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Question of the day
Friday, Oct 10, 2014 - Posted by Rich Miller * Monday, October 13th is Columbus Day, a state holiday. Normally, I don’t work on state holidays. But this campaign season has been gloriously hectic. I put up 23 posts yesterday and y’all commented hundreds and hundreds of times. There were 1,243 votes on a poll I posted at 9 o’clock last night and over 120 comments about that poll before people finally went to bed. We ended up with 214,000 page views yesterday (and a slow site for a while - major upgrade coming after work today). Crazy, man. The NRI hearing and the debate drove lots of traffic, but average traffic this work week has been about 190,000 page views per day. I got 20,000 more page views this past Sunday than I was getting on average weekdays three years ago in October. I’m not sure what to think of that. I love my job and I love this blog, and I have no problem working on Monday. But I would also love a little extra break and I’m expecting news and comments to be light on Monday, since it’s a holiday. But this has been such an intense and at times overwhelming campaign season that I’m not all that confident in my expectation. So… * The Question: Do you want CapitolFax.com to stay open on Columbus Day or should we all just take a little break? Take the poll and then explain your answer in comments, please. online polls
I will abide by the majority vote at 4:15 this afternoon. And, of course, any big breaking news will lead to a post if the blog is shut down. There just may not be any comments.
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- Eddy - Friday, Oct 10, 14 @ 2:43 pm:
No holidays in campaign season, except during Bears game
- East Central Illinois - Friday, Oct 10, 14 @ 2:43 pm:
You need to take a break. It’s gonna be a very lllloooonnnnnnggggggg rest of the election campaign.
- Skeptic - Friday, Oct 10, 14 @ 2:44 pm:
I voted keep it open. More hits on the ads means more $$$ for you Rich. Otherwise I’d say take a break.
- Rich Miller - Friday, Oct 10, 14 @ 2:45 pm:
=== More hits on the ads means more $$$ for you Rich===
Um, no.
I don’t charge by the impression, I charge by the week.
- wndycty - Friday, Oct 10, 14 @ 2:45 pm:
Its an election year and Columbus day is a big political day.
- uptown progressive - Friday, Oct 10, 14 @ 2:46 pm:
I did not vote because subscribers should rule. (Well not rule, since that is obviously you, Rich, but at least given voice.) However, I am exhausted just trying to keep up with you this week and respectfully request a day off.
- Mason born - Friday, Oct 10, 14 @ 2:46 pm:
Rich,
Take a break. Too much of the campaigns this year will ruin your belief in humanity. Besides Oscar would like the attention.
- vibes - Friday, Oct 10, 14 @ 2:46 pm:
The markets are open, why shouldn’t the blog be?
But you’ll need to weigh your increased turnout from the Native American base vs. any offense the Italian-Americans might take.
- the Patriot - Friday, Oct 10, 14 @ 2:46 pm:
Spend the weekend getting properly hydrated with cold beverage and prepare for the Sprint to the finish.
- OneMan - Friday, Oct 10, 14 @ 2:48 pm:
Take a break…
Give everyone a day to keep their partisan powder dry and really let loose on Tuesday.
- vibes - Friday, Oct 10, 14 @ 2:49 pm:
Adding …
If we agree that this election is about turning out the base, particularly NA (Native Americans), we better start thinking about our targeting and not only about the general electorate. The poll shows that our biggest upsides are with women and the NA community …
- walker - Friday, Oct 10, 14 @ 2:49 pm:
Rich: Break time.
People come first.
But your morning music fix is better than coffee.
- Nonplussed - Friday, Oct 10, 14 @ 2:49 pm:
===I will abide by the majority vote at 4:15 this afternoon===
The Dude will abide.
- Chicago Cynic - Friday, Oct 10, 14 @ 2:51 pm:
I’ll be working and will miss you.
- Arthur Andersen - Friday, Oct 10, 14 @ 2:51 pm:
Take a break.
- Tanklady - Friday, Oct 10, 14 @ 2:52 pm:
Take a well deserved break because the election season has been long already and the ability to take a break doesn’t come along too often.
- Angel's Sword - Friday, Oct 10, 14 @ 2:53 pm:
Do whatever you want!
Nothing too big is going to happen on a holiday. It’d be awful if you got burned out blogging.
- Oswego Willy - Friday, Oct 10, 14 @ 2:53 pm:
===But I would also love a little extra break…===
Recharge, Bud.
OW
- Skeptic - Friday, Oct 10, 14 @ 2:53 pm:
“I charge by the week.”
Then pop open a cold one and put your feet up.
- Yellow Dog Democrat - Friday, Oct 10, 14 @ 2:53 pm:
Rest.
- Oswego Willy - Friday, Oct 10, 14 @ 2:55 pm:
===But your morning music fix is better than coffee.===
You are On It.
- Fiercely Independent - Friday, Oct 10, 14 @ 2:55 pm:
Take a break. I think you’re going to need it before this is all said and done.
- Norseman - Friday, Oct 10, 14 @ 2:56 pm:
Take a break! Oh, wait. Then I’ll have no excuse for not doing the chores.
- Mighty M. Mouse - Friday, Oct 10, 14 @ 2:57 pm:
Sorry Rich, but I’m addicted. Except for the gender I’m reminded of some Elvis Costello lyrics:
She’s been a bad girl, she’s like a chemical
Though you try to stop it, she’s like a narcotic
You want to torture her, you want to talk to her
All the things you bought for her, putting up your temperature
Pump it up, until you can feel it
Pump it up, when you don’t really need it
Rich, you’re like sharp cheddar cheese. You can seem a little strong sometimes, but I’m addicted.
- DuPage Mama - Friday, Oct 10, 14 @ 2:57 pm:
A day without Cap Fax is like a day without sunshine, to paraphrase Anita Bryant. Speaking of which, it would be great to know what the orange juice queen and grand homophobe thinks about equal marriage sweeping across this great land of ours.
- Wensicia - Friday, Oct 10, 14 @ 2:57 pm:
Take a break, but post anything earthshaking without opening comments.
- zatoichi - Friday, Oct 10, 14 @ 2:58 pm:
Be a faux-state worker for a day via solidarity or convenience. There is always time for whatever ‘big’ story pops up.
However, morning music is now a ‘gotta do’. The monster lives and must be fed.
- Wensicia - Friday, Oct 10, 14 @ 2:58 pm:
And thanks for the best source of campaign news found anywhere.
- Langhorne - Friday, Oct 10, 14 @ 3:00 pm:
It will all still be there tuesday
- chi - Friday, Oct 10, 14 @ 3:01 pm:
I didn’t vote because my answer wasn’t there. Obviously the majority are going to want the blog open, but I’m confident we all want you to get your rest to gear up for the homestretch. So my vote is, “if you feel like it, we want it”.
- Peoria guy - Friday, Oct 10, 14 @ 3:04 pm:
Keep it open. Just like Bruce Rauner, I work in the private sector and Columbus Day is just another work day! We need to shake up Springfield and their damn holidays. Union bosses killing American productivity need to be sent out to pasture!
:)
- Oswego Willy - Friday, Oct 10, 14 @ 3:05 pm:
This place lives and breathes, but it breathes with you at the helm, Rich.
Recharge.
Doesn’t mean you won’t get people popping in, looking for an update, like looking in your favorite watering hole window, and the sign says “Gone Fishing”, but you look in anyway. That speaks volumes about this place, even when you’re closed, we still will look in the window.
- Thunder Fred - Friday, Oct 10, 14 @ 3:07 pm:
Take the day off. After all you don’t want to make all these state workers post on their personal time do you?
- Anyone Remember - Friday, Oct 10, 14 @ 3:08 pm:
Take a break, play with Oscar. Tuesday is 3 weeks to election day any it will be a marathon sprint.
- Hotel Ibiza - Friday, Oct 10, 14 @ 3:08 pm:
Take a break, the circus can wait.
- Anyone Remember - Friday, Oct 10, 14 @ 3:09 pm:
Peoria Guy -
Columbus Day is a holiday to honor Italian Americans, not labor unions.
- Belle - Friday, Oct 10, 14 @ 3:09 pm:
Take a break—you’ve been sick once and don’t want to get run down again.
- Nearly Normal - Friday, Oct 10, 14 @ 3:09 pm:
Break time–things are going to get crrraaazzzyyyy after Columbus Day!
- Anonymous - Friday, Oct 10, 14 @ 3:09 pm:
Rich,
You deserve some down time! Unfortunately. this political thing is just too demanding. Take some time off, get out in the sun, and take a nice walk.
In fact, you could get all these things plus great coverage by marching in the Columbus Day parade in Chicago with Bruce Rauner.
As in other states, the Columbus Day name may go away here as well. May be your last chance!
- Reality Check - Friday, Oct 10, 14 @ 3:11 pm:
You should get a break. I want one, too.
- Nearly Normal - Friday, Oct 10, 14 @ 3:11 pm:
Would love an Oscar the Puppy moment instead.
- MEP - Friday, Oct 10, 14 @ 3:15 pm:
I voted for you to keep the blog open (same number of traditional posts), but I wouldn’t be sad if we didn’t have any surveys/comments/etc. for one day as a compromise.
- southern girl - Friday, Oct 10, 14 @ 3:16 pm:
Take it easy, you deserve it!
- Jake From Elwood - Friday, Oct 10, 14 @ 3:20 pm:
Shock us all and go get a haircut and shave on Monday. LOL
- Skeptic - Friday, Oct 10, 14 @ 3:21 pm:
Hey, maybe there’s a compromise. Keep it closed with the promise of Oscar pics?
- Gooner - Friday, Oct 10, 14 @ 3:22 pm:
Take a break.
We all need an enforced day off from this.
- CircularFiringSquad - Friday, Oct 10, 14 @ 3:24 pm:
We voted yes
The workforce is probably voting “no” because they would have their govt computers to use and fear you will learn the identities and report to who ever they think you really work for Mitt, PQ, Proft, Madigan or all of the above.
Hey that might make a good QOTD — who really control Capt Fax?
- Hacksaw Jim - Friday, Oct 10, 14 @ 3:25 pm:
At this point, campaign staff is working 12-15 hour days - including this weekend. Thousands of doors will be knocked on. A plethora of phone calls will be placed. Mail will be sent and tv ads will be aired… and ultimately decisions made by voters. There is probably no bigger campaign weekend leading up to election day than this one. My vote is to keep the blog open.
- John A Logan - Friday, Oct 10, 14 @ 3:26 pm:
I propose a middle ground. A song post in the morning. A Caption Contest, and a Question of the day. That way it’s still a day off, but we still have something to banter about.
- RWP - Friday, Oct 10, 14 @ 3:27 pm:
I am going with “take a break” because you deserve it and it’s still 3 weeks to election day (although I hate it when there is no blog action during the day)
- Alex P. Keaton - Friday, Oct 10, 14 @ 3:28 pm:
But…..but what am I supposed to do if the blog is down? Actual work?
- bored to zzzzz - Friday, Oct 10, 14 @ 3:29 pm:
Take break, play with doggie
- MrJM - Friday, Oct 10, 14 @ 3:29 pm:
This vote is very disappointing — what has happened to our belief in the traditional American value of another fellow’s hard work?
– MrJM
- jimbo2 - Friday, Oct 10, 14 @ 3:30 pm:
Take a break, you’ll need it. And, the political junkies will appreciate you more on Tuesday.
- Kankakee Kid - Friday, Oct 10, 14 @ 3:36 pm:
It’s your Grandma’s birthday. Take the day off, relax, charge your battery, and remember the good times with her.
- Pius - Friday, Oct 10, 14 @ 3:40 pm:
Take a break. We still have a few weeks to go.
- Kankakee Kid - Friday, Oct 10, 14 @ 3:40 pm:
I just learned about 4:20 last year. Has it changed to 4:15?
- VM - Friday, Oct 10, 14 @ 3:42 pm:
Take a break, but only because I expect 24/7 postings from October 14 to election day
- Been There - Friday, Oct 10, 14 @ 3:42 pm:
Keep it open. The kids on the campaigns are all still going to put in full plus days along with the candidates. Plus those of us at work that day need this blog to pretend we are actually working.
Plus to this point ===Um, no.
I don’t charge by the impression, I charge by the week. =====
You can justify higher weekly rates.
- truthteller - Friday, Oct 10, 14 @ 3:44 pm:
Take the day off. In the unlikely event Rauner wins Columbus Day may no longer be a state holiday and this would be your last chance to have the day off.
- A guy... - Friday, Oct 10, 14 @ 3:47 pm:
Good God, for the sake of the parents of all these State Employees, close it down for the day so that they go outside and play and get some fresh air. Even Oscar needs a break for goodness sake. If something breaks, heck, put Barton in charge, he’ll be off! lol
- Roadiepig - Friday, Oct 10, 14 @ 3:59 pm:
Take it off. You need to recharge for the coming carnage and so do we
- JS Mill - Friday, Oct 10, 14 @ 4:01 pm:
Recharge a little extra this weekend, you’re going to need it for the stretch drive.
- Mighty M. Mouse - Friday, Oct 10, 14 @ 4:03 pm:
If he decides by 4:15 he can be prepared for 4:20.
- Mighty M. Mouse - Friday, Oct 10, 14 @ 4:03 pm:
Sorry about that, I guess.
- redleg - Friday, Oct 10, 14 @ 4:04 pm:
Rich I get the indecision. For years, as a veteran, I always struggled on Veterans Day with “do I get paid, do my job or call off sick so I didn’t miss any pheasant hunting due to the noon opener”.
Take the day off. The pheasant hunting isn’t any good anyway.
- phocion - Friday, Oct 10, 14 @ 4:04 pm:
I voted to give Rich a break. But he has to promise to take his Mom out to a nice Italian restaurant in honor of Christopher Columbus.
- Grandson of Man - Friday, Oct 10, 14 @ 4:07 pm:
Take a well deserved break. There will be plenty more on the other side of the holiday.
Perhaps a huge story could be posted, if it comes, but other than that I think a break is needed.
- garlic bread - Friday, Oct 10, 14 @ 4:09 pm:
No Rich, no OW, no MrJM, no ydd, etc. How ever will I procrastinate at work next Monday?! Keep it open!
- Noper - Friday, Oct 10, 14 @ 4:20 pm:
Taking Monday off will make Tuesday that much more juicy, ripe, and bursting with news and stuff.
- Rich's Mom - Friday, Oct 10, 14 @ 4:24 pm:
Close it down! Thanks phocion for the idea of Rich taking me out to dinner,but I will take a rain check on that dinner so Rich can get a day of complete rest.
- Rich Miller - Friday, Oct 10, 14 @ 4:29 pm:
Whew. I’m glad the vote went the way it did. lol
- Amalia - Friday, Oct 10, 14 @ 4:40 pm:
Happy long weekend, Rich. drink, dance and laugh. you deserve it!