Candidates are going to be blogging here

By DAN ROSS

Finding information about candidates or political issues during election time is far easier in the era of the Internet than it was in olden days. We are going to use our Web site, napavalleyregister.com, to make it as easy as possible this November to learn all you want about every item on your ballot.

We are creating a blog to discuss each candidate for local, state and national office, and one for the groups involved with initiatives or propositions that are going to appear on Napa County ballots.

Yes, that’s a lot of information, and that is what we are here for. Further, many of those who frequently make comments on our Web sites asked us to provide as comprehensive a site as possible.

The idea arose when Newspeak blogger Matt Pope announced his intention to run for American Canyon City Council. His candidacy required us to suspend Matt’s column out of fairness to his rivals for office. But it sparked the idea of an all-candidate blog atmosphere.

We are offering the space to each candidate or group once a week. They can post their positions, watch the response, and then reply to any questions or comments. They must play by the same rules as those making comments to any story: No personal attacks, no name-calling, no crossing the line.

This is the challenge to candidates, supporters and commenters alike. We are going to watch very closely to try and keep the mudslinging out of the Register’s election section.

The request is for the candidates to state their positions and why their views are the right ones without degrading their opponents.

Same for those making comments. You can criticize a person’s stance, but if you criticize the person, the comment is going to be deleted.

For example, “I think Joe’s position on Napa Pipe is wrong because ...” is OK. “I think Joe is an idiot because of his stance on Napa Pipe...” is not.

Candidates are already announcing their intention to run, but we won’t fire up the campaign page until the Napa County elections office makes their spot on the ballot official. The filing period continues through Aug. 8

Look for the election section soon. We will get this moving as we get candidates involved.

Dan Ross is the Register’s Multimedia Producer. He writes on local, state and national issues. He can be reached at 256-2264 or dross@napanews.com.

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