Political consulting, breast cancer and me

[cmd]

Some of you who were around here at the very beginning remember me as coalminersdaughter. DU was my refuge from the Bush regime. I was still teaching during the 2000 election and was only active in union politics. After the Supreme Court's decision to give the election to Bush, I began looking for people who were as angry as I. I found them here at DU.

When Bush invaded Iraq, I became actively involved in politics for the first time in my life. I spoke at rallies, stood on the street corner with signs every Monday for weeks on end and was lucky enough to meet some DUers in person as we banded together in protest.

By the time the '04 election rolled around, I had retired and had lots of time to devote to politics. Our team in Tusc. Co. busted our butts to elect Kerry. When I left HQ on election day completely exhausted, I was sure we had won. You know the rest of that story. Once again I sunk into political depression.

For those of you who are new here, the Ohio forum was a vibrant, lively place to be. We banded together looking for candidates to represent us. That's when the great battle of North and South Ohio occurred. It centered around Paul Hackett vs. Sherrod Brown; and was proof positive that herding Democrats is like herding cats.
The Ohio forum broke apart and has never been the same.

This was also about the time of the Ney/Abramoff scandal. I live in the Ohio 18th and was represented by Ney. One of my neighbors, Zack Space, decided to run for Ney's seat. I got involved the Space campaign and really got my feet wet in big time politics. Hours and hours of computer work, phone calls and fund raisers later, we did the impossible. Congressman Space won in an extremely Republican district. There is nothing like a good scandal to open a door for the opposition. Ney provided the first one and his replacement, Joy Padgett, provided a second one. Congressman Space went to Washington and I took a short break from politics.

The first thing the Congressman-elect learned was that he needed million dollars for his next election. A few of us locals were called together to begin the campaign for '08. A friend and I were named political consultants and given a small stipend. (Wow! I was right up there with James Carville. LOL) I decided at this time to stop posting on DU. I didn't want my comments to reflect on the Congressman.

I spent the last few years doing opposition research, putting together committees, organizing LTTE campaigns, putting up signs in frozen ground, circulating petitions to get on the ballot, writing thank yous, sending out birthday and anniversary congratulatory notes and of course, fund raising,

Last spring I broke a rib. When I went to the hospital for a CT scan, a lump was spotted on my breast. I will admit that I was one of those "it will never happen to me" people. I lost both my parents to colon cancer and was sure that it would do me in. I skipped my mammograms. By the time I was diagnosed, the cancer has spread to my liver and I was in Stage 4 cancer. I very soon became unable to do my political work and resigned from the campaign. I have gone through two rounds of chemo. It is no longer working, so now I'm in a holding pattern waiting for the cancer to begin growing again.

I am trying to make every day a great one, so don't worry about me or feel sad. As long as I can reach my back scratcher, I'll be fine. Burping and itchy skin is for the birds.

If you have any questions, please ask. If you are a woman, get your mammograms regularly. If you want to do something for me, go out and kick a republican butt. Have a great day. CMD

[Kolesar]

1. Let me lend my moral support

Remember protesting bush in Richfield before the 2004 election? We Democrats even got press coverage in the newspaper and on a Cleveland TV station.

Wishing the best for you!

[Ninga]

2. If you are talking about Labor Day and Bush's visit to Timkin.....I was there too. In the

drizzle as a matter of fact.

To DU'er CMD...... please allow me too, to lend my moral support. And I promise, I will do all I can to kick republican butt.

:hi:

:hug:

[safeinOhio]

3. Best of luck in your battle

In 2008 I move to Ohio from just across the boarder and followed all the Ney and Taft news on the Toledo stations. Had to leave MI, long story, a came here to vote and fight for Democrats and Progressives. Lenawee county is a lot like Hancock in many ways.

[OhioBlue]

4. cmd - I just don't have the words

to tell you how sorry I am to hear about this.

You're so right - the Ohio forum has never been the same. When I first came here, I felt so mentored and inspired. You provided both.

I hope for you the happiest of holiday seasons. I'm glad to hear that you are making every day a great one.

Love and Hugs!!!!

OhioBlue

[rexcat]

5. I sorry to hear of your diagnosis...

I work in cancer research and know what you are going through.

I remember the forum back in the day. There was some heated debates. I must admit that I was wrong about Sherrod Brown. He has turned out to be one hell of a good Senator, much better than Hackett could have ever been. Living in SW Ohio has not been good for me on the political side. It is so damn conservative down here it can really skewer your opinions. It is too bad Portman won but Fisher should not have been the candidate to run against Portman. Jennifer Brunner would have made a hell of a Senator but the political winds in Ohio have decidedly changed for the worse.