End of the Obamalac

The Obama's are in the White House and somethings can never be the same again. Thank goodness! Now it's time to move on so I'm having the decals removed Thursday from the Obamalac and my beautiful 1963 Cadillac will return to being a partner (since 1976) in enjoying my everyday life. My most important partner is my wife (since 1959) and she didn't complain when I showed the world my support for Obama. I did this once before when I covered my brand new 1964 Ford Falcon with Goldwater signs. I respected Barry then and Barack now. Michelle will share his new life and make us all so very, very proud.

Election night on Michigan Ave was thrilling and that thrill will last forever. I brought my butt off of the couch to support someone I had listened to and then believed in and I don't regret a minute of the time spent!

I want to thank the folks at Stick'Em Up Graphics Inc, downtown Rock Island IL, 820 4th Ave,(309) 794-9808 for the use of their skills that created the graphics. Also, Rich Brannen of Brannen's Automotive, 2100 5th Ave Moline IL, (309) 736-2680, kept the car going time after time with his great mind. And Free Land Auto Body, 2626 7th Ave, Rock Island, (309) 786-2208 provided upgrades to the pearl white paint job when required.

It was a great ride and I loved it, but more importantly, the country now has a President they can believe in. I was glad to be a very small part, but a part, of the transformation.

END OF AN ERROR, January 20 2009

George W. Bush, citizen, leaves the White House for Texas.

The White House on Inaguration Day 2009

Barbara Marie Akers Miller has a smile and a heart that can't be beat. We've been married since 1961, the year our Prez was born! It was a very cold day but this change warmed all of us. PURPLE GATE was our entry point.

Marchal Sisters from France

I stopped the Obamalac because of the crowd on Michigan Avenue and they joined in the ride for a celebration of a lifetime, election night 2008!

April Friendly and Friends

April Friendly was indeed friendly to the world, creating memories this election eve. Everyone was happy, nice, and hopeful and she was a comet in the crowd!

Thierry Marchal from France

MY COMPUTER HAS BEEN IN THE REPAIR SHOP FOR A WHILE SO I"M JUST NOW CATCHING UP.
Thierry brought his family to Chicago to share in the exciting election evening with Barack Obama. I know I had a great time and I'm sure they did too based on his email below. It was a perfect night. Since the election fully one-third of the hits to this blog have been from France and their former colonies.


Hi Rich,

This is Thierry, the french guy who joined you with Meggie, Julia & Candice on Michigan Avenue on Nov the 4th for the "great day".
We will always keep a great souvenir of this day and especially of that cruise into the "Obamalac" across the streets of Chicago. We would like to really thank you for having make this moment possible and for your kindness. The girls have realized how lucky they were to be in your car a such historical day and I am sure they will always remember you and this day. The weather, the people, the happyness, everything has contributed to make this day a special day.

I also want to say how proud the entire world is for what the people of America have done on that election. We are sure that your choice and your wisdom will bring you some better days.

We cordially thank you again and hope to see you again,

God bless America and his people,

Thierry

Obama in Des Moines

Adam Larsen took this picture the night Obama and the Obamalac came to Des Moines to declare victory over Hillary last summer. After giving his speech his SUV roared by and I could see his out-stretched arm poked at me. Adam sent it to me tonight so here it is.

Video- Parade Time for Obama and Halvorson

Deb Halvorson won her race for the US House Nov 4 with Obama's help and I'm proud to have supported her. This is a video shot during the Sep 2008 Joliet IL Black Pride Parade.

James VanHofwegen and Lizbeth Sanchez

This pair shared in the tremendous joy of the Obama victory celebration!

More Pictures From France

Mother and daughters enjoy riding in the Caddy on a warm summer-like night made even better because of the election night victory in the air! Meggie, Julia and Candace say hi to all from France!

Picture From Jeremy Lawson

What Fun!

These three were some of the first riders and they had fun! Oh what a night.

FCC, Pinkertons, Peking

Kathleen Duffy took this pic before the Irish Couple came onboard.

Had the FCC, Pinkertons, and someone in Peking, China checking out the blog this week. I will still play Steve Earle!

Two Phoning Friends

I snapped this picture of you guys on Michigan Avenue and found your blog....Loved the car! Congratulations on our victory! Sarah Jessica Jafari

4pm on State Street

We were walking over to the Grant Park for the Rally around 4pm and spotted Obamalac on State Street!Beautiful car, and what a great advert for Obama! Only wish I had my expensive camera with me instead of a tiny digital. :)I'm assuming the Obamalac will be in D.C. for the Innauguration in January. Go Obama! Deb Paulson, Chicago

French Family Shares in the Victory Celebration!

On an implulse I invited this french family to share the excitement and join in the cruise on Michigan Avenue. They started a night of memories that will live forever in my mind. They sent some pics and a note.

Hi Rich, This is Thierry, the french guy who joined you with Meggie, Julia & Candice on Michigan Avenue on Nov the 4th for the "great day".We will always keep a great souvenir of this day and especially of that cruise into the "Obamalac" across the streets of Chicago. We would like to really thank you for having make this moment possible and for your kindness. The girls have realized how lucky they were to be in your car a such historical day and I am sure they will always remember you and this day. The weather, the people, the happyness, everything has contributed to make this day a special day. I also want to say how proud the entire world is for what the people of America have done on that election. We are sure that your choice and your wisdom will bring you some better days. We cordially thank you again and hope to see you again, God bless America and his people,

From Springfield IL

Hi! We are from Springfield, Il and froze back in February 2007. We traveled to Chicago Tuesday to be a part of the Victory party in Grant park. We were not lucky enough to receive tickets, but we watched with great pride on the jumbo tron on the North end of the field! We were even interviewed and quoted in the Chicago Defender. Today, I looked up http://www.obamalac.com/ and saw I could email you the pics we snapped. Our children and friends think your car is AWESOME! Tell President elect and his family that we have supported and believed in him since the beginning. And what a beautiful portrait of THE American Family. Sincerely, Gabrielle Kilby and Keith Fisher

From the Capitol Fax Blog (One of my Sons)

Ed Scanlan from Chicago sent this pic in.

The following is from my oldest son's blog:

I’m still trying to absorb all of this. There are so many things to contemplate, many of them personal. The fact that I’ve known him for years, even since before he was elected to the Illinois Senate. The private conversation we had long ago when I tried to discourage him from running for the US Senate. Our chance meeting on a public golf course when my then girlfriend swooned and I told her she was nuts. His remarkable primary victory and the whacky season it sparked (Blair, Jack and the Martian). My chuckling at his nickname for my formerly staunch Goldwater Republican and formerly all too white father: “Brother Miller.” My embarrassment at my father’s first words to Obama when I introduced them in January of 2004: “Never change. Never change,” and my concern at how Barack will, eventually change. His call to me during his failed congressional bid wondering why I was being so harsh and his attempt at rapproachment, when I first realized how skillful he could be. The fact that my wife is an Iraqi-American and my concern about what this election will mean for her family and her former nation. On and on. It’s kinda weird “knowing” a president-elect. It makes you think back, as well as look forward.

Wasilla Alaska Watching the Obamalac

Cierra Hall sent in this pic from Michigan Avenue. Just noticed that someone from Wasilla AK checked out this blog! Suppose Governor Palin is checking out President-elect Obama?

Istanbul, Ankara, and Bursa Turkey

Donna Oppolo sent in this picture. Must have been a story about the OBAMALAC in the Turkish press because there's been hits from around Turkey. Welcome!