Taking Down Words, no longer the first "baby" of Democrat spokesperson Jen Wagner? That's a hard hit, but it's what Jen is writing today -- that she will leave her blogs (TDW, Bury the Lede and the Accidental Mayor) to join Jim Schellinger in his quest to become governor of Indiana:

Sez she:

"I was at an event the other night where someone in the crowd asked Jim why he was running for Governor. His answer was essentially that after years of watching government and witnessing things with which he disagreed, he felt like it was time for him to put up or shut up.

"I feel the same way, except that I am going to put up and shut up. At least with respect to my blogs.

"I want to thank you for helping make TDW the strange little phenomenon it has become over the past few years. I've had a lot of fun, and I think that amid the jokes and snark, maybe we've done a few decent things. (Yes, Glenn Murphy, I'm talking about you and your predatory ways.)

"But all good things must come to an end -- or at least be passed along to someone else.

"Whether you loved TDW or hated it, thanks for reading. I'll try to post details about the future of the site over the weekend before starting my new job on Monday."

I had emailed Jen last night about the Coffey/Patterson lawsuit news. She responded that she was writing her blog obituary. As someone of an age who really does write her obituary, often, I thought she was being self-indulgent and funny. But as usual, she was telling the truth.

Jen's contributions have been enormous. She and Gary Welsh's Advance Indiana are the two blogs many of us turn to first, because they are the best.

It's a big hit, but as an old editor said once, "Change is what makes the world go 'round." In that sense, one can only hope that Jen will eventually return to blogging about life, politics and media in Indiana.

Best to Jen and her family.