bar here in Chicago, and suddenly everything about Rich made sense — his skewed sense of humor, his natural curiousness with the subjects he covers, his tendency to question authority. You both have the tendency to work hard, play hard, and live life to its fullest, even when things don’t necessarily go your way.
Biggest similarity I noticed about the two of you was the charm. Wow, that apple didn’t fall to far from the tree!
I’m confident, that your usual tenacity will pull you out of this quickly, and the Obamallac will be picking me up on Michigan Avenue VERY soon to go cruising around the city!
Godspeed, and don’t give the nurses too much hell!
- wordslinger - Saturday, Mar 20, 10 @ 10:24 am:
That is one sweet ride, dude. Anyone who survived raising five boys in Illinois back in the day deserves the Congressional Medal of Honor, the Nobel Peace Prize and the Cy Young Award.
Opening day is in a couple of weeks. Get ready for those sunny days at the old ballyard.
- soccermom - Saturday, Mar 20, 10 @ 12:11 pm:
As the person who shouted to the senior Mr. Miller on election night, let me say that he is a great part of my memories of a great night, and I look forward to sharing a great election night 2012 with him as well!
- prairiestatedem - Sunday, Mar 21, 10 @ 10:55 am:
Mr. Miller….best wishes for a speedy recovery…it always made me smile to see that beautiful caddy rolling around the hawkeye state! I’d say you switched some votes into the O camp with your efforts. Feel better soon!
- Vote Quimby! - Monday, Mar 22, 10 @ 12:58 pm:
Sorry this is so late, but hope you are feeling well!
- Lefty Lefty - Monday, Mar 22, 10 @ 2:31 pm:
I’m late, too. Love the car, love the Miller impact on Illinois (and national!) politics. Get well.
- Dead Head - Tuesday, Mar 23, 10 @ 7:54 am:
Rich & Rich Sr., I apologize profusly! I don’t know how I missed this, but I did and I’m very sorry. Rich Sr., I don’t think I’ve seen you since Rich got married, the second time? Anyway my best wishes for a speedy recovery. Rich, you should have told me. You know my phone number.