Election season
This week's column.
This column typically outlines what we're planning for the editorial pages during the state and local campaign seasons.
But, first, a word about what we are not going to do.
As we initially announced last fall, the News & Record will not endorse a candidate in the 2008 presidential campaign.
This decision followed several months of discussions among the editorial page editors in our parent company, Landmark Communications Inc.
And it aligns with our continuing efforts to concentrate on local news and local issues, where we believe our impact is strongest and most helpful to readers.
In state and local races, we have access to, and ongoing contact with, nearly all of the candidates. It's not uncommon, day to day, for us to be able to sit down with these folks in person or to reach them by telephone.
I would like to say the same of Sens. Clinton, Obama and McCain. Maybe our messages didn't get through.
Further, in North Carolina, Council of State races such as state auditor, insurance commissioner, treasurer and secretary of state can be utterly confusing to many voters.
So can state and local judicial races. We'll try to help you sort them out.
We'll comment on the issues and endorse candidates in races from U.S. Senate and governor to school board and county commissioner. We'll tell you who the players are and what each office entails.
We'll also address key issues as they relate to a historic presidential race, as will ongoing coverage on the news pages. But we won't be choosing a presidential candidate, either in the primaries or the general election.
Of course, there are plenty of other races to worry about on a North Carolina ballot that seems to never end.
From top to bottom, the Guilford County ballot will include more than 40 races, plus a massive May 6 county bond referendum that will include $412.3 million for school improvements and construction; $45 million to help rebuild Eastern Guilford High School; $79.5 million for construction and expansion at GTCC; $20.2 million for parks and recreation; and $114.6 million for a new Guilford County jail.
We'll make clear to you the stakes involved in these bonds, and the potential costs and rewards to the taxpayer.
And as we usually do, we'll interview the candidates, some in group sessions, some individually
In the primary, we'll write endorsements for U.S. Senate, Congress, governor and any local races in which the primary determines the final outcome.
In partnership with our news colleagues, we'll also continue some new approaches we added during the 2007 Greensboro City Council race:
Video: In some selected races, we'll conduct "televised" interviews with the candidate and post them on our Web site. We'll also allow local candidates to record brief video statements in which they'll speak directly to the voters.
Town hall meetings: We held two very well-attended town hall meetings on city election issues in 2007. We'll sponsor at least two more this year on dates and sites we'll determine later.
An election Web site: In one place at news-record.com, you'll be able to view candidate biographies, questionnaires, news articles, editorial endorsements and other campaign-related information.
An election blog: The "Decision 2008" blog already is up and running and features notes and commentary from the campaign trail.
Issues: We will meld our election commentary with analysis of topical issues, such as the drought, public safety, economic development and school discipline that should matter to the candidates and the voters. We'll ask for their stances and solicit your reactions.
As always, we appreciate your ideas and suggestions. And, as always, however you feel about our endorsements, you'll have the last word, at the voting booth.