Democrat in Paris watches Cordray event via Internet

Jenny O'Donnell of Linwood, who moved near Paris, France, last fall when her husband got a job transfer, said she was thrilled to be able to watch state Treasurer Richard Cordray's swearing-in ceremony at the Ohio Statehouse Monday via an Internet link.

"I have worked for years to see this great guy get elected to Ohio office. He is truly what a political servant should be," O'Donnell said in an email message today.

O'Donnell said she's still active with the Linwood Community Council, Hamilton County Democratic Party and Cincinnati Women's Political Caucus.

"With the advent of the internet, I have been able to keep in close touch with my friends, candidates and family members," O'Donnell said.

Leesa Brown, spokeswoman for Cordray, said, "We made lemonade out of lemons by having her participate in our campaign via cyberspace. She made calls via the Internet from France and was an active booster for us via her extensive email network."

O'Donnell also was active with David Pepper's campaign, and sent a flurry of fund-raising emails for John Cranley, Victoria Wulsin and Connie Pillich.

"I read the blogs, the online newspapers, and my friends send me the gossip! I have email, and use SKYPE and Yahoo for internet telephone access. I listen to Michael Sweeney's rebroadcasts of his radio show, WNKU's morning news broadcasts, listen to Jake Speed's weekly musical ditty, and have been watching the inaugurations on the live feed."

"I was instant messaging my sister during the Cordray inauguration. I stood up and proudly said the Pledge of Allegiance, applauded wildly for the new governor, and sang God Bless America from half way around the world. I laughed when Sen. (Ray) Miller said Tyrone Yates was having a fund raiser with all those good Dems in Columbus (that sounds just like Tyrone!). The whole experience brought tears to my eyes, joy and sadness that I couldn't be there to congratulate everyone in person. I am very hopeful for a new day in Ohio with these political changes."

O'Donnell said she still considers herself a Paris-Cincinnati commuter since she plans to come back to Ohio every 60 days, "particularly to work on campaigns, to vote, and to continue my forensic psychology practice."

"I know it sounds corny, but I have been an Ohio Dem for a long time, and this amazing outcome was even too good for a diehard like me to believe," O'Donnell wrote. "It was thrilling just to hear Dr. (Ted) Strickland (he's a psychologist, you know) introduced as governor. That brought tears to my eyes."

She said her mother, Priscilla O'Donnell, and many friends will be in Columbus for this weekend's inaugural festivities. "Honestly, I know I am having an amazing experience living in Europe, but I'd rather be there with them celebrating this victory then in Paris or London. I really am a hometown girl."