* I gave a speech in Peoria last August. Jessica Newbold with Giordano Consulting Services spoke before me, and then-Congressman Aaron Schock spoke after me. I stuck around to listen to Schock’s speech and then chatted with him later. I was, as usual, impressed with his knowledge on a wide range of issues and with his political insights.

Anyway, with some trepidation because, man, I’ve lost a bunch of weight since this pic was taken, here you go…

Also, be nice to Jessica.

       

60 Comments - South of Sherman - Thursday, Apr 16, 15 @ 1:45 pm: Wait, Rich… are you on the left or the right in this picture? - Michelle Flaherty - Thursday, Apr 16, 15 @ 1:45 pm: Don’t worry, Schock’s lost more. - downstate commissioner - Thursday, Apr 16, 15 @ 1:52 pm: A rose between two thorns… OH, wait-between a thorn and a dead stalk… - Wensicia - Thursday, Apr 16, 15 @ 1:54 pm: Schock: “Remember, Rich, it’s not the years, it’s the mileage.” - Tommydanger - Thursday, Apr 16, 15 @ 1:55 pm: I drove around the block a couple of times looking for a parking space. Hmmmm, I’d say 256 miles on the mileage reimbursement form sounds about right. - D.P.Gumby - Thursday, Apr 16, 15 @ 1:56 pm: “Beauty, Beauty and Rich” can be read left to right or right to left - Lucky Pierre - Thursday, Apr 16, 15 @ 2:03 pm: How did you lose the weight? - Oswego Willy - Thursday, Apr 16, 15 @ 2:05 pm: ===Schock: “Remember, Rich, it’s not the years, it’s the mileage.”=== Indeed. “Caption?” Schock, “Can I have this picture for my Instagram?” - Madame Defarge - Thursday, Apr 16, 15 @ 2:07 pm: The Good the Bad and the Ugly - jerry 101 - Thursday, Apr 16, 15 @ 2:11 pm: “Hey Rich, Let me show you some tips to tighten up your glutes.” - Deep South - Thursday, Apr 16, 15 @ 2:12 pm: The beauty, the beast and the blogger. - Rich Miller - Thursday, Apr 16, 15 @ 2:12 pm: LP, Atkins. Steak and whiskey. lol - John A Logan - Thursday, Apr 16, 15 @ 2:16 pm: Shock looks a bit like a young Bob Barker - IrishPirate - Thursday, Apr 16, 15 @ 2:17 pm: Using a time machine he designed in federal prison Aaron Schock travels to the past to visit his younger self and attempts to warn his younger self about what was to come. Unfortunately, cameras came out and both the younger and older Schocks were so transfixed for so long that the vortex on the time machine returned and no meaningful conversation took place. - Stones - Thursday, Apr 16, 15 @ 2:17 pm: With all due respect…a rose between two thorns. - Anonymous - Thursday, Apr 16, 15 @ 2:19 pm: Lose it and keep it off - there’s a new world out there. Been there. Had to give up drinking, and begin exercising, but both those were difficult gifts - zatoichi - Thursday, Apr 16, 15 @ 2:21 pm: Santa welcomes two new elves. - Six Degrees of Separation - Thursday, Apr 16, 15 @ 2:22 pm: As Meat Loaf once sang, “Two Out of Three Ain’t Bad.” - I just threw up a little bit in my mouth - Thursday, Apr 16, 15 @ 2:31 pm: Between a rock and a hard place… - ChicagoR - Thursday, Apr 16, 15 @ 2:34 pm: How many tax dollars was Jonathon paid to take this one? - Oswego Willy - Thursday, Apr 16, 15 @ 2:35 pm: “Civilians, why does Rich add civilians?!” “Caption?” Schock “Same time next year, you guys?” - AC - Thursday, Apr 16, 15 @ 2:37 pm: Schock, Shocked & Smiling - Anonin' - Thursday, Apr 16, 15 @ 2:37 pm: Pictures in Peoria sounds like the trip of the year to me - Rich Miller - Thursday, Apr 16, 15 @ 2:38 pm: ===Civilians, why does Rich add civilians?=== She’s a lobster. And she sent me the pic. lol - MrJM - Thursday, Apr 16, 15 @ 2:38 pm: Jessica: “I have got to change my OkCupid profile…” – MrJM - Oswego Willy - Thursday, Apr 16, 15 @ 2:42 pm: Schock, “Thanks guys, love to stay but I’m due in England to have drinks with members of Royal Family…” Sadly, that might have been true. - downstate commissioner - Thursday, Apr 16, 15 @ 2:42 pm: Rich, did you read something into my thorn post that I didn’t see??? - Rich Miller - Thursday, Apr 16, 15 @ 2:43 pm: “One of these things is not like the other…” - 1776 - Thursday, Apr 16, 15 @ 2:43 pm: Miller announces winning bidder for Capitol Fax World Headquarter Remodel. EDGE credit pending with Governor Rauner. - Retired - Thursday, Apr 16, 15 @ 2:44 pm: A rose between two thorns - Oswego Willy - Thursday, Apr 16, 15 @ 2:46 pm: Schock, “I got room on the plane for one more… who wants French food, in Paris?” - The Colossus of Roads - Thursday, Apr 16, 15 @ 2:48 pm: Lowered the bar, went to a bar and slept in a bar. - Belle - Thursday, Apr 16, 15 @ 2:48 pm: Schock “A red background would add a lot to this picture” “If we took a short video, I could put on Vine.” - Arthur Andersen - Thursday, Apr 16, 15 @ 2:48 pm: “One of these is unlike the others.” - Oswego Willy - Thursday, Apr 16, 15 @ 2:50 pm: Schock, “Gotta go, this is the night I catch up on ‘Downton Abbey’…” - Pyrman - Thursday, Apr 16, 15 @ 2:54 pm: Jennifer, between a block and a hard body - Steve - Thursday, Apr 16, 15 @ 2:54 pm: “Aaron Shock is all smiles after Rich Miller gives some advice on how to answer questions” . The phrase “to the best of my recollection ” was overheard. - AC - Thursday, Apr 16, 15 @ 2:57 pm: Aaron, prior to an regrettable scandal Jessica, before she regretted having the picture taken Rich, thinking to himself that it’d been too long since an Illinois politician did something they regretted - Vote Quimby! - Thursday, Apr 16, 15 @ 3:09 pm: “One of these is about to head to a different ‘downtown.’” Photo credit: Darrin LaHood - AmericanPie - Thursday, Apr 16, 15 @ 3:10 pm: Rich - congratulations on the weight loss, it’s one of the most challenging things to do, as many of us (including me!) know. Now look, you set yourself up - you showed us the “before” photo, you need to show us the “after” photo too!! - Leatherneck - Thursday, Apr 16, 15 @ 3:11 pm: Rose between two thorns - A guy - Thursday, Apr 16, 15 @ 3:12 pm: Win, Place and Show for who sits in front of a Grand Jury first. - A guy - Thursday, Apr 16, 15 @ 3:15 pm: …And she thinks you’re the dangerous one! - bluecollargal - Thursday, Apr 16, 15 @ 3:19 pm: Great Tans! - Sage - Thursday, Apr 16, 15 @ 3:21 pm: From left to right: Busted, Busty, and Busting. - Team Sleep - Thursday, Apr 16, 15 @ 3:39 pm: Instead of the “Boat Drink Caucus” you three are the “Feel Asleep by the Boat Caucus”. - Jake From Elwood - Thursday, Apr 16, 15 @ 3:39 pm: Why did Rich and Jessica pose with the wax figurine of Aaron Schock? - Oswego Willy - Thursday, Apr 16, 15 @ 3:41 pm: Schock, “Welp, back in my SUV I go. Life on the road, racking up the miles…” - throwing stones - Thursday, Apr 16, 15 @ 3:44 pm: Penn and Tellar and assistant Pose for a picture with their 3000 mile trip in 20 minutes. Shock tries to repeat trick and feds debunk the wowwing audience. - Arthur Andersen - Thursday, Apr 16, 15 @ 3:45 pm: Rich, great minds lol. - zatoichi - Thursday, Apr 16, 15 @ 4:00 pm: The new afternoon crew for WLS replacing Rush. - Oswego Willy - Thursday, Apr 16, 15 @ 4:09 pm: Picture taken after Congressman Schock’s stirring speech; “Where We Will Be One Year From Now” - Amalia - Thursday, Apr 16, 15 @ 4:12 pm: Rich, I’d be less concerned about the photo and more concerned that you were impressed with his political insights! - Ginhouse Tommy - Thursday, Apr 16, 15 @ 4:44 pm: Nobody ever said that Schock wasn’t smart, he just didn’t make the smart choices. What a pity. - BlameBruceRauner - Thursday, Apr 16, 15 @ 5:39 pm: Schock: Well your look is dashing I must say. Newbold: Thanks Schock: I was talking to Rich……wink wink Miller Blushes and just smiles for the camera! - Soccermom - Thursday, Apr 16, 15 @ 6:37 pm: Is that dress white or blue? - Streator Curmudgeon - Thursday, Apr 16, 15 @ 8:12 pm: Rich: “I wish they would kick up the air conditioning in here.” Jessica: “Me too. I’m roasting.” Schock: “Not me. I am cool. Cool. I am soooo cool.” - Streator Curmudgeon - Thursday, Apr 16, 15 @ 8:15 pm: Rich: “So, Jessica. Your necklace looks just like that kidney stone I passed last year. Jessica: “Rich, you are so smooth.” Schock: “How about me? I’m cool. I am soooo cool.” - Streator Curmudgeon - Thursday, Apr 16, 15 @ 8:18 pm: Congressman, consultant and columnist compare notes on who can snarf up the most free food. - allknowingmasterofracoondom - Thursday, Apr 16, 15 @ 10:07 pm: Rich I saw you in January, what weight you talkin’ bout? We love you just the way you are….. Sorry, comments for this post are now closed.