ProgressOhio

Ah, the post I didn't wanna write. I will say that it is a bit easier than 3 weeks ago when this first began. I was forced to a decision. When I was first talking to people in Colorado about forming a group similar to theirs in Ohio I was both excited about the concept as well as doubtful that I'd be picked to launch it. It turned out that I got the opportunity to do just that, and as those who read my post at Plunderbund know, I viewed it as a high honor.

What some might not know is that for the past 4 years I've also been involved in another startup of sorts in the private sector. A website that has become the number one news destination in the global commercial printing industry. I told Brian when I interviewed to be the resident geek at ProgressOhio about the business and that I was an equity partner and would not be walking away from that. So for the last 5 months I've essentially been doing two jobs. ProgressOhio during the day and WhatTheyThink.com at night. Ironic given PO is supposed to be the "shadow organization" and I did that in the light of day. It was hard, but the energy around the midterm elections helped me get by on adrenaline and caffeine.

Soon after the election we decided amongst the owners of the business that we needed to get serious in order to make it the success we thought it could be. This forced my decision and I spent the better part of a month with permanent knots in my stomach. I will say that I have never made a harder decision in my entire life, including some pretty damned tough ones!

In the end, my entrepreneurial dreams and a desire to have my own business and make something that had lasting value and contributed to the long-term financial stability of my family barely won over my passion for politics and contributing to progressive change in an era when more and more control is concentrated in the hands of less and less folks.

I was worried about Rootscamp coming toward the end of my time knowing I had already decided to leave. I feared the event would cause me to regret given what I predicted would be a great time with a good number of like-minded folks from across the state. I was right about the last part, but in my heart I did not feel regret for my decision and feel very fortunate for that.

I will certainly miss a great many things, most of which will be getting to work with one of the brightest political minds in the state in Brian. I was very hesitant in the beginning given our recent history over the ODP state dinner and the Obama table. The two of us worked better together than I ever could have imagined and I'm glad I listened to Mike Huttner when he said us coming from different directions could be a plus - he was spot on! (Mike is the Executive Director of our sister organization in Colorado - ProgressNow.) I feel like we learned alot from each other - me gaining a slight edge maybe in things learned.

So I'm leaving ProgressOhio after having successfully launched what I hope will be a progressive force for years to come. I am quite confident that I'm leaving things in capable hands with Dave Harding. I have followed Dave since I first started Plunderbund and watched his work at UAPA's blog and then watched as he ran probably the best online operation among the Congressionals. Join me in welcoming Dave aboard and give him your full support. He's gonna take this to a whole new level. I'll do everything I can from the outside now to see that it succeeds. I hope you all will join me in that. When you look at what went on at this weekend's RootsCamp event, it is clear that there is a strong movement and a great many individuals willing to get things done. A buddy of mine asked out loud as we were standing around during a break in the action at the Y: "Look around. You think the right has any idea what they are dealing with?"

Nope. I don't.

So sayonara ProgressOhio, and Doumo arigatou gozai-masu. Kochira koso.

PS - If you end up looking for me you will probably find me here or here.