So long, and thanks for all the fish.

"The best minds are not in government. If they were, business would hire them away." - Ronald Reagan

Well, Russell's leaving the private sector for government, so I'd say that alone shows that Reagan was full of crap.

Regardless, thanks for your dilligent service this past year. Thanks for your impact (even though nobody reads blogs), and thanks for the fun. All the best and goodluck

Statement from Bev Campbell regarding contesting her Ohio House District 20 race.

http://www.bevcampbellforohio.com/

A bit more on Russell's favorite "trash blog" (As Ohio Goes)

I understand about not wanting to spread your identity around too, because as you know, I was forced to post here pseudonymously after what seemed to be intimidation from staff of a certain candidate (a Democrat). At this point, I no longer care as I've since learned this problem with this candidate was widespread. I'm sure my identity isn't secret now — I know another blogger — was it Jill? Not sure — figured it out, and so did Jennifer Brunner. Oh well.

Anyway, I am looking forward to see Ted and Lee, and Jennifer, and Marc, and Rich, start to bring some semblance of good government back to Ohio and tear the veil off what our legislature is doing to destroy the state. Glad you will be on board to help. I'll be helping the effort to oust these bastards in 08.

Admirable.

Seriously.

How could you NOT admire someone who defines "incredible opportunity" as a job with the government- a job with less visibility, smaller impact and an average salary lower than the average Ohio political blogger?

Russell, A.K.A. "Staff,"

Your blog over the last year has been like the common room of a big, vibrant college dorm.

There were lots of interesting conversations going on all over the dorm--conversations about politics, policy, the media, life, sports, etc.--but for those of us who had little time (which is most of us), the common room was where the action was, where you could find out what some of the more interesting things happening elsewhere were, and what you could use as a launching off point to take a quick peek at those other conversations.

You really did succeed in using the power of the web to create an alternative to mainstream media for finding out what is really going on. As the mainstream media cut back the resources they devote to politics and policy, filtered so heavily that one had no idea what actually happened, or abdicated responsible reporting entirely, you helped fill the void. And the moment I knew you were successful was when reporters would call me and ask if I had read something on BSB. It really happened--more than once.

On a personal note, thank you also for drawing your readers' attention to unfiltered information from the trail about events in my campaign. Although it was ultimately impossible to overcome the resource gap in the primary (and I'm glad Marc Dann won the general), it was nice to know in the face of that resource gap and media apathy there was at least some echo to the magical interactions I would have with audiences in the room. Again, I can't begin to tell you the number of times that the unfiltered information or reviews would be reflected back to me when I would contact someone for help: "I've heard of you--the bloggers love you..." (Just think, without your efforts, I might not have hit 30%! .)

While I am nervous to see the common room remodeled (and hopefully not bulldozed), I am very happy that you will have the opportunity to put your ideas into practice. Rich Cordray represents the future of this state and country, as do you, and I hope you enjoy the ride.

You will be missed.

Finally, many thanks to "Mrs. Staff" for her sacrifice. If there is anyone who knows what that means when you are trying to serve a broader cause, it is my family, so we not only "feel her pain" but thank her and wish her the best.