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A belated thank you

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Illinois

* I want to thank everyone who came to my election night party on Tuesday. I heard it was a lot of fun, but I was working most of the time, so I didn’t really get to enjoy it.

Also, many thanks to Google for organizing the event and picking up the tab. That couldn’t have been cheap. And thanks to NBC5 for its active participation.

Pretty much everybody had a great time. A couple were over-served, but that happens with an open bar. No blood, no foul, no arrests. No big deal.

I don’t think I’ll do it again unless we can find a location where I can have a private office. I work on election night, so the party was a huge distraction. Barton Lorimor did a great job for us, but I felt like I was constantly torn between what was going on outside the party and what was going on inside, so I never got a good handle on anything. I hope you weren’t disappointed.

* The party ended at around 11 o’clock. Some of us headed to the Senate Democratic event just down the street. After that party ended, I was walking back to the parking garage when I heard someone behind me say, “Hey! Can I walk with you?”

Now, if you know the State Street block between Kinzie and Hubbard, you also know that it’s populated by some sketchy types. I used to enjoy that block in my younger days because it was so, um, interesting. Now, it’s just kind of a pain. So I kept walking and didn’t turn around.

And then the guy behind me said, “I’ll buy you a cannoli.”

Yes, it was Oswego Willy. He came late to the party and apparently just happened to see me walk by. We went to Mother Hubbard’s for drinks and some of their famous wings and talked for a good, long time. He is as funny and as witty in person as he is here on the blog. I loved every minute of our time together.

This blog just wouldn’t be what it is without people like Oswego Willy and Wordslinger and so many, many others. One day, I want to have a party just for this site’s regular commenters. They could all out themselves to each other. I’m sure it would be a ton of fun.

I have often said that I have the best commenters, bar none, of any blog anywhere in the country. You really make this place what it is. Thanks.

Thanks also to my advertisers. This site is a lot of work, so your support makes it worthwhile. I don’t like to do stuff for free, unless it’s charity, so many, many thanks.

* But most of all, thanks to my subscribers, without whom I wouldn’t be here today. You may have no idea how much I appreciate your support, but just know I’m always overwhelmed at how this endeavor has been such a success. Y’all mean the world to me.

posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Nov 8, 12 @ 9:45 am

Comments

Thanks Rich,

As I talked to my 7th election judge who forgot to seal something I was thinking ‘Bet there is Beer at the CapFax thing’…

Also to the commenters, as twitter and Facebook over the last 4 months have reminded me constantly , how even those of you I disagree with are never really disagreeable.

Thanks for that.

Comment by OneMan Thursday, Nov 8, 12 @ 9:50 am
You were in Chi-town? I would’ve liked to have said hello!

Comment by Levois Thursday, Nov 8, 12 @ 9:54 am
The best thing you did was getting rid of that white screen thing. clutch move.

Comment by shore Thursday, Nov 8, 12 @ 9:54 am
Sorry I couldn’t make it Rich. My son decided he was really really excited about the election and expressed it by refusing to go to sleep. Glad to see it was good times.

Comment by Will Caskey Thursday, Nov 8, 12 @ 9:54 am
Thanks to you, Rich, for giving all us regulars a place to hang.
I think of this Blog as the “Cheers” of politics. Keep up the great work.

Comment by Arthur Andersen Thursday, Nov 8, 12 @ 9:57 am
Thanks again, Rich.

Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Nov 8, 12 @ 9:59 am
Rich, how about after the City Club event people who are able to take off an afternoon head to local bar to celebrate what I’m sure will be an impressive speech?

Comment by Skeeter Thursday, Nov 8, 12 @ 10:01 am
I was following your blog thinking”how is this guy partying and updating results feeds at same time? Lol. I can imagine it would have been hard to focus on either. Nice job though. And nice job to all who comment, you are all not as smart as you think you are, lol, but then again, neither am I. Your comments are some of the only ones I read on the web though

Comment by dang Thursday, Nov 8, 12 @ 10:05 am
Great to see so many familiar faces. I wish there could have been time to socialize more. Make sure to look me up when you’re all in Springfield for veto!

Rich, thanks for the invite. Had a blast as usual.

Comment by Barton Lorimor Thursday, Nov 8, 12 @ 10:11 am
===getting rid of that white screen thing===

Um, huh?

Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Nov 8, 12 @ 10:15 am
Thanks for all you do Rich Miller. Sorry I missed the party, I was working the precincts until late and decided to watch the returns with the outstanding crew of volunteers that fought in the trenches with me all day. Sign me up for the party if it happens, but we ought to have a non disclosure agreement so we can still say what we really think here and not have to spin everything. Maybe the name tags can just be our handles and we agree not to ask too many questions of each other. Of course, I have a feeling I’ll recognize the faces of at least some of you.

Comment by 47th Ward Thursday, Nov 8, 12 @ 10:16 am
I would love to have a Springfield-centric Cap Fax party. I’m sure there are a ton of commenters who live and work in the Capitol region.

Comment by Team Sleep Thursday, Nov 8, 12 @ 10:18 am
Further proof that when it comes to finding interesting characters grabbing a drink, it’s hard to beat Mother Hubbards.

And co-sign on Skeeter’s suggestion for post City Club revelry. Brehon Pub isn’t too far from there and has all the requisite requirements - cold beers, Jameson, and it’s own colorful piece of Illinois/Chicago political history…

Comment by Chicago Bars Thursday, Nov 8, 12 @ 10:19 am
Thanks for all your excellent work. Thanks for putting up with us venting our collective spleens when necessary…

Comment by Loop Lady Thursday, Nov 8, 12 @ 10:25 am
Can you have such a party with all the executive protection troopers that would have to be included? Just to be safe, I’m writing “steve schnorf” on my name tag.

Comment by Dirty Red Thursday, Nov 8, 12 @ 10:30 am
Rich,

Thanks for stopping for ONE. I wanted to make sure I had your attention before I dropped the ‘Cannoli’.

I couldn’t have had a more enjoyable time talking with you and having some wings. I can safely say I enjoyed it as much, if not more.

Everyone who stops by this blog or has spent just 5 minutes with you knows how funny and quick witted YOU are, so getting props from you here and in other posts, is very high praise, and I want to thank you for that publicly.

You have done Illinois Politics such a great service to give us the gift of your blog to continue our state story and then allowing others the rare opportunity to dialog about what is going on now, and letting our thoughts of what that might mean tomorrow be seen by so many.

It can not be overstated how important this blog is as the ‘meeting place’ for Illinois Politics on the Web. You did that, Rich and you should be very proud of all you have accomplished, including this essential website for anyone wanting to get plugged in to Illinois.

Thank YOU from all of us.

I think you are on to something about getting all of the commenters that you would want to meet each other. Boy, that would be “can’t miss”.

While many, if not most or all won’t know each other from Adam, please don’t give us code words when we first come, because I dunno if I can handle being “Mr. Pink”.

Why can’t Rich make me “Mr. Black”?

Capitol Fax Blog is everything that is great about Illniois politics and what is great about cutting through bumper stickers and talking points. That is a credit to you and truly understanding what you are wanting this to be, and realizing how to do it.

Thanks for letting all of hang out, including me.

Oswego Willy

It lives and breathes, every day.

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Nov 8, 12 @ 10:36 am
Thank you. Your generosity (and that of your sponsor’s) was very much appreciated. It was nice to see so many old friends.

Comment by The Captain Thursday, Nov 8, 12 @ 10:39 am
What Willy said. Here in the hinterlands, we will have to join even Springfield parties in spirit only. Cheers from beautiful SO IL.

Comment by Ray del Camino Thursday, Nov 8, 12 @ 10:43 am
I wasn’t going to give you a hard time, but I never got my invite…

I couldn’t have made it, I was downstate knocking on doors, but now that I know I could have met wordslinger I’m sad I missed it.

Either way, agreed on the folks here, between the content and the commenters I learn more from this blog each week than almost any other source of information.

Comment by Small Town Liberal Thursday, Nov 8, 12 @ 10:46 am
tons of fun on election night on this board. thanks so much for that, Rich. and Bart too!

Comment by amalia Thursday, Nov 8, 12 @ 10:48 am
I want to thank Rich and all of the commentors. I was out of the state for the last week and was able to keep up-to-date (and amused) by relying on the blog.

I think your best bet for an inclusive party would be a party bus that starts in Springfield and spends a few days traversing the state. Or, perhaps, a private car on Amtrak that goes up to Chicago then down to St. Louis and back to Springfield. What a party that would be! LOL

Comment by Pot calling kettle Thursday, Nov 8, 12 @ 10:50 am
==You really make this place what it is.==

The best attracts the best, great blog!

I’m honored to be in company with so many fine people.

Comment by Wensicia Thursday, Nov 8, 12 @ 10:52 am
Willy…

Come on you name would be FakeJasonPlummer

Comment by OneMan Thursday, Nov 8, 12 @ 10:53 am
Rich said,

“One day, I want to have a party just for this site’s regular commenters.”

Bouncers required?

Comment by Cincinnatus Thursday, Nov 8, 12 @ 11:04 am
If Jason was there …

Jason Plummer, “Ah, (looks at the name tag) ‘FakeJasonPlummer’, I get it, funny … can you point me to Oswego Willy, since you are a big fan of mine …”

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Nov 8, 12 @ 11:05 am
The thanks go to you Rich. There is more pertinant information disemminated on this site by you and the knowledgeable commentors than all of the MSM outlets combined. I have learned a great deal on this site regarding Illinois politics. The little nuances that are never covered any place else and probably not understood by many other news outlets.

As others have said. Thank you for giving us this place to hang, vent, and learn.

Comment by Irish Thursday, Nov 8, 12 @ 11:12 am
Groucho Marx said: ” I don’t want to a member of any club that would accept people like me as a member”
So by analogy……

Comment by x ace Thursday, Nov 8, 12 @ 11:22 am
Love the blog, Rich! Hope you’ll have an open invitation for a meet & greet party to everyone who reads the blog, not just the noted (or notorious) commentors. Lots of lurkers like me would enjoy coming to the party, too!

Comment by Long-Time Lurker Thursday, Nov 8, 12 @ 11:24 am
“…and I’d like to thank the directors and the film crew…”

Rich: I think we owe many times more thanks to you than you do us. So I’ll make my contribution…Thank you Rich. This place is the best.

Comment by What planet is he from? Thursday, Nov 8, 12 @ 11:28 am
Though I haven’t stopped in for a while, any block that includes Rossi’s can’t be all bad. Sorry I missed the party, Rich.

Comment by steve schnorf Thursday, Nov 8, 12 @ 11:32 am
I actually like the anonymity this site provides commenters…I don’t need to be PC as long as I do not cross the lines as dictated by Rich…

Comment by Loop Lady Thursday, Nov 8, 12 @ 12:14 pm
As one who watched much of the broadcast, Rich was in rare form towards the end. Any of us who have known Rich live in person wouldn’t think twice about it, but the NBC 5 folks were a bit uncomfortable.

Comment by ArchPundit Thursday, Nov 8, 12 @ 12:15 pm
Great party, Rich, even if I only caught the end of it. Look forward to more of those.

Comment by KGB Thursday, Nov 8, 12 @ 12:16 pm
I have often said that I have the best commenters, bar none, of any blog anywhere in the country. You really make this place what it is. Thanks

This is so true! There is no other blog that even comes close. Thanks Rich for everything, and all who comment here. It’s so nice to get so many opinions, ideas, thoughts on so many topics! It keeps everyone thinking! And we need more of that!

Comment by 3rd Generation Chicago Native Thursday, Nov 8, 12 @ 1:34 pm
Even new people like it here….Thanks Rich.

Comment by Lobo y Olla Thursday, Nov 8, 12 @ 4:21 pm
I’d love to meet the best political commenters around. Election night ties a lot of us up — we blew the roof off at Tammy D’s party — but any other time.

Comment by mark walker Thursday, Nov 8, 12 @ 5:04 pm
Oops. Switched computers. 5:04 was me.

Comment by walkinfool Thursday, Nov 8, 12 @ 6:22 pm
Rich and all my fellow commenters,

I am a relative newcomer, and I do not comment regularly. I do however read the blog almost every day, and on issues important to me, I will read the comments to find out what you have to say.

I never really have followed state politics before. Now just because of this blog and all of you, I feel like I am more informed than most people.

I thoroughly enjoy reading this blog, and I enjoy reading all the comments. My gratitude goes to all of you, especially Rich. Thank you.

Comment by KurtInSpringfield Friday, Nov 9, 12 @ 8:13 am