During our CTG tour, Jerome and I headlined a fundraiser for state house candidate Rob Brading in Oregon. He was running against the Republican Speaker of the House.

Ultimately, he was defeated by a mere 700 votes after being outspent 2-1. But despite the disappointment, the battle led to great things:

Oregon progressives owe Rob Brading a massive debt of gratitude. Without Rob Brading's campaign against Karen Minnis, the Oregon House Democrats would not be in the majority today.

It was the most expensive legislative race in Oregon history, and Rob Brading was outspent 2 to 1. And yet, he came within 700 votes of toppling the Speaker in her own district.

A million dollar onslaught. No one knows just how many pieces of attack mail were delivered, but it was well over 40 different hit pieces from the Minnis campaign. Tens of thousands of robocalls. Months of television advertising - including broadcast TV in the closing weeks. A smear campaign that dragged Rob, his family, and his reputation through the mud.

Imagine for a moment that Minnis's million dollars instead was $250,000 more against Chris Edwards, and $250,000 more against Brian Clem, and $250,000 more against Jean Cowan, and $250,000 more against David Edwards. Could we have won all four of those majority-making seats? Not very likely. Maybe one, maybe two. But not all four.

And it wasn't just the money. The Brading campaign's relentless grassroots volunteer campaign pounding the sidewalks in East Multnomah County made life miserable for Karen Minnis and her pals.

As the speaker, Karen Minnis had the greatest ability to raise money, controlled the purse strings, and directed her team's energy. By keeping her attention focused on her own race, the Brading campaign kept the top right-wing money, energy, time, and talent focused on him -- allowing Chris Edwards, Brian Clem, Jean Cowan, and David Edwards to slip past their defenses. (And also, by the way, Sal Peralta and Jim Gilbertson -- who both appear to have lost by less than 400 votes, in districts previously considered unwinnable.)

Too often, we forget quickly the candidates who lose. Too often, we move on, unsure what to say - condolences seem awkward, sympathy seems misplaced, congratulations aren't appropriate. So, we move on. We turn the other way.

But here's what you say to Rob Brading: Thank you.

We all worked our asses off for our favorite candidates, gave our time, our money, poured our heart and souls on behalf of the cause. But our sacrifices are nothing like those of our candidates. They put their lives on hold, are forced to give up precious family time, have to make non-stop and demeaning fundraising calls, kiss too many rings, too many asses to get endorsements from self-important issue groups and fundraising help from big money donors, they have to be on the road non-stop for months, often with little sleep, knowing that one innocent slip up could end up on YouTube and sink all their hard work down the drain.

All the while, you get trashed this way and that by your opponents, pundits, bloggers, anonymous cowards, getting dragged through the mud in plain view of your friends, family, co-workers and acquaintances.

And for what? If you're challenging an incumbent, you'll probably lose. And if you're challenging the most powerful Republican in all of Oregon, you'll definitely probably lose.

Yet Brading, and so many like him, didn't let all that deter them. And if we're lucky, they'll jump back on the saddle and make another go at it in two, four, or six years.

And they do so because they are willing to surrender personal safety and comfort for something much bigger than themselves.

I would never ask someone to run for office. I don't hate anyone that much. But for those who do, I have nothing but the most intense and genuine respect.

So thank you Rob, and thank you to all of our candidates, win or lose. You all made a difference.