Editorial Endorsements: How we do them, and how you can use them

Like many newspapers, the Seattle Times endorses candidates prior to an election.

The first important thing to know about endorsements is that they are entirely separate and independent of the news reporting of the campaign. News reporters cover campaigns to help readers understand what is going on. Editorial writers go beyond reporting of campaigns to analyze the candidates, their experience, and their campaigns. We let readers know who we think is the better candidate in each race.

Before we arrive at our recommendation, Times editorial writers read what others, including newspaper reporters, have written. We examine campaign material and advertisements. We conduct personal interviews with candidates in every race in which we endorse. Afterward, members of the editorial board discuss the strengths and weaknesses of individual candidates and decide who we think is the better choice in each race. (Members of the board include editorial writers and editors and several members of the Blethen family, which owns The Seattle Times.)

Usually, after discussion a consensus emerges. If members of the editorial board cannot agree, either the editorial page editor or the publisher makes the final decision.

Our guiding philosophy in making endorsements is more pragmatic than dogmatic. We ask ourselves ``Who can do the best job?'' We do not favor one political party over another or any particular ideology. We value public service and hold candidates seeking office to high standards of experience, intelligence and common sense.

We have no way of knowing what, if any, influence our recommendations have. We offer them to readers as one more piece of information to consider as they arrive at their own conclusions beforevoting.

Our primary goal is to encourage readers to participate in the electoral process -- to VOTE.

Copyright © 2000 The Seattle Times Company